Long before the phrase "binge-worthy TV" was coined, medical drama ER kept audiences glued to their armchairs for 15 long seasons (1994-2009). Week after week, audiences tuned in for the show's pacy storylines, medical realism and total dreamboats - the show propelled the careers of George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies and many more to new heights.
At 331 episodes it's a mammoth back-catalogue of critically acclaimed, iconic TV. But where to start? If you find yourself with a bit of time on your hands over coming months (likely), here's SM Entertainment's roundup of stand-out episodes.
"24 Hours" (Season 1, Episode 1)
© Channel 4
To really get to grips with the show watch the full first season, but the pilot episode is as good a place as any to start. It sets the pace, tone and unique style for the episodes and seasons to come.
"Motherhood" (Season 1, Episode 24)
© Channel 4
ER fan and director Quentin Tarantino (yes the Tarantino) takes up the helm for the penultimate episode of Season 1. A stand-out episode with plenty of Tarantino trademarks.
"Hell and High Water" (Season 2, Episode 7)
© Channel 4
Clooney, aka Doug Ross, tackles a medical crisis outside the hospital, coming to the aid of a kid stuck in a storm drain. Our hero! It's also ER's most-watched episode ever, bringing in 48 million viewers.
"Night Shift" (Season 3, Episode 11)
© Channel 4
Featuring show favourite Dr. Carter's (Wyle) blossoming relationship with a superior, and a guest appearance from a very young Kirsten Dunst in what becomes a recurring appearance as a homeless girl.
"Ambush" (Season 4, Episode 1)
© Channel 4
ER pulled off a remarkable live episode to start the fourth season. Not the best episode for storyline or character development, but yet more evidence of the show's worthy place in the history books of groundbreaking TV.
"Exodus" (Season 4, Episode 15)
© Channel 4
Event TV. A toxic chemical spill causes havoc for County General Hospital, Corday (Alex Kingston) rescues a man whose right arm is trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building, and Dr. Carter is forced to take charge of the emergency room.
"All In The Family" (Season 6, Episode 14)
© Channel 4
Hands-down one of the most moving, gut-wrenching, tragic episodes of the entire show. The Valentine's Day-themed episode follows the stabbing of Dr. Knight (Kellie Martin) and had many fans (including this one) upset at the loss of a much-loved character.
"On The Beach" (Season 8, Episode 21)
© Channel 4
What the makers of ER did so well was to balance the tense storylines from the trauma room, with long-running, slow-burning character story arcs. This episode demonstrates this subtle balance so well with a storyline climax and a real tear-jerker marking the death of Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards).
"Freefall" (Season 10, Episode 8)
© Channel 4
A dramatic helicopter crash on the roof and the death of a key cast member proved that after 10 seasons the show could still surprise and shock audiences.
"And In The End" Season 15, Episode 22
© Channel 4
The grand finale of the then-longest-running medical drama on TV, which movingly reunites a host of fan-favourite characters such as Carter, Stringfield, Lewis, Benton, and La Salle.
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