It's all her fault, you know. It's all because of
Meredith. She threw away the juju.Or maybe it's Cristina. After all, she said the "q" word. (That's "quiet," if you missed it, and it lasted exactly 1/2 second.)
Whoever's fault it is: all is chaos, death and destruction at Seattle Grace this week. And no amount of knocking on wood is going to remedy matters. It's not all just in the fictional lives of Meredith & team, either: it's also gotten all mixed up in the writing. This episode didn't cross a line, it jumped over a chasm from awesome to cringe-worthy. My face hurt from grimacing after the chief went to that dumb AA meeting. Please. I don't believe in 12-step programs any more than I believe in rabbit's feet or horoscopes or juju-filled hot cocoa.
Don't get me wrong. I believe in the power of positive thought. I believe in humoring people. I believe that you
should tell someone he's going to live. I believe that you shouldn't break up with someone while you're scrubbing in.
But I don't believe that someone's "sobriety" will be compromised because he refuses to join in a silly
prayer. Either the writers are saying something ultra-subtle and tongue-in-cheek about the superstitious nature of AA,
or they've just lost my vote for Best Writers of a TV Show Ever.
Despite the terrible 12-step sub-plot, there was a lot to like in this episode. George's mis-steps with the hot
orthopedic doctor were priceless, especially the one where he accosted Cristina in the ladies' room and then called the
hot one "ma'am."
It was also quite, quite lovely the way he asked her out. Totally cute. If he does
anything like that again I'm going to fall for George just as much as all of you out there, you know who you are, those
commenters who leave comments as if I am George, or I am transmitting these comments directly to the fictional
characters. Yep. I just forward 'em on to GeorgeOmalley@seattlegrace.com.
I would have said yes, too.
On the other hand, I didn't love Izzie's behavior toward Alex.
Breaking up with him like that was cruel and heartless. She tells Alex, not just that Denny's a better man, but that
she is "too good for" him. Come on Izzie. Earlier you just
threatened to beat your friend up over a piece of fabric. Who's really better
than who, here, young lady?
Even worse, of course, was Alex's reaction. When you're down, man, kick someone
else! Right? Ick. His rant toward George was the lowest of the low. And yet: (you're going to hate me for saying this)
I was almost just as sorry for him as for George. His rant was so illuminating, the classic behavior of a guy who's
suffered from ego blows and low self-image all his life. You can almost hear the echoes of his alcoholic dad, or
emotionally abusive step-mom, or whoever it was who yelled at him like that,
who told him he was nothing all his life. Poor Alex. Only a guy who's really
been stepped on would react like that to a bad breakup.
When Izzie kisses Denny, I know why she likes him so
much. He's charming even at death's door. I want to empathize with her, but it's damned hard.
What this show
comes down to - the thing that saves it from the cheesy sober subplots - is the moments. The nearly wordless exchanges that say everything, the glances and gestures and sips of hot
cocoa. There are several between Addison and Meredith and Derek, and much though I love to hate Addison, I had to be on
her side tonight. She was trying. She wanted to make her peace. And in the end,
Meredith accepted it. Could that be an indication of things cooling between her and McDreamy? Only time will tell. At
least she's learned, though:
"Don't diss the juju... from wherever it comes.
Oops! Newspapers around the world use SNL pic as official Palin one - VIDEO
The evolution of TV Squad
Giveaway Monday: My Name Is Earl season three DVD
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-20-2006 @ 7:10AM
Gossip Hound said...
I really like how the writers keep the themes going throughout the episodes, but they don't hit you over the head with them. So glad george finally asked out Callie. And the Chief has a lot of secrets - how can he keep track. The chick over at http://www.givememyremote.com now calls him "Chief Shady". Ha. So true!!!
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3-20-2006 @ 8:56AM
Joel Keller said...
Here's what I don't get... they're all surgeons, right? Then why are they waiting at the emergency room doors for ambulances to come in? It's not like they were paged down there for a consult. Don't they have ER docs there? Or are the surgeons at Seattle Grace some sort of SuperDocs, who can take care of both the ER *and* surgery?
