Due to a clerical error, a startled Abby discovers that her suicidal mother (Oscar-winning guest star Sally Field) is due in court for a competency hearing and she rushes to testify that she should not be released -- but the older woman musters an alarmingly masterful display of sanity before the judge. Meanwhile, Dr. Weaver gives heartbreaking news to a sassy homeless woman (guest star Bette Ford) who once hosted a children's show that Weaver viewed as a child. Dr. Benton steps in to help a junior high school teacher (guest star Roger Robinson) who was once his mentor and now suffers a cardiac arrest. A busy Benton also injures his hand while helping a fallen biker and learns that an injured Carla (guest star Lisa Nicole Carson, "Ally McBeal") has checked into the ER with his young son Reese (guest star Matthew Watkins). A perplexed Dr. Carter treats a stricken pregnant woman (guest star Kimberly McCullough) and then is angered when her husband (guest star Henri Lubatti) informs him about what prompted her life-threatening episode.