This is one of the truly powerful episodes of ER and one I will never forget. Ray Liotta is absolutely superb in the role of Charlie Metcalf and brings the role extraordinary humanity, depth, and emotion. In the course of an hour, the last hour of Charlie's life, we learn his story and come to understand what has led to this moment in the emergency room. An alcoholic who is dying of liver failure and who's system is shutting down faces death alone except for the doctors and nurses who attend him. He is put on an alcohol drip to lessen his suffering as he not only sadly dies but suffers the agony of withdrawal. The look of his eyes as that alcohol is devastating as it has been made clear during these last minutes how the last years have been desolate for him and drink has become the only thing to numb the pain of existence. Liotta would win an Emmy Award for this beautiful performance and it is indeed worthy of every accolade. An utterly amazing and deeply moving performance that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
21 Reviews
ER, and television, at its best
mackjay26 November 2018
There isn't much to add after seeing the other superlative reviews. This is one of the greatest episodes of one of the greatest series that has ever been. "Time of Death" revolves completely around "Charlie" (Ray Liotta), a man whose life unraveled only partly through his own fault. He in the ER with multiple problems, and near death. He has to make hard decisions about his own fate. The ER characters working on him are all ultimately sympathetic and even emotionally involved, more than they normally would be. Liotta is brilliant--a great performance and probably one of the best ever seen on major network TV. He goes from gruff and resistant to brokenhearted, and it's all completely believable. It's the kind of performance, and program, that seems real. Charlie's fantasies and memories are interwoven throughout--something we've seen before on this great show, but never with quite as much poetic power as we see here. Mr. Liotta certainly deserved any award he may have been considered for. Also a standout is Mekhi Pfiifer (Dr. Pratt) who also goes through an emotional arc in this episode and it's a moving thing to watch. The probably rare TV episode you don't forget, once you've seen it.
One of the best TV-episodes ever made
Dhanijel28 September 2011
So I don't really watch ER but luck would have it that I started to watch this episode, I don't know why but probably because Ray was in it.
It left me speechless, I was in a trans the entire episode, it was so strong and like nothing you've ever seen before, TV have never felt so real to me and it made an impact, I rarely get teary eyed but this really got to me.
The script is one of the best ever written for anything and Ray goes beyond acting, this episode should be the 101 on acting for classes.
Probably one if not the best episode ever aired on TV, not just for ER but for TV as a whole.
It left me speechless, I was in a trans the entire episode, it was so strong and like nothing you've ever seen before, TV have never felt so real to me and it made an impact, I rarely get teary eyed but this really got to me.
The script is one of the best ever written for anything and Ray goes beyond acting, this episode should be the 101 on acting for classes.
Probably one if not the best episode ever aired on TV, not just for ER but for TV as a whole.
Beautiful, touching episode
yippeeskippy200221 July 2006
Normally, name guest stars have now become a joke on television. However, Ray Liotta bucked that trend, brought a heart-wrenching, heart-breaking performance, and won himself a well-deserved Emmy for it.
It also didn't hurt that there was brilliant acting all around (regardless of Dr. Pratt acting more like Dr. Prick, more so than usual, I think) and the cinematography and art direction were simply beautiful.
Just a thought: anyone familiar with the half-hour film from the 60s that was featured in "The Twilight Zone" based off of Ambrose Bierce's short story "Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge"? The episode eerily reminded me of it, this time with sound and dialogue, but still kind of trippy, heavily symbolic, escapist, and ultimately tragic. If you like this episode, look up that film. It's in the public domain, so free downloads can be found across the net with no legal worries.
It also didn't hurt that there was brilliant acting all around (regardless of Dr. Pratt acting more like Dr. Prick, more so than usual, I think) and the cinematography and art direction were simply beautiful.
Just a thought: anyone familiar with the half-hour film from the 60s that was featured in "The Twilight Zone" based off of Ambrose Bierce's short story "Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge"? The episode eerily reminded me of it, this time with sound and dialogue, but still kind of trippy, heavily symbolic, escapist, and ultimately tragic. If you like this episode, look up that film. It's in the public domain, so free downloads can be found across the net with no legal worries.
Liotta's finest hour.
Pieter05023 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Ray Liotta brilliantly performs the alcoholic being treated in the ER. Of course behind each alcoholic is a story. Life, actually. Liotta makes it his story from a drunk nobody likes (or worse: loves) to a guy who's life slipped trough his fingers and as we get to know the background, we can relate to.
