(S03E13) Many thanks to Keith for covering the show while I was in L.A. The other day, I caught the episode I missed; looks like Shonda Rhimes and company did a great job of dealing with Mr. O'Malley's death, the Burke-Yang cold war, and the cutsey fighting of Meredith and Derek. Oh, and they even briefly hooked Addison up with Alex again. Nice.But the biggest revelation, at least to me, is how personally involved Bailey got with the O'Malleys, and how she actually took a cue from the always-involved Izzie. That carries over to this week's fairly straightforward episode. "The Nazi is back," says Derek when she forces the four potential Chiefs of Surgery to sign off on her free clinic idea. But it's a different Nazi... one that feels more than she used to, while being ballsier at the same time (note how she told Burke that he owed her after sandbagging her during the whole tremor period).
By the way, the reason why I put up a solo picture of Sara Ramirez is that she is featured quite a bit in this episode (and she's adorable... but that's another story). Look at that look of fear on her face... the words "George" and "sex machine" in the same sentence was quite funny, indeed. Never seen anyone grieve by boinking his girlfriend repeatedly. Callie's great escape from Casa de Intern was a pretty funny sight, as was Izzie walking in with a tray of baked goods (how much flour do they go through in that house?).
Interesting how they nipped the Alex / Addison thing in the bud so quickly. Alex yelling "I'd like to talk about the kissing!" was the funniest moment in the episode. God bless Kate Walsh; not only is she beautiful, but she's probably got the best comedic chops of the bunch (remember, she spent most of her time on The Drew Carey Show in a fatsuit). Her stumbling and bumbling every time Alex came near her was subtle but effective. But who knew Alex would be the mature one here? "What makes you think I'm even into you?" he asked her. He's just interested in scrubbing in on her cases! Something doesn't smell right here; I'm sure this isn't the end of these two.
It was good to see everyone be so cutthroat again; well, at least the four "big guns," that is: Addison, Burke, Derek, and Sloan. They're all gunning for Webber's job. When all of a sudden did Sloan get so much ambition? He goes from leaving Seattle to going for chief? Maybe he just did it to piss off Derek. Or Addison. Or the whole hospital. Who knows?
Anyway, you knew Meredith was going to get it as soon as she let that piece of information slip. Derek really bitched her out. But he became the mature one in the end, diffusing Meredith's over-dramatic take on the situation. The fact that she's never been in a real, mature adult relationship before probably contributed to that. I was surprised, though, that Derek was surprised at her lack of experience in that area. It's almost as if he hasn't met the "sleep with anyone who will buy her a drink" version of Meredith we've been seeing the last two years.
This week's patients were the usual combination of unusual circumstances and personal insights. The Amish girl with cervical cancer wants to go back home, even if that means her shunned best friend has to let her go. George said he was OK with being on her case, but we all knew that they'd find that the cancer had spread and George would lose it. It was cool to see Callie and Yang work together on the marathon patient with organ failure; even if they don't like each other -- and didn't you love seeing Callie tell off Yang a little? -- they definitely respect each other's skills.
And we finally find out how Izzie is going to spend Denny's money. As soon as the words "free clinic" came out of Bailey's mouth, who didn't think, "Izzie's gonna pay for it?" Talk about projecting a plot line. But at least it's good to see Bailey and Izzie become somewhat kindred spirits.
So, let's get to the three twists that ABC advertised so heavily. First, Webber retires to go back to his wife, only to find that she's moved on. "Do you have a man in my house?" is one of those groin-kick questions that no man should ever need to ask. And seeing his soon-to-be-ex-wife slam the door in his face was painful. But he made that bed. Wonder if he'll stay chief now and keep the other four clowns in their place?
Then we thankfully get a thawing of the cold war; Yang actually conceded, believe it or not. "But I'm in this for the long haul." Which led Burke to finally speak up and ask her to marry him. Awww. He probably saw her mature a little right there. Will she say yes? Don't know... Cristina doesn't seem to be the marrying type.
(Despite the fact that Isaiah Washington became Hollywood's #1 a-hole this week, I still like watching him as Burke. But if he gets fired, he'll be pretty easily replaced, I hate to say.)
Finally, George finally tells Callie he loves her. It took his dad dying, but better late than never, huh? Now he wants to get on the marriage bandwagon. See that frightened look on Callie's face in the picture? It's nothing compared to how scared she was at the end of this episode.
