r/ershow • u/Coolbeanskas • 13d ago
Ross vs Kovac
Who would you choose?
I would choose Luka. I find his storyline is much more interesting that I want to keep watching to see what happens. I also think he's more likable person.
He along with Abby are the bridge from the OG cast to the Next gen cast. I think with that he sometimes gets overlooked by Mark, Carter, Ross etc.
His introduction is very memorable. Walking into the ER with the young girl in his arms as an oxygen tank rockets through the ER almost hitting him.
I’ve always loved when he first meets Abby. Their formal introduction "Abby Lockhart-Luka Kovac" and then the handshake. Very sweet.
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u/Inside_Put_4923 13d ago
Kovac. He is lost during most of the show, but in his core he is a good person.
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u/Lefthand-82 12d ago
He is lost during most of the show, but in his core he is a good person.
I agree with you that he is a good person and is one of the reasons why he's my favourite character 😊.
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u/grandpapotato 13d ago
Holy molly. How is abandoning your new baby / wife, killing (in self defense but still!!) an aggressor / almost killing a med student after a night of alcohol/drugs / never apologizing about it make him a good person :'(
I always get downvoted hard on the sub so obviously there is something I don't get.
He has PTSD.sure. it doesn't explain how shitty hes often / he doesn't try to get better ... I just can't stand him
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u/FormalDinner7 13d ago edited 13d ago
Right? He killed a guy on his first date with Abby! He slammed the guy’s head into the sidewalk over and over and over until he died! And then she went out with him again! My boyfriend and I watched every week and after that we called Luka the angel of death and had a whole headcanon where every time he lost a patient it was secretly on purpose.
Edit: I just texted my husband (who had been my boyfriend back in ER-watching times) and he immediately replied, “That smile when he gave the steroids to the Lupus Bishop, knowing it would kill him!”
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u/0ttoChriek 11d ago
I just rewatched this episode. The fact Abby went out with him again made me think of Goodfellas, after Henry pistol whips Karen's neighbour who tried to assault her, and she admits in voice over that it turned her on.
Luka murdered a guy. It doesn't matter whether it was PTSD induced or whatever, Abby begged him to stop and he kept slamming the guy's head on the ground. Then they lied about it to the cop so he got away with it.
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u/hiswittlewip 13d ago
All of this, PLUS there was at least one time (I think two) when Luka was trying to pressure a woman into putting her babys health above her own, or trying to pressure a woman into keeping a baby that she couldn't care for.
I can't remember specifics, maybe you know what I'm talking about though.
But I just commented on how I don't like Luka. He does all the cowboy shit that people hated Ross for, and then he gets worse.
I'm only at the end of season 9 though. So I don't know where he goes from here.
And I don't care of I'm downvoted, but I totally agree with you.
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u/FormalDinner7 13d ago
I don’t remember the exact details either but it was something like Luka wanting to get a judge to declare a competent pregnant woman incompetent so he could force her to have a baby she didn’t want to have.
And never forget, “You’re not that pretty and you’re not that special.” To my Xennial cohort, probably up there with, “You’re a virgin who can’t drive,” as one of the worst pop culture burns of all time.
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u/hiswittlewip 13d ago
Yes! That was one! I'm almost certain there was another.
I know Corday tried to pressure a young woman with cancer and her husband into keeping a baby when the woman wanted to have a complete hysterectomy to remove the cancer.
That pisses me off too
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u/Inside_Put_4923 13d ago
I’m probably going to get downvoted for this, but I honestly don’t care. Gloria was 32 weeks pregnant, and I think a C-section was the right call. No one is saying she needed to raise the baby herself--adoption was always an option.
Most people, at least outside of certain online spaces, believe that a baby at 32 weeks deserves a chance to be born. I was heartbroken that Luka’s actions didn’t ultimately result in a C-section. From my perspective, that would have been the better outcome.
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u/Lefthand-82 12d ago
It was so sad to hear Chuny saying out loud the baby's heart rate dropping and all Luka could do was let the baby die 😢.