Liotta's acting is superb and I was glued to the screen. His transformations are beautiful and he can play the part with finesse and believability. Very rightfully he won an Emmy for his performance. Bravo and bravo!
Director Christopher Chulack directed this episode and what a talented and passionate guy he is. Stunning dying-scenes of Charlie in a place that exists in his memory/soul/heart layered with voices from the ER. Bravo too.
Of course Liotta deserves a major guest role in such a good series and not to have waltz in for the part of a taxi driver who broke his toe whilst hitting the brakes to hard (just an example). I'm very pleased that was chosen for a character who was on screen for the whole episode. For the first time I know off, all the regulars stepped down to support a guest role. So whoever had this idea: thank you very, very much!
ER is broadcast on Dutch National TV where commercials are not allowed in the middle of any series or films so I could watch it in peace and without being interrupted. Very, very good.
Pieter.
Liotta's acting is superb and I was glued to the screen. His transformations are beautiful and he can play the part with finesse and believability. Very rightfully he won an Emmy for his performance. Bravo and bravo!
Director Christopher Chulack directed this episode and what a talented and passionate guy he is. Stunning dying-scenes of Charlie in a place that exists in his memory/soul/heart layered with voices from the ER. Bravo too.
Of course Liotta deserves a major guest role in such a good series and not to have waltz in for the part of a taxi driver who broke his toe whilst hitting the brakes to hard (just an example). I'm very pleased that was chosen for a character who was on screen for the whole episode. For the first time I know off, all the regulars stepped down to support a guest role. So whoever had this idea: thank you very, very much!
ER is broadcast on Dutch National TV where commercials are not allowed in the middle of any series or films so I could watch it in peace and without being interrupted. Very, very good.
Pieter.
Best episode of television ever made
Doccenter4 March 2018
I have been watching reruns of ER as I didn't watch it when it was first broadcast. So I wasn't prepared for what I just witnessed in this episode. It wasn't television. It was one of the most compelling chamber dramas I've ever witnessed - on film, on television, or on stage.
When I first glimpsed at Charlie in the waiting room scene I thought, "Isn't that Ray Liotta?" I consider him a major screen actor and not one for a guest appearance on a television series. But then I remembered the Sally Fields story arc which was fabulous so I thought that maybe they were pulling off another major coup. And they did - times ten.
Liotta is a giant of an actor and his he exploded the screen with the most intimate, emotional, and intricate portrayal I have ever seen on television. The script was spare and cut right to the bone. It was brilliantly shot entirely in close up, in real time, and the audio design was spectacular.
I have never seen an hour of television like this one. I feel privileged to have been able to witness it.
When I first glimpsed at Charlie in the waiting room scene I thought, "Isn't that Ray Liotta?" I consider him a major screen actor and not one for a guest appearance on a television series. But then I remembered the Sally Fields story arc which was fabulous so I thought that maybe they were pulling off another major coup. And they did - times ten.
Liotta is a giant of an actor and his he exploded the screen with the most intimate, emotional, and intricate portrayal I have ever seen on television. The script was spare and cut right to the bone. It was brilliantly shot entirely in close up, in real time, and the audio design was spectacular.
I have never seen an hour of television like this one. I feel privileged to have been able to witness it.
Wow...
monroe0529 November 2006
Let me start off by noticing the obvious - Ray Liotta is still one of the most underrated actors there is. His each and every performance was really mad nice, going from stellar to above average, but never seeming to cross the borderline of boredom. Now...in mid and late 90's his career was kinda stagnating but he reinvented himself in Narc (one of my favorites...not so much as a movie in whole, but for the way it was shot, cinematic photography and Liotta's portrayal of Lt. Oak) and kept doing smaller independent movies really choosing his roles more carefully this time around...And I guess i was genuinely surprised to see him in ER. I don't even watch ER, but i saw his name on opening credits so I decided to sit through it...and i was stunned. That role itself should earn him each and every accolade he can possibly get. That was pretty much "acting in a nutshell", an Acting 101, really. I'm actually pretty calm and don't tend to get emotional...more of a cynical humor kind of guy...but this just left me staring good couple of minutes after the show was finally done. There wasn't even the usual sappy ER writing, even the script was remarkable and perfectly tailored for guest star(s). Maybe I'm not the most objective person to comment on it since I really like those complicated, layered, troubled-but-good-at-heart characters, yet, this one was amazing...it's just a shame that this gem will probably be slept on since it isn't any kind of blockbuster or even an indie movie that could shake some spirits. Just glad that Emmy "judges" didn't sleep on this one. Kudos for the episode, and for Liotta's stellar performance.