So are we going to go 2-for-2 on the marriage proposals? 1-for-2? Would the writers even be bold enough to do an o-fer and have both guys strike out? Will I stop using baseball references in this paragraph? Either way, it looks like next week's episode is going to be another mid-season shocker along the lines of last year's Super Bowl bomb episode (Surgeons! Unconscious! On the OR floor! Oh dear! Ellis Grey! Gets her memory back! Oh my!). Considering how strong the last few episodes have been, I can't wait to see it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-26-2007 @ 1:31AM
Melissa said...
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!
MC DREAMY MC DREAMY
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1-26-2007 @ 1:32AM
BigTed said...
Webber "made that bed"? He retired from a job he loved, after working his whole life to reach the top of his profession, because his wife demanded it -- then she picked that moment to dump him for another man?
This scene reminded me of the episodes of "Without a Trace" in which agent Malone quit his high-level FBI job so he could move to the different city where his wife wanted to live -- then, at the very last minute, she told him that she was divorcing him, taking the kids and leaving him behind.
It always makes me laugh when I hear about women who only want to marry a doctor, lawyer or other ambitious, successful professional, then spend the next 40 years complaining about the long hours their husbands work.
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1-26-2007 @ 2:05AM
Dorv said...
Ted: I can't agree with you. She picked that moment? I think not. She reminded him (and us) that it has been several months since she made her ultimatum, which he didn't meet. He can hope, he can be pissed, he can be a lot of things, but I think the question she posed was right, "What did [he] expect?"
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1-26-2007 @ 4:42AM
Audge said...
I didn't know Kate Walsh had sitcom experience! Whenever I see her in interviews, she seems to be a really funny, goofy lady so I'm always impressed with how she portrays Addison as this very polished, sophisticated woman (well... usually, anyway - hee!)
http://audgepodge.blogspot.com/2007/01/recap-greys-anatomy-in-for-long-haul.html
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1-26-2007 @ 5:41AM
justelise said...
Kate Walsh has the BEST facial expressions. You don't expect a woman who is that stunning to be goofy (or at least that's what American society has drilled into our heads). Every time her character is caught off guard she's a riot. I still feel Addison and Alex are going to end up together. I think Alex doesn't want to take the relationship in that direction right now because he sees Addison as an escape route out of the clutches of Sloan. Once he doesn't have to report to Sloan anymore I think he'll let the Addison thing happen.
As far as Isaiah Washington is concerned I just can't get the bad taste out of my mouth when I see him on screen. I cringe when he's in scenes with TR Knight. I hope Christina says no to the proposal and they write his character off the show. There are probably 50 actors in his age range who are waiting for a career comeback just like Patrick Dempsey was who would be more than happy to take his place.
As time progresses I get more and more bored with Meredith as a character. Maybe it's because she and Derek are finally together and there is no more high drama in the romance department for her. This is not a knock against how the character is played it's just that you don't often see the title character blend so far into the background even on a show with an ensemble cast. The teaser for the next episode leads me to believe that will change with Ellis being lucid all of a sudden -- conveniently this happens right after Richard's wife lets him know it's really over.
I am also curious as to see what new characters get dropped into the mix with the Free Clinic. Anyone remember when Carol (on ER) did the free clinic thing? Anyone else having a doctor drama plot device flashback? Anyone?
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1-26-2007 @ 7:55AM
courtney said...
It will be interesting to see how they suddenly give back memories to an alzheimer's patient - that's pure fiction. Unless they find she hasn't really had alzheimer's - perhaps a brain tumor, but this is a real stretch.
I too am bored with Meredith but I've always found her to be the least interesting character. And, I'm so disgusted with IW that watching him now just annoys me.
This episode was kind of dull after last week's tour de force. But, I don't think they can sustain that kind of quality, etc. for each and every episode.
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1-26-2007 @ 8:54AM
Amboo said...
I agree with Courtney, recovering from Alzheimer is a stretch, but Kate Burton is such great actress, shame to waste in nursing home. Look for the "lovebirds" to hook-up and wifey decides she wants to stay married.
The McDreamy/Meridith story is now officially boring. I think the Allison character is one of the best on the show.
Izzie has always been boring to me. Exception: Izzie/Alex closet meetings.
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1-26-2007 @ 9:06AM
KateG said...
