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Season 5
PRIVATE PRACTICE - "The Letting Go" - Sheldon warns Sam that he may be in over his head when he insists on releasing Corinne from the hospital and caring for her at home; a badly beaten Scott arrives at the ER and is placed under the care of Pete; Amelia is encouraged to make a decision about her unborn child; and Jake's daughter grills him on his love life when he visits her at college. Meanwhile, Erica's health takes a turn for the worse, on Private Practice, THURSDAY, MARCH 15 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/COLLEEN HAYES)GRIFFIN GLUCK, A.J. LANGER
The Letting Go
Season 5 | Episode 17 | Aired 03/15/12

Erica is admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. She's spitting up blood. Cooper promises Mason that he'll be honest with him once they find out what's wrong. The news is not good. Erica has developed new tumors all throughout her body. She has about a week to live. The end will be very painful. Erica doesn't want Mason to see her in pain, so they need to say goodbye to each other sooner rather than later.

Cooper and Charlotte are straight with Mason as they tell him what's in store for Erica. It's a difficult conversation. Mason knows that his mom is scared, so he puts on his bravest face when he visits her. He promises to listen to Coop, do his homework, eat his green beans and more. Erica says "I love you" repeatedly as she watches her son step out of the room.

Mason runs into Charlotte's arms. He's so happy that he didn't cry. He wanted his mom to remember him smiling and being good. Mason finally does let the tears flow out in the hall. Coop stands in the background. He's also completely choked up. This was an emotional, painful, heroic farewell between a little boy and his mom. How could anyone not be moved to tears?

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  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "The Letting Go" - Sheldon warns Sam that he may be in over his head when he insists on releasing Corinne from the hospital and caring for her at home; a badly beaten Scott arrives at the ER and is placed under the care of Pete; Amelia is encouraged to make a decision about her unborn child; and Jake's daughter grills him on his love life when he visits her at college. Meanwhile, Erica's health takes a turn for the worse, on Private Practice, THURSDAY, MARCH 15 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/COLLEEN HAYES) PAUL ADELSTEIN (DIRECTOR), A.J. LANGER, KADEE STRICKLAND, CATERINA SCORSONE
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "The Letting Go" - Sheldon warns Sam that he may be in over his head when he insists on releasing Corinne from the hospital and caring for her at home; a badly beaten Scott arrives at the ER and is placed under the care of Pete; Amelia is encouraged to make a decision about her unborn child; and Jake's daughter grills him on his love life when he visits her at college. Meanwhile, Erica's health takes a turn for the worse, on Private Practice, THURSDAY, MARCH 15 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/COLLEEN HAYES) CATERINA SCORSONE
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "The Letting Go" - Sheldon warns Sam that he may be in over his head when he insists on releasing Corinne from the hospital and caring for her at home; a badly beaten Scott arrives at the ER and is placed under the care of Pete; Amelia is encouraged to make a decision about her unborn child; and Jake's daughter grills him on his love life when he visits her at college. Meanwhile, Erica's health takes a turn for the worse, on Private Practice, THURSDAY, MARCH 15 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/COLLEEN HAYES) PAUL ADELSTEIN (DIRECTOR), CATERINA SCORSONE
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "The Letting Go" - Sheldon warns Sam that he may be in over his head when he insists on releasing Corinne from the hospital and caring for her at home; a badly beaten Scott arrives at the ER and is placed under the care of Pete; Amelia is encouraged to make a decision about her unborn child; and Jake's daughter grills him on his love life when he visits her at college. Meanwhile, Erica's health takes a turn for the worse, on Private Practice, THURSDAY, MARCH 15 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/COLLEEN HAYES) KADEE STRICKLAND, GRIFFIN GLUCK