Romano sits in the Physical Therapy department, struggling with his (buff) therapist (who looks and sounds just a little like Shirley, so she's hereafter referred to as NotShirley) and scuffling with Kerry, who appears to be trying to take over his job.  (It is worth noting that he is wearing a black tee-shirt...which somehow, makes him even hotter.  I didn't know that was possible.)  Kerry seems to be genuinely concerned for our Rocket Man, and as he grimaces in pain, she asks if he's "considered upping [his] Vicodin".  "Ibuprofen," he grunts back.  You know, if he took his prescription Vicodin, then I have a feeling he wouldn't get hooked like Carter did.  And even if he did, I can't imagine anyone would stage an intervention.  Well, maybe Elizabeth and Kerry would...but then they'd be the ones fist-fighting over who got to fly to Atlanta with him.  I think that mental image just won us a few Male Cordanos.

Heh.  Sorry.  Back to the scene.  The therapy is hurting him, so NotShirley stops, he tells her to keep going, but she has another patient.  Unless that patient was Javy Lopez (or maybe Gallant!), there is NO WAY I would be running away from that pretty face.  Kerry gathers her papers, NotShirley helps Romano put his sling on, and Elizabeth strolls into the open doors of the PT department, grinning at Romano's griping at Kerry while folding her arms across her chest.  Romano's grimace softens when he looks up and catches Elizabeth smiling at him.  "Lizzie!" he exclaims, obviously overjoyed but still in pain.  Kerry waltzes to the door, with a smooth, "Elizabeth, how are you doing?"  I love how Elizabeth's gaze briefly darts from Romano to Kerry as she answers, "Fine," then she looks back toward Romano before Kerry can reply.  Hee!  She loves him.  Kerry comments that they'll catch up downstairs (yeah, you will!  And Elizabeth's gonna make you cry!  Wooooo!) and Elizabeth doesn't reply or nod or anything.  I love Elizabeth in this scene.

"I heard rumors," Romano slurs.  Maybe he has been hitting the Vicodin.  "All true, I'm afraid", she smiles.  "The one face I missed seeing in recovery," he says calmly, without his usual Romano Snark.  She unfolds her arms and takes a few steps toward his retreating figure.  "I'm so sorry, Robert," she says with genuine concern.  Romano grabs a towel from the collection on the counter and replies, "What, about my arm?  Or about not being there?"  That last question is very soft, very reminiscent of the time he asked her to go to the Christmas Party on top of the Prudential building in Season 4.  Elizabeth just smiles and sort of changes the subject, bringing them back to reality, "How are you healing?"  "Hurts [really bad]," he replies, and pulls out the seductive voice: "You?"  She looks into his eyes, then down again (probably telling the butterflies in her stomach to go away), pulls herself together, and asks, "Any sensory function yet?"  Her pager goes off as they walk (arms only inches from each other!) towards the door.  "Nope," he answers with a clear tone of disappointment.  Is he disappointed because his arm isn't working or because she has to leave?  ;)  "It's a motorcycle accident; I have to go.  I'm sorry," she says as she shakes her head and he gives a little nod.  The director made a harsh cut to the next scene, and we all wish we had seen a parting hug or smooch.  Well, the Cordano fans, anyway.

Elizabeth walks into an operating room and, in a concerned voice, says, "Robert, what are you doing?"  He's removing a pig's gall bladder ("giving [his] right arm a workout, it's been five months").  He asks her if she's aware of Weaver's proposal to take over his job...umm...hire PA's to cover post-call surgical residents' rounds.  Elizabeth thinks it's a good idea, but he is upset because no one asked him -- "and last time I checked, I am still the chief of both surgery and this hospital".  Elizabeth tries to explain,  but he interrupts her, exclaiming over the size of the pig's (really large, green, and slimy) gall bladder.  "Look, I know Weaver's been forming alliances with some of the tribal elders while I was recuperating, but I would have expected a little more loyalty from you, Lizzie."  Exasperated, she just says, "Robert..." as he finishes his rant.  Mmm...loyalty.

