(S04E03) "I'm young. I'm a fetus." - Derek
Here we go again. A great episode last week and then we get hit with this weird pile of mush. This wasn't the worst hour Grey's has given us, but it certainly wasn't the best. The whole episode was peppered with some very good moments along with some really bad ones. It's that inconsistency that I find annoying and it's one of the same issues that plagued the show last season. Is it too much to ask for two or three really good episodes in a row before we get a clunker? The truth does sting and the fact of that matter is, Grey's Anatomy is not as good as it once was.
So for starters, with everything that's going on, it drives me nuts that iGeorge still hangs over the whole show as this big gray cloud. It's depressing and awkward. I pray for the moment when this is finally resolved. Unfortunately, I don't think that's happening anytime soon. Izzie is depressed, Callie is depressed, and George is caught in the middle. At least he finally willed up the courage to tell Callie the truth at the end of the episode. The question to consider is what does Callie want? I do believe that she loves George and I doubt very much that she's just going to give up on the marriage.
By the same token, I don't see Izzie just dropping the torch either. The awakening of Really Old Guy and his subsequent death renewed her hope and determination. Don't get me started on how ridiculous it is that she grew so attached to another patient, but I do want to talk about Really Old Guy. That's definitely one of the things I loved about this episode. We're talking about the guy who was in a coma since this show started! They all used to eat lunch and nap in there because it was so quiet! Come to find out, he was only semi-comatose and had been keeping up on the gossip the entire time. This is just a perfect example of something that proves this show still has a pulse.
However, I hope it wasn't symbolic to any extent. Does Really Old Guy represent the quality of the first few seasons? If so... he's dead. This guy's comatose body was a staple of the show early on. OK, I'm officially reading into it too much.
Anyway, I'd make the same argument when it comes to Alex -- he gives the show a pulse too. I've always been indifferent about his character, but I'm starting to like how he's developing. He's a complete ass and he proved it on numerous occasions in this episode... but it's fun to watch. From outing George and his second year status to the other interns to flipping out on his new intern, Alex's scenes (whether you'll admit it or not) are great. He's become a new reason to stick with this show in my book. Speaking his new old man intern, what's his name? Norm Shales? That's just ridiculous because they're doing the exact same thing on House right now. You see that a lot though, two shows with the exact same story.
Anyway, the one story that sort of focused on Alex was definitely the best one in the episode. Sloan and Weber tried a radical new procedure involving tongues and nerves and leg muscles, Derek got dragged into it at the last minute, and it forced Alex to perform some risky techniques (needles shoved in eyes) on a younger patient in Bailey's clinic. All of it just tied together really well I thought.
However, I was surprised at some of it. It seemed very unlike Weber to put his desire to try a new procedure ahead of the well-being of a patient. Same goes for Sloan and I'm glad Derek called them out on it after they left the OR. That woman might have never spoken again because two doctors wanted to prove that "they still had it." Regardless, it was the highlight of the hour and not because medical history was made or whatever.
I suppose since the show is named after her that we should talk about Meredith. Nothing all too exciting there. She's not being honest with Cristina about Derek and Cristina's not being honest with her about Burke and it's honestly just a lot of blah blah blah. Fortunately, while she started out the episode as her usual whiny self, it ended with a positive scene between her and Lexie. Meredith explained everything that happened with Lexie's mom. I suppose it was inevitable that those two would start to bond. Hopefully it sticks though because when they fight? Annoying.
I doubt very much that Meredith will approve of Lexie and Alex giving each other the "elevator eyes." Lexie is a series regular though and she's already gone three whole episodes without getting frisky. She's due for some naked time with someone. Alex? Derek? Sloan? I'm sure any of them would be ready, willing, and able. Well maybe not Derek. He's still having plenty of "secret break up sex" with Meredith.
The biggest disappointment in this episode was Bailey. She was back to her old self last week and already she's reverted into this soft, understanding woman. She's being nice to Callie and even offering help. This is not the Bailey we're used to. Then again, if you ask me, this is the show we're used to either.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-12-2007 @ 12:24AM
radwimp said...
Alex is the best thing on the show right now. I wish PP would fail already so we can get good Addison back... why does this show feel like it's dragged on for 10 seasons or something... anyways.
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10-12-2007 @ 12:45AM
Jordan said...
Agreed. Addison has always been one of my favorite characters and I am missing her in Seattle. Her new show sucks, it lacks the chemistry of Grey's, and I pray everyday when I load up "Tvsquad" the first headline I read is "Private Practice cancelled, Kate Walsh coming back to Seattle."
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10-12-2007 @ 12:45AM
BC said...
Umm, if Weber and Sloan had performed the standard procedure, the woman *definitely* wouldn never have spoken again. The thing about new procedures is, they have to be performed in order to be learned. And they don't always work and sometimes they take a few iterations to perfect.
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10-12-2007 @ 8:11AM
BC said...
Umm, if Weber and Sloan had performed the standard
procedure, the woman *definitely* would never have spoken again. The thing about new procedures is, they have to be performed in order to be learned. And they don't always work and sometimes they take a few tries to perfect.
