Exodus

	"Exodus"
	Season 4, Episode 15
	[[File:\|center\|]]
Air date	February 26, 1998
Written by	Walon Green; Joe Sachs
Directed by	Christopher Chulack
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"Exodus" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of ER. It first aired on NBC on February 26, 1998. It was written Walon Green & Joe Sachs and directed by Christopher Chulack. It has John Carter taking charge when a nearby chemical spill sends the ER into chaos while Elizabeth Corday trys to save life of a man trapped in a collapsed warehouse and Doug Ross & Carol Hathaway rush to save a life of a sick little girl.

Plot[]

Injured workers from an explosion at a chemical plant are brought to the ER for treatment. Many of them have been overcome by fumes from benzene, which they bring into the ER on their clothes. While treating one of the victims, Dr. Weaver is overcome by the fumes and collapses. Carter suddenly finds himself in charge of the ER's evacuation plan and triage. He orders anyone being treated for the chemical disaster to be taken outside to the ambulance bay immediately . After consulting a chemical exposure manual -- which had been moved from the desk while Jerry had been working nights -- they find that they need to keep the victims isolated and treat them with oxygen to clear their lungs. A hazmat team arrives to take control of of the situation. Carter finds himself rushing from place to place to keep control of the situation. Eventually, the hazard is contained and the staff return to the ER to continue their work. Kerry tells Carter to handle the press conference & not to overstate the disaster or whom was responsible for containing it. Jerry talks to Weaver, explaining that the binder containing the emergency procedure manual had been removed from the desk while Jerry was working nights. Jerry also tells her that since he’s been back working days that he’ll make sure the ER is managed more effectively. Carter meets with the HAZMAT fire captain, who tells him the staff response to the spill was disastrous. The captain wants to set up disaster response training for the staff with Carter, who tells him to talk to the ER’s chief of staff.

While on a paramedic ride-along, Dr. Corday risks her life to save a man trapped in a burning and collapsing building. When the firefighters she has ridden with want to leave the collapsing structure, she stays with the man and eventually pulls him out just as the beams he was trapped under fall. The man’s left arm and shoulder were crushed under rubble. In a vain effort to save the limb, Corday and Romano team up back at Cook County Hospital and rush him into surgery, but they are unsuccessful and the man loses his arm.

Doug and Carol try to save a little girl while trapped in the elevator during the evacuation. They are running short on oxygen for her condition and Doug frantically tries to open the elevator doors to escape. Eventually he is able to force them open and a paramedic team gives them oxygen for their patient.

NBC Description[]

A DANGEROUS HAZMAT EMERGENCY PLUNGES THE ER INTO CHAOS: When injured workers are brought into the ER after an explosion and chemical spill at a warehouse, the effects of the toxic material spread, forcing Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) to take control of the situation by setting up temporary medical quarters in the hospital cafeteria.

Despite quick emergency measures, several staff members, including Dr. Weaver (Laura Innes), suffer the effects of the fumes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Corday (Alex Kingston) helps treat the disaster victims, after risking her own life to save a man trapped in the collapsed warehouse.

During the confusion, Dr. Ross (George Clooney) takes a dangerous chance as he and Nurse Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) work to save a critically ill girl (guest star Kelsey Mulrooney). Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle, Gloria Reuben and Maria Bello also star.

Short summary[]

While on a paramedic ride along, Elizabeth Corday puts her life at risk to rescue a man trapped in a building collapse. When hazardous materials are brought into the ER, the unit has to be closed down. With Dr. Weaver rendered unconscious, John Carter takes charge of the situation and performs brilliantly. With the ER evacuated, Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway find themselves trapped in an elevator while transferring a young patient with renal failure.

Characters[]

Trivia[]

The episode won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series" & was nominated two more Emmys for "Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series" and for "Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series."
Eva Mendes' TV and film debut.
The old man that Carter performs the eye examination on is Mickey Rooney, a long time veteran of television, film and theatre.

Quotes[]

Carter (to the staff): EVERYBODY SHUT UP Everybody Shut Up!!! We are going to evacuate the entire ER. Check every room. All contaminated patients and staff, go to the ambulance bay right now.

Malik: Wait a minute. How do we know who's contaminated?

Carter: If you got a spot on your skin, if you got a spot on your gurney, if you got a spot on your clothes, go outside right now.

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Romano (to Corday): Ah, here's our little action hero.

Corday: How does it look?

Romano: Like ground beef. No, actually, more like chopped liver.

Corday: Yeah, but do you think we have a chance for limb salvage?

Romano: You want my honest opinion? No, I don't think you do.

Corday: Well, I'd like to give it our best shot.

Romano: You got it, Lizzie. No holds barred. One hundred and ten percent.

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Carol Hathaway: What if the elevator moves? You could get killed!

Dr. Doug Ross: Well, then you won't have to worry about a commitment.

Carol Hathaway: Doug, I'm serious!