Gabe Lawrence Accepts He Can't Be A Doctor Anymore | ER

It's become increasingly clear to Dr. Lawrence (Alan Alda) that he has early stages of Alzheimer's and its affecting his ability to treat patients. In this quiet and poignant scene, he accepts to his former student Kerry Weaver that he can no longer safely practice medicine.
From "The Peace of Wild Things" (Season 6 Episode 6)
First broadcast November 11th, 1999
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[@JJ1848ful]

Alan Aida is so amazing. Any role he plays, no matter how small or big, he knocks it out of the park

[@kenhoward3512]

In addition to acting, Alan Alda's hosting of the "Scientific American Frontiers" television series showed the depth of his intelligence. His ability to quickly grasp new concepts while asking probing, perfect questions (along with his subtle, quick-witted humor) - what a mind.

[@StrivingTowardsWhatIsAhead]

Alan Aida sounds good. Never saw him.

[@jenniferwilliams5478]

He was good on MASH

[@skyehamm9629]

He most definitely a treasure. We’re so lucky to watch such a gem.

[@marie1272955]

Amazing actor

[@jamezmcc]

This is acting of the highest level from both of these two. Just phenomenal.

[@EUROPAMusicOfficialChannel]

Dr. Weaver was originally supposed to be a villain, but Laura Innes played the part so well, she became one of the most lovable characters on the show.

[@shadowstarz3651]

Yea, it was hard not to love her. She’s a good woman at heart, but definitely has some emotional issues…but she’s always good with kids.

[@EUROPAMusicOfficialChannel]

As far as emotional issues go, everyone has them. People that don't simply are better at hiding them.

[@lyzegfan]

I think we love her because we recognize in her some of our failures and insecurities. Despite thinking the show went a bit too long. I think rarely i saw someoone work só well in a character and think she should be more recognized for it.

[@ralphintheshadowrealm7002]

Glad they didn’t make her a villain. Really the show didn’t really need a designated bad guy. You can have your pains in the ass like Weaver or the pompous assholes like Romano, but giving them those modicum’s of decency make them more human and not one note

[@shadowstarz3651]

She wasn’t the most personable person, but she was one of my favorites. You could tell a lot of it came from a place of insecurity, but she still has a good heart despite her rough exterior.

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

When he talks about the best time to commit suicide, I swear he just crushed me to tears. And when Weaver said she would visit him, and he replied that he wouldn't know that she was there, it broke my heart and soul. 🥺💔

[@Milnoc]

That was Robin Williams' dilemma. He wanted to take his own life before his dementia robbed him of his abilities along with his humanity.

[@robertjackson3552]

well suicide is painless

[@petert3355]

@@robertjackson3552 Not for those left behind.

[@robertjackson3552]

@@petert3355 it was a reference to Mash

[@petert3355]

@@robertjackson3552 Maybe so, but the reality is somewhat different. Might be a good idea to clarify that you are making a show reference and not talking about real life.

[@RapidCityJM]

"Yeah, but I won't know you're there." is absolutely heartbreaking. I can't imagine how it must be in reality for people whose loved ones suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's.

[@LloydWaldo]

It is like that.

[@skyehamm9629]

I work with dementia clients. This disease is so freaking horrible. Breaks my heart.

[@djm3suxx]

It sucks.

[@evanlucas8914]

For those curious, the poem is "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Barry (not William Blake) But I suppose the fact that he got the poem author wrong was meant to be a little indication for poem buffs out there that his memory was going even more than he realizes.

[@shadowstarz3651]

That could very well be.

[@ScarletBrimstone]

He still got the initials right...

[@franchahadera6927]

Thanks. I couldn't find the poem. Now I know why. You guided me.

[@4862cjc]

@@ScarletBrimstoneExactly. I agree with @evanlucas8914, in that this was a deliberate error to indicate his Alzheimer’s.