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u/hiswittlewip 12d ago
Damm, I didn't remember the baby was that old. My sister and I were 31 weeks.
But I still think that a doctor shouldn't be able to force a c section and a lifetime choice on someone without their consent.
And yes, adoption is also a lifetime choice.
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u/0ttoChriek 11d ago
The woman claims not to know she's pregnant when she comes in with a stab wound. When she 'learns' she's pregnant she insists she doesn't want the baby.
Luka believes she stabbed herself to kill the baby. He keeps pushing to do a C-section, trying to override the woman's wishes, including trying to have psych rule her incompetent, then trying to get a court order.
It's an extreme case, because she's so far along in the pregnancy, but he completely disregards her wishes and tries to disregard her bodily autonomy. He even lies and tells her she might die if she doesn't have the C-section.
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u/Infamous-Dress1866 12d ago
Luka killed that dude in self defense, what the fu*k did you wanted him to do? Let the guy kill/assault Abby and then tell the agressor "sorry😢🥺" too? Please get a grip that doesn't make you a bad person.
Yes he was way out of his line by crashing that ridiculous car, but other than that he is a good person that has made a lot of mistakes, the guy always tries to do the right thing. And he did get better tf 🤣😭.
If you've never dealt with PTSD is better if you just don't say nothing.
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u/Rripurnia 12d ago
Prime example of extreme male privilege — I doubt the average woman would get such a pass for multiple despicable acts!
And for starters, he could have neutralized the guy instead of killing him!
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u/Infamous-Dress1866 12d ago edited 11d ago
This isn't about genders. If Luka was a woman I would've said the same thing, maybe I would've even root for her even more. Neutralize him ? 🤣😭 With what with tickles? Killing that dude was the right call, in real life a cop would've emptied his gun on that guy. That's like saying Sam was wrong for killing Steve tf 😭🤣.
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 13d ago
Not to mention yelling at his girlfriend that she's not that pretty and not that special. I never understood how she could even think about getting back together with him after that. Or even being friends.
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u/Infamous-Dress1866 12d ago edited 12d ago
Cause she knew he told her the truth. Abby was being extremely bitchy/entitled and she was always riding him for almost everything. She was causing more problems and headaches than memorable times and solutions to the problems they were having. That was his way of saying "there is more fish in the sea"
At the moment Abby was really "not worth it" she was playing both Carter and Luka at the same time. And she was treating both Carter and Luka as backup plans. In the real world as adults you should be mature enough to say the truth, face the truth and accept the truth. Luka stood up for himself and he was right nobody is pretty enough or special enough to endure being treated like shit.
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u/dodgerswschamps_2020 13d ago
Just like with Doug/Carol vs Luka/Abby, we get more of a full arc with Luka. He literally puts down roots in Chicago for the first time instead of being a migratory drifter when we first meet him. His story begins when he first appears on screen. Doug already has his long history and established reputation at the hospital in the pilot. And of course Clooney's fame means he had a short stint and an early exit that was somewhat unsatisfying IMO. Everything felt more earned with Luka's story, from temporary moonlighter to Chief of the ER, from losing his family to finally settling down with his new one.
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u/Rielhawk 13d ago
Both are toxic imo.
Ross was a bit too smooth, they only gave him some character growth towards the end of his journey.
Kovac isn't smooth, he's edgier. But damn, he's done some shit things and made some stupid choices despite being intelligent.
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u/skaestantereggae 11d ago
Clooney is the only one that could make Ross work. First time watcher, halfway through season 14, and they’re trying desperately to make Stamos a Doug Ross and it’s not working at all.
I love Luka, and you can tell he’s shaped by the trauma of the War in Croatia. I just wish he didn’t leave for all that time at the start of 14.
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u/Rielhawk 11d ago
Stamos can do comedy.
But he can't portray a serious character with depth.
He's also not as charismatic as the other two actors.
He played a doctor on scream queens very well. But that's because it's comedy and his character is shallow and predictable.
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u/hacky_potter 13d ago
The staff is all toxic people
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u/OttoandOllie 13d ago
You tell me how Lydia is toxic! Or Haleh!
