ER's fifth season was marked by the departure of one of the series' core characters and the entry of a new one. It opens with third-year medical student Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin) being introduced to the layout and members of the ER (we learn Maria Bello's character, Anna Del Amico, has left), which also serves as a shorthand way of introducing new viewers to the series. She makes a strong impression immediately and reminds John Carter (Noah Wyle) of himself, but before long the two find themselves at odds. Elizabeth Korday (Alex Kingston) has to start over as an intern in order to stay at County General and in the U.S., and gradually ends her relationship with Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle), who learns that his son is deaf. Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes) tries for the position of full-time chief resident, but is beaten out by an East Coast hotshot, Amanda Lee (Mare Winningham), who turns out to have an interest in Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards). Greene starts to ride along with the paramedics, and Doug Ross (George Clooney) has settled down (finally) with nurse Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies). He's still on probation from the risky detox procedure he used in the fourth season, but he seems to be on his best behavior until a mother (Valerie Mahaffey) brings in her ALD-stricken son. Ross breaks protocol again but this time threatens to bring down the whole ER with him in the season's high point, the climactic two-parter "Storm." Other cast members and guest stars include Penny Johnson (24) as a nurse practitioner who joins Hathaway's clinic, Djimon Honsou as a Nigerian custodian with a secret, Marlee Matlin as Benton's sign language teacher, and TV Tae-Bo instructor Billy Blanks as a Tae-Bo instructor who teaches Lucy how to deliver a good swift kick. --David Horiuchi

Series Five was sharp, eventful, human emotional and entertaining. Unlike series four's patchy performance, series five had managed to temporaily overtook that phase. Weather it can be compared to such glory series, like series 1,2,3, I'm still debating.

But overall you won't be disapointted

Maybe not as exciting as season four to start with but still well worth adding to the collection. Some very very funny moments that I had forgotten about, and some very moving stories.

ER is a rare breed a bit like the Simpsons' it is highly prolific and always excellent and reason is simply that it is rooted firmly in its characters which by now need no introduction. This series ran back in early/summer 1999 and it details amongst other things, the departure of Doug Ross, the getting together of Mark Green and Elizabeth Corday and Carter grows and looses a beard and finds being a teacher and mentor harder than it looks. We are introduced to the delectable Lucy Knight and follow her as she spars with Carter. Peter Benton is adapting to son Reese's deafness and there is an excellent episode where Benton does a locum job down in hicksville tennesee (deliverance style banjo music please!) Carrie Weaver hoovers somewhere between admirable doctor and pain in the rear, Romano is a misogynistic prat but somehow grows on you and Gerry from the front desk never lets us down with his understated and ofter refreshing humourous interludes. Oh and Carol Hathaway discovers she s in the family way with twins. How does it stand up to repeat viewing? Well in retrospect Doug Ross is a pseudo righteous non team player who really gets his fair dues. The incredible thing is that even post Clooney (and I'm a big fan!) ER continued unabated because it is more than the sum of its parts in many ways the show is the star. This show will make you laugh and cry and I just can't wait for the next installments to come to DVD. Oh and don't forget that each disc has a side A and B as I spent about 30 minutes looking for the"lost episodes" Enjoy

E.R. season 5 is definitely a step up from the previous seasons. The characters development is coming along nicely.

Close friends Mark Green (Anthony Edwards) and Doug Ross (George Clooney) have gone through a total reverse of fortunes. From Ross defending and looking out for his friend in season 3 to Green now having to look out for and defend Ross.

Kerry Weaver wants more and more power and with Green distracted with Ross she definitely has the opportunity.

Medical student Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin) joins the cast this season. A strong character and story arc with Carter is the result of this that will carry on all the way to season 6.

After losing her sponsorship Corday decides to stay in Chicago, but to do so she must do a year as an intern. In the episode 'Stuck On You' she becomes Benton's intern. Very good episode.

One other major part of this season is new Chief of Emergency Medicine, Amanda Lee. Who manages in, 'Nobody Doesn't Like Amanda Lee' to shock everyone.

Good overall season and with standout episodes like; 'Masquerade', 'Hazed and Confused', 'Double Blind' and 'The Storm' E.R. season 5 continues it's success.

the er 5 season oi off the chain..its better then the last season it goes into a hole new level.it bring you in and never lets go.the cast is great