Michael Gallant
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| Michael Gallant | |
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| First appearance | 2001 |
| Last appearance | 2006 |
| Cause/reason | Killed in the Iraq War |
| Portrayed by | Sharif Atkins |
| Information | |
| Date of birth | c. 1977 |
| Date of death | 29 April 2006 |
| Occupation | ED resident, US Army soldier |
| Spouse(s) | Neela Rasgotra (wife) |
Dr. Michael Gallant was a fictional medical doctor in the TV series ER, portrayed by Sharif Atkins. He was a regular character from 2001 to 2004 (seasons 8-10).
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[edit] At County
Gallant first appeared at County General Hospital in late 2001 as a medical student in his third year. Coming from a family with a military background, he had previously been on active duty as a member of the US Army Reserves and his scholarship was being paid for by them. During his time as a student there, he was assigned to Dr. John Carter. He initially clashed with Dr. Gregory Pratt, a brash new intern who disparaged Gallant's abilities. It came to breaking point early on when Pratt cracked a patient's chest without supervision and roped in Gallant to help. However, over time, the two eventually became firm friends.
Gallant's time as a student there wasn't uneventful. Shortly after arriving (season 8), Gallant accompanied Dr. Weaver to the scene of an ambulance that had been transporting a pregnant woman to hospital and been trapped under fallen power lines. While there, the power lines exploded and Gallant saved a fireman from electrocution. He then successfully helped Weaver deliver the pregnant woman's baby. The event gave Weaver a lot of respect for Gallant and his ability to keep his head under pressure; so much so in fact that Weaver was happy to call Gallant by his first name (causing Carter to quip "Oh, so it's Michael now?”).
In the following year (season 9), Gallant became close to fellow medical student Erin Harkins, though they remained nothing more than friends. Later on in the year, Pratt and Gallant were arrested on suspicion of being the two gunmen at the 'Doc Magoos' shooting. Although they were innocent, and subsequently released, the incident shook Gallant and his faith in the fairness & equality of the police.
By the end of his time at County as a medical student, Gallant decided to apply as an Emergency Medicine intern and matched to County. Despite being a fully-fledged doctor, the now Dr. Gallant didn't have any easier time. Only a few months in to his internship, a helicopter crashed in the ambulance bay and Gallant was in the thick of the action. Later that year, Gallant's sister, Valerie, came to visit. Valerie's character was the subject of a continuity error, Gallant had previously stated that she was not a member of the Armed Forces because she had cerebral palsy, but when she visits him it is said she has multiple sclerosis. During her stay, she spent the night with Pratt, which strained Gallant and Pratt's friendship, although they managed to remain friends.
At the beginning of Season 10, new medical student Neela Rasgotra had started her rotation at County. During this time, Gallant was keen in helping her settle in. Around April, Neela accidentally gave a patient the wrong medication. However, Gallant, who was supervising at the time, took the blame. He then soon revealed that he had feelings for her (Gallant: "You know, earlier, in the ambulance bay, I was thinking of asking you out." Neela: "And I was thinking of saying yes."). However, before they could start a relationship, Gallant reveals to Neela that he has been called up to go to Iraq. Despite arguing, Gallant left on good terms. They kissed, before Gallant stepped into a taxi and drove away.
[edit] In Iraq
Although Gallant had now left County as a regular character, he appeared in a few episodes during the following two seasons. In season 11, one episode kept jumping between County and Iraq. Gallant was now working in a military hospital (holding the rank of Captain). At one point, while out working in the field he was wounded by an Iraqi gunman. Gallant managed to shoot and kill him before he could fire again. The incident continued to haunt him, however. As well as treating injured US soldiers, Gallant's unit also treated injured Iraqi victims. One day, a girl, who had been severely burned, arrived and Gallant insisted that the girl had to be saved. With his commanding officer's blessing, Gallant organized for the girl to be treated at County (with Neela's help). He returned to the US with the girl and whilst on 72hrs leave, he began a relationship (properly this time) with Neela. He returned to Iraq soon after.
The following season, Gallant returned home to finish his training as a doctor and overjoyed in seeing each other again, Gallant & Neela made an impulsive decision to get married. They bought a house together and looked ready to start a whole new life together. However, Gallant was a changed man. He revealed to Neela that he was going to counseling sessions for veterans, before revealing that he wanted to finish his training in Iraq, by volunteering for a second tour of duty. Neela was shocked and angry with Gallant. However she realized that there was nothing she could do or say to stop him from going and, for the third time, the two lovers parted.
[edit] Death
Gallant's final appearance came in the penultimate episode of Season 12 "The Gallant Hero and the Tragic Victor." He was on a convoy of trucks, when the unit was ambushed by Iraqi insurgents. Gallant went to the aid of a fallen officer and the convoy managed to escape. Gallant was unable to save the officer. Just as he had settled back down, a roadside bomb hit the truck and Gallant and the men on the truck were killed instantly. Gallant's last words were, "My wife Neela's a doc--" before the bomb exploded. Two officers visited the ER later on and informed Neela of the death. The whole ER was shocked, especially Pratt, who took his death hard. Michael's belongings were given to Neela and it was revealed that he recorded himself on tape as a message to her just in case he died. On the tape, Michael apologized to Neela for leaving her for Iraq.
Gallant's parents, Pratt and a shell-shocked Neela, attended his funeral in the season 12 finale, "Twenty One Guns". At his funeral, which had full Military Honors, Neela was presented with an American flag that was draped over his coffin, as well as his posthumously awarded Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Neela blamed Michael's father for his death, saying that he could have stopped Michael from going to Iraq, but Pratt said that after his own travels to the warzone of the Sudan he understood why Gallant felt that he'd needed to return to Iraq.
[edit] References
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