[@MatthewKearney69]

Dr Lawerence having been in Korea. This could’ve been Hawkeye pierce.. expert wonderful surgeon from the 4077th mash later in life who mentored n taught dr weaver 👍👍

[@Mourtzouphlos240]

I love the scene with his very last patient. A man poisoned with Strychnine. Everyone else was stumped and he figured it out immediately and then gave the residents a textbook understanding of the poison and what it does to the body. "Score one for the Absent Minded Professor."

[@andymaggie7137]

Was thinking the same thing. The look on Carter’s face. Total desperation.

[@NICKANDERSONECW-py8pp]

Body standing soul Lucy stabbed. Carter service

[@terryprideaux]

He will always be Capt. Benjamin “Hawkeye” Franklin Pierce.

[@wardogies]

After he left the army

[@joeconcepts5552]

One of his ER episodes does have him mention some medical thing he learned in the Army. Obviously just a nod to his past role, but still funny.

[@terryprideaux]

@J Richards that’s correct. George Clooney gave me prostate exam. And he kept on repeating “I’m Batman!”.

[@ninnajacobsen4041]

Always 🌺🌺🌺

[@ddivincenzo1194]

@J Richards There were medical and nursing experts on set. In fact, some nurses were "extras" on the set.

[@lorelai44]

This right here, the scene, the acting, the dialogue, the right moment for the music to start...This is why ER is the greatest medical drama for me. Ever.

[@michael-m]

Powerful stuff. Todays Medical Dramas are nothing compared to E.R.

[@belgianmalinoit9665]

Agreed. When I see acting like this compared to schlock like Grey’s Anatomy, there is no comparison.

[@ddivincenzo1194]

I like to think that shows like "Emergency!" and "St. Elsewhere" (as ridiculous as that finale ended up as) paved the way for fact based med dramas.

[@D2RCR]

House came very close but nothing beats ER.

[@whitelabrat]

Pretty accurate description of how people who understand aging and dementia view their prospects. Some of the best acting I have seen in a while.

[@christafox13]

Yup my grandma is bedridden, in diapers, and later stage dementia for years now. It’s no real existence. I would rather go peacefully my own way than get to that point requiring my dirty diaper changed several times daily and suffer like that😔

[@stephensaxby2820]

One of my favourite ER episodes.This scene was truly heart breaking with great performances from both Alan Alda and Laura Innes.

[@shellcase20]

Alan Alda has probably practiced more medicine on TV as an actor then some real life doctors have in their careers.

[@kevinshea7547]

"How can I remember a Henry..., I mean a William Blake poem I memorized over thirty years ago."

[@DarkeningSkies1]

I see what you did there.

[@ddivincenzo1194]

Love M*A*S*H!!

[@MatthewKearney69]

So true. He referred to his time in Korea n he could’ve been Hawkeye…. Colleague in Boston could’ve been Charles Winchester n friend in California bj hunnicutt 🔥🔥👍😂👍

[@burnedbridges1871]

Alda always did have good acting chops. He's the man.

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

Alan Alda …. A truly GIFTED artist.

[@RandallHallKaizenReiki]

Alan Alda is truly an amazing actor.

[@HAL_9000__]

I love Alan Alda. I was so thrilled when he came onto ER. It broke my heart when the story line went here.

[@sugbear72]

Great acting with Laura Innes and Alan Alda. Wonderful scene!

[@ngrp27]

I really liked Gabe. A great doctor who can't work anymore because of a disease. Same with Mark. Also Paul (Don Cheadle) a character who can be a great doctor but can't because he had Parkinson.

[@MDkid1]

Paul was one of my favourites. Human doctors. Plus Don Cheadle is an amazing actor.

[@joemckim1183]

Also Romano who while a horses ass of a persssonality was a brilliant surgeon who could no longer treat patients medically after he lost his arm.

[@wayfarer4578]

Laura Innes was fantastic in this scene.

[@LoveOnTheInsidex3]

Say what you want about Kerry but Laura was always fantastic

[@nicholasmaude6906]

Yeah she was, for once Weaver didn't come across as controlling bitch.

[@nicholasmaude6906]

I remember when he first appeared on ER and my reaction "Hey! It's Hawkeye Pierce and he's joined ER".

