In recognition of this anniversary, we here at Chronological Snobbery will briefly review the episode, survey the media coverage and reaction to it, and feature an interview with Abraham Verduzco, a former child actor who appeared in this episode (as well as 1995's Desperado). To play along at home, you can find the episode on Disc 4 of the "ER" first season DVD set.
The episode focuses on the characters' difficulties starting or maintaining their family relationships. Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney), a true commitment phobe, must choose between moving in with his girlfriend Diane (Lisa Zane) or frolicking like a bachelor. Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle), who has so often given patients' relatives terrible news, learns what it's like to be on the other side of that equation when his mother passes away at her nursing home. Carol Hathaway (Julianne Margulies) faces the perils of planning her upcoming wedding and the headaches of dealing with her fiance's visiting relatives. Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) attempts to balance his hectic work schedule with his obligations to his wife, Jennifer (Christine Harnos), and their young daughter. Dr. Susan Lewis (Sherry Stringfield), left to look after her pregnant sister Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite), ends up delivering her own niece. In so doing, she must navigate through some family politics, as her mother Cookie (Valerie Perrine, who played Eve Teschmacher in the Superman movies) does not want to help raise her granddaughter. Only Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle) is not worried about family; his dilemma is whether to choose between the ER or surgery sub-I. Dr. Carter is rejected for the surgery sub-I by Dr. Angela Hicks (CCH Pounder, still years away from her role as Claudette Wyms in "The Shield"), and he learns from Dr. Lewis that's its too late for him to accept the ER sub-I, his second choice.

But the pictures speak a thousand words, and the images of sunglasses wearing beauties and bloody, overdosing patients confirm the presence of the director. Behold:





According to an interview with Margulies at the time, the sunglasses were a sticking point with Tarantino. On this point, in the May 8, 1995 issue of Time magazine, Belinda Luscombe noted:
QUENTIN TARANTINO, master of shoot-'em-up films, is trying suture-'em-up TV. He directed the May 11 episode of nbc's ER. The show is called "Motherhood," but the director of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction hasn't gone totally wholesome. "This is the most skin anyone's seen on ER," says JULIANNA MARGULIES, who has a sunbaking scene with SHERRY STRINGFIELD. "Quentin picked out the sunglasses and was adamant we wear them." At least he didn't ask them to sing; Tarantino once played an Elvis impersonator on The Golden Girls.
- Angela Jones, who previously appeared in Pulp Fiction as the chatty cab driver Esmerelda Villalobos, and would would go on to star in 1996's Curdled, makes a brief appearance here as Michelle, the concerned wife of a man brought into the ER for chlorine gas poisoning.
- In a deleted scene in Pulp Fiction, Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) remarks that one is either a Beatles person or an Elvis person. (Tarantino obviously fancies himself the latter, as indicated by his appearance as Elvis on "The Golden Girls," about which we here at Chronological Snobbery wrote in some detail back in November of 2007.). Chloe, however, is obviously a Beatles person. In the episode's opening scene, she begins to go into labor at her sister Susan's apartment, but refuses to leave for the hospital without her cassette of The Beatles' White Album. In the delivery room, the cassette cannot be found, so Chloe and Susan sing "Blackbird" a capella in an attempt to calm Chloe down prior to the delivery. The episode ends on a similar note: Susan holds her baby niece in her arms and sings the song again, this time with the knowledge that she will be playing a much larger role in raising the child than she initially (or ever) suspected.
- Griffin appears as Dolores Minky, a Ranger Scout Mother tending to eight flatulent Ranger Scouts suffering from diarrhea. The boys are treated by Dr. Ross. Griffin previously appeared in Pulp Fiction and would go on to appear ever so briefly in Four Rooms, released later that year. Blink and you'll miss her in Pulp: After Butch (Bruce Willis) hits Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) with a car, Griffin's character comes to check on him.
- Angel Aviles, who appears in the episode as Ramos, also appeared with Tarantino in Desperado.
- Clooney went on to appear alongside Tarantino in From Dusk Till Dawn, written by Tarantino, directed by Robert Rodriguez, and released in theatres less than a year later.
- Brenda Hillhouse appeared in the episode as Mrs. Schaffer, the mother of a fifteen year old boy who dies after being impaled by a metal beam. She appeared in Tarantino's very first film, My Best Friend's Birthday, as well as Pulp Fiction (as Butch's Mother) and From Dusk Till Dawn (as Gloria Hill).
- Anthony Edwards played Goose in 1986's Top Gun, a film which was the subject of Tarantino's character's monologue in the 1994 film, Sleep With Me.
