Like many people who became obsessed with The Pitt, it inspired me to go back to the beginning and actually watch one of the blueprints for medical dramas: ER.
Yes, shockingly, despite a reputation for watching medical dramas, I never watched ER before. It’s almost blasphemous, as a TV Fanatic.
But if there’s anything that may warrant acts of contrition, it’s the slew of profanities and errant thoughts that come to mind whenever Ray “Shep” Shepherd appears onscreen.
So Far, E.R. Has Interesting Characters … and Then There’s Shep
I am two seasons into ER, and Shep has to be one of the most insufferable characters in existence.
There’s no shortage of interesting characters to go around on ER, which is perfect for someone who deeply loves characters. Seriously, the more complex they are, the better.
ER has the type of messy, deficient human characters that can entertain me even if they aren’t always likable. And there are more than a few characters right now whom I find unlikable.
But so far, they all feel very real, for better and worse, and that has made some blend of personal and professional storylines, conflicts, and decisions compelling, even when characters drive me up a wall.
However, on the subject of “for better and for worse,” Shep falls into the latter category.
Shep Has ALL the Red Flags
It’s not that he’s a bad character or isn’t the same caliber of character when it comes to being realistic and very much human.
If anything, what makes him so loathsome is that he’s a bit too real. Infuriatingly so. He’s not a villain nor a perfect hero — he’s the exact type of person you encounter on a typical day.
Shep is the type of person worth avoiding at all costs, as red flags go up every time he opens his mouth, and alarms blare whenever he walks into a room.
I wouldn’t want Shep to treat me or anyone I know and care about; I couldn’t imagine dating the man, and I wouldn’t even want to be his friend.
He’s obnoxious, has no couth, and is the exact type of person who shouldn’t be in any healthcare or first responder position.
It’s actually terrifying to think of how many people like Shep are in jobs they don’t like, “serving” communities they have no allegiance to, lacking basic sympathy, empathy, consideration, or humanity.
The thing is, there’s a very real possibility that ER intended to highlight the type of burnout and desensitization that can occur with first responders on a job where they witness the worst humanity has to offer.
The argument that Shep is very raw and real in that regard is right there for the taking, and I can extend the character that bit of grace, begrudgingly. It’s something they especially seem to allude to after Raul.
The problem is that Shep has been obnoxious and problematic since his introduction, so we cannot even place the bulk of his issues on experiencing traumas, loss, and grief.
Sorry for his loss, but I still hate that man with the fiery heat of a 1000 suns.
Clueless Bigot, Unapologetic Jerk, Temperamental — Pick a Struggle, Sir
He puts his foot in his mouth every chance he gets, and he doesn’t even have the good sense to modify his speech or filter what he says and to whom.
It’s as clear as day that he’s judgmental at best and bigoted at worst — something he even gets called out on by some of Carol’s non-white colleagues.
Naturally, his first response is to say that his best friend/partner is Latino, so obviously, when he loudly exclaims racially charged comments or digs, it’s not because he’s being microaggressive, just an ignorant jerk.
But he’s both.
He’s also a hothead, and there’s something so deeply disturbing every time ER takes us away from the hospital so we can spend time on this deplorable character embodying the trope of a washed-out high school jock who went in a first responder field to feel relevant.
Shep’s “Burnout” and PTSD Arcs Don’t Work; He’s Just a D*ck
I can’t be the only one who feels like he’s the very embodiment of that stereotypical trope, right?
The only notable twist in his characterization is that he became a paramedic rather than a police officer. Typically, the trope aligns with law enforcement.
Almost every time we see him in the field, he’s too reckless, too impulsive, and a real dick to his peers or the people he’s supposed to be helping.
Every errant comment he makes suggests that he’s someone who has long overstayed his welcome in the field and needs to get out of it before something terrible happens to him, anyone he’s trying to assist, or his loved ones.
His temper is genuinely disturbing, and the real surprise is that his character has lasted longer than an episode or two.
Carol, LOOK at Your Choices!
Even his treatment of Carol is off-putting. His lack of sensitivity is bound to destroy their relationship the longer they’re together — his ignorant comments about a teenage girl with suicidal ideation, unaware that Carol battled the same, frankly, should’ve been a dealbreaker at the time.
Carol putting up with Shep as long as she has when he’s clearly not a decent person and is becoming increasingly angry and potentially volatile is starting to paint her negatively, too.
Because ER wants us to like Carol and hold her in some high regard or esteem, but how can you do that when tying her to someone who should be the antithesis of what she’s supposed to represent?
And how do you do that without casting doubts on Carol, too? Every time she defends, justifies, ignores, and excuses his behavior, I like Carol less and less.
How many red flags does this woman need to see? At what point does the company you keep start to reflect poorly on you?
Good Riddance, Shep.
After watching Shep fly off the handle, nearly killing a bystander on a call and berating his new partner for rightfully reporting him on it, I need Shep off my screen expeditiously!
Any bit of tolerance I had for the man died when his partner did. Good riddance to this man.
He’s also representative of some of ER’s pitfalls in an otherwise solid series.
Shep has no layers or depth, he’s just a ball of unchecked anger and toxic masculinity sucking up too much time, detracting from better characters and the hospital format.
Watch ER Online
Are you a certified Shep hater like me? Do you disagree about him being THE WORST?
Let us know in the comments, or share this article with someone who will want to debate about it or reminisce. That’s what makes it fun.
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