Yes, it’s time for another discussion about this beloved medical drama.
If you happen to be around when I needed to vent about how loathsome I found Shep, then you’d know that while coming down from the high of The Pitt, I realized that I never watched what’s inarguably in the blueprint for modern medical dramas: ER.
It’s taking me some time to get through (don’t judge me, but my comfort, late-night TV time often goes according to my mood), but I’m over five and a half seasons into the drama by now, and it’s been one hell of a ride!
Kerry Never Had to Prove to Me Why She’s Likable
However, one thing that intrigued me when I first started this journey and shared my thoughts with others was the idea that Kerry Weaver would “eventually get better.”
It was a common sentiment. Many comments hinted at some of her more compelling arcs that would unfold in future seasons, and they discussed how the character would eventually grow on me.
The thing is, I never needed Kerry to “get better” or “grow on me.” I never had an issue with Kerry in the first place!
My real surprise was learning that there was ever a time when she could be a polarizing character in the first place.
From the moment she appeared onscreen, I found her compelling — and I never wavered. So five seasons in, I’m enjoying her, sure, but my feelings about her aren’t some big change from my perception of her before.
ER is a Treasure Trove of Rich, Complex Characters
I’ve adored ER so much, in large part, because the characters feel so real to me. They’re not perfect, and they’re super messy and flawed, but most honestly, human.
It pleases me that even characters I like have moments where they can be so unlovable. Sadly, many television series have strayed from showcasing the complexities of being human.
Everyone is caught up in binaries and dichotomies regarding their characters.
One person is a hardline hero, and another is a staunch villain.
Now and then, they blur the lines a bit, but for the most part, it often feels like characters are written to be likable instead of realistic, relatable, complex, and compelling.
If you’re familiar with my waxing poetic about any number of shows, you probably have picked up that I LOVE characters. Give me the messy ones, the nice ones, the complicated ones, or the loathsome ones.
I love seeing all the different facets of what makes them tick. Good characters, scratch that, GREAT characters have a way of sticking with you long after a show ends.
And, truthfully, ER has many of those characters.
Too Much? Nah. Kerry Weaver Is Just Right
But one of the standouts for me has been Kerry Weaver this entire time.
She feels so emblematic of what it’s like for any girl or young woman who the world told was “too much.”
Too bold. Too opinionated. Too brilliant. Too vocal. Too ambitious. Too bossy.
Kerry’s presence in that specific field, during a time when taking and holding space was still a challenge, is awe-inspiring.
She doesn’t soften because people want her to, or bend because it’s asked of her.
The general reaction by the rest of the staff to Kerry always fascinated me.
She reminded me of the Class President — the kind who keeps things running but never gets invited to sit with the cool kids.
She’s nerdy, efficient, opinionated, and she always knows best.
Maybe that’s obnoxious to some, and it certainly can be at times, but I respect a woman who isn’t afraid to assert herself, even if it means people don’t always like her.
Kerry doesn’t know any other way to be.
Cristina Yang? Kerry Weaver Is the Blueprint
She’s cognizant of the effect she has on others and the impression she leaves, but she keeps her head held high anyway and carries on, and that’s something that I’ve found admirable about her since she arrived.
Kerry is also very ambitious, and it’s striking to see that, despite it still being a rarity, a woman is so career-focused and determined to climb the rungs without apologizing for it.
I can see where characters like Cristina Yang stood on the foundation that Kerri set, and it makes me think about how revolutionary Kerri’s character is.
And that’s only five seasons in, I’ve surmised that there’s more to her story that will later cement that further, but I’m very appreciative of where she is right now in my watch.
To many, she seemed a bit like a hardass, the one who nitpicked and was a chronic do-gooder type who took pleasure in her authoritative role.
However, Kerry excels in authoritative roles. And it balances nicely with other characters who can go a bit rogue or slack off and have their own shortcomings (Like Doug and Mark).
I Could Never Hate Kerry Weaver
She’s this vital presence in the hospital, and it wouldn’t feel the same without her or anywhere near as organized as necessary.
But I also love how she’s almost a host of contradictions at times, too. Most of the time, she loves to abide by the rules, but then you see these glimpses of moments when she’s willing to bend or break them.
It’s through that, where you see that Kerry isn’t so much a rule follower as someone with her own moral compass, code, and set of boundaries, and it’s part of what makes her interesting.
Personally, I loved how much she advocated for Jeanie and how that friendship blossomed over time. And she was also one of the best people to give Benton advice about his son and to set him up with someone who could help.
Kerry’s connections go deep, and her willingness to reach out and lend a hand to those around her, even knowing how those same people probably view her, makes me adore her even more.
She’s a badass, compassionate, and complex, and I love her.
It’s why it’s been interesting to me to see the responses and warnings about her when I first started talking about my ER watch —
I could never hate Kerry Weaver.
In a world where TV characters are too often reduced to likable archetypes, Kerry Weaver remains defiantly real — and that’s exactly why she stuck with me.
Any Kerry Weaver lovers out there? You’re our kind of people. And I want to hear from you!
Drop a word in the comments or share this with a fellow fan — it’s the best way to support indie TV coverage that actually cares about the shows.
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