[@LivermoreFilm]

I like to believe that this is an unofficial continuation of Alan Alda's character in MASH. Listening to his military experience he talks with the rest of the ER crew, it just seems so right! Anyone else agree?

[@PlumbPitiful]

Alan ALDA. Alan Arkin is a completely different person

[@LivermoreFilm]

@@PlumbPitiful lol i didn't even realize that. i changed it! haha thanks

[@udfan07]

Goddamn, Alan Alda is a great actor

[@claricesilva2700]

This scene will always be one of the saddest scenes in ER. My grandmother lived 10 years with alzheimer but i was too young to understand it when it all begun, i didn't experience when she started to forget things, i wasn't there. I just remember her already not knowing anyone. Watching him talking about how the illness would go made me feel like i finally understood it, it was like she was talking to me through his speech, telling me how it was in the early stages and how sad it was and i couldn't help but cry. Don't take your grandparents for granted, you might not like them, thinking they are too old to understand anything, and small minded but the truth is, they know stuff and most of the times they love you and just don't want you making the same mistakes they did. You might not think that now but after they're gone, if you didn't have a good relationship with them, it will always be something you wonder about.

[@michaelnorris6168]

This scene is so real, so touching, so sad.

[@therevolvingmonk]

Brilliant acting by both in this scene but especially Laura Innes. Weaver's heartbreak and despair at hearing Dr. Lawrence talking about contemplating suicide are gutwrenching. I couldn't stand Dr. Weaver but I felt so bad for her at this moment. Hearing someone you're close to saying something like that is awful.

[@ShanaiCollins]

This proves Alan Alda is one of the greatest actors of all time ❤

[@he-mememan359]

"Please don't talk like that." It never fails to amaze how other people will place their own pain over the suffering of the person they are trying to talk out of having their own feelings. They both know what he's in for, and she knows damn well that if he does stick around to end up like that, that when he finally passes the things they'll say is "at least his suffering is over", etc., but they'll still expect them to suffer it in order to spare themselves the pain a little longer.

[@jime6688]

I remember watching this when originally aired and it touched me, but I quickly forgot about it. Watching TODAY for the first time since then(2021) and all is different. Mom is suffering dementia and much worse off than Gabe is here. She’s unable to remember names or words enough to have a sensible conversation and she’s seeing things and imagining things that don’t exist and/or never happened. I’m in a position I never thought I’d be in which is wishing God will take her peacefully in her sleep. She won’t get better and based on her deterioration, I’ll probably be forced to put her in a nursing home in the next 6 months. The long goodbye as it is called is the most heartbreaking, traumatic thing I’ve ever had to deal with and I grieve for anyone that has to go through this.

[@joelolar7951]

I'm so sorry for you.❤

[@jime6688]

@@joelolar7951thank you. I hope you don’t mind me sharing, but it helps to talk about once in awhile. It progressed just as Gabe described here, but much faster. We did put her in assisted living, 3 months in, she broke her pelvis and had to have surgery. From there, she went to nursing care and fractured a shoulder. She could not talk at all for the last 6 months and then about a week in hospice. She died in April.

[@aaronburgin1442]

Alan Alda's arc on the show was incredible. Top 5 guest star in ER History: Field, Cromwell, Liotta, Alda and Rosemary Clooney, with Red Button and Forest Whitaker honorable mention.

[@Myr3390]

You know folks, we have been blessed to have been alive and witness to so many wonderful talents in all fields, movies, arts, sports.

[@adamclapp896]

Well said! Thank you for saying that.

[@nickgodfrey1973]

When he mentioned committing suicide, the way he said it, honestly made me think it was "Hawkeye" speaking rather than Dr. Lawrence

[@time_for_toast4922]

Alzheimer's runs in my family. And even though it's 50 years or more away, to look at all these... examples or interpretations of Alzheimer's on screen or in articles is... difficult. Heck--I'm already making plans for if I do have it.

[@KorisnickoIme84]

Just play Sudoku,crossword puzzles and you'll be fine..

