While storylines surrounded Greene and his father, Hathaway and Kovac, the fallout of Carter after the legendary episode "All in the Family" culminates in a memorable season finale.
One can only imagine the pain (both physical and psychological) that Carter has had to endure since his near-fatal stabbing. We saw Greene blow up after being beaten. And yet, as you watch the episodes since "All in the Family," not much attention has been given to Carter and the fallout of his horrendous attack.
We did see the Psych Attending ask if Carter wanted to talk, but there didn't seem to be much other support or concern. And, of course, the result is leaving Carter to try and deal with it all himself. Just as Greene refused to get help, we'd hardly expect Carter to do the same.
It's ironic that in the end, it's Benton who confronts him, and does so out of love for his student. The so-called intervention wasn't a very good one. Greene had a chance to try and help Carter, but we all know that Greene has always lacked in this area. He's hardly a good father or husband, so how can we expect him to try and be compassionate with Carter?
In the end, this was Wyle's episode to shine, giving us a tragic Carter who's finally hit the wall. His explosion outside wasn't just about the physical pain he's been carrying, but the guilt and everything else surrounding not only his own attack but Lucy's death. And Noah Wyle did an absolutely exceptional job with this story arc. I sitll remember seeing this episode for the first time and marveling at Wyle's acting depth and range.
Part of me wishes that the writers would have delved even deeper into Carter after the attack; to give him the same attention that Greene was given.
The irony and fallout of Carter's attack is that this would carry through to the very last episode of the series. While the emotional wounds finally healed, it would take another nine seasons before the physical ones would.
If there is a lesson here, it's this: don't allow your loved ones to go through such a traumatic experience alone. Let them know that you are there for them.
One can only imagine the pain (both physical and psychological) that Carter has had to endure since his near-fatal stabbing. We saw Greene blow up after being beaten. And yet, as you watch the episodes since "All in the Family," not much attention has been given to Carter and the fallout of his horrendous attack.
We did see the Psych Attending ask if Carter wanted to talk, but there didn't seem to be much other support or concern. And, of course, the result is leaving Carter to try and deal with it all himself. Just as Greene refused to get help, we'd hardly expect Carter to do the same.
It's ironic that in the end, it's Benton who confronts him, and does so out of love for his student. The so-called intervention wasn't a very good one. Greene had a chance to try and help Carter, but we all know that Greene has always lacked in this area. He's hardly a good father or husband, so how can we expect him to try and be compassionate with Carter?
In the end, this was Wyle's episode to shine, giving us a tragic Carter who's finally hit the wall. His explosion outside wasn't just about the physical pain he's been carrying, but the guilt and everything else surrounding not only his own attack but Lucy's death. And Noah Wyle did an absolutely exceptional job with this story arc. I sitll remember seeing this episode for the first time and marveling at Wyle's acting depth and range.
Part of me wishes that the writers would have delved even deeper into Carter after the attack; to give him the same attention that Greene was given.
The irony and fallout of Carter's attack is that this would carry through to the very last episode of the series. While the emotional wounds finally healed, it would take another nine seasons before the physical ones would.
If there is a lesson here, it's this: don't allow your loved ones to go through such a traumatic experience alone. Let them know that you are there for them.