Setting the Tone: An ER Retrospective

Join Elizabeth, Lauren, and Daniel as we recap our favorite medical drama! We're taking a weekly look back at each episode of the hit TV series "ER". We'll break down every episode, as well as look at how each episode impacts the overall story of the iconic 15 season show. Theme music provided by Andrew Edwards of Blue Police Box Music.

S13E8 "Reason To Believe" 07/24/2025

S13E8 "Reason To Believe" This week: The shitty kids list comes alive /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/37353980

S13E7 "Jigsaw” 07/17/2025

S13E7 "Jigsaw” Do you wanna watch an episode? /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/37203490

S13E6 "Heart Of The Matter" 07/10/2025

S13E6 "Heart Of The Matter" This week: The verdict is in for the case of Ames v Kovac, Morris is being Morris about a TV appearance, Neela tries to get some extra OR time by being sneaky, Luka weighs telling a dying man just how serious his condition is, Ray is bad in the sack, Gates helps a very friendly teenage girl with Asperger’s, Pratt’s plans get interrupted, and Kerry steals Morris’ spotlight. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/37154465

S13E5 "Ames v. Kovac" 07/03/2025

S13E5 "Ames v. Kovac" This week: Kovac faces off in court against an old patient who believes he was treated poorly after suffering a stroke in the ER, Chaz reconnects with Pratt, Abby takes charge during her first day back from maternity leave, Ray gets asked out, and the surgery squad inadvertently lights a patient (and a med student) on fire. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/37050020

S13E4 "Parenthood" 06/26/2025

S13E4 "Parenthood" This week: Morris makes the ill-advised decision to attend one of his children’s soccer games, Abby gets a peek at the lives of nannies, Pratt juggles an avalanche of patients and teaching responsibilities, Neela gets paired up with a new med student, Gates continues to struggle with his paperwork (at least according to Pratt), and Luka helps a young boy crushed by a tree. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36962880

S13E3 "Somebody To Love" 06/19/2025

S13E3 "Somebody To Love" How do you do fellow gays? Support a real life LGBTQIA+ non profit by buying a piece of our STT Pride merch! 100% of all proceeds go to the Howard Brown Health Center! https://www.bonfire.com/store/setting-the-tone-store/ /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36843115

S8E16 "Secrets & Lies" REUPLOAD 06/12/2025

S8E16 "Secrets & Lies" REUPLOAD This week: It’s a bottle episode! After rummaging through a sex worker’s personal belongings, Abby, Carter, Gallant, Luka, and Susan all have to take a class about proper workplace conduct. Sword fights, Shakespeare performances, sex talks, and deep conversations ensue. *Reuploaded because a certain podcast service removed it for copyright* /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36978150

S8E8 "Partly Cloudy, Chance Of Rain" REUPLOAD 06/12/2025

S8E8 "Partly Cloudy, Chance Of Rain" REUPLOAD This week: A massive rain storm messes up everything in Chicago, Mark fights to save a little boy who drowned, Cleo is leaving County, Benton is NOT the father, Gamma does a hit and run on the Pink Ranger, Nicole is a thief, Carter and Susan continue to flirt, and Kerry and Gallant battle the elements and risk electrocution to try and save a stabbing victim and her baby. *Reuploaded because a certain podcast service took it down for licensed music* /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36978130

S13E2 "Graduation Day" 06/12/2025

S13E2 "Graduation Day" Sally Field's in this one, what more do you need to know? /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36741400

S13E1 "Bloodline" 06/05/2025

S13E1 "Bloodline" CW: Sexual assault of a main character. This week: Steve’s kidnapping plan takes some major turns for the worse, Jerry undergoes open heart surgery to repair his wounds, Abby is stubborn as ever as her condition threatens the life of her unborn child, Luka does what he can from the sidelines for both Jerry and Abby, and Neela makes a great save from the surgical observation room. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36683900

Patreon Preview: Season 12 Wrap-up 04/24/2025

Patreon Preview: Season 12 Wrap-up It’s that time again! Join the STT hosts and special guest Jake from The Popular Court as we recap all the good and bad that was season 12. Hear our opinions on the season as a whole, what we loved and what we hated the most, as well as some thoughts from your fellow listeners. Want to hear the full episode, including the semi-annual “Tone-y” awards? Support us at the $5 level over at patreon.com/settingthetonepodcast to enjoy that plus over 75 additional hours of bonus audio and video content. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36077000

S12E22 "Twenty One Guns" 04/17/2025

S12E22 "Twenty One Guns" This week: Sam and Luka get caught up in Steve’s attempt to escape prison, Kerry is under fire for hiring Clemente in the first place, Pratt helps Neela get the closure she needs at Gallant’s funeral, Morris is very picky with his patients on his last day at County, Abby consider’s Luka’s sudden proposal, and a shootout erupts in the ER that leaves everyone’s favorite desk clerk in critical condition. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/36075995

S12E21 "The Gallant Hero and The Tragic Victor" 04/10/2025

S12E21 "The Gallant Hero and The Tragic Victor" This week: The ER staff are devastated after Gallant is killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, Neela has to be forced to stop working, Jane has a perfect Jane moment with Abby, Ray tries his best to help Neela, and Clemente’s mental health issues finally hit the breaking point. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35918680

S12E20 "There Are No Angels Here" 04/03/2025

S12E20 "There Are No Angels Here" We're done with the Africa episodes. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35797395