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3-20-2006 @ 9:43AM
FX Viewer said...
I am pretty sure there is a H in her name... Christina. I am not saying Closed Captions (CC) are always correct but everywhere I read about this program, they spell it with the H in it.
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3-20-2006 @ 10:50AM
Eric V. said...
I agree with you that Addison was trying. I'm one of the vocal minority who has been cheering for Addison since the day she showed up on the show.
But I have a nasty, nasty, nasty, nasty feeling - having read a few episode guides and heard some rumours around the GA community, and put the pieces together - that she is gonna be gone soon.
I really really really really really hope I'm wrong.
And yes, the cell phone scene was adorable. If Callie and George hook up and anything positive comes of it, I will reluctantly forgive Shonda and the writers for doing what I predict they are going to do to Addison in the near future.
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3-20-2006 @ 11:22AM
Adrien Lastim said...
Ms. Gilbert doesn't believe in 12-Step programs? Hipper than thou may be her style but I hope she never needs help that only a 12-Step program can provide.
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3-20-2006 @ 11:23AM
Adrien Lastim said...
Ms. Gilbert doesn't believe in 12-Step programs? Hipper than thou may be her style but I hope she never needs help that only a 12-Step program can provide.
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3-20-2006 @ 1:09PM
Jimmy said...
Overall, I thought this was a good show -- not great, but good. I was a little disgusted at the direction they took with Izzie. Alex is no angel, but at least he has been trying to be good to Izzie. Sad fact is, she is probably the best thing that could have happened to him, could have helped him tame those demons with some of her own. I still think they'll get back together, but from what the previews show it may be Alex that leaves the surgical program -- he's much more Nip/Tuck kinda guy. Personally, I think the whole Izzie/Denny thing is way creepy.
As for Alex's blowup at George, I felt no sympathy for George. He's taking the whole Meredith fiasco to new depths of pathetic. It may have been rough, but everything Alex said was true.
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3-20-2006 @ 1:17PM
linda w said...
working in the medical field i know how superstitious medical people can be- never say the q word no matter how q word it may get because as the writers so aptly showed that's when all h*** breaks loose- i'm still rooting for meredith and mc dreamy - and go izzie- you 're showing them even trailer trash can make it big time !!!!
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3-20-2006 @ 1:21PM
rebecca majeski said...
Ms. Gilbert doesn't have to believe in 12-step programs. Only people who NEED 12-step programs have to believe in them. And those people DO stay sober. No, it wasn't a superstitious thing that they said he had to join in the meeting. It was that he NEEDED a meeting. From what Mary Kay Place said, it didn't sound as though Richard had been to one in a while. If my surgeon was a recovering alcoholic, I would feel much better if he/she had recently been to a meeting and had checked in with their HP (Higher Power) upon arising that morning before making the first incision on me! And you can call that supersition if you want, but hey, I would want my surgeon to have gotten a good night's sleep the night before as well.
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3-20-2006 @ 1:58PM
Judy said...
This is one of my two favorite shows.
What I would personally like to see happen, is that Addison goes back to her socialite setting and Meredith and Derick become a couple, going all the way to the wedding bells!
Christina is an awesome individual, says it the way it is, dedicated and will eventually soften.
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3-20-2006 @ 2:02PM
jeff said...
Why did Izzie choose Denny over Alex? Denny is a sick puppy who has been manipulating her since the beginning. Alex might be a dog, but at least he is trying to keep things going, despite her behavior towards him. She's been keeping him around as a xxxx buddy. Denny will eventually die, and even if he doesn't, he won't be able for her to ever bonk. The writers have given us both an Alex and an anti-Alex.
Alex's unloading on George made sense at two levels - he was yelling at himself (for being stuck on Izzie, when she wasn't returning his feelings) and he was trying to get George out of his rut. It worked, and it's exactly what the audience wanted to say themselves.
Is everyone living in the past? At least George has moved on.