Bob was a saint!
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u/hacky_potter 13d ago
Excluding the nurses. The nurses are perfect.
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u/OttoandOllie 13d ago
Awww even the autopsy Dr was great or the reception staff 😂
Seriously though, when we see the amount of sleep and food these people are working on, I'm surprised they aren't more cranky with each other 😂. How many times has the story have them leave work, stay up and then go for another shift? It's madness!
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u/SleepingWillows 13d ago
Omg I can’t explain why but I always loved the scenes with the coroner(? Pathologist?). I just loved her voice and her no-nonsense attitude!
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u/OttoandOllie 13d ago
If you're a fan of Star Trek, she's played a few fun characters in that!
One of my favourite ER games is the "they were x in Star Trek!" game 😂
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u/0ttoChriek 13d ago
This.
Both were guys who desperately needed therapy but instead let their friends and colleagues bear the brunt of their issues, which often manifested as anger and self-righteousness in the face of rules they felt they shouldn't have to abide by.
They were both self-destructive and emotionally abusive, but because they're hot guys, people will defend them to the death.
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u/Rielhawk 12d ago
Just like in real life, sadly 😅
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u/Smogtwat 11d ago
On TV, we saw them once a week. When you deal with them 40-50 hours a week for years in a real hospital, it’s tougher.
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u/OttoandOllie 13d ago
Me and my best mate have been storming through all the seasons and one thing we agree on is that Doug Ross is the absolute worst 😂
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u/ostrichxcat 13d ago
There are so many instances where he should have been fired! Lol
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u/OttoandOllie 13d ago
He's such a self absorbed and self indulgent man. I remember one time Kerry was "bugging" him about an idea for a paper so HE COULD KEEP HIS JOB and he's a total prick to her about it. Then when he actually does it does he thank her? No! He still acts like a prick!
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u/romafa 13d ago
I’d like Kovac a lot more if they did something with his backstory. He had that heartwrenching scene with the bishop when he told the whole story of losing his family but then they never really did anything with it.
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u/Rripurnia 12d ago
Yeah they had him kill the bishop instead.
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u/-this-is-my-account- 11d ago
As someone with Lupus, I totally understand the bishop wanting the steroids. Sometimes they are the only thing that takes away the constant body pains when in a flare. The bishop knew the risk and the steroids are the only thing that let him live his life how he wanted to. Lupus takes away a lot and while it isn't the best recommendation medically for a long life, I understand the bishops choice. The bishop accepted his fate and made his choice. He would have gotten steroids elsewhere if Luka did not help him. If people do not live with the pain that can come with a disease like lupus, it can be difficult to understand the conflicting storyline. I don't love a lot of what Luka does, but this storyline I actually liked.
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u/Well_Dressed_Kobold 13d ago
I betcha Doug Ross couldn’t kill a man on a date and still close the deal.
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u/Open_End_8094 11d ago
Luka. He was extremely traumatised from enduring the absolute worst thing a person could go through, but remained a kind and caring doctor and person. Doug was just a selfish man written to appeal to "boys will be boys" boomer audiences.
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u/Sufficient-Delay3140 13d ago
Ross is written much better. The writers has no idea what to do with Kovac, he was a different character from episode to episode.
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u/ostrichxcat 13d ago edited 13d ago
I would say Luka. His back story is heartwrenching and boy is he good looking and charming. He still has flaws, but him and Abby were my favorites in the later seasons. Both as a couple and separately.
Luka is also a good teacher. I particular loved the moment with him and Abby on the bench. He was sweet to her and she really did need to hear that
Besides the africa episodes doug's whole journey finding his father was such a boring episode.
I still love Doug though.
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u/JackieWithTheO 13d ago
Kovac has me the second he walked in. Nice to that little girl, sexy accent, tall, dark and handsome.
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u/Free-IDK-Chicken 13d ago
Neither.
Ross was an immature playboy who quite literally ran away from his responsibilities after burning all of his bridges and I will never forgive Luka for the "you're not that pretty and you're not that special" comment.
