Keris Stainton on the TV women we love...
I couldn't choose between Kerry Weaver and Carol Hathaway from ER, so I thought I'd feature them both at once.
Kerry (whose name I thought was actually Carrie for about, ooh, five seasons) has been in ER since season two and has evolved incredibly as a character. When she first turned up, battling with Dr Doug 'George Clooney' Ross, I thought she was pure evil, but the episode in which her dead lover's parents refused to give her access to the child the couple had adopted was one of the most moving scenes in any of the show's many season (and there has been a lot of competition). There's also, of course, the fact that Kerry walks with a stick, but the reason for it wasn't revealed until season eleven. Oh and she turned out to be a lesbian (I'm not intentionally focusing on lesbians, honest!).
Carol was the heart of the early seasons of ER. In the first episode she's recovering from an overdose following the end of her engagement to Doug Ross. Seeing her negotiate relationships (both with Doug and with other men), learn her self-worth, train as a nurse and become a single mother was inspiring. Carol was funny, strong, self-assured and vulnerable. Plus she was enviably gorgeous (that hair!).
Thinking about it, ER's always had a great line in strong female characters. From Susan Lewis to Abby Lockhart. From Neela Rasgotra to Lucy Knight (whose death scene was another one of the most amazing scenes ever). From Cleo Finch to Elizabeth Corday to Jeannie Boulet. All different. All strong. All inspirational. All wonderful.
Keris co-edits Shiny Media’s fabulous women’s fiction blog, Trashionista and contributes to TV Scoop, The Bag Lady and Bridalwave. She still misses Dr Ross. And Dr Greene. And Dr Carter.