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3-20-2006 @ 2:04PM
Dawne said...
I've worked in the medical field for 25 years now and will say that you never, ever, never, ever say the "Q" word! I can attest that a relatively "Q" day can turn brutal 3 minutes later after the "Q" word has been uttered. No Kidding!!!!!! I appreciated the homage to in house superstitions and the episode was good...
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3-20-2006 @ 2:08PM
Shawna said...
I think the whole thing with Izzy & Denny is k,ind of weird, but something seems to be happening to the two of them. Denny will be in the next few shows, but ultimately we all know that he is going to die. Izzy has to have a breakup all her own as it seems like all the docs have had multiple breakups since the beginning of the whole show's conception; 1 Meridith, 2 Christine, etc. George is the one person who will continue to have to face his fears and will never get over his love of Meridith even after things happen between him and Callie go south. McDreamy and Addison will continue to stay together even with his infatuation for Meridith stays on a slow simmer... Love the tention between them!
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3-20-2006 @ 2:17PM
Primrose said...
I was on pins and needles thru the whole episode - LOVED IT but I can't believe I missed the last few minutes! Did Denny make it? I'm kind of assuming he did from the comments above.
The girl that was "struck by lightening" didn't make it, right? The guy that was compulsively repeating phrases and numbers, he made it? Dr. Shady's (yes, what a past!) patient did not make it, right?
Also, even though I'm rooting for McDreamy and Grey, I would miss Addison. She's really beautiful and plays a good part.
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3-20-2006 @ 5:41PM
Betty said...
Izzie, Izzie, Izzie! Give me a break! I know love can make you do foolish things, but danggggggg girl! It wasn't that long ago you were flipping out over Alex, and BAM! Along comes Denny and it's on? Alex told George like it is. Sorry guys! I can't really get into the whole superstition thing, because I'm not. But it was different and somewhat refreshing. I mean after all, don't actors say "break a leg" instead of good luck? Imagine saying that in a hospital...HA HA HA!
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3-20-2006 @ 6:34PM
Hazel said...
I love this show and love the direction it is going in. I don't want meredith to get together with derek because addison is better for him. Bailey is a great character and I am happy that izzie is going with denny because I think they are a cute couple and Alex has been a jerk the entire time the show has been on to izzie and he finally gets what he deserves. Him being hot is finally not a factor.
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3-20-2006 @ 7:48PM
Gordon Werner said...
The AA lady survived
Denny survived
The stalker chick who fell out the tree died (before getting to the OR)
The OCD guy died
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3-20-2006 @ 10:51PM
TMB said...
Does anyone have a list of the music played on last night's show? The ABC people are being REALLY too slow to post it on their site . . . .
Reply
3-22-2006 @ 12:14AM
Sarah said...
Ok Alex was such a jerk telling Denny that he was going to die. I'm through liking and or feeling any sympathy for him. Especially after he bet on Denny to DIE right in from of IZZIE!!! GRRR....So I was cheering when she told Christina how she was from a trailor park and not above taking her down over that scrub cap. And even more cheering when she finally stopped kidding herself and kissed Denny! Yeaaa! I can't believe nobody mention any of this.
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3-26-2006 @ 3:00AM
Cheri said...
I missed the very beginning of the show, but enjoyed the rest of it. I love the tension between Meredith and Derek, but I hope they never get back together. Adison is so much better for him than Meredith ever could be. LOVE Christina! Always have, always will. She rocks. I'm glad George decided to make a move and ask that girl on a date, but I hope he's really moving on and not doing it because he THINKS it will spite Meredith. His behavior has been incredibly annoying, let alone pathetic. I hope he gets over it and her NOW. Izzie is starting to annoy the heck out of me with her 'trying to act tough' behavior as if she has to prove something. The way she talks to her friends is interesting...one minute they're best buds, the next she's threatening them with trailer trash history lessons (okay, only a couple of times with the trailer trash history, but many times with the annoying rants). Hopefully her relationship with Denny (no matter how shortlived) will sweeten her up.
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