I think this is what the writers have in store for Addison / Alex:
Alex is pretty clever - when he saw Addison retreating he decided to use a different strategy. He knows her. So he says he's not really into her - now she's going to be chasing him and asking him why.
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1-26-2007 @ 9:32AM
Heather said...
This is the best show on television. Week after week, I love how it focuses on different characters, different combos, chemistry, etc. etc.
Last night, I particularly loved the antics between the four attendings vying to be chief--Derek, Burke, Addison and Sloan. The scene with them all sitting against the glass in the hallway, I thought, was wonderfully written.
"One of us could be chief," Sloan says.
Burke: "No. One of US could be chief." He motions to himself, Addison and Derek.
Addison: "Mark Sloan, Chief of Surgery. I think I just vomit in my mouth a little bit."
Too funny.
And I may be in the minority here, but I still love Derek and Meredith. I thought the "I'll always show up" speech was very cute, and it made sense that Meredith doesn't really get how relationships work. I hope Shonda doesn't split these two up TOO soon. I'm enjoying them for now.
The proposals were a surprise to me... I'm curious to see what happens. Somehow, I see Cristina saying yes (which would be a "surprise") and Callie saying yes, but not meaning it (feeling sorry for George in his time of grief). But we'll see.
And it looks like Webber might not actually retire after all. Which is good news for me, since I love James Pickens.
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1-26-2007 @ 10:16AM
e said...
BigTed - Your comment seems a bit sexist. Don't forget that the Chief cheated on her with Ellis so long ago. His wife gave him an ultimatum and he didn't take her up on it. It's too late.
On another note - Kate Walsh has quickly become my favorite actress on the show. I loved her face when George and Izzie stopped her in the hall.
Before the proposals were out, my sister said that she thought Burke and Cristina were going to get engaged, and I told her I thought it was going to be Callie and George. We laughed so hard when both proposals came to light.
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1-26-2007 @ 10:26AM
MrsEldubya said...
Weber may end up running the Free Clinic for Baily. You don't want the Nazi out of surgery so you have to have some one in the clinic. I knew all along Denny's money would end up at the hospital in some type of memorial wing or something. So I'm glad it's a clinic because that will help Izzy heal too.
It was a solid episode with very little Meredith. She's my least favorite but since the show is named for her, hard to get rid of her. As for next week and the memory. It could be an experimental drug that helps her memory come back..... temporarily. Didn't Derek and Weber get her into some drug program or am I confusing shows?
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1-26-2007 @ 10:36AM
Tim UF said...
What do you think of the chief (as hes now semi retired and apperently doesnt have much to go home to) retiring from chief of hospital to chief of the Denny Duquette Free Clinic? And how about Bailey getting at least a promote to chief of ____ medicine, not quite the top, but the honest to truth next in line?
I think looking back on it, that Karevs character may have matured the most since the pilot, going from the aloof cocky jerk to someone who may have found his place in the hospoital, and is willing to sacrifice (maybe?) things to get there.
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1-26-2007 @ 11:04AM
radwimp said...
i like to call this "addison's anatomy", kate walsh is the best thing to happen to the show (besides chandra wilson).
i agree with tim about karev's character too, he has definitely matured the most out of all the interns. i really used to despise him in the first season, but he's become one of my favourite characters since then.
very good episode last night, besides the meredith/derek snore-fest. it's definitely hit its stride after the slow start it had.
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1-26-2007 @ 2:36PM
Alicia said...
"As for next week and the memory. It could be an experimental drug that helps her memory come back..... temporarily. Didn't Derek and Weber get her into some drug program or am I confusing shows?"
Yes, they did enroll Mer's mom in a program... I have been waiting for it to surface.
And I think the best line of the night was when Izzie was talking to George and said "You broke your girlfriend's vagina."
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1-26-2007 @ 4:57PM
Brent McKee said...
A couple of moments that I loved were Richard telling Bailey thta he just wasn't able to stay on long enough for her to replace him as Chief of Surgery. The look she had was as though she had never even considered the possibility when it's fairly obvious to anyone that she would be the best choice of the whole lot.
And of course there was that appreciative look that Izzy gave naked George. Good stuff.
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2-03-2007 @ 9:46PM
Cat said...
I've been getting a little tired with Grey's, but this episode totally drew me back in. I was reminded why I love Bailey (and Chandra Wilson)-- I'm so glad she's back as the Nazi, but the Nazi with a heart.
This was a great episode.
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