Liotta stole the show
sismith-26 January 2010
I am one of those who quit watching ER back when it was airing because of all the stars who left. I have been watching the reruns, tho, and today this episode aired. Halfway through the show I realized this wasn't the first time I had seen this one. It was Ray Liotta's performance that jogged my memory. I now recall that I tuned into ER to watch this episode because of previews including clips of Liotta. I was impressed by his acting even in the short clips included in the promos. I was not disappointed then and I was not disappointed today. If this did not warrant an Emmy nod, I can't imagine who won it that year. I am not really a fan of Liotta but this reminded me perhaps I should be.
Liotta's Star Turn Vibrates With Authenticity
alittleirish4579 August 2006
The only mistake in regard to this performance is that Ray Liotta did not receive any nods or awards for his performance as Charlie Metcalf. His portrayal of a terminal and morally damaged patient, in search of - and finally receiving - absolution, was flawlessly painful and poignant. This episode is now in my cache for use in class, to illustrate just how perfect a portrayal of an imperfect character can be. As a reviewer and writer, it is often difficult to hold to the suspension of disbelief, an angle is wrong, the lighting is off, a cameraman's shadow is cast in a scene . . . Rarely is this student of film moved to emotional demonstrations during television dramas, but in this case, Mr. Liotta, thanks for the tears; they came from the depth of my soul. -Maura Coghlan Richardson
Time of Death (#11.6)
ComedyFan201023 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
ER went again into impressing the viewers with a bit more unusual and brilliantly done episode. In this one we follow the last hour of Charlie Metcalf perfectly performed by Ray Liotta. This is a man who is an alcoholic and made some mistakes in his life that landed him in prison and kept him away from his son. When finding out that he is about to die he goes through regretting parts of his life and wishing he could change it.
It is so well done how they introduce us closer and closer to the character and make us feel for him more. It is achieved by using Dr. Pratt who at first is a bit insensitive, not caring for the loser alcoholic, but at the end after hearing parts of the man's story stays with him, giving him supporting words with tears in his eyes that Charlie in the pre death delusion thinks are coming from his son.
The dying is also showed in a bit abstract and artistic way, by having Charlie go in a bus and trying to get into the house where his child is. A high class episode that brings tears to many viewers by well developed storyline, character and wonderful acting.
It is so well done how they introduce us closer and closer to the character and make us feel for him more. It is achieved by using Dr. Pratt who at first is a bit insensitive, not caring for the loser alcoholic, but at the end after hearing parts of the man's story stays with him, giving him supporting words with tears in his eyes that Charlie in the pre death delusion thinks are coming from his son.
The dying is also showed in a bit abstract and artistic way, by having Charlie go in a bus and trying to get into the house where his child is. A high class episode that brings tears to many viewers by well developed storyline, character and wonderful acting.
This episode is a complete drama in its own right
felicia-5729424 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Just watched it for the first time yesterday. This series episode could be a complete drama in its own right. I thought the script and plot surrounding Dr. Pratt in this episode in particular was excellent. He goes from being cynical at the beginning to in tears at the end, from being the least concerned to the most involved. This drama shows how there's an intensity with every human life - even some bum off the street who's dying from alcoholism. The way Charlie consciously chooses to face his death is heroic and shows that heroism can be found all around us.
So touching....
adelaidetaylor29 November 2017
If you have ever been near or with someone who is in a traumatized situation, or dying, this episode will break your heart. It is one of the most moving hours of entertainment ever produced! It should be required viewing for all theater, TV & film/video students, as well as directors . Although Ray Liotta was the soul of the episode, everyone who participated in the filming of this unforgettable dramatic gem, shares the credit for its hauntingly beautiful, reaffirming message about humanity.