Elizabeth and Ella are walking towards the elevator on the surgery floor, when Elizabeth hears Romano call her name in the background.  She pauses, makes an ICan'tDealWithThisRightNow face, and says, "Uh, Robert, can we talk tomorrow -- I really have to get Ella home."  Romano catches up to them and says, "Uh, I thought you might want this before you left."  Elizabeth turns around and Romano holds out his hand.  "It's my ring," she whispers.  Romano makes a silent "yeah" motion with his mouth before replying, "Amazing what you can do with a laprascopic camera and a snare."  Elizabeth takes the ring and Romano gives the Cutest!Wave!Ever! to Ella.  Elizabeth looks at the ring, then Ella, then quietly thanks him.  He turns to leave and mumbles, "De Nada".  He takes a few steps away, then turns again to face Elizabeth.  "Uh, look, about today..."  Elizabeth is uncomfortable.  "Uh, let's not."  Romano waves his hand dismissively and stoically continues.  "It was a...momentary weakness on my part.  It won't happen again."  Elizabeth realizes she is staring at him, so she looks at Ella before looking up at Romano again, this time with a softened face.  "You'll get through this, Robert," she promises.  Romano glances at Ella, then back up to Elizabeth's eyes, and puts his emotional shield back up.  "'Course I will.  G'Night."  "Night," Elizabeth responds in kind.  As Romano walks away, he looks back at Elizabeth twice -- the first time with the same determined face, then again with a sad face that says, Take me with you -- I need a hug.  Elizabeth boards the elevator as strains of Tracy Chapman's "The Promise" float into the scene.  (Listen Here)  As of this episode, this is going to be the Official Cordano Theme Song.

This episode is going down as one of my favorites, mostly because it's Romano-Centric (and he wasn't being a complete pain the entire time!) and there was a lot of build-up to the Cordano relationship. 

Romano is in a meeting with Mary, County's director of nursing, Kerry, and Abby (who is late).  Romano calls Abby "Dude" and asks if she has "anything monosyllabic to add, other than apologies for being late."  The petition Chuni filed against Luka was apparently signed by all the female nurses in the ER -- except Abby.  Mary says, "Apparently, your relationship with Dr. Kovac ended better than Chuni's."  The camera cuts to Romano, who raises his eyebrows and makes a That'sBrandNewInformation! Face as he eats a piece of honeydew.  Abby looks at Mary in disbelief.  "Did you really just say that?"  With his mouth full, Romano shoots out, "So it's true!  You're all suckers for the accent!"  To quote Heathen at TWoP , "Look who's talking, Rocket."

Elizabeth works on 14-year-old Sarah, a girl that took ketamine.  Ketamine "blocks nerve paths without depressing respiratory and circulatory functions, and therefore acts as a safe and reliable anesthetic"...for animals.  It is a veterinary drug that is apparently used recreationally under the name "Special K".  Elizabeth orders a rape exam, and tells the father that Special K Sarah was taken advantage of.  Later we find out that she took the drugs because it...*ahem*...enhances her relationship with her boyfriend(s).  Elizabeth tells Special K Sarah that drugs are extremely dangerous, long-term brain damage, etc.  Special K Sarah asks Elizabeth if she likes being a doctor, and Elizabeth replies, "Some days are better than others."  "Must be weird, seein' people nekkid [sic] and stuff."  They share a giggle and Elizabeth says that she supposes it's weird and it depends on the patient.  "I don't care for the hairy ones," she grins.  WooHoo!  That's going on the quote page.

I *could* comment on the Carter & Abby line dancing, but I will not.  Let's just say I'm still laughing.

"The Advocate"

Season 9 ~ Episode 17

Elizabeth and Romano play doctor.  Kind of.

We come back from the commercial break with a close-up of a gloved pair of hands lightly pressing Romanos fingernails in a dimly lit exam room.  Elizabeth's voice tells him that he didn't do something to his arm, and he agrees as his gaze floats from his hand, to her face, back to his hand.  She doctors him up as he starts a lovely little monologue:  "Let's see, what's next?  I could cut it while slicing a bagel and not realize it until I pass out from the blood loss..."

Elizabeth interrupts him with a stern, "Robert..."  "Or maybe I could set the [darn] thing on fire," he continues, looking over to her.  She sighs heavily and plays with a roll of gauze.  "You need to be patient," she reproaches as she starts to wind the gauze around his arm.  Romano makes a cute little face, "Yesss.  So everyone keeps telling me.  Although none of us actually believe I'm even going to partially recover, do we?"  He looks up at Elizabeth, and she gives a little half-hearted smile but does not reply.

Romano stares over the mere inches to Elizabeth's face.  "Do you believe in the laws of karma, Elizabeth?"  She looks down as he continues, "the Eastern philosophy -- the influence of past actions on your future life?"  "I know what it is," she nods as she goes back to fixing his arm.

"So I can be a jerk -- so what?" he says with a half-disgusted face.  Elizabeth looks up at him with an expression of agreement but understanding.  He continues his little rant.  "I've always been honest.  Brutally honest.  Bruised some egos, hurt some feelings, maybe, uh, provoked a few tears, but, uh, honesty's a [heck] of a lot more than most people can claim."  Elizabeth stares into his eyes, and he makes a little pained smile as he returns her gaze.  "I don't deserve this."  It's hard to tell if he's being serious or sarcastic here...especially after that "karma" line earlier.  Either way, I don't think he deserves "this".  Do I get a vote?

