"ER": The series finale (spoilers)

First of all, my sincere thanks to everyone who weighed in on my post about memorable series finales. Since I have no pretensions of having watched every worthwhile TV show, it's great to have everyone's opinions on the good and the bad, and what I might want to watch next when I have an opportunity. (For example, Friends is something I never really watched, and I thought there might be more people to mention that finale, but thanks to the couple of you who did.) That said, the only real forehead-slapper I forgot to include--and I was the first one to point it out, in the fourth comment to my own post--was Newhart!  This nod to Bob's original TV series with Suzanne Pleshette was an absolute classic. And for those of you who supported the Seinfeld finale... well, maybe someday I'll give it another try.

Second, what did you think of the ER series finale?  (This has spoilers, so If it's still sitting on your DVR waiting for two hours of your free time, you can bookmark this post and read it later.)  Some of my impressions: 

• I loved loved loved the old-school opening.  I know it's the current thing to cut the opening to a few seconds, but I've missed the iconic James Newton Howard theme music since they cut it a few seasons back, so it was great to see it return with a combination of new and old characters (though the purist in me is a little miffed at giving the new characters such prestigious space).  Closing with the music was great too.
• I also loved the early scene when nurse Lydia (Ellen Crawford) opened the door on a sleeping Archie Morris (played by Scott Grimes) just as she did for Anthony Edwards in the original pilot (just one of the nods to it in this episode).
• Speaking of nurses, how about a shout-out to all the nurses not named Julianna Margulies who haven't been headlining stars but have been around a long time?  That includes Laura Cerón (who, or whose character, might not be able to carry the tune for "Happy Birthday"--but I would never tell anyone not to sing), Yvette Freeman (who we definitely know can sing), Lily Mariye, and Deezer D, who played Chuny, Haleh, Lily, and Malik, respectively.  Unsung heroes of the show, just as nurses are in real life.  I also have to give a nod to desk clerk Jerry (Abraham Benrubi).
• Strong guest appearances by Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) and Ernest Borgnine (The Wild Bunch).
• The Morris character has really evolved from gadfly to cornerstone, and Banfield (Angela Bassett) assigning him to triage in the final scene was an acknowledgment of that. 
• It was great to see the old characters return--Lewis (Sherry Stringfield), Korday (Alex Kingston), Benton (Eriq LaSalle) and Reese, Kem (Thande Newton), and even Weaver (Laura Innes)--and update us on where their lives are.  It was nice for Korday and Benton to share a moment.  And for those of us who still remember Hallee Hirsh as the bratty teen to her dying dad, it was nice to see her all grown up.  Carter's final line to her made me double-take a bit, but was a poignant way to pass the torch to a new generation.  I also take comfort (as a viewer and as a potential patient) in knowing that Carter will still be connected to the ER for some time.

The episode felt a little stretched at times, but all in all, it was a satisfying conclusion to the series and a reminder of what a landmark show ER was.  --David