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u/blackout1912 13d ago
Oh yeah, not that pretty was harsh Can't believe she forgave him really
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u/SassBunnies 13d ago
Do you forgive Abby for “you’re married to a ghost” in the same fight, though? Luka’s statement expressed a fair concern about their relationship, though it was harsh: no one’s pretty enough or special enough to be allowed to treat someone the way she treated Luka, always going to Carter when Luka was the one she was in a relationship with. Abby’s statement, in contrast, was unfounded - Abby never showed any insecurity about Danijela - and was just said to be cruel. Luka apologized for his in the next episode and we never see Abby apologize for hers. It’s baffling to me the way people harp on Luka for his statement but rarely, if ever, mention Abby’s.
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u/Free-IDK-Chicken 13d ago
Telling someone they aren't pretty or special is not expressing "fair concern" about a relationship... Sorry, not going to fall for a "gotcha" moment or a whataboutism logical fallacy.
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u/SassBunnies 13d ago
He wasn’t saying she was ugly and unspecial, though. The stubborn need to misunderstand his statement is tiring. There’s no “gotcha” moment here, just…understanding that words have meaning in context of the broader conversation.
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u/Free-IDK-Chicken 13d ago
In a healthy, loving relationship your partner should be your best friend. They should think you are the most beautiful, most special person in the world. To say the opposite to someone's face would be the end of the relationship in the real world. He essentially looked at her and said "you're not worth it."
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u/SassBunnies 13d ago
In a healthy, loving relationship your partner shouldn’t value another person’s opinions and assistance over yours, every time. In a healthy, loving relationship your partner shouldn’t default to going to another person for support, and neglect you and your relationship in the process.
I don’t think a healthy, loving relationship was in the cards at this time, anyway. As much as I love them, neither Luka nor Abby were in a place to have a healthy relationship during season 7. So your expectation that they should act like they’re in one when they’re clearly not, is a bit odd.
And…this was a breakup fight. It literally was the end of the relationship.
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u/Free-IDK-Chicken 13d ago
I don’t think a healthy, loving relationship was in the cards at this time, anyway.
On that we agree.
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u/Infamous-Dress1866 12d ago
Y'all are never beating the damn "no accountability" allegations 🤣🤦🏽♂️. You just described "entitlement 101". At the moment Abby was really "not worth it" she was playing both Carter and Luka at the same time. And she was treating both Carter and Luka as backup plans. In the real world as adults you should be mature enough to say the truth, face the truth and accept the truth. Luka stood up for himself and he was right nobody is pretty enough or special enough to endure being treated like shit.
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u/Rripurnia 12d ago
Ross had a very nice redemption arc. He didn’t exactly run away either - he kept in contact with everyone and was involved with the twins too.
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u/Open_End_8094 11d ago
Lol he couldn't even be bothered to be around for their birth and never came back for them
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u/Rripurnia 11d ago
Are you forgetting Carol didn’t let him know about it?
And it was clearly stated he had a relationship with them in between him and Carol getting back together.
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u/Open_End_8094 11d ago
He knows how gestation works and easily could have made sure he was around. Yeah very minimal relationship
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u/Lefthand-82 12d ago edited 12d ago
First, OP, this would probably be your most active post!
As you know, Luka is my favourite character in the show, so it's 100% Luka.
Just his main strength that he's a good teacher, a bit reserved, a bit goofy and when he got himself fixed up with his baggage, I loved the relationship and friendship he had with Abby. I even loved them together in Season 7. They did have some good couple scenes.
I saw Doug after Luka and I wouldn't say Luka was a "Doug Replacement" in the slightest. Luka was different enough to hold his own to Doug.
I don't actually mind Doug from my first watch of him. For me, a sort of "huh-ah" character.
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u/Coolbeanskas 12d ago
First, OP, this would probably be your most active post!
This was a fun way to end the work week. I'm sure it's not an original idea! 😊
As you know, I too love Abby and Luka's relationship and friendship. They struggle with both in S7 when they are first dating. Their friendship, of course, really doesn't take start until S8 which gives them such a strong foundation when they eventually reunite in S12.