"Finders Keepers"
Season 9 ~ Episode 18
Airdate:  April 3, 2003

Okay, so I know I said I was only going to do the Cordano scenes, but this episode was so Rocketlicious, I couldn't NOT recap his scenes.  Enjoy!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood today -- because Rocket Romano has taken over as ER Chief, and does a brilliant job of making everyone's life a living nightmare on the first day.  I love it when he gets on his little Raging Rocket Rants. 

We begin with Kerry being a total monster to him -- she's moved into his office before he had a chance to move out, fired Brenda, called him a "human resources nightmare" and told him he has three options:  be ER Chief, teach, or leave.  Romano mentions that a model rocket in his office was a gift from a grateful girlfriend.  Did you hear that?  He had a girlfriend!  Too bad we never knew her name, or saw her visit him at work, or heard mention of her EVER before today. 

Anyway, he glowers in the elevator on the way down to the ER, and after stepping into the department, berates the first staff member he comes across -- my lovely Gallant!.  The list of offensives piles up:  Luka ("green card", "Igor"), Abby ("booty"), Haleh ("you're fired"), and Jerry ("pituitary boy").  And that's all before the first commercial break.

Credits, commercials, Pratt/Chen, Elizabeth!  Look, there she is!  With Ella!  Remember, she's a mother?  And she's struggling with raising a child and working at the same time?  Whatever, PTB.  Anyway, Ella's adorable and Elizabeth shoves a street vendor out of the minivan and tells Chris to take off.  Chris proceeds to run over Annoying Street Vendor's foot, and Elizabeth gets to stand there looking exasperated (but cute in her green cargo pants and fat/phat belt).

Gossip about Romano at the desk.  Luka says, "He can call himself King as long as I get severance."  Heh.  King Romano.  I like it!  Anyway, Carter wheels a patient in, wanting to park her in Exam 1, but as we see in the background, Romano is turning Exam 1 into his own private office.  Niiiiiice.  He appears at the desk, giving all the new rules to the docs and nurses hanging around.  Be on time, treat and street, clear the board, and tells Jerry, "and you can get me a breakfast burrito, extra cheese, hold the salsa."  "Please?" Jerry snarks.  Romano glares up at him.  "Get your love at home."  I love Raging Rocket.

Patient flies in on the Medivac. Romano does a surgical consult.  Jerry follows him out, telling him he can't fire Haleh, so Romano decides he wants bullet points on who he can fire and why.  He wanders over to Curtain 1 where Susan is examining a man who was shot in the chest by his seven-year-old with a nail gun.  Elizabeth appears, asking, "this the nail gun injury?"  Romano glances at Elizabeth, then backs off quickly and says, "Well, Dr. Corday's got this now."  Her eyes follow him as he turns and leaves, and she pronounces the man "fine".  Elizabeth and Susan walk back toward the desk and Elizabeth inquires how everything's going.  "Wanna hear something scary?" Susan replies.  "I miss Weaver."  Elizabeth smiles knowingly.

ER Lounge.  Coffee brewing.  Romano staring at coffee.  Elizabeth walks in and he glances over at her.  "Fresh pot.  Enjoy it while you can," he dryly remarks.  She smiles and places her hands in her pockets.  "How are you doing?"  "Very well, thanks," he stoically replies.  "New digs, new challenges, crappy coffee.  Interest you in a cup?" he asks, holding out an empty paper cup.  "I'll pass," she smiles.  "Smart woman," he says as he pours himself a cup.  The mood quickly changes from faux-casual to serious as Elizabeth offers her condolences.  "Look, I think its awful, just to let you know.  A waste, really, of your...of your skills, your talents.  But, uh...I'm sure it'll be temporary."  "Yep," he sadly replies.  "Anything I can do...to help?" she asks as he walks over to the refrigerator.  The door opens and the contents spill everywhere.  He licks his lips in dismay, turns his head toward her, and sadly replies, "You could shoot me now."

Back to ranting, Romano insults Gallant! and Carter, and Carter talks back, saying, "with all due respect, you don't have a background in emergency medicine."  What?  Does Carter not remember that Romano was the temporary ER Chief back in Season 5?  Idiot.  I hate Pissy!Carter. 

