Now that we're at the third season six episode of Chicago Hope, I think viewers are settling into the new show and the new time slot, and I will try to focus more on the actual content of the episode rather than relating this season to previous seasons in my reviews.
So, in this episode, the emphasis is, once again, on a delicate heart operation that must be performed on a newborn baby whose aorta and pulmonary vein are switched. Dr. Alberghetti decides to get Dr. Carrie, a surgeon from UCLA to come to Chicago Hope to perform the surgery. However, Dr. Carrie has Tourette's Syndrome, a neurological condition in which the sufferers are prone to twitching and making sudden loud noises. Alberghetti has known Carrie for years and has informed the staff and the parents of the child to be operated on that Carrie's symptoms disappear in the operating room. Geiger, however, has a major problem with Carrie and his condition and initially refuses to let the man operate at Chicago Hope. He even provokes the man to turn to violence, causing Geiger's train set to be disrupted, and making it seem as though Carrie is unfit to operate. When Alberghetti confronts Geiger and suggests that Carrie scares him, Geiger finally gives in and agrees to have Carrie operate, particularly after Aaron reminds him that once upon a time, Geiger's own actions were unpredictable and strange but that everyone knew that he was stable in the OR. In the end, Geiger assists Carrie and Alberghetti with the operation, and the threesome work together admirably, saving the life of the child.
Dr. Hamlin (Lauren Holly), is consulting a woman who wants breast implants and she informs Hamlin that she has already had numerous cosmetic operations (including having ribs removed), and is aiming to become a spitting image of Barbie (yes, the doll). Although this shocks Hamlin, she does entertain the possibility. Later, though, Hamlin must treat a man who has suffered third degree burns over much of his body and she changes her mind and refuses to operate on "Barbie". At the end of the episode, "Barbie" is being wheeled into surgery and explains to Hamlin that Dr. Peters has agreed to perform the operation. And yes, that is the same Dr. Peters from the season premiere, whose liposuction patient died in recovery. So Hamlin offers the woman good luck (which she'll need, knowing Peters' recent track record).
Finally, a man comes into the ER to see Wilkes and offers him Einstein's brain. This is, of course, along the traditional vein of Chicago Hope; an over-the-top, crazy and unbelievable story. Anyway, Keith is skeptical but consults Dr. Simon and they find that the brain is indeed unlike any other they have seen. However, McNeil later comes to tell them that the brain actually belonged to a different Albert Einstein who happened to have his autopsy at the same time as the Einstein and who happened to die under different circumstances.
So, as always, I'll add my own commentary. First of all, I didn't like the Einstein part. Didn't someone really find Einstein's brain (or at least part of it) not too long ago? And I mean in real life, so wouldn't Wilkes and Simon have heard about it?
Also, I have a complaint about Hamlin. In a way I think she's cool and has potential as a character, but her hair is completely illogical for a surgeon. When the burn victim came in, she had these ridiculous loose braids and it looked as though any minute she'd either become entangled in them or she would start shedding into the wounds of the patient. Surely the hospital must have some policy about tying back loose hair. And her moment of emotional distress (when she was trying to figure out what to do about "Barbie" and she felt emotional towards the burn victim and went to discuss it with Wilkes and Simon), just wasn't good enough. It was as though the moment she voiced her feelings, they were over; Wilkes and Simon seemed to have little sympathy and they didn't even really seem to notice that she was upset. And then, Hamlin forgot about her dilemma too. I don't know if it was a script glitch or an acting problem, but it really disappointed me that we missed this chance to see the new characters interacting on an emotional level.
On the other hand, I thought the whole segment with Dr. Carrie was great. The actor really showed his compassion as a doctor, his frustration and feelings of helplessness towards his condition, and his fear of rejection. I loved seeing Alberghetti "taking care of him", I like Aaron's matter-of-fact manner in dealing with the Tourette's, and I thought Geiger's phobia about Carrie and his disease was very well done. Geiger felt threatened by Dr. Carrie and his disease because he couldn't control or predict it; maybe it even reminded him of his own behavior, but he eventually came around. Geiger can be an arrogant lout, but he does have a heart, and it's nice to see both sides of him in one episode.
On a more superficial note, I was glad to see Geiger pacing around without any pants - it reminded me of the good old days…not that those days are over, I think Chicago Hope still has a chance to be great again.
So, on that note, I'll leave you with my favorite quote from the episode:
Alberghetti: And why aren't you wearing any pants?
Geiger: Because my pants make a lot of noise!!
Granted, it isn't even remotely funny for some people, but if you're a Geiger fan whose been watching since the beginning of CH, you probably find humor in this quote. I was rolling on the floor laughing.
