ER: The greatest moments

29 November 2007 12:00am

Not a day goes by at Chicago's County General Hospital without a series of emotional decisions, some intense human reflection and heart-wrenching drama. But that's the ER.

Now, the Emmy-winning American drama, which premiered in September 1994, is getting ready for its 15th - and last - series, which looks set to star Angela Bassett.

Here we take a look at some of the most memorable moments.

:: Orion In The Sky

Dr Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) spends his final day in the ER after he realises that his brain tumour will prevent him from giving his patients the best treatment.

Mark must sadly acknowledge that a new generation of doctors will take his place.

Through observing his patients, he bravely decides to forego chemotherapy and spend his remaining days in peace.

This very special episode has been described as being, "good enough to be a series finale".

:: On The Beach

This is perhaps one of the most iconic episodes, which will remain forever ingrained on the minds of those who watched it.

The 2002 tear-jerker, which earned the show an Emmy Award nomination, sees Dr Greene choose to spend his last days with his troublesome teenage daughter Rachel.

Taking her to Hawaii to show her where he grew up, Mark teaches her how to surf and how to drive a stick shift. But one day, after surfing, he suffers a seizure.

Rachel calls Mark's wife Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston), in a panic and she arrives with their new baby Ella. The four spend Mark's final days bonding.

:: All In The Family

Propelled by its dramatic storyline, this episode in series six is something of a classic.

On Valentine's Day 2000, a man with schizophrenia checks into the ER and grabs a knife, which was intended to cut a Valentine's cake.

He stabs Dr John Carter (Noah Wyle) and medical student Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin), who are discovered by Dr Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes). While Carter's prognosis is good, Lucy's heart stops.

She flatlines while waiting for emergency surgery to fix a life-threatening blood clot but though Dr Robert Romano (Paul McCrane) and Dr Corday desperately try to save her life, she fails to pull through.

:: The Storm

One of the most tragic moments for fans of George Clooney, this episode shows his character Dr Doug Ross's final day in the ER following his decision to resign and leave Chicago.

Not only does the gorgeous doc depart, he does this after helping a poor mother end the misery of her terminally ill child.

Meanwhile, he asks Nurse Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) to come with him, but she decides against it and this has critical consequences for their relationship.

:: Such Sweet Sorrow

When Nurse Carol Hathaway resuscitates a terminal cancer sufferer so that she can say goodbye to her family, she realises that life is too short.

After saying a quick goodbye to new flame Dr Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic), she runs out of the hospital and hops on a plane to Seattle to see former love Dr Doug Ross.

The series six episode, which is fuelled with emotional drama, also sees Dr Carter's mental stability deteriorate to the point where he almost kills a woman.

The final episode for Hathaway ends the incredible six-year run by Julianna, the only ER actor to ever receive an Emmy for her role.

© The Press Association