The mysterious Madame X (singer ROSEMARY CLOONEY, series regular George Clooney's real-life aunt) wanders the halls of County General Hospital. She can only express herself in song, and no one knows who she is. Later, the staff learns that she was once a famous singer. Her daughter is contacted and comes to take her home.

Meanwhile, Dr. Susan Lewis (SHERRY STRINGFIELD) makes a risky but life-saving decision while treating a heart patient. Without the support of Dr. Greene (ANTHONY EDWARDS), Lewis must defend herself to the patient's private physician. Lewis becomes more deeply involved romantically with hospital psychiatrist Dr. "Div" Cvetic (JOHN TERRY).

Third-year medical student John Carter (NOAH WYLE) contends with the romantic advances of a perennial patient, Liz (LIZ VASSEY, in a recurring role), who seduces him in x-ray. Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Benton (ERIQ LA SALLE) meets a former patient, liquor store owner Ivan Gregor (JOHN LA MOTTA), who is constantly getting hurt every time his shop is robbed.

Finally, Nurse Carol Hathaway (JULIANNA MARGULIES) returns to work after recovering from a mysterious suicide attempt. She gets a heartfelt welcome from the other nurses and doctors in the ER, particularly Dr. Douglas Ross (GEORGE CLOONEY), who used to date her. Ross asks her to lunch, but she is already going with romantic interest Dr. John Taglieri (RICK ROSSOVICH - "Roxanne," "Top Gun"), an ex-football player turned orthopedic surgeon.