Alone in a Crowd

I really enjoyed this episode. I'm surprised the rating isn't any higher! I think this might be my favorite episode in the series!

This episode does a nice job in depicting the innermost panic, thoughts, feelings, and uncertainty that a stroke victim faces after suffering the stroke. However, Cynthia Nixon's constant shrill self-talk and the doctors and nurses trying to diagnose the issue at the same time (overlapping dialogue) makes it difficult to follow at times, and it gets in the way of the storyline. Her "thought-scolding" of her ex-husband as he is deciding to give consent for the risky surgery ("Dan, have some b*lls!") was unnecessary, and it lessens empathy for her character's fate. If the self-talk was less, it would be a more bearable episode.

I usually skip this episode...it's pretty upsetting to watch. One thing I've never understood...the stroke victim appears to be able to hear and comprehend what's being said to her, but they never (to my knowledge) ask her to blink if she understands. Seems like a pretty obvious thing to do.

In, "Alone in a Crowd," Cynthia Nixon delivers a memorable and emotionally charged performance that adds a compelling layer to an already powerful episode. Nixon, best known for her iconic role in Sex and the City, brings a depth of vulnerability and strength to her guest role as a patient grappling with a devastating diagnosis.- What stands out in Nixon's portrayal is her ability to convey the complex emotions of her character-a woman facing both physical and emotional turmoil-with subtlety and authenticity. Her portrayal is quietly heartbreaking, yet filled with moments of resilience and determination. Nixon perfectly captures the struggle of trying to maintain control while confronting the overwhelming fear of the unknown. Her scenes with Maura Tierney (Abby Lockhart) are particularly poignant, with the two actresses playing off each other in a way that feels both raw and deeply human.- Nixon's ability to shift between moments of vulnerability and strength adds an extra emotional punch to the episode, making her character's journey not only believable but deeply affecting. "Alone in a Crowd" is a testament to her versatility as an actress, and her performance is one of the key elements that makes this episode stand out in the ER canon.

Yes the stroke episode was GREAT but what happen with the 3 black children. They are trying to stay together as a family but their story just falls into midair. They are not even listed in the credits.