The Dr. Benton Scene That Went Too Far On ER

The hit NBC television series "ER" was a mainstay in the popular zeitgeist since its debut in 1994, running for 15 seasons until its cancellation in 2009. Created by Michael Crichton, the Emmy-winning series follows a group of doctors and nurses as they save lives and navigate their interpersonal issues (via IMDb).

Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle), who is introduced in the very first episode, has quite the emotional journey throughout his tenure at fictional Los Angeles County General Hospital. For example, Benton has to not only deal with pressures at work, but he also struggles with taking care of his mother, who suffers a stroke. She later dies in Season 1, Episode 25, titled "Everything Old is New Again."

There's no doubt that Benton is an incredibly skilled doctor, who proves time after time that he is more than capable of saving lives on a daily basis. Often times, Benton has a clear moral compass that steers him in the right direction, but he is not without his faults. In rare instances, Benton is combative and verbally abusive. Though, in one moment that went too far, this abuse turns physical.

In Season 7, Episode 6, "The Visit," Benton is reeling from the news that his nephew Jesse Robbins (Andrew McFarlane) is receiving treatment for a gunshot wound. As the doctor takes a beat alone to process this harrowing event, Dr. Malucci (Erik Palladino) comes in and tries to apologize for comments made earlier in the episode. Clearly, Benton is upset, and so he asks to be left alone. Malucci then makes it so much worse by saying he didn't know Jesse was his cousin and assumed he was just "some banger." In a rage, Dr. Benton punches Malucci, knocking him out. Sure, we can understand the impulse, but it certainly is aggressive, inappropriate behavior, not to mention violating his oath as a doctor to do no harm.

This also isn't the first time Benton breaks the law in the show. In Season 3 of "ER," Benton starts dating Carla Reese (Lisa Nicole Carson), and the two go on to have a son together named Reese (Matthew Watkins). Unfortunately, things do not go well for the relationship, and legal proceedings for custody over Reese commence. In an attempt to win custody over his son, Benton commits perjury by making the false claim that he has a new work schedule with less hours at County General. You can probably guess how well that goes for him.