It was weird.
On one hand, I think the whole structure of The Storm Part 2 is brilliant because it shows how much ER *didn't* need Doug/George. He is only in 4 or 5 scenes, and in each one you see how much he is drifting more and more. Kerry forbids him from working, Carol leaves him hanging for an answer, the investigator points out that Doug knew killing Ricky was wrong, and then finally at the end Carol is like, "How can you ask this of me after everything?". In my opinion, he really is pitiable in that episode because he is like a spare tyre and no-one really has any use for him.
As for the way he left, I never got it. I feel like he gave up so easily, and when Carol says "I don't understand
that", I always think, "I am right there with you!!".
And what sucks too is that 5 episodes earlier, if Doug had said to Carol, "I'm sick of County and want to take this other job. Come with me", I think she really would have considered going with him. Not saying she would have gone for sure, but she would have considered it. But after how much he screws with his career, her's, Kerry's and Mark's, and how little regard he shows for his actions, all Carol can presumably think is, "We're getting married and trying to have a baby - so how on earth can I take a leap of faith to move clear across the country with you when you have proven yourself to be completely undependable?".
I also keep thinking of what Alicia says to Will in TGW: "Show me the plan". What was Doug's plan for them? Oh, he had some vague job offer somewhere in Portland? Woop-de-do! What about her? Her career? Her house? Her friends? Their plan to have a baby? Doug was absolutely out of his mind to ask her to go and just expect her to say "Yes" on the spot. I'm all for supporting your partner during a difficult time, but Jesus Christ, Doug was asking/expecting a hell of a lot from Carol. I love Doug, but he was BEYOND out of line to behave like that.
*exhales*
Hmm, didn't expect to go off like that when I clicked on this thread.
