The Letter from Mark | ER

Carter reads a letter to the staff from Mark that he wrote during his final days in Hawaii, then discovers that it was sent on by Elizabeth because Mark passed away that morning.
Requested by BailysBeads/Micaela Swanson/benerau117.
From "The Letter" (Season 8 Episode 20
First broadcast May 2nd, 2002

[@nintendofan365]

Out of anyone Carter was perfect to read the letter. After Mark said "You set the tone Carter."

[@lauraschoenborn3544]

This scene is really telling of the impact Mark had on the ER. All people had to say, was "it's Mark's letter." and everyone just stops what they are doing and listens to it!

[@MichaelBrown-js1ti]

Bring back the episodes for good 100,000 likes ER 100 more episode 150 more episodes 101 151 100,000 likes to bring back episodes back on TV for good on USA Michael Taylor Brown is a big fan I love your TV show on TV keep the legacy going and be safe from the virus and reboot your show back on USA 100,000 likes on KZbin PG Jeffrey Ridgeway love that show too ER hospital TV show reboot Jeffrey Ridgeway Sam is OK to subscribe on ER subscribe No Michael Taylor Brown it's a big fan keep it Rollin every day on TV thank you his birthday is in June 19 keeping room and every day in June and 19 you'll be 32 this year happy birthday Michael Taylor Brown 100,000 likes on KZbin he went to KZbin to win this year 100,000 likes

[@sukmahskittlzable]

Idk who's reaction tugged more at the heartstrings... Carter's, as he read Corday's message to himself first and then out loud, or Susan's, as she realized Mark had died before Carter continued reading. Such powerful acting.

[@jessicawebber2737]

Ya

[@jessicawebber2737]

@@MichaelBrown-js1ti they cant

[@MetalMadness_00]

Carter’s face said it all

[@nintendofan365]

Carter's reaction got me the most. Especially since he was about to cry.

[@bbmoff1]

Tremendous show. Just so groundbreaking

[@Xerruy]

I like that someone actually hand wrote the whole letter for this scene.

[@ndaulinendaulina5715]

Hahahaha!

[@stormangelus6638]

Carter was completely crushed at Mark's death... they all were. Mark played such a powerful role in their lives and the loss of them was crushing.

[@violinda.]

He set the tone...

[@Unsolvedfanatic]

Susan (Sherry Stringfield) really makes the scene, for me anyway. The acting. The really special relationship Susan and Mark had. Her remaining there, frozen as everyone slowly walks away....it's so goosbumpily poignant and moving. I'm forever repeating to myself; "it's only a tv show, it's only a tv show". "Get a grip, it's only a tv show". But it never really helps. Such a damn good tv show. To this day I still feel like I'm watching the series for the first time, every time I watch it....despite watching the series in it's entirety many times, and watching some individual episodes DOZENS of times. Quality shit.

[@russelconor8704]

I always cry watching this scene. Amazing acting by Noah Wyle here.

[@frederickruderman2997]

Me too

[@vincentwiggins4017]

Me three

[@AliciaMSW99]

ER will always be one of the best shows

[@carlasuannelockett1694]

His name is Noah Wylie and a true fan would actually know that!

[@_Lane_]

@@carlasuannelockett1694 Nope, his name is Noah Wyle. 😉

[@SciTrekMan]

Dear ER Gang, So here I am, out on the beach at 5:30 in the evening. Elizabeth is sitting with me and drinking juice, but I'm all about the Mai Tai's. The sun is going down, Rachel is dipping Ella's toes in the ocean as they head off on their quest for the perfect seashell. Weirdly enough, I find myself thinking, you know what would make this moment complete? Some jogger dropping to the sand, short of breath, so I can swoop in with a piece of bamboo to perform a nice, clean intubation, fix the guy up, and send him off with a good, simple dispo. Which I guess is my way of saying that I miss you all and that dingy place. Lots of times I thought I should have chosen a different career or go into private practice, something easier, less grinding, more lucrative, but since I've been gone, I realize that outside of doing what I'm doing right now, sitting on this beach with my family, staying at County all those years, doing what we do on a daily basis was the best choice I ever made. I know what you're thinking, but trust me, it's not so hard to appreciate once it's over. As much as a part of me would like to believe that the ER can't go on without me, the smarter part realizes that you are an incredible group of doctors and nurses who approach every day with such skill, compassion and thoroughness, that when it comes to patient care, I know my absence will hardly be felt. As for friendship and comradery, well, that’s another matter. In order to leave, I had to go the way I did, but I wouldn't want any of you to think that that meant I didn't value each of you and the years that we worked together, or that I didn't have things of a more personal nature to say. Most of you, I think, have an idea of what those things might be without me writing them down, but still... Ella is laughing and waving for me, Rachel’s found her shell. Mark. Mark died this morning at 6:04 a.m. The sun was rising, his favorite time of day. I sent this on so that you might know he was thinking of you all and that he appreciated knowing you would remember him well. Elizabeth Corday

