ER's final few seasons seemed to have the Z Team writing it, but given how bad shows like Law and Order: SVU became aroun the same time, perhaps that's what Hollywood considered (and considers) the A Team. But keep in mind quality TV shows like Breaking Bad were on the scene, meaning that it was entirely possible for good writing to still happen. Just not on ER.
It's hard to imagine two worse characters than Sam Taggart and Neela Rasgotra. The first was always written as a self-centered, manipulative, holier-than-thou user and screw up. So, the fact that she continues her annoying course of just being trash make sense. The only thing that doesn't is why the producers of ER felt the need to put her in the show.
But Neela. Come on. She went from brilliant and sensible surgical genius to moody and mopey bed-hopping tramp. How did that happen? Was the point to undo her character? If so, they succeeded.
This is one of those episodes more about the juvenile couplings amongst the staff -- have they never heard of the word "boundaries" before? -- in a hospital that's more like a fraternity house -- are there no policies about people all sleeping with each other and trading partners?
When a drama becomes all about knocking boots, it's time to go. Remember, ER started as a fairly serious attempt to show the daily lives of ER residents and interns. Yes, it's tweaked because it's a TV show, but it was the medicine that came first. The human relationships grew out of that. But these last few seasons of ER assumes a hospital is just a place for throbbing libidos to hook up. They should have cancelled the show two seasons eariler.