[@adangracia3763]

Superb acting. Absolutely superb. Top-notch!

[@sarcasticallyrearranged]

Good thing he could admit that he was no longer capable of doing his job. Imagine a doctor trying to treat patients who can't remember what to do? In reality, Alan Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson's a few years ago.

[@lalainecastillo5030]

Crying because of a 4 minute clip. Some of the best writing and acting here!

[@asathurstone7585]

Keep these clips coming, please! Thanks!

[@trishaurvan9439]

Hawkeye still one hell of a doctor

[@PaulLundgren1970]

When Alan Alda passes away, I"m going to need about a week to bawl my eyes out.

[@cartman4885]

I agree with him 100% about the suicide thing as that's exactly what struggling with myself

[@CrankyGrandma]

You have purpose and value in every precious moment 🌹❤️

[@rizvaldo7209]

Hey, I hope you're okay and not giving up.

[@djburland]

Very moving! The true sign of quality performance

[@vincentmcclelland9179]

It made me flash back to last year, Dad passed on July 8th, from Alzheimer's, and what Alan Alda about not knowing she was there, I can relate, last few months of his life, he had no idea who was whom, or where he was, for any one who has not dealt with a parent or loved one with this terrible ailment, is is no way to live, or a way to go, trapped inside ones on brain and body, and also, one can die of a broken heart, Mom's dementia was already bad by then too, when I told her dad passes, she said, "I did not think he would go that soon" well she went less then 3 months later, so glad they did the pre-need funeral thing.

[@Zaiqahal]

Just watched this for the first time. Powerful stuff. For him to just casually talk about committing suicide before it gets too bad... man, that's dark.

[@natashaw401]

Cool Alen Alda guest stared

[@rfaero70]

Alan Alda always reminded me of my father, and as my father's own Alzheimer's progresses, this scene was absolutely devastating...

[@Azzurra2k]

Anyone here who loves this scene, the writing and Alan Alda's acting needs to see him In M*A*S*H if you havent

[@rogerdodger9244]

Oh shit I was just watching this episode on Hulu

[@joshhonaker3085]

I did to

[@Darkknight0777]

Great episode!

[@jkkilcullen]

The poem is "The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry.

[@noeldown1952]

"The peace of wild things" by Wendell Berry was published same year as this episode came out. It's definitely not by William Blake; Dr. Lawrence couldn't have learned it 30 years ago. I wonder if it's an intentional error that highlights his condition. He probably read this poem only a few days ago - which is why he remembers it, but believes it to be an old William Blake poem.

[@RandallHallKaizenReiki]

"The Peace of the Wild Things" was first published in 1968 in Opening: Poems by Wendell Berry. So no, it wasn't Blake, and it probably wasn't exactly 30 years ago, but yes it was probably an indicator of his condition.

[@Ellypoem]

Amazing scene. Thank you for posting

[@jonnnyren6245]

This reminds me of those subtle quiet moments with BJ in the Swamp. Like the one where he talks about the nurse he dated Millie Carpenter after she was killed by a landmine and Hawk volunteered to do a eulogy in her honor. And how he went instant Leo McGarry on President-elect Matt Santos on the possibility of a war while he was still refusing to accept to serve as State Secretary after Santos wanted him for the position. I tell you, Alan Alda has a way with handling these dramatic scenes, he's just a legend. And yes, he'll always be Hawkeye Pierce to me. Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce to be exact.

[@hugopirela5694]

Mark himself, who blew the whistle on dr. Lawrence, later regretted and felt responsible for ending his career.

[@tiffanymorgan6562]

Guilt that came too late

[@nategardner17]

Guilt is going to happen, but as an individual in the medical field, patient safety and competent care is the highest priority. A clinician is obligated to report any colleague that shows impairment, either acute such as intoxication, or chronic as was the case here. Even if the report is made in good faith with no ulterior motive beyond the care of the patient, there is going to be guilt and remorse, not least because everyone in the medical field has some kind of passion for what they do and they would not want to have someone take that away from them.

[@pasqualinamichelaconsiglio9391]

I was going into medical school when a brain tumor was discovered. I know how it feels.