[@jasmynereynolds8071]

Thank you it's a beautiful and a sad letter

[@dr.100purrscent5]

Aww, you remembered 💗 This was very thoughtful of you. It's nice to actually read the words. The writers out did themselves, breaking our Hearts with this one.

[@MichaelBrown-js1ti]

ER Bring back to series on TV bringing back the episodes on USA Michael Taylor Brown is your big fan in Boerne Texas 100,000 likes

[@renaelattin5875]

That part always got me,Carter stopped and his face, Susan just knew,both Noah and Sherry in this scene rocked.

[@titleofprofile]

I watch this clip whenever I need to let my feelings out with a good cry. Susan and Carter talking in the locker room after this and Weaver emptying the locker always gets me too :(

[@valeriaesquivel1581]

Poor Susan :c

[@PlumbPitiful]

Correction: Weaver TRYING to empty his locker but not being able to and asking Carter to it. Then comes the part that gets me; Carter taking Mark's stethoscope as his own. 😭

[@michaelabald6174]

I still cry every time I see this and the Hawaii episode....nothing in ER has ever hit me as hard 😭

[@anitaknight3915]

I cry so much at Mark's funeral, pratt's death, and when bensons nephew dies scenes too 😭😔

[@Eckylis]

The Hawaii scene killed me inside watching it. One of the hardest episodes of TV, along with "The Body" from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, that I've ever watched or experienced.

[@moniquemcpherson6927]

You know how strong the relationship is with this scene, especially with Mark and Susan. Her "radar" goes up in the video, "Mark's tumor returns."

[@kaylove8663]

I cried the first time i watched this episode.... it was so sad how Mark died and to think that Elizabeth, Rachel and Ella had to lose him 😢

[@robertcliff3197]

"Post it on the floor Frank." "That last part?" "The WHOLE thing!" And Carter's double/triple head tilt and "Mark died this morning..." as his voice cracks. The 2 saddest parts of this scene. Lewis lowering her head was good and Haleh confirming "I'm not so sure of that" are the next 2 and I think the very real fact that them getting the letter at all and literally thinking the whole time until it was too late that it was just a letter from Mark saying how things were going and they weren't even thinking it was possible he had finally passed rounds out the top 5. I've also always said/thought it was VERY telling that everyone was at the desk listening except Weaver. Sure the way they had her find out was sad and very well done & that was probably the BIGGEST reason they did it for drama and more emotion, but what it would represent was probably not lost on the show runners. I always say that even though this easily could just be a coincidence that she didn't walk over at that exact moment (she may not even have been in yet, but its a show: how hard would it have been to WRITE into the script that she could have been there) if you need one episode/action that absolutely proves & confirms that Weaver was not "part of the group/family" this was it.

[@jpetersgoyanks]

The respect they have for him is evident when they all stop what they are doing to hear the letter before they know how it will end.

[@mellowbee9464]

It means a lot that the show dedicated three whole episodes to Mark's death (his last day in the ER, this episode, and On the Beach--not to mention all the buildup to it). The crew knew what Mark meant to the show and to the audience, and they made sure to give him the sendoff he deserved, even if it was heartbreaking.

[@basstian]

That entire episode is so masterful in terms of pacing, writing, directing, acting... and, of course, it's as crushing now as it was back when it first aired.

[@rr7firefly]

It somehow never loses its impact. I come back to it now and then.

[@willcorker763]

One of my favorite parts of this episode is Weaver watching Romano read the letter. Both actors did so much without saying a word.

[@Cynthianicolle]

This has to be one of saddest episodes of this series.

[@lauraschoenborn3544]

This is the saddest scene in the series, this is tied with somewhere over the rainbow his goodbye to Rachel. The epsode after this is the absolute saddest!

[@Cynthianicolle]

Laura Schoenborn I know, I’ve watched the series lots of time and this part always get me. This was like a part of the show dying.

[@Lumimind]

@@Cynthianicollethe show starts dying right after this episode. Carter is my favorite character but withtout Benton...it's was not the same thing.

