Middle of Nowhere is the 16th episode of the 5th season of "E.R." It was first aired on February, 25 in 1999. It was written by Carol Flint and Neal Baer and directed by Jonathan Caplan.
Plot[]
In order to pay for Reese's speech therapy, Benton works at a clinic in Mississippi during his vacation.
NBC Description[]
DR. BENTON BECOMES A HERO IN SMALL SOUTHERN TOWN; ACTION-PACKED EPISODE SHOT ON-LOCATION IN CENTRAL FLORIDA: Dr. Benton (Eriq La Salle) accepts a temporary position at a rural medical clinic in La Verne, Mississippi, in order to secure extra funds to pay for his son's special educational needs.
Shortly after settling in to the seemingly quiet and humid little town, Benton is faced with life-and-death situations at every turn, making the visiting surgeon a hero in the eyes of the initially suspicious residents and teaching him some valuable lessons about doctoring.
Meanwhile, an exhilarated Benton returns to Chicago and reunites with his son, but a visit with the increasingly ailing and frail Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) tempers his emotional high.
Alex Kingston and Laura Innes also star. Celia Weston ('Dead Man Walking') guest-stars as understanding clinic nurse Maureen.
Short summary[]
Peter accepts Romano's suggestion and takes a two-week job in Minnesota to earn some extra money. Unfortunately, before he gets a chance to leave, he's transferred to backwoods Mississippi, where the hospital is only a two-room building. Peter battles local racism, delivers a difficult infant while battling the grandfather's concerns that the child might be black, and uses unorthodox methods to save two shrimp boat workers. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Jeanie's condition worsens.
Characters[]
Trivia[]
- Although in the opening credits, Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, and Kellie Martin do not appear in this episode.
- A Peter Benton-centric episode.
Quotes[]
Dr. Peter Benton: Adelina should have been admitted to a hospital for diabetic teaching.
Nurse Practitioner: Well, that's not gonna happen.
Dr. Peter Benton: Well, what about a sub-q insulin pump? Have you heard of those?
Nurse Practitioner: [sarcastically] Something newer than leeches?
______________________________
[Jeanie's nose is bleeding. Peter reaches out with a tissue]
Jeanie Boulet: Peter, don't touch me, for God's sake! I'm poison.