A lot of people don't like the newer seasons because the characters are different and therefore there isn't quite the same 'feel' as the earlier ones. I won't lie, the writing in the earlier seasons is definitely superior overall, but the later ones do have their moments. And most of the newer characters do get their chance to shine and come into their own.
Ray was a brash, irresponsible treat 'em and street 'em intern, looking to clear a board so he could get to his next gig. Medicine wasn't a career for him, it was something to pay the bills so he could perform with his band. Until this episode. In this episode, these weren't just patients he was treating, they were his friends. People he knew. And I think it changed the way he saw the people they treated, and the way he thought of his job. No, he didn't grow up and become the perfect intern overnight, but he made huge steps in the right direction and it set the stage for "Nobody's Baby" (another chance for us to see Ray grow as a character).
This episode was also the beginning of the odd-couple, cool big brother/dorky little brother relationship that Ray and Morris ultimately ended up having. It's one of my favorite things about the later seasons (apart from the Roomies and the roller coaster ride their storyline is).
This episode also bookends nicely with "21 Guns". If you can watch the two of them back to back, you should. Again, Ray is stepping up and taking charge, only instead of being drunk and puking into a trash can, Morris steps right up with him and the two of them take care of Jerry and basically keep the ER running until Weaver shows up because there are no senior residents and no attendings: Luka's out of commission, and Pratt's at Gallant's funeral with Neela. But it showcases how far both Ray and especially Morris come as characters in just one season.
Okay, wow. Rambly Ash is rambly.
The point of the ramble is that the later seasons are good in their own right, too. Not as good as the earlier seasons, but they definitely have their moments and yes, you should watch.
~Ash