archytele The Vault
Season guide

ER: Season 4

22 episodes Premiered Sep 25, 1997 Updated Sep 22, 2026

ER Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 22 episodes. The narrative arc spans this twenty-two episode run, following the ongoing medical and personal challenges faced by the staff at the hospital. As the season unfolds, the ensemble navigates various emergencies and dramatic situations within the fast-paced environment of the emergency room, testing their professional capabilities and interpersonal relations

Previously on ER

Season 4 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • The series follows the ongoing medical and personal challenges of the staff at the hospital emergency room.
  • The ensemble cast navigates various emergencies and dramatic situations within the fast-paced environment.
  • The professional capabilities and interpersonal relationships of the staff are continuously tested.
  • The overarching saga continues across the broadcast run of the television series.

Season overview

ER Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 22 episodes. The narrative arc spans this twenty-two episode run, following the ongoing medical and personal challenges faced by the staff at the hospital. As the season unfolds, the ensemble navigates various emergencies and dramatic situations within the fast-paced environment of the emergency room, testing their professional capabilities and interpersonal relationships throughout the course of the broadcast year.

Advertisement
Season 4 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 4 Progress Shield

Future titles & synopses blurred. Tap "Reveal" on any card to peek.
Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 4: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

14%
86%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (19): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S4·E1 Mytharc

Ambush

Sep 25, 1997

While a film crew is filming in the ER, it's Elizabeth Corday's first day.

S4·E2 Core

Something New

Oct 2, 1997

Carter is exited about getting his own med student and Mark and Carol interview candidates for the desk clerk position.

S4·E3 Core

Friendly Fire

Oct 9, 1997

Cynthia Hooper starts as the new desk clerk. Benton and Carla disagree over whether or not their son should be circumcised. Al gets in an accident at work.

S4·E4 Core

When the Bough Breaks

Oct 16, 1997

His ex-wife Jennifer tells Mark he can't see Rachel until he's got his act together. Reece gets to go home. Al has lost his job.

S4·E5 Core

Good Touch, Bad Touch

Oct 30, 1997

Carol would like to have a women's and children's health care clinic within the ER. Benton has trouble combining work and fatherhood.

S4·E6 Core

Ground Zero

Nov 6, 1997

Al wants to move to Atlanta where he got a job offer. Jeanie however isn't keen on moving. Carol talks to Carter's grandmother about the clinic.

S4·E7 Core

Fathers and Sons

Nov 13, 1997

Ross and Greene travel to a near-deserted stretch of California to investigate circumstances surrounding a death in Doug's family.

S4·E8 Core

Freak Show

Nov 20, 1997

Benton has a very extraordinary and interesting case when he comes across a boy with reversed internal organs.

S4·E9 Core

Obstruction of Justice

Dec 11, 1997

Jeanie believes she's been fired because she has HIV and fights her dismissal.

S4·E10 Core

Do You See What I See?

Dec 18, 1997

Mark treats an old lady who has been brutally raped. Carter's grandmother visits Carol's clinic. After he's touched by Benton, a blind man can see again!

S4·E11 Core

Think Warm Thoughts

Jan 8, 1998

Dr. Anspaugh's 13-year-old son is brought in and Anspaugh asks Mark to look after him. Another old lady who has been raped is brought in.

S4·E12 Core

Sharp Relief

Jan 15, 1998

Kerry starts to doubt the methods of Synergix. Carter tries to help his cousin beat his drug addiction. Jeanie becomes Scott Anspaugh's part-time caregiver.

S4·E13 Core

Carter's Choice

Jan 29, 1998

Another elderly rape victim is brought in. So is the rapist.

S4·E14 Core

Family Practice

Feb 5, 1998

Greene flies to San Diego when his mother falls and is hospitalized. His concern increases when he finds her acting "completely loony and out of control." To make matters worse, he

S4·E15 Core

Exodus

Feb 26, 1998

Because of benzene that's been spread, the ER has to close. Weaver gets felled and Carter has to take the lead.

S4·E16 Core

My Brother's Keeper

Mar 5, 1998

Mark finds out Cynthia has moved. Carter's cousin Chase is brought in because of a heroin overdose. Doug and Kerry clash after she found a flaw in his study.

S4·E17 Core

A Bloody Mess

Apr 9, 1998

Jeanie fears Scott Anspaugh's cancer may have returned. Hathaway learns a disturbing secret about a 16-year-old girl. A pregnant patient fears she'll miscarry; Morgenstern returns

S4·E18 Core

Gut Reaction

Apr 16, 1998

Carter finally works up enough nerve to ask Del Amico out. Jeanie tries to help Scotty decide whether to undergo an experimental treatment and Benton takes unexpected action during

S4·E19 Core

Shades of Gray

Apr 23, 1998

Del Amico, Ross and Corday confront disturbing situations after the bombing of a women's clinic. Benton comes under review for controversial actions in the OR. Jeanie endures one o

S4·E20 Core

Of Past Regret and Future Fear

Apr 30, 1998

A 31-year-old security guard is brought in suffering from severe chemical burns, and a 21-year-old man is wheeled in after falling 75 feet into a river. Meanwhile, Benton is upset

S4·E21 Mytharc

Suffer the Little Children

May 7, 1998

Ross treats a 6-month-old recovering from methadone withdrawal. A televangelist and his wife, who's suffering from an infection, plan a broadcast from the ER. Del Amico's old boyfr

S4·E22 Mytharc

A Hole in the Heart

May 14, 1998

Ross and Hathaway's jobs are in jeopardy after their unauthorized treatment of a drug-addicted 7-month-old boy is discovered. Corday loses her sponsorship. Carter suspects Del Amic