How to keep your viewing audience...

Just watched the season finale to ER (we are probably a week or two behind the US) - I knew something big was going to have to happen, even in addition to the death last week, because things were way too smooth and easy in everyone's lives lately, but it exceeded my expectations - truly astonishing how a show can keep going for so long and still be so gripping - it's the constant character turnover that does it, of course - and good writing, but the fact that it has such a strong ensemble cast and almost always has (a few seasons in the middle were a bit dodgy - anyone remember that whole Mare Winningham Psycho Doctor bit? Gimme a break) is what makes the show. Wish I didn't have to wait until next year to find out what happens...