[@SarahBlueJ]

I dunno it's sad but for me it's when Carter and Lucy get stabbed that's the saddest

[@suzartpatricia]

Only now I'm noticing how the hospital was quiet when John was reading the second part. Brilliant.

[@lateshiachilds3640]

I'm watching this episode on HULU. I was 12 in 1994 when ER aired and back in the 90s I seen episodes here and there. Since October I've been binge watching ER and I'm season 8 almost done with season 9. I wasn't ready for Mark to go, one of my favorite characters on the show.

[@seamus1956]

That’s the thing about shows like this that are remarkably written and wonderfully acted. After a time, the characters become real, however fictitious they may be and when they leave, especially if they “die”, we grieve right along with the other characters. Dr. Mark Green was our friend. It was painful to say goodbye - even though we could always go back to previous episodes.

[@TheLirJEt86]

Mark Greene- the Michael Jordan of ER medicine. Chicago made, through and through.

[@Dumdumblonde]

Much as I love Noah’s acting in this scene it’s always Susan’s reaction that hits me the hardest. The way they all move away and she just stands there looking absolutely devastated 😭😭. Gets me every time

[@seancollins6524]

It's amazing how one gets so suck into a TV show. And how you feel sad when it's over. Great acting great story lines.

[@Holly5794]

I remember crying like a baby when he died. I stopped watching the show after he died.

[@bex8832]

This scene still makes me cry all these years later 😪😪 I always remember feeling so sad at the end when they are rushing past with a critical patient and one of the pages of Dr Greene's letter breaks off 💔

[@PocokPresents]

Im not crying, you crying.

[@stormangelus6638]

Damn onion ninjas!

[@cooswillemse7551]

ER was just such a brilliant series. I remember these two episodes like it was yesterday. Watched it with my wife and it was like a family member had passed away.

[@melwilliams9123]

Always get emotional over this one scene no matter how much I watched it

[@moniquemcpherson6927]

Mark Greene definitely led the team here his death cut deeply for everyone.

[@bucu]

"Mark, you set the tone" always im thinking of this line when watching Carter reading this letter.

[@lynnlawrence5021]

I have watched every season of ER over and over. I have shed tears from the beginning to the end but out of all those tears When Mark died and the events leading up to that scene and after I was just choking with tears. Carol almost dying, Carter so distraught over his and Lucys stabbings are just the tip of the iceberg. I love this show and always have...Doug may have been the first McDreamy but Mark was always my hero...Great actor great person ❤

[@angelabird4794]

After all these years still gets me xx

[@z0m6i3boyjasp3r]

Susan already knew that when the letter was sent in that Greene had passed, such great acting

[@SS-Tommy]

It's not nessesarily the powerful acting, but the years of investment in the characters that they made us care about. I did cry...

[@keepingitreal71]

This was how I lost my mommy... She was in Myrtle Beach SC... in Jan 2013 and she died on Jan !8 from 2 forms of cancer... As he read that letter I could feel it in my gut that Mark died... I thought of my mom as she died in a place with sand and sun... Her sister and her sister's hubby were with her when she passed... This scene was all to real for me... I think I will cry myself to sleep...

[@Xerruy]

2:17 In ‘Secrets and Lies’, Susan tells Carter that Mark isn’t in love with her anymore and they’re just friends. Here, I think, is when she realizes he was still in love with her.

[@clit_niblr0375]

Or... or... maybe Susan realized how much she cared about Mark and how much she was going to miss him.

[@Kaybug150]

I typically avoid episodes/clips of the show during and immediately after Mark's death, mostly because the character has always reminded me of my father, and still does now. I avoided watching this clip on here for a while, but here I am now, and it makes me cry every single time.

[@stephanielalamom]

Wow what a powerful scene. Mark Greene was my favorite character on the show. His death really hit me hard. I ugly cried lol. The show was never the same for me and I never really watched the series the whole way through. Well recently I did and let me tell you Dr. Greg Pratt's death had me emotional as well. I liked his character and his death was sudden. Plus when they were working on him in the er you can tell by his eyes he knew he wasn't going to make it.

[@denisespurlock]

A part of me died as a fan as well. RIP, Mark Greene!

[@WaniZame]

This scene is one of the greatest. It’s so well executed.

[@musicmanfelipe]

I remember this episode too. As a paramedic I’ve had colleagues die suddenly, and it’s always a shock. But, just like showbusiness, the show must go on.

[@martcoombs9031]

still bloody crying after all these years... still gets me..