[@MsPabloEze]

I am watching season 6 again. I saw this episode today. amazing

[@fareehamughal2676]

Season 6 is my all time fav specially carter , he is my fav and no 1 in ER

[@passiveagressive4983]

I love how this was kinda played as Hawkeye’s swan song 😭

[@Robotcoup22]

I loved the scenes where Kerry shows emotion. She’s such a type-a personality, but has a heart underneath it

[@shadowstarz3651]

You can tell deep down she’s a very insecure, lonely woman who desperately wants to control things because of her feeling like she has no control and her disability making her feel inferior. At least Abby and Jeanie were able to bring out her good qualities. They were among the few who could see beyond the hardness and see the good heart within.

[@henrym3780]

Alan fucking Alda. We don't deserve that kind of talent. I need to go binge MASH again

[@thepelicanthatcant]

Fun fact: not a William Blake poem. Shows his disease is progressing more than he's aware.

[@Xerruy]

The writers probably messed up there

[@shadowstarz3651]

@@Xerruy Even if it was unintentional, still works that his mind is going.

[@aralee1071]

Thank you!!

[@kineticpsi]

Alan Alda was great on ER and on The West Wing. We're not producing actors like AA & LI these days.

[@PlumbPitiful]

So now more than 20 years after this episode aired Alan Alda is 85 years old and thankfully did not develop Alzheimer's but he is suffering from Parkinson's disease which for a surgeon would be just as devastating

[@MDkid1]

I remember this episode.

[@markyochoa]

There's an episode I've been trying to find... It's basically Mark vs Weaver's approach to teaching med students. Weaver takes the hard line approach, Mark takes a practical, throw away your text books approach and he was vastly more effective than Weaver and she couldn't take it.

[@er-emergencyroom434]

That's "Fortune's Fools" - season 3 episode 13

[@markyochoa]

@@er-emergencyroom434 wow... Bizarre how memory works. I'm just watching that episode now and I have that scene very different from what really happened.

[@danjohnson2098]

Unfotunatey its known as the long goodbye.For those who have dealt with a loved one,its extremely cruel.

[@zlatanp479]

At the end of the day, we are all mortal...

[@giordanotirelli6028]

Happy birthday at alan alda from italian boy live in rome

[@matthewgreenwood4286]

When he first showed up I was like why can’t this be Hawkeye . However, I would not want this ending to Hawkeyes story.

[@BernardManansala]

Thank You Algorithm for pointing me to this channel.

[@stevezisk3415]

How Can My Mother remember and Sing a song From 45 Years ago But not Recognize Her Own Niece Sitting Right Next To Her. Fucking Cruel Disease

[@jkrfan7]

Knowing that Alan Alda has Parkinson's IRL makes this scene hit harder

[@jonstefanik9400]

Practicing medicine since his Hawkeye days in the Korean War.

[@fleetadmiralperry5739]

YOU GOTTA FEEL FOR LAWRENCE AND KERRY IN THIS SCENE BC NOT ONLY IS DR.LAWRENCE REALIZING HE CAN NOT PRACTICE BUT KERRY IS EXPERIENCING SOMETHING THAT I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN SUFFERING THE LAST WEEK AND IM CERTAIN MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALSO. TRAGICALLY WATCHING YOUR HERO ADMIT THEY AREN’T EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU IDOLATRIZED A HUMAN YOU REALIZED THERE CAPABLE OF FAILING

[@yesterdayitrained]

Um… no. Dr. Pape has Alzheimer’s- something he has no control over. That is not a failure on his part- it is the human condition. No one is invincible, no one is immortal. What are you going on about?

[@unlvqasl]

All upper case and no punctuation. Maybe you are suffering from an inability to write a proper English sentence syndrome.

[@Ninaofthe90s]

ugh this is so sad!! 😭😭

[@terryrose4804]

How ironic that David Ogden Stiers (Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on MASH) who also played Doctor Timicin in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Half A Life was forced to commit suicide because of his age. The timing was taken out of his hands.