Slow episode sad but not high paced action that usual er provides
AppaloniaR2 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is emotional etc but I was a little bored I have to say. I love that High paced action in ER and not much happens. It was a bit weird in parts too like Abby clicking tickets in a train station or whatever that was. It's sad that his son won't say goodbye either at first. Not one of the best episodes of Er like most of the reviews state. Even the one where mark dies had more happen than this. That one is the saddest episode of Er ever.
Too Shaky!
penelopepitstop-8164026 October 2021
If you are an alcoholic, watch this. Lost someone to alcoholism? Your heart will break.
k-nap6 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Brilliant acting in an extremely well-written episode. Ray Liotta plays a man dying of the effects of alcoholism, having hallucinations of his regrets as his liver and kidneys fail. There is no reunion with the son he abandoned, no hope of a transplant, no grand speech. It's sad and ugly and truthful. My husband died the same way after 3 years of constant drinking. I found him dead on the floor one morning. If you are worried about your drinking or feeling hopeless and self-medicating, maybe this will convince you to get help.
A masterpiece of TV writing, acting and filming
fanfanfan9993 November 2023
I grew up watching ER and as cringe as it sounds, the hyperrealism of this show (aside from a few wonky plot lines) made me want to become a doctor. I never gave up on it and I ended up changing careers in my 30s, and as I started my residency as a new physician, I decided to watch the series again. Just got to this episode and it hit me like a ton of bricks. In my experience working in medicine, I am astounded by this incredibly realistic portrayal of a patient facing regrets, missed opportunities and loss in their final moments. I have seen far too many patients experience this in real life. Liotta's performance gives multitudes to this character's complexity that warrant empathy towards a human who made mistakes. I always knew ER was ahead of its time -- the political points it makes throughout the series were hardly mainstream back when the show was on, but are commonplace today. This episode in particular remains timeless. Liotta gave me chills as his character reminded me all too much of broken souls too sick beyond repair, who my colleagues and I strived to at least offer a sense of dignity in their final moments. As our country remains in the midst of several epidemics of illnesses associated with recreational and prescription drugs, I urge anyone, regardless if they work in healthcare, to watch this episode. I'm so glad Ray Liotta got to give this phenomenal performance. While his name and image often conjure up memories from Goodfellas, I think this portrayal of Charlie in ER should be as highly regarded by all.
A Superb ER Episode and One of the Most Powerful and Unforgettable Hours of Television Ever Filmed
jlthornb5111 July 2018
Ray Liotta gives nothing less than the performance of a lifetime in this powerful and moving episode of ER. A uniquely done and beautifully produced presentation with an excellent script and stunning direction. The acting is uniformly superb but it is Liotta who stands out, deservedly winning an Emmy for as guest performer. This is one of the finest hours of television ever filmed and certainly one that the viewer will never forget thanks largely to the overwhelmingly haunting and profoundly touching work of Ray Liotta.
Rest in peace, Ray Liotta...
storyofcory392726 May 2022
I just thought you all might want to know that Ray Liotta passed away in his sleep today. He was in the Dominican Republic, shooting a movie. Liotta was just 67 years young. If you want more information, check out your favorite entertainment website.
Ray Liotta on ER
randyschneider-4430225 November 2021
This performance by Ray was so moving it comes back to me ever once in a while,hard to believe it aired 14 years ago,I've known people in the situation he portrayed and was headed there myself,a powerful portrayal that brings you to tears.
9 for The Goodfella
neatmiker27 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Even the atrocious effort by Mekhi Pfipher (or however you spell is name) to act alongside one of the greats can't ruin Ray Liotta's outstanding performance. Chen is nowhere to be seen, which speaks volumes about the writer's lack of faith in her to hang w an all star actor in a phenomenal role. Abby, Sam and Luka do very well in supporting roles, letting Liotta have the deserved spot light.
An oasis of an episode amidst a sea of empty despair
An oasis of an episode amidst a sea of empty despair
What a filler
sevenjetc4 March 2023
An incredibly boring and pointless episode. In ten seasons, there wasn't an episode I wouldn't have enjoyed at least in some measure, until this one. It was irrelevant to the characters, didn't add anything to the overall narrative and was mostly about nothing. I couldn't wait for that guy to finally kick the bucket, hoping there might be some semblance of a plot in the end, but nope, it took him the whole episode, punctuated by annoying noises. I just fast forwarded the last five minutes of because I couldn't take it anymore. This season needed to have one episode less. I cannot believe it scored so high here.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
