ER Episode 12.17 Lost in America

Neela was nervous about having to give a big presentation at a surgeon's convention. Ray calmed her down and assured her she was going to be fine. They had an awkward pause before Neela rushed out of the apartment.

Kovac and Abby struggled to save the life of a young woman who was stabbed in the neck. Abby and Kovac argued about how to handle the woman's injury. Abby became impatient with the nurses and doctors in the ER when they tried to assist her with everything. She was further angered when Kovac dismissed her from the OR.

Clemente returned to work in the ER. He noticed the cold reception he got from his peers and asked them to knock off their attitudes. Clemente left the hospital early to take a breather. He ran into Abby in the parking lot, doing the same thing. They shared their mutual frustrations with the ER staff.

Ray had to inform his suicidal patient, Barry, that his overdose was not a real suicide attempt. Barry was only concerned about the attempt counting, and staying overnight at the hospital. The psych ward wouldn't take Barry because of overcrowding. Ray was upset that the hospital was going to have to discharge Barry without diagnosing him.

Clemente confronted Ray about his negative attitude towards him. He demanded respect from Ray and let him know that he was still a member of the hospital.

Archie got a few surprised guests at work. Four kids came by looking for him and hoping to have a few questions answered. Archie found out that through his sperm bank donations, he had fathered the children. He was thrilled and couldn't wait to parade them around work. He was disappointed to learn that they all had lives with their families and had no intention of having a paternal relationship with him.

Barry pleaded with Ray to let him stay overnight in the hospital. Ray had to explain that taking two pills did not qualify as an overdose. Barry confessed that he wanted to stay in the hospital overnight because he was in love with his best friend's fiancé. Ray told him that wasn't good enough. Barry also mentioned that they were getting married that weekend and he was afraid he would confess his feelings to the fiancé. Being in similar shoes, Ray sympathized with Barry and promised him he would pull some strings for an overnight stay.

Clemente came in to assist Kovac with his stabbing victim. He suggested a radical procedure that had the others in the OR skeptical. When the procedure worked, Clemente was ecstatic. Abby explained to the victim's mother that oxygen levels were back to normal.

Neela presented her big speech at the medical convention and it was a disaster. Her computer was messed up and her presentation was out of order. Nobody came up to help her and then her podium was hit by a paint-filled balloon. Protesters against animal cruelty accused Neela of using rats for her experiments. She defended herself but was drowned out by the protesters. An overwhelmed Neela passed out on stage.

The doctors of the ER worked frantically when their stabbing victim began to internally bleed. Clemente had to tell the victim's mother that her daughter had suffered brain damage. Once the machines were turned off, her daughter's life would end. Kovac praised Clemente's work and determination even though the results were not positive.

Neela was nursing her bruised forehead and enjoying a martini with Dr. Dubenko. After a rough day at the medical convention, she confessed that the only place she wanted to be was enjoying a movie with Ray back at the apartment.

After rejecting the idea at first, Abby agreed to have her and Kovak's baby baptized. Abby was against the idea because she wasn't religious, but she understood the importance of a baptism to Kovac and his family.

After having severe money shortage problems, Sam decided to take up an offer from a patient. She would be working part time as a private nurse for a wealthy businessman who would also give her and her son free room and board. She was shocked to learn the man wasn't even going to conduct an interview; he had already made the decision to hire Sam.

Neela told Ray that it was in both of their best interests for her to move out of his apartment. Ray was puzzled as to why she'd made this sudden decision. Without admitting it, Neela knew it was because of the mutual romantic feelings they had developed for one another.

Kovac talked to the mother of the girl who died of the stab wounds. She confessed that her son had been acting strangely since ever since he was accused of being a terrorist because of being Muslim. She told the story of how her son was hanging around more fundamental Muslims and that his anger with his sister motivated him to stab her. Kovac sympathized with the grieving mother.

After the day was over, Clemente wanted Archie to go to dinner with him. Archie declined the offer. Clemente retired for the night with a good book on the couch in the ER locker room.