[@CosmosMarinerDU]

What? David Ogden Stiers died at 75 from bladder cancer.

[@justinmanley8131]

The sad thing about Alzheimer's is it wouldn't have been 10 years. The average person dies from Alzheimer's in 3.5 years.

[@janetgood6332]

Average doesn't mean much if you are one of the ones who survives for years with it. My Grandma - 13 years.

[@shadowstarz3651]

Ronald Reagan was diagnosed in 1994 and he lived 10 more years.

[@5wheels178]

This is completely inaccurate

[@K-POP24-7]

Request: Can you please post the scene where a shooter comes into the ER, the shooter comes into the surgical room, the victim points at his shooter and then the shooter and a security guard has a shoot out in the hall way

[@itsgoff]

He can still make a run for President

[@keithburley7767]

Alan Alda

[@jadeblatz]

Watching this now some parts of this scene reminds me of an episode of M*A*S*H called "Blood Brothers" were Alan Alda as Hawkeye is trying to convince Patrick Swayze's character Private Sturgis who Hawkeye discovers has leukemia and Hawkeye is trying to convince him to leave his buddy at M*A*S*H and go to Tokyo General Hospital to get treatment right away much like how Carrie here is trying to convince Alan Alda's character to stay at the hospital to seek a better treatment. I don't know if this was planned at all and I haven't watched the ER episodes with Alan Alda since they originally aire but I find it neat.

[@PlumbPitiful]

The point of that Mash episode wasn't really about Hawkeye convincing private Sturgis to get treatment but rather Sturgis selflessly electing to stay and help his buddy who was in a coma.

[@chitownreak]

you never know you can get hit by a bus,plane crash,car accident get youre nuts caught in a meat grinder so never quit early

[@DrownedInExile]

Don't mention buses. It seems to upset the doctor.

[@chitownreak]

@@DrownedInExile lol or chickens

[@legalboxers]

Hawkeye…went to Boston.. to see Charles Emerson Winchester III

[@derekredden2305]

Trapper was from Boston too if I remember correctly

[@DrownedInExile]

Hope Dr. Freedman was able to help.

[@legalboxers]

@@DrownedInExile wasn’t Sidney from Brooklyn ?

[@willswinson1583]

The Peace of Wild Things was written by Wendell Berry not William Blake. I wonder if they had Lawrence get that wrong on purpose or if it was simply an oversight.

[@whitemark84]

Reminds me of the movie still Alice

[@charlieyang2613]

Made me remember Robin Williams😪😭, when Alan mentioned suicide.

[@caronharrison7197]

YOU LOOK LIKE HIM MORE THAN GIBBS BABES LOVE YOU MORE!!!🌹😘💯❤🌹

[@keithburley7767]

Hawkeye

[@Ewelllad]

The poem is by Wendell Berry, not William Blake.

[@PlumbPitiful]

They probably did that on purpose to show it as another symptom of his failing memory

[@keepingitreal71]

I see stories like this.. Helen Reddy, Glen Campbell. James Ingram... We need to end this disease... So sick or people dying like this....

[@hardwirecars]

well doc suicide is painless it brings on many changes and you can take all night if you please.

[@Mousy677]

HAWKEYE?!

[@MatthewKearney69]

If it was Hawkeye . It’s a William Blake poem … I wonder if he was related to Henry Blake ..??.. my old commander in mash 4077.. he was shot down n didn’t make it home 😪☹️

[@alexmeyers2274]

Great

[@Rebecca-dm5ul]

Omg, haven't cried like this before. I adore Alan Alda.

[@benjaminnadeau7305]

If you are still there as a doctor when it's time to go, you've done it wrong. And don't tell me doctors love it.. Not at 70..

[@HoldenNY22]

Could maybe Trapper John or Colonel Potter help him with his Alzheimer's Problem?

[@DocB03]

Loved him in The West Wing.

[@МаксимМазитов-ж3р]

Ну конечно( снова пить

[@Tdidonato]

Its a not william Blake poem

[@colinmackinnon696]

Hawkeye! 😃