Just watched his last episode. He quit without really giving notice. Lied to the judge to keep his kid, didn't let the other guy have any visitation rights (though he probably did a better job caring for Reese), didn't say goodbye to Romano, and basically told Carter he wasn't a good doctor. Kind of a big FU to everyone.
shareLying to the judge was a desperate attempt to hold onto his son. He's human, and I can completely understand that. The system was not at all fair to Peter regarding his child. We don't know if he said goodbye to Romano or not...but if he didn't, he had ample reason for not liking Romano. And as far as him bustin' Carter's chops (with that tongue in cheek remark when they ran into each other on the jogging trail).....that was just how their relationship was. Peter loved Carter, and wanted nothing but the best for him...as was shown in subsequent seasons. His comment to Carter was in jest.
shareI don't know if the judicial system screwed him that much. He wasn't the child's true father. To me, the other guy had just as much, if not more, right to him. As far as Romano/Peter Peter/Carter relationships, you could almost say the same thing about the former as the later, in that the more experienced doctor pushed the younger one hard so that he would excel. I'm not sure that's how you do it. And if Peter didn't like Romano doing it to him, he shouldn't have done it to Carter. But this was the last time he might ever see Carter, and he tells him he's not a good doctor. Kind of cold. Though he did flash him a smile so maybe he didn't mean it.
shareIt's been a while, but if memory serves....the whole situation with Peter and his son (Reese) was pretty rough and seemed unfair. He's the one who sweated it out with Carla during the whole difficult pregnancy and premature birth....the hearing loss issues and costly procedures....the special schooling...learning sign language so that he could connect with his son. And then...when Carla drops an anvil on him that Reese may not be his, he doesn't miss a beat in wanting to love and care for that boy and be his dad. He was there for Reese when that child was clinging to life...and he was there when Reese was struggling with the inability to hear. He became that child's father, if not by birth...by action. If Peter seemed in any way unreasonable in fighting to hold onto him...I blame him not one iota.
Regarding Romano...(and I like the Romano character)....there's a difference between how he treated Peter...and how Peter treated Carter. Romano was insulting....racist....vindictive...and enjoyed screwing with Peter. He was not always fair or forthright with him.
Peter, on the other hand...was always straightforward with Carter, and wanted to him to excel. And this is why Carter always appreciated Peter very much. Peter gave Carter tough love, and there's a huge difference there. Peter dragged Carter to rehab....took the flight with him...walked him into the center...and made sure he got through that program. Peter insisted on operating on Carter when he was stabbed, and helped save his life. Peter found Carter when he was getting his kidney surgery...and even though he wasn't the lead surgeon at that hospital and had no clout....insisted he be in the room while Carter was being operated on. His noticing and input on a bungled procedure during the operation ended-up saving his friend's life. Peter was always an angel on Carter's shoulder...driving him to be the best he could be. (Green was on the other shoulder).
When they saw each other out on that winter afternoon at the jogging track and had that exchange....it was the kind of busting chops two brothers or close friends do when they care very deeply, and have the kind of bond where you can have wink-and-a-nod humor like that. When Peter said "No you're not"....you can't possibly have taken him literally there. That was him being the older brother bustin' chops. Are you familiar with how people bust chops and 1000% not mean it...in fact, they mean the exact opposite? Taking that comment at literal face-value....would be like taking Sally's comment (in "When Harry Met Sally") literally when she says at the end of the movie: "And I hate you, Harry....I really hate you."
It was kinda like Peter was saying: "Of course you are...but don't get cocky, kid. I'm still your big brother."
Okay, you win. You've seen the show more than I have. I had forgotten about all that prenatal stuff. And, yeah, I realized Carter and Peter had a different relationship than Romano and Peter, but it was similar.
Oh, and I'll have what she's having.