The Pitt’s Noah Wyle Marks 25 Years Since ER Stabbing, Reveals Wild Inspiration Behind Carter’s Reaction
On Feb. 10, 2000, during a Valentine’s Day party at Chicago’s County General, a cake knife went missing — as did med student Lucy Knight (Kellie Martin), who was waiting on a psych consult for her patient, Paul Sobriki (David Krumholtz), in curtain three.
When Lucy’s supervisor, Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle), went to find her, all the lights in Paul’s room had been turned off. The schizophrenic then emerged from a dark corner and stabbed Carter — not once, but twice. Once Carter collapsed to the ground in agony, he locked eyes with Lucy, who was already bleeding out on the opposite end of the floor.
One week later, nearly 40 million people tuned in to see if Carter and Lucy pulled through — R.I.P., Lucy! And 25 years later, almost to the day, Wyle paid a visit to TVLine’s New York City studio for a wide-ranging interview about his current hit medical drama, The Pitt — and I couldn’t let him go without acknowledging this grisly anniversary. What I didn’t anticipate, however, was new insight into Carter’s impalement, and how Wyle chose to play the scene.
“It sounds trite, but I have almost total recall about certain aspects of that show — and that storyline, in particular. I remember every moment,” Wyle told me. “That was Laura Innes’ directorial debut, which is such a strong piece of work for her first time at bat… I remember that music [“Battleflag” by Low Fidelity All Stars] that was playing at the party down the hall… and I remember I had worked with an English actor, years earlier, named Carl Brincat.
“I have no idea where Carl is now, but he had shared with me, as we were changing into our costumes, that the scars on his thigh had come from being in a bar fight where a guy had taken an X-Acto knife and shredded his thigh, and he hadn’t felt it until after the fight was over,” Wyle recalled. “And I remember thinking, ‘Wow, how can you get stabbed by something and not feel it until…?’ And I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to use that.’ So, if you have occasion to rewatch that episode, you’ll notice he stabs me, and I sort of reach back like it’s a tickle, or an annoyance, and then it’s the realization of what has happened that increases the horror of the moment. So, thank you, Carl Brincat, for that inspiration.”
I will have much more from my sit-down with Wyle — specifically about his role as star and executive producer of The Pitt — in the coming days. (New episodes of The Pitt drop Thursdays at 9/8c on Max.) In the meantime, watch the five-time Emmy nominee reminisce about ER above, then hit the comments with your reactions.
I remember watching the episode where they were stabbed and on the floor and it shook me. I kinda shipped them before that, so it was heartbreaking to see two characters I cared about go through that kind of trauma. I even remember going to bed that night hating that I had to wait an entire week to find out what happened to both of them. And watching that next episode is seared into my memory, too. Especially the scenes at the diner. ER will always be my favorite show.
I haven’t watched The Pitt yet because I don’t have Max, but I saw a clip on YT that was very good.
It is very, very good — he’s terrific in it, there’s a strong supporting cast and the stories are up-to-the-minute and very engaging. My favourite hour of TV right now!
Man, that was a good episode & great television! So well done! I remember so clearly to this day.
I don’t remember why I walk into rooms anymore, but I vividly remember watching this episode (and the following one) in my dorm room and just sobbing. And I certainly remembered what happened to Lucy four years later when I developed not one PE like she did, but four. Thanks for traumatizing me with your excellence, show!
I’m glad you had skilled medical professionals that took great care of you. That sounds so scary!
I still remember her asking if she had a PE. even tho I havent watched this since. Now I know what it means and that it can be treated in some cases.
This was actually the last ER episode I ever watched. It hit me so hard I remember saying to myself ‘This is too much for me’. I had to back away because it lingered and stayed with me.
I remember that episode SO well, and especially the music that was playing. And back then, I feel like we didn’t get spoilers, so we had no idea that Carter and Lucy would get stabbed like that–it was so shocking. I loved ER and Noah Wyle as Carter on it and can’t wait to watch The Pitt.
That is one of the episodes I remember most from that series. Such a great bit of storytelling, and so well aacted. I was heartbroken when Lucy died.
David Krumholtz is always fun to watch. What a long and varied diverse acting career. He must be a really nice guy, he’s always requested, and always working.
“The Pitt” is so good. I love having Noah Wylie back in an emergency room setting.
The episode with the aftermath of the stabbing was so well done. I’ve watched it countless times.
There was a time in my life when I was having a good amount of dental work done, I’d replay the episode in my head to pass the time as the dentist did his thing.
Working background in the show I felt honored to be in a great piece of film making. A long almost 6 months became more like a family with five full days of work each and every week. Great cast and seeing the finished product air was and still is a great undertaking. Cheers to each and every one on board.
The episode in which they show the stabbing at the end, was Be Still My Heart-with a wee little Anton Yelchin.
Absolutely a good show. Very realistic.
If you love medical dramas, you have to watch The Pitt! A great ensemble cast, with Noah Wyle at his most curmudgeonly. Compelling storylines, good drama: I can’t wait for 9:00 tonight!!
I was only 13 when it aired, but I still remember it clear as day. I did a full ER re-watch last year and it made me just as sad to see even though I knew exactly what was coming.
It was also Maura Tierney’s first appearance as a full-time cast member after briefly appearing the season before, right?
I’m still traumatized. I can see the expressions on both of their faces so clearly.
I’m in the middle of an ER re-watch and just passed these episodes. I still vividly recall this episode when it first aired and the aftermath of the stabbing to! Anytime I hear the Billy Joel Piano Man line “As the smile ran away from his face.”, Mark Greene’s face pops into my head!
I remember this episode of ER vividly bc I loved Kelli Martin & Noah Wylie and really wanted Carter and Lucy to get together! This episode and the following broke my heart when she died. Classic TV right there!