[@MiezzMiezz]

I cried so many tears because of this. Wonderful tv series… thank you!

[@JediPhoenix1976]

"As much as part of me would like to believe that the ER can't go on without me...I know my absence will hardly be felt." "Hmm...I'm not so sure about that." PREACH IT, HALEH! 😭

[@lonnekesanders3424]

Oh no, I didn't need a cry session today...

[@sharihames]

Beautiful. Still hits me in the pit of my stomach after all these years. Feels like it was just yesterday. God, I loved this show.

[@FFEMTB08]

Damn it. After all these years it still makes me cry.

[@kathleencoleman6125]

Here it is July 29,2021 and I still cry listening to this. Good acting wonderful writing. This death and Gary on Thirtysomething really hit me. Once in a while I go watch that also.

[@bettycunicelli8552]

Goosebumps...and tears.

[@jeanneumana1052]

Even tho a bit dated, Michael Crichton/Steven Spielberg's brainchild, executed almost to perfection by Anthony Edwards and others can t be matched. The careers and topics and compelling conversations this show spawned reverberate today. But Tony Edwards...no wonder you had to leave after 8 years....your storyline was often so grueling, realistic and heart-wrenching, even I couldn t take it. You were the best!

[@dwilborn1257]

This scene was heavily influenced by the play/film "Mister Roberts" from the reading of the last letter to the shocking announcement of death to the posting for the crew to read... well done tribute to a classic scene and in character with the show.

[@MiezzMiezz]

Younger generations will never know the pain…. 😢

[@hogne]

The saddest scene, apart from the scene where Radar breaks the news of Colonel Blake in M*A*S*H, ever done in a TV show. Everything is just right here. The writing, the acting, the music, the camera movements... it's just beautiful and sad.

[@marion3386]

This was the most brilliant American TV SHOW EVERY!! 😔❤️❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Explorer920023]

I kept thinking, who broke the news to Ross?... That definitely had to hurt because of how close they were.

[@xxwhispersxx2856]

Carol probably. I bet she was informed first.

[@meghanethiel4927]

As a French woman, I watch in French and sometimes in English. I couldn't say which version of this episode is the most powerful...

[@jennyange59000]

De toute façon dans les deux cas je chiale comme pas possible xD

[@meghanethiel4927]

@@jennyange59000 moi aussi ! 😅

[@jennyange59000]

@@meghanethiel4927 C'est fou à quel point cette série impacte encore ma vie alors que j'ai connu cette série à la première diffusion FR xD Parfois quand j'ai le temps je regarde même les rediffusions sur TF1 séries/films vers 16h. De toutes façon ce n'est pas pour rien que même en France des séries comme Urgences, Nounou d'enfer, La petite maison dans la prairie et Dr Queen passe toujours en boucle 20 ans et plus après. Elles ont tellement marquées l'histoire de la TV.

[@meghanethiel4927]

@@jennyange59000 ah mais trooop

[@juneannlloyd3100]

I cried so hard when I first saw this scene. Mark Green's death . It killed me.

[@juliarechbauer1288]

I cry everytime 😢

[@sugaloaf9889]

Somewhere over the rainbow…

[@kelvaris1]

20 years on and it still gets me.

[@sadieyoung7397]

I definitely believe Mark’s death hit John and Susan the hardest. Aside from Elizabeth since he was her true love. Susan and Carter were with a mark from season 1. Luka and Abby respected Mark but it didn’t hit them as hard since they were introduced in season 6. Susan was bawling in the locker room and John was comforting her. Mark was very much respected by the staff and it was heartbreaking to see them realize Mark was gone.

[@PlumbPitiful]

You must have missed Keri reading the letter on the bulletin board. She was devastated. Unexpected considering how often they butted heads.

[@sadieyoung7397]

@@PlumbPitiful I didn’t miss that scene. Yeah she was upset as they all were but the front starters like Susan and John definitely felt it harder.

[@babydublin01]

No matter how many times I've seen this I cry.

[@aliennotion2876]

This scene was lifted straight from the play and movie Mr. Roberts with Henry Fonda and Jack Lemon.

[@RichO1701e]

Over 20 years since I watched this episode on UK TV and it still makes me blub and cry and snot. Over a bloody fictional TV character!! The acting here is sublime and so perfect, you do forget you're watching a TV show, it was THAT good! I miss ER. I was a young man when I first saw this and it only hits deeper now, how mortal we really are. You just don't think on that level, see things on that level when you're young. You never know how much time you have left and why you worried about such small, insignificant things. Cherish each day, because you never know when it's up. Live. Your. Life.

