The essential episodes of ER

Watch these 10 in order and you've got ER — each pick states its reason.

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · September 19, 1994 · 2h

    24 Hours6.8

    A typical day filled with traumas packs the ER. Under pressure from his wife, Chief Resident Dr. Mark Greene considers leaving County to join a private practice that would give him a much higher salary. When a building collapses, multiple casualties are brought in. New medical students start their ER rotation, among them John Carter, an inexperienced third year student. As the day continues, Dr. Peter Benton operates on a patient with an aortic aneurysm, a procedure normally performed by senior staff; and charge nurse Carol Hathaway is brought into the ER after a suicide attempt.

  2. 02

    S01E14 · Season 1 peak · January 19, 1995 · 1h

    Long Day's Journey9.3

    A case of apparent spousal abuse is not what it seems. Deb outshines Carter after he is up all night preparing for a presentation. Benton informs Jackie he's hired a helper for his mother. After Kayson's reprimand against Susan is denied, she has a chance to prove herself when he is brought in as a patient after suffering a heart attack. Doug meets Diane Leeds, who works in the hospital's Risk Management division, and her son, Jake.

  3. 03

    S02E01 · Season 2 peak · September 21, 1995 · 1h

    Welcome Back, Carter!8.0

    The ER treats victims of a gang shootout. Carter arrives late and unprepared for his new position. Mark learns all about being an attending, including senior staff's habit of bad mouthing the residents, particularly Doug Ross. Mark hires a new Chief Resident, Kerry Weaver. Third year med students arrive to complete their ER rotation

  4. 04

    S13E21 · Season 13 peak · May 3, 2007 · 1h

    I Don't5.5

    Luka's carefully arranged formal dinner for the ER staff gives Abby the surprise of a lifetime when she discovers the real reason for the evening. Luka finds himself dealing with Abby's reaction, but love prevails, and in the end, events come off as planned. As the celebration continues, Pratt plays an important role with a bit of panache, Morris and Hope find themselves with an opportunity they can't resist, and Neela finds herself the center of all manner of unexpected attention.

  5. 05

    S14E01 · Season 14 peak · September 27, 2007 · 1h

    The War Comes Home9.0

    Moretti's first day is challenging as the ER is inundated with casualties from the peace rally - including Neela. Dubenko faces a crisis in surgery. Abby, Pratt and Morris conspire about how to deal with a shared problem. A new intern arrives unexpectedly, and Gates is reassigned.

  6. 06

    S15E01 · Season 15 peak · September 25, 2008 · 1h

    Life After Death10.0

    Abby awakens after the ambulance explosion and rushes to check on Pratt; Sam and Gates rush to the scene; Morris and Neela struggle to keep up with Pratt's injuries; Abby treats a young girl injured during the blast.

  7. 07

    S15E03 · Top rated · October 16, 2008 · 1h

    The Book of Abby10.0

    When a gunshot wound victim arrives, the new chief and Abby butt heads on how to treat the patient. Abby comes to Sam's defense when she goes before a nurses disciplinary board.

  8. 08

    S15E12 · Top rated · January 15, 2009 · 1h

    Dream Runner10.0

    Neela has recurring dreams about trying to save a girl with sickle cell anemia. In them she also goes to an attending interview and sees an old colleague, has conversations with Ray, welcomes Brenner back from Australia, and assists Gates and Banfield in trying to save a "dream runner" who jumped out of a window during his sleep.

  9. 09

    S15E19 · Top rated · March 12, 2009 · 1h

    Old Times10.0

    A girl drops off a sick baby at the ER and then leaves; Carter may get a kidney transplant; Gates and Daria care for an elderly woman with multiple sclerosis; Neela and Sam are in Seattle to transport a heart for Joanie Moore, while Doug and Carol are concerned that the donor's grandmother might not consent.

  10. 10

    S15E22 · Series finale · April 2, 2009 · 2h

    And in the End...8.6

    Gates works on a young teen brought in with alcohol poisoning after playing a deadly drinking game with friends. Dr. Carter opens a new medical facility for the underprivileged in Chicago and some old friends from County General all come to show their support. It's Sam's birthday and Alex and Gates surprise her with a special gift. Meanwhile, Carter works with an intern to save a mother in labor with twins.

Shows like ER

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

  1. 01Drama·Medical·RomanceThe essential episodes of Grey's Anatomy2005–present·ABCStreaming on NetflixThe doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis -- it's in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship.7.6
  2. 02Drama·MedicalThe essential episodes of Chicago Med2015–presentSame network — NBC·Streaming on fuboTV7.8
  3. 03Drama·MedicalThe essential episodes of The Pitt2025–presentAlso on HBO MaxThe Pitt is a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in today's America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.8.5
  4. 04Drama·Medical·CrimeThe essential episodes of Bones2005–2017·FOXStreaming on Amazon Prime VideoF.B.I. Agent Seeley Booth is teamed up with forensic anthropologist Dr.8.1
  5. 05Drama·Medical·MysteryThe essential episodes of House2004–2012·FOXStreaming on Amazon Prime VideoSink your teeth into meaty drama and intrigue with House, FOX's take on mystery, where the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients.Dr.8.7
  6. 06Drama·Medical·ComedyThe essential episodes of Scrubs2001–2010·ABCAlso on HuluFresh out of medical school, new doctors John "J.D.8.4

Keep going

AlertsRenewal news, premiere dates and streaming moves. One confirmation email first — unsubscribe any time.