S12E19 "No Place To Hide" 03/27/2025

S12E19 "No Place To Hide" This week: Abby helps a child and her grandmother after they’re involved in a car accident, Albright’s feelings for Morris become apparent, Clemente’s justified paranoia continues to escalate, Sam and Luka are surprised to see Steve in the ER and actually sick, and Pratt makes his way to Darfur where problems arise almost immediately. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35678285

S12E18 "Strange Bedfellows" 03/20/2025

S12E18 "Strange Bedfellows" This week: Sam’s new boss proves to be incredibly stubborn, Neela finally meets Gallant's parents, Pratt ruins his relationship with Olivia, Abby is frustrated as Luka contemplates returning to Africa, and Ray and Morris treat a young deaf black man beaten by the cops after getting into a car accident while trying to get his girlfriend help when she overdoses. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35591965

S12E17 "Lost In America" 03/13/2025

S12E17 "Lost In America" This week: Clemente returns to County and receives a less than warm welcome, Neela is stressed about a presentation she’s giving at a conference, Abby and Luka debate the merits of baptism, Morris gets a surprise set of visitors, Sam has money troubles, Ray works with a man who claims to be suicidal, and a young woman’s complex family issues are brought to the surface after she’s stabbed in the neck multiple times. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35498495

S12E16 "Out On A Limb" 03/06/2025

S12E16 "Out On A Limb" This week: Kerry delayed her hip replacement surgery for a 3rd time as she weighs the potential consequences, Neela lets her leftist flag fly, Abby worries about her pregnancy after she’s exposed to a form of meningitis, Pratt finally falls on his sword, and Sam gets an intriguing offer from a wealthy patient. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35371980

S12E15 "Darfur" 02/27/2025

S12E15 "Darfur" "Wonder what Carter's up to?"- Nobody /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35264290

S12E14 "Quintessence of Dust" 02/20/2025

S12E14 "Quintessence of Dust" This week: Clemente’s paranoia about Jodie’s husband turns out to be well founded, The ER staff does some bigotry after a date with Pratt is auctioned off for charity, Abby is nervous for some early pregnancy test results, Morris and Albright continue to duke it out over which residents should be doing procedures, and Ray cares for a homeless man who turns out to be familiar to him. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35168595

S12E13 "Body and Soul" 02/13/2025

S12E13 "Body and Soul" This week: James Woods guest stars as a man dying due to ALS. The episode takes us through the last 6 years of his life from his initial diagnosis to his last day in the hospital, and shows the lasting mark he’s leaving on various doctors at County. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/35091000

S12E12 "Split Decisions" 02/06/2025

S12E12 "Split Decisions" This week: Ray has to help Zoe flee the city after she was beaten by her father, Morris needs advice on dating black women, Dubenko is pressed into running the ER for the day after Clemente is a no-show, Pratt does some light crime to help KJ’s dad, Abby and Luka begin to prepare for their baby, and Neela is stunned after Gallant makes a huge decision without consulting her. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/34985595

S12E11 "If Not Now" 01/30/2025

S12E11 "If Not Now" This week: Kerry takes a tumble, Clemente's world begins to crumble, and Abby makes a big decision for her and Luka's future. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/34895925

S12E10 "All About Christmas Eve" 01/23/2025

S12E10 "All About Christmas Eve" This week: Eve has a disagreement with a bigoted Santa, Luka is really feeling the Christmas spirit, Sam visits Steve in his new, and much closer, prison, Clemente has a surprise guest, Pratt does his best to treat a six year old girl with a gunshot wound, Morris has a surprisingly angelic voice, and Abby has some huge news. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/34805490

S12E9 "I Do" 01/16/2025

S12E9 "I Do" This week: Neela and Gallant have a surprise and mostly improvised wedding, Pratt tries to help KJ after KJ is falsely accused of stealing a camera, Luka is your new ER chief, Abby goes the extra mile to save a patient’s life, Clemente is furious after an HIV+ mom refuses to treat her young boy for AIDS, Dubenko ups his recruiting game, and a long dormant relationship is suddenly reignited. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/34805415

S12E8 "Two Ships" 01/09/2025

S12E8 "Two Ships" This week: The ER descends into chaos as two planes collide midair and crash into the city below, Ray does his best to avoid Zoe, Abby and Luka aren’t quite sure how to move forward with their relationship, Neela picked the best day to do her paramedic ride-along, Pratt does all he can for a conscious man whose heart won’t start up again, and Clemente disagrees with the staff on how best to handle a mass casualty situation as his past begins to slowly catch up to him. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/33842217

S12E7 "The Human Shield" 01/02/2025

S12E7 "The Human Shield" This week: Tensions rise as Luka and Clemente butt heads over how best to treat a young kidnapping victim, the kidnapper injures multiple members of the ER staff, Gallant’s return home gets delayed, Dubkeno and Neela do an ex-lap in the ER, Ray gets the everloving crap beat out of him (much to Daniel’s delight), Gates makes his debut and nearly gets his head blown off in the process, and Eve tries, but fails, to bring the ER staff together. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/33842172

S12E6 "Dream House" 12/26/2024

S12E6 "Dream House" It's a chimp in a diaper, what more do you need to know? Just kidding, this episode sucks. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/33842132

S12E5 "Wake Up" 12/19/2024

S12E5 "Wake Up" I'm running out of clever episode descriptions. /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/33842087

S12E4 "Blame It On The Rain" 12/12/2024

S12E4 "Blame It On The Rain" The fuck did the rain do? /episode/index/show/settingthetonepodcast/id/33842072

Setting the Tone: An ER Retrospective

TOPICS