Not surprisingly, there was a plethora of media coverage of the episode due to Tarantino's involvement (much of which is not available online due to its publication in the very early days of the Internets). Below you'll find a sampling of critical comments:
- "[B]ecause the role of the director is not as important in TV as in films, you'll hardly notice his fingerprints: a couple of way-cool sunglasses in one scene, a slight tendency to linger on surgical instruments. Other than that, it could have been directed by anyone." (Phil Kloer, "The Verdict: Tarantino directs 'ER' lightly," Atlanta Journal and Constitution, May 11, 1995).
- "The ratings for 'ER,' which are usually through the roof, should be through the moon tonight. And there is enough Tarantino to warrant a bit of a buzz. One weird scene involving a fight between female gang members as they are being wheeled into the emergency room might even be considered inspired when judged against the usual standards of doctor drama. But be warned: It's ultra-bloody. It's also wildly uneven in tone as Tarantino wrestles with the straitjacket of servicing an ensemble's worth of characters and their ongoing story lines." (David Zurawik, "Blood Count Rises With Tarantino Directing 'ER,'" Baltimore Sun, May 11, 1995).
- "Having Quentin Tarantino direct tonight's 'ER' was the hippest ratings stunt in this sweeps month, but it also risked becoming the worst stylistic self-parody since Roman Polanski directed 'Macbeth.' Imagine: The producers sicced a mad-dog director (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) who never saw a body part he didn't like onto the Mother's Day episode of America's favorite medical drama. Can another network top this? Not unless someone gets Russ Meyer to direct Dolly Parton's next variety special." (Frederic M. Biddle, "'ER' Gets a Twist of Tarantino," Boston Globe, Mat 11, 1995).
- "Quash any expectations that County General Memorial Hospital will be awash in blood, guts and lowlifes. Mr. Pulp Fiction/Reservoir Dogs behaves himself to the point where this 'ER' looks and feels pretty much like any other ER. The second-to-last episode of the season comes and goes without any unduly graphic gore, language outbursts or outrageous oddities. Mr. Tarantino seems to understand that television inherently is a producer's medium, and that directors essentially are hired hands entrusted with executing the producer's vision. Darn." (Ed Bark, "Le Big Director dons a tourniquet: Tarantino's presence is minimal on 'ER'," The Dallas Morning News, May 11, 1995).
- "Don't expect 'Pulp Medicine' tonight on 'ER,' even though Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino delivers the episode. The storytelling procedures inside America's favorite emergency room are loose enough to indulge Tarantino his zaniness (youngsters suffer flatulence) and his dark humor (a doctor jokes while trying to save a boy impaled on a rod). There's also a nod to Tarantino's penchant for screen violence (a socko punch under wild circumstances). But in the end, even a shock artist like Tarantino has to play by hospital rules. Working from a poignant yet intense script by Lydia Woodward, Tarantino reveals unexpected tenderness. Is this the same guy who directed Reservoir Dogs?" (Hal Boedeker, "Quirky Director Does 'ER' Proud," Orlando Sentinel, May 11, 1995).
- "But as with Pulp Fiction, Tarantino exhibits a flair for the graphic, training the camera's eye on the handiwork of a couple of jagged-edged surgical instruments. The flesh-cutting, though slightly obscured, is a bit much, and not 'E.R.'s' style. The only other Tarantino marks of visual distinction are the ultra-tight facial closeups he seems to favor. Maybe it's because on the big screen giant faces glaring into the audience must be used sparingly." (Mark Lorando, "'ER Doesn't Get any Better; Hot Filmmaker Proves the Show's a Class Act Even by Big Screen Standards," New Orleans Times Picayune, May 11, 1995).
- "Maybe it was in the script, maybe not. But in tonight's episode of 'ER,' directed by Quentin Tarantino, actresses Sherry Stringfield and Julianna Margulies don sunglasses -- just like the hip hit men in Pulp Fiction. Other than some lingering shots of a buzzing bone saw, an iron bar stuck in someone's chest and over-the-top ER violence (including a woman brought in with 'gray matter' in her hair), it's your basic smart episode." ("Tarantino puts some pulp in ER," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 11, 1995).
- "Except for a show-offy scene where Lewis and Nurse Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) sunbathe wearing Reservoir Dogs-style dark shades, Tarantino's direction is less self-referential than you might expect from someone who's achieved superstardom in a mere two feature films. The episode is typical of the series' look and tone, which either speaks very well of Tarantino (he submerges his ego and does yeoman's work) or very ill (he's a pop cultural sponge who simply oozes back others' ideas)," Joyce Millman, "ER: Tarantino's Bedside Manner," San Francisco Examiner, May 11, 1995.