A pregnant and cancerous young woman rolls in with her husband, and Romano proceeds to do a surgical consult, then balks when the new surgical resident comes down to do her own.  Dr. Wu is all rude to him, and Abby offers to page Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's pager goes off as she's talking to Luka about a Croatian boy who will die without a procedure that can only be done in the US.  Elevator.  Step back, both of you -- you're standing too close for my comfort!  She agrees to talk to Kerry about it, but comments that they aren't on good terms.  That's because Kerry is a bad-word-I-won't-say.  Elizabeth steps into a very dark Trauma Green to finish the surgical consult on PregnantCancerWoman, asking where Dr. Wu is.  Carter comments, "she...left," and Romano adds, "You need to teach your residents to have thicker skin, Lizzie."  Hee!  He called her Lizzie.  Abby adds that "Dr. Wu only cried a little," and that "Pratt's consoling her."  Hee!  Romano made her cry!  The doc trio discusses her diagnosis, and Romano leaves, saying, "I've been down here less than a day, and already, Im beginning to hate surgeons."  Awwww, dont say that, sweetie!  We know you still love Elizabeth, who seems amused by his comment, but doesn't have time to reply because PregnantCancerWoman starts griping.

Gallant! stops Romano in the hall and points out that he ordered the wrong treatment for Gallants! HBP patient earlier.  Romano calls him Goofus (Wha?  Romano reads Highlights?) and an "Affirmative Action Imbecile", before walking off and badgering Jerry for his bullet points on who he can fire.  The first orderly he sees, Tim, gets the brunt of the Rocket's Red Glare.  Poor guy.

"All right, you.  Where are you parents?" he asks a little boy.  "I don't have any," the boy replies breathlessly.  That would explain the oxygen tube in his nose.  "They died in a car crash last year."  Romano tries to keep his grinchy little heart intact, and says, "Bummer.  So what's your problem?"  The boy coughs.  Later, we cut back to the boy talking and coughing while Romano tries to listen to his chest.  He tells Romano that the hospital kept him last time he was in, and then asked what happened to his arm.  "Are you physically incapable of keeping your mouth shut?" is the reply.  "I mean, were you born that way or something?" the boy presses.  "None of your beeswax.  Breathe deep," Romano commands.  He gives Abby an order to put the boy on a nebulizer and prednisone, then hops up, declaring to the ER that it took all of eight minutes to treat this patient.

Snarks about therapy making Luka soft.  You know what, sweetie?  You probably need a little therapy yourself.  And defacing Chen's cake doesnt make the non-Rockettes like you any more than they did before.  Eats huge piece of cake.  Frosting on lip.  Mmmmm...  I don't remember the rest of this scene.

Elizabeth tells PregnantCancerWoman that she needs a nephrectomy (kidney removal), and PregnantCancerWoman tells her to take everything out -- meaning the baby as well.  Elizabeth clarifies that PregnantCancerWoman wants an abortion, and she repeats to "take it all."  I don't know what to think of this storyline.  Is PregnantCancerWoman selfish?  Is she only protecting her elderly husband from further heartbreak after she dies?  We don't know, and I can't imagine we'll find out.  Oh, well, I'm not losing sleep over it or anything.

Elizabeth visits Kerry's office, asking the favor for Luka.  Kerry says no, and Elizabeth gets up answer her page.  She pauses, and turns to ask, "Hey Kerry, can I ask you something?  Are you as concerned about Robert as I am?  Uh...more precisely...his mental health?  He seems...broken by this assignment."  "He's a cockroach," Kerry snipes.  "He'll refuse to evolve and yet survive us all."  Elizabeths face washes over with irritated disbelief as she leaves the office wordlessly.  Have I mentioned lately that I hate Kerry?  Well, I do.  Especially if she's fostering enmity between Elizabeth and Romano.

Romano's hanging out with Jerry again, who is telling him how he can make the lives of the attendings horrendous.  He notices that the boy from earlier is still hanging out, and asks why he's still there.  Carter tells him that Eddie can't walk yet, and he has to be holding normal sats and walking before he can leave.  "Uh oh...you screwed up!" Eddie snarks.  I like this kid.  Romano gets pissy, and ends up screaming at Carter, "This is MY ER now!  That stands for one thing -- everyone's replaceable.  Even you."  He storms off.

Elizabeth operates on PregnantCancerWoman and discovers that she has less than a 2% chance of survival.  Eh.  I still don't care.

Romano strolls up to Gallant!, who is suturing a man's arm.  "I love watching med students suture," Romano grins.  "Reminds me how good I am."  Gallant! thinks for a second, then says, "Was..." under his breath.  The lovely bullet head looks amused, and asks, "What did you say?"  "He said was," the suturee replies.  Romano tosses a chart into Gallants! lap! and walks away.  Have I mentioned that I Love Gallant! today?  Well, I do.  :)

Elizabeth.  Surgery.  Old Husband appears in theater window, and she tries to convince him to override the abortion, since his wife will die anyway.  He refuses.  Elizabeth pleads.  He really refuses.  She slams her bloody gloves into the floor and quickly exits the OR while the OB team takes over.