[@willannka]

Okay so I basically only came here to thank you for this scene and say I'm not gonna watch it because it makes me too sad and I don't wanna ugly cry.

[@Unsolvedfanatic]

Every. Damn. Time.

[@christyyonally6285]

I liked mark green he was a good doctor

[@christopherhuchro1389]

My Grandma and I used to watch this show, she told me when Mark Greene died, she lost all interests in this great show.

[@josiewyn]

this is one of my favorite shows for moments like this

[@tiffanymorgan6562]

Mark's death hit Susan and John the hardest

[@sadieyoung7397]

Yep, they were with Mark from day one.

[@sydneyrolle2743]

Why am I crying right now?!!

[@pattyevans2763]

I still cry when I see this episode.

[@vickierickson4482]

While Elizabeth was a good wife for Mark; I always felt that Susan was the real love of his life, and she didnt realize it until just then.

[@lindaholbrook6654]

Still can't watch without balling my eyes out

[@delmicortave]

I cry the first time a lot of years ago and now I am crying again 😢 this is so beautiful

[@spaceemperorkarl121]

Measure a man's life not by his successes, failures, career, or wealth, but by the friend's and loved ones he left behind. Then you will know his worth.

[@ariesrainbowchild]

I cried so much for so many times from this.

[@josefine7095]

so many very skilled actors here!

[@TheCupitorVeritatis]

Bring this show back!

[@josefinapablo4255]

Crying - even after all these years!

[@robertaribeiro725]

I just watched this episode and I never thought I was going to cry as much as I did. I knew he was going to died, but I think I wasn't ready for. I hate that he didn't have much time with Ella, or a chance to see Rachel graduate. It wasn't his time yet

[@aaronburgin1442]

Unpopular opinion: the end of Orion in the Sky and this scene are more touching than Mark’s actual death in On the Beach

[@naidemoonshine9522]

and this show aired 15 years ago? damn that is some exellent stuff

[@arrivalofdoom7449]

The whole back half of Season 8 is a monster run of fantastic episodes - Orion in the Sky , the new version of Over the Rainbow , "FIX RACHEL" etc etc. But as great as Noah is here , the focus in on Sherry is beautiful - a heartbreaking look of loss. Have just finished Show Must Go On at end of S11 where Carter leaves - and theres some lovely Greene callbacks. "You set the tone"

[@dangurney1042]

2:48 Susan knows something's wrong.

[@sugaloaf9889]

She definitely knew, and she hoped she was wrong.

[@amyraszipovits810]

Gets me every time

[@BazAlderson-jackson]

God I miss this series so so much 🥹💙

[@elizabethgutierez5614]

Anybody else ugly crying?

[@stormangelus6638]

Me! OMG this scene just broke my heart when I saw it. I was a young, impressionable teenager in Medical Magnet schooling in the mid-90's when I saw it, ironically learning to be a CNA.

[@DBR00]

I cry also evey time I watch this.

[@Ellypoem]

THANK YOU so much for posting!! The last scene (I think last scene) where Carter comforts Greene's patient is BEAUTIFUL. Really hoping you can post that one

[@jordanlake471]

I like the scene just after this one as the pages of the letter are blown off the wall that we see Carter in the same green scrubs as Mark always wore

[@toddsmitts]

No way would two doctors be able to compose letters with handwriting that legible.

[@thomasbernard8922]

War medicine, Emergency medicine. Different wars, same unsung heroes.

[@josiewyn]

awww man why are my eyes sweating so much

[@MrBadBoy2105]

They knew the minute Carter said it was was from Elizabeth

[@Explorer920023]

Most tragic death is definitely between Lucy Knight and Mark Greene but most hilarious death, definitely Romano...

[@SarahBlueJ]

Still laugh so hard at Romano. I wanna know what he did to helicopters to make them hunt him down haha

[@Explorer920023]

@@SarahBlueJ I think the helicopter planned it but had unfinished business because of the fact that he survived the first time... hahaha

[@GaryHoltonFan]

@@SarahBlueJ 🤣

[@GaryHoltonFan]

@@Explorer920023 😂😂

[@matthewcampbell7985]

Well it's time for mark.

[@BrittKGM]

As a direct result of Mark Greene’s death, I cannot listen to that specific version of ‘Over the Rainbow’

[@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm]

I can, because I had already heard it before this episode. It was used in the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore film 50 First Dates

[@user-qt6zl9oi8t]

Poor little Ella she never knew her dad😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