- "Quentin Tarantino has done for Mother's Day what Charlie Brown did for Christmas. The Oscar-winning director of Pulp Fiction has turned a joyful occasion into a nightmare. . . . Putting a man who revels in the grotesque in control of a show with a license to present an orgy of blood has frightening possibilities. However, Tarantino exhibits admirable restraint. His ER is no more grisly than most other episodes of the series. This is not to say Tarantino doesn't dabble in the gross and bizarre. A young man is impaled on a TV antenna; a troop of young scouts is afflicted with a mass outbreak of vomiting, flatulence and diarrhea; a seriously wounded female gang member is the prey in a follow-up attempt intended to finish the job, and the clearance of a choking victim's throat yields a revolting blockage. There is also a scene that pays homage to one of the more macabre incidents in Pulp Fiction. A young woman is rushed in for treatment, her face having exploded into a crimson mess from a lethal narcotic cocktail." Tom Jicha, "Tarantino Nurtures Mothers Day ER," South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 11, 1995).
- "According to NBC, 'ER' fan Tarantino contacted the producers about getting tapes of some episodes he had missed, mentioned that he wouldn't mind directing one some time and wound up getting asked to do tonight's - the Mothers' Day special. At first blush, that may seem like a sick joke. Crime is Tarantino's specialty - his obsession, some would say - and not even dark, quirky cop series such as 'Hill Street Blues' and 'NYPD Blue' approach his work when it comes to bizarre twists and gallows humor. You don't equate Mom and sentimental occasions with the guy whose Pulp Fiction hit men accidentally splatter the brains of a colleague all over the inside of their car and then argue over how to divvy up the cleanup chores. In other ways, however, Tarantino is perfect for 'ER,' this or any other week. The show is fast and bloody and fond of 'odd' accidents, the better to maintain its novelty." (Noel Holston, "Pulp Fiction writer directs tonight's episode of 'ER'," Variety, May 11, 1995).

1. How did you get the part in the episode of "ER"?
Like the majority of the child actors in Los Angeles, I auditioned for the part, the only advantage I would say I had was that I had previously worked with Quentin Tarantino on the set of Desperado.2. What was it like working with Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, and Kathy Griffin in your scene? Do you have any memories of that shoot? Was there more than one day of shooting?
Working with Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, and Kathy Griffin was a great experience. A few funny memories I had were watching Quentin film the whole episode wearing scrubs the whole time, and playing basketball with George Clooney, he's a good player by the way, but then again he did have about two feet on me. Other than that the whole cast and crew of "ER" were great people to work with. I believe also that I did only one day of filming.3. Looking back at the episode of ER, what do you think 12 years later about the episode generally and your performance specifically?
I think the episode is still good after 12 years. The show, "ER," in general has always been entertaining. Looking back on my performance it's kind of hard to judge whether I played a convincing Boy Scout with diarrhea or not, I guess I'll the fans decide that one.4. You mentioned something in one of your previous emails about being a former child actor. Did you make a decision not to pursue acting once you grew older? Why?
My decision to quit acting came about when I was 17 years old. The main reason for me quitting was the competition. There are far to many young Hispanic actors in Los Angeles, and rolls were hard to come by. A bit of it was also the fact that I got tired also of being type-casted as well. I was always playing the roll of gangster #1, or Poor Hispanic kid number #3, and I got tired of that. I also found that music was a better art form for me to express my-self. I am currently attending Yavapai College, in Prescott Arizona, to become a music teacher.As usual, Usenet was abuzz with talk of the episode. Michael Nist, editor of an Internet based TV newsletter TV Tonight, previewed the episode in his May 11, 1995 edition:
Quentin Tarantino directed tonight's "E.R.," and was merciful enough not to star in it. Q.T. pulls off several directorial stunts (watch for an unbroken -- and eventful -- two-minute shot), and elevates a good series to greatness, at least for one night. Valerie Perrine guest stars. (NBC, 10.00)
As late as 2001, Usenet users were trying to obtain bootleg copies of the episode. Of course, not everyone was aware of the potential cinematic significance of the episode. The following day, on May 12, 1995, Susan Cohn posted the following to the Usenet newsgroup, rec.arts.tv:
Finally, one of the highlights of the episode was an extended shot early in the episode:
I must not get out enough, who is Quentin Tarantino, and why is his directing this weeks episode of ER (which I really enjoyed) such a big thing. Just wondering.Indeed.
Finally, one of the highlights of the episode was an extended shot early in the episode:
For other reading on Tarantino, please see:
- Quentin Tarantino on The Golden Girls (Chronological Snobbery)
- Quentin Tarantino on All American Girl (Chronological Snobbery)
- The Jackie Brown Austin Premiere (Chronological Snobbery)
- Ten Questions After Watching Inglorious Basterds (Chronological Snobbery)
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