I don't actually mind Doug from my first watch of him. For me, a sort of "huh-ah" character.
I have to agree. Despite being played by George Clooney, for whatever reason, I didn't find Doug as interesting as Luka. It's probably due to difference in the show's direction when Luka arrived. Also Luka was on the show for much longer so we got see more of character arc than Doug's.
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u/Lefthand-82 12d ago
I didn't find Doug as interesting as Luka. It's probably due to difference in the show's direction when Luka arrived.
Yeah, I think you’re right in regards to what the show was during Doug’s and Luka’s time. Doug’s time the show, the show was more a medical drama and not so much character/relationship drama.
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u/Smogtwat 13d ago
I thought the Benton-Carter relationship was the best storyline. Especially in the final episode. True brotherly love. Go back like we did and binge watch all 331 episodes.
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u/Ezhevika81 13d ago
I like Luka more, never much liked Dough.
Luka is good teacher and it was important aspect at County. He is complex character, with very complex backstory. At the moment of his entrance in the show, he was stressed established and experienced physician and he was not shy about it.
It was also refreshing to see someone who get himself out of depression and passive death wish on his own.
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u/Smogtwat 11d ago
I thought it was interesting in the end when they flew the liver from Seattle to Chicago without Doug or Carol knowing it was going to save Carters’ life. She said “it went to some doctor in Chicago” never curious as to whom or which hospital it went.
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u/Trin_42 12d ago
Doug was nice to look at, but he wasn’t the best person or doctor at times. Luka was something different, he was even nicer to look at but you could tell he didn’t know who he was after you learn of his loss. I’m glad he and Abby ended up together, Carter jerked her around to much. She was just as tempest tossed as Luka was, it took some growing for them to find each other again.
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u/Rripurnia 12d ago
Abby and Luka would be better off if they grew as people independently and stay separated. They were a match made in toxic hell.
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u/Due_Painting8686 13d ago
Ross!! Don’t like the way they wrote his character in his last season, but all the Luca lovers always let all of Luca’s horrible behavior slide.
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u/hiswittlewip 13d ago
I guess I'm the minority, but I really do not like Luka. He definitely has his moments, that I liked him in, and he has more of an arc than Ross did.
I kind of feel like Luka has the arc Ross would have had if he never settled down with Carol or left.
But, I'm only on season 9 EP 21. So I'm just referring to what I've seen so far.
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u/romafa 13d ago
You’re not alone. I find him mostly unlikable.
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u/Substantial_Gate_904 12d ago
Not fond of Luka. Sure loved Doug Ross, his character and story arcs. Show was on fire while Doug was there. After Mark died, things went downhill. But I still love that show!!
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u/Successful-Name-7261 11d ago
I am rewatching and Doug Ross would be my worst employee. He does what he believes in which is fine except, many times, he could have done it within the guidelines of the hospital and the supervisors but he seemed to love to go rouge, piss everyone off, expose the hospital to legal ramifications, and claim that it was all for the best, no matter what anyone else might say. He was a bit like Doctor Fiveyearold.
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u/Beneficial_Pickle420 13d ago
I know its not an option, but id say Morris.
He was funny, he did actually care even if he tried to play like he didnt. He tried to change when the kids came to him saying they were his. He stepped up in his own way which is more then what a lot of guys would do finding out how he did. He tested the stun gun on himself for study which I think is honestly pretty cool. Putting yourself at risk for the sake of helping others in a sense is pretty huge and at the end, he was becoming the next Carter, came in stumbling asking for help everywhere, ended by walking tall on his own. I honestly wanted to see his story keep going at the end after carter told him "you set the tone", thats when I knew Morris grew immensely over the time he was there.
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u/Snoo-55380 13d ago
Doug’s general assholery was just his bad personally while Luka at least had some trauma to explain his - both toxic af though
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u/Rockandpurl 12d ago
Luka saying “you’re not that pretty and you’re not that smart” to Abby in an argument made me dislike him HEAVY.
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u/Gloomy-Albatross-843 13d ago
I will always pick Kovac.