Gee, that Neela-Ray reunion seemed awfully familiar
When you have a show that runs as long as ER, certain plot points end up being rehashed from time to time. This is logical; if, in the 15 seasons the show has been on the air, you had only one instance of a child abuser, or a drug addict, or a crazy guy with something up his butt the emergency room would be an awfully dull place. But, that’s just for patients. Rehashing is verboten when you’re dealing with important story threads for major cast members.
Or is it? In the latest episode of the series we saw a plot point that seemed awfully familiar. Particularly to those of us who have watched the series since its inception.
ER – Neela says good-bye and gains back some respect
I’m going to confess something to you. The original title of this post was going to be “Neela says good-bye, and not a moment too soon.” Let’s face it, Dr. Neela Rasgotra has been a pain in the ass over the last few seasons, frustrating us with her indecision in both career and relationship. She’s been mean to some, indifferent to others, and led plenty of County General doctors to believe that she had eyes only for them. She’s been particularly tough to handle over the last few weeks as she constantly doubted herself while toying with the feelings of Simon Brenner.
With all of that hanging over her head I wasn’t going to cut her any slack at her teary-eyed departure. However, she made some moves on her last day at County that permitted her a little more respect as she embarked on her new life. The biggest was reuniting with a dear, old friend.
ER – Some growing and some changing
Just because ER will be ending its 15 season run in a mere 5 episodes doesn’t mean the show’s characters need to stop growing and changing. In fact, the end of a long-running series is sometimes the point where the most growth and change occurs. On this week’s installment of the medical drama we saw such changes in two of our favorites: Archie Morris and Simon Brenner.
Let’s start with Archie. I’ve previously stated both here and on my reviews at TV Squad that Dr. Morris has continued to mature since he was introduced back in season ten as a second-year resident. While there have been flashes of the old Archie earlier this season and last (particularly after Hope left) they have not stopped his growth. With this week’s episode everything he has learned about love and relationships over the last few seasons culminated in a brand new, adult Archie Morris.
ER – Another crappy day in paradise for Neela
Can I share something with you in confidence? Just you and me and the (hopefully) millions of other readers of this site? I can? That’s just great! Come in a bit closer so I can whisper it to you.
I’m actually looking forward to the end of ER five episodes from now. And it’s not because the show has run its course, or the stories and characters are no longer interesting. I want it to end so we can stop Neela’s whining! Oh, it feels so good to tell someone else about that. Now, if you come a bit closer I can tell you about those unusual growths in my nanoo-nanoo region.
Everyone, let’s welcome back little John Carter to the ER
On this week’s ER, Neela and Brenner continued to snog, Banfield continued her quest of having another child, and Tony did something or other to someone that someone else did or did not like. Blah, blah, blah. Who cares about all of that, really? Doctor John Carter has returned!
Yes, the crush of man and woman alike, Noah Wyle returned to his old hunting grounds for a multiple-episode arc. What’s good about his return is he is the first alumni to come back that actually bridges the first and second (and third, and fourth) generation of ER personnel. Where the returns of Jeanie Boulet and Dr. Morgenstern have met with indifferent looks from the current crop of doctors and nurses, Carter still knows a number of people. As he integrates himself back in it will be interesting to see how he acts with his former students, who are now at the same level as him, and the newbies who never knew John as the golden child of the ER.
ER – Creepy boyfriends, back shavers, and the guy who created Happy Days
(Season 15, Episode 13 – “Love is a Battlefield”)
After the unusual weirdness of last week’s episode we returned to the normal weirdness of the day-to-day activities of County General’s ER. And it was a jam-packed episode featuring some resolutions to Neela’s dreams, meatier roles for Grady and Daria, a jealous Sam, and an appearance by Gary Marshall. Plus, an obsessive and creepy boyfriend who resembled a young Cary Elwes.
As I said — normal weirdness. So, let’s get going.
Sam and Tony… again: Oh. My. God. How long is this non-relationship relationship going to last between these two? Hell, even the non-relationship relationship between Carol Hathaway and Doug Ross was less tortuous than this! We get that there are still feelings between these two, but do they have to drag this out for so long? I’ll tell you, if they leave this relationship open when the series ends in April I will personally be royally pissed.
What did Dr. Corday represent in Neela’s dreams?
One of the items I didn’t have a chance to mention in this week’s ER review was the return of Alex Kingston as Dr. Elizabeth Corday. Though she didn’t have a big part in the episode, Corday seemed to play an integral part to Neela’s dream state.
Now Chief of Trauma Surgery at Dartmouth University’s hospital, Corday was in Chicago on a recruiting drive. Along the way she met up with Neela, who was working on some interviews to see what else was outside the under-funded and over-worked County General. At least, Neela was interviewing in her dreams. If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about read this week’s review first before continuing.
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