ER: "Shifting Equilibrium"

Last Thursday night on the latest ER, we said goodbye to Dr. Neela Rasgotra. Six years ago, Neela walked into County General a fresh-faced medical student who looked more like a little girl than a doctor. Over time, we saw her through her ups (finding a home in Surgery, her deep friendship with Abby, falling in love with and marrying Gallant) and her downs (Gallant's tragic premature death, Ray's accident, her unfortunate career choice in the Jumbo Mart) and in the end, little Neela became a grown woman, full of promise, self-awareness and confidence. County will miss you, Dr. Rasgotra.

If this was not ER's final season, I can honestly say that I don't know that I'd be taking the time to review it. Is it as good as it was ten or twelve years ago? Not necessarily. However, it is still quality television, and it's a benchmark and an icon in the TV landscape. And as the hours dwindle down, each episode feels like a landmark of sorts. But in the sea of all of the former faces from ER's heyday, Neela's goodbye had the potential to get lost in the shuffle. Thanks in no small part to Parminder Nagra's quietly beautiful and touching performance, though, "Shifting Equilibrium" proved to be Must-See TV.

Randoms...

• Here I thought that Brenner & Neela were supposed to be a real couple, developing over the course of the season. Ultimately, they were meant to help each other see the error of their ways. Brenner facing his past and working towards a better future, and Neela facing her self-imposed limitations and admitting her flaws. It was nice to finally see her recognize that she can be rather self-righteous, and then proceed to apologize for it. Seeing the true purpose of their relationship come to fruition was unexpected, yet touching. They were necessary to each other's lives and they know that. Awareness is a beautiful thing.
• Neela and Dubenko's goodbye was highly emotional. And it was also fitting. He challenged her until her very last moment and she's the better for it. The student had become the master, and that made Dubenko proud. Because above all else, he loved her. She was his pupil, his friend, his family.
• Nice touch having Neela stop just shy of 2500 surgeries. She's a gifted surgeon, but she's never been there simply to cut. She's a compassionate and caring doctor more than anything.
• Frank coming up with every possible ethnic stereotype as a way of saying goodbye to and making amends with Neela? Hilarious! And so Frank. The fact that he was oblivious to it until Sam pointed out his errors in judgment was just icing on the cake.
  
• I loved the simplicity of the Abby scenes. A nice reference to multiple times past, Abby was there to be Neela's friend -- to guide her and encourage her toward what Neela needed to do. Neela knew that the path she was taking was the correct one, but she wanted Abby's calm influence and support one final time. And Abby was happy to give that to Neela.
  
• It was also lovely to see Abby in her daily grind -- cooking and play dates. Abby is so very settled and content, but she's still Abby ("I hate Thursdays."), and that's a nice confirmation. She left on a happy note, and she's still happy. She's earned that much.
• Seeing the nameplate wall again was tear-jerking. A reminder of times come and gone, some people off to better things and some simply taken away. I did so hope, though, that Neela would place her nameplate next to Gallant's. Alas, no such luck. I guess she finally has moved on.
  

Neela's fear was a driving force within her personality -- fear of change, fear of commitment, fear of failure, fear of disappointment, fear of taking a leap of faith. By the end of her tenure at County, she managed to not only face her fears, but overcome them (many all in this one hour). Neela grew up, and when she did manage to take that all-important leap of faith, it brought her back to the one person who has been there all along: Ray. Finally.

Ray "finally" got the girl. About time.

Thoughts?