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10-12-2007 @ 8:12AM
erika said...
Jonathan Toomey, I have to say you brought up some good points, but next time please try to cut down some of your rambling. However, I do agree that the show really lacks some of the intensity and attention grabbing that it once had. I would say we deffinately need Addison back, the show is just not the same without her. Also, Meredith, Izzie, George, Callie and ESPECIALLY Christina need to stop being so god damn depressed and mopey. Its not only annoying but it sets an awkward, almost dreary tone to the whole show. SO lets hope next week is better!
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10-12-2007 @ 8:12AM
jeff said...
For the last two seasons, our household has been patiently waiting for Callie to go away. Maybe this will finally happen if George can muster enough strength to walk away.
There have been a few callbacks to earlier seasons already this season (the "Meredith? Meredith?" triangle, Bailey's Rules, etc). I'm hoping it is a sign from the writers that they're going back to the roots of the show, back to basics and not a subtle indication that they've run out of ideas.
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10-12-2007 @ 8:12AM
Ryan said...
How very weird. I hated (HATED!) last week and sorta kinda liked this week. Of course I just hate iGeorge overall, so that hasn't changed.
What I realized last week though is I want Izzie to go. It's NOT going to happen being an Emmy winner and all, but while Callie and George are also not at fault, it seems Izzie has been the backbone of all of this, well, crap. In addition she loves herself way too much. And yes, you mentioned that once again she got attached to a patient. This girl has abandonment issues.
But this episode *felt* like a season one episode, which is why I liked it. It was also largely less negative than last episode.
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10-12-2007 @ 8:13AM
Mel said...
Ermm...Bailey being soft again? Did you miss the part where she yelled at the Old Intern when Alex started to apologize to him?
If you're just basing the construct of her character on the last few scenes with Callie, then you need to realize that what Bailey did was the only decent thing she could have done given the circumstances Callie was in and it was obvious to everybody that she's going through something. Bailey's tough, but she's not a monster. Which part of the last 3 seasons has made you think otherwise?
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10-12-2007 @ 10:13AM
Joni said...
Oh well, let me be the one then. I loved the episode! You are right about one thing: Alex rocks. His scenes are powerful and always entertaining, so are his stories. On everything else I hardly agree, Bailey was Bailey as usual. She is the Nazi, but she is also a wonderful person. And she wants a career. So her actions towards Callie are not just being soft but also help her own stand in the hospital. She isn't #1 anymore but she made sure she will be right behind being #2 and nothing less. I am sorry but her plot was very in character IMO.
I love Christina being whiny to steel surgerys! So funny how bad her acting was!
And well I kinda ship GIzzie, so that worked well for me.
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10-12-2007 @ 10:13AM
Georgia said...
I thought the biggest disappointment was when Alex "outed" George in the elevator.
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10-12-2007 @ 10:14AM
Tammy said...
Can someone tell me exactly what George said at the end? I stopped taping Big Shots and as usual, it ran over and my DVR cut it off. I need to remember to add a minute next week.
I never would have thought out of all the characters that Callie would be one of the ones that people are split over. I love Callie. I love the actress, I love the character and I miss her old spirit. But granted if I thought my husband was cheating on me, I would be a tad depressed and wanting to hide for a while too. I hope this doesn't last long and she goes back to kicking butt and please don't make her pregnant... that's not where I want to see that story line go.
Seriously.... they need to work on Meredith, Izzy and Christina... that's what has been missing for me. Well maybe Meredith is back to her old self but I'm not a fan of hers anyway. But Christina is not as cut throat as she should be and Izzy use to be the bold strong intern who posed for pictures to pay for med school.... remember? I don't like the wishy washy Izzy at all.
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10-12-2007 @ 9:32AM
Jimmy said...
I have to agree with commenter Mel, I think your idea of what the nazi was like is wrong. Yeah, Bailey is the toughest doctor there and is hard on her interns, but as she explained to Alex, there's a reason for that...you know, people's lives and all that. I actually thought the final moments between Callie and Miranda were true to her character. Bailey has been written as a backstabbing bitch for the last few episodes; completely undermining Callie's authority at every turn. Yeah, there's something to be said about the fact that Callie's not strong enough to be in that role, just yet, but having someone constantly undermine you doesn't help. Baily has always had a heart of gold; her toughness on everyone around is born of that, not of some meanness within in her personality.
These last few episodes I've been liking the character of Alex. It seemed like he'd turned over a new leaf and actually become a doctor, but in the final moments of this episode he reverted to form when he outed George. That wasn't Alex emulating Bailey; that was Alex being a bastard because he can. There's a major difference.
Unlike you, I thought this was a rather good episode, but I do agree Grey's is not as good as it used to be. But what series really is? Even CSI isn't as good as it used to be.
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10-12-2007 @ 10:14AM
Mike said...
@11:
George said "I slept with Izzie" then fade to black.
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10-12-2007 @ 10:15AM
Bailey said...
1) I think everyone's going a little soft. It's an epidemic.
2) Good call about Really Old Intern - it was wierd on House, and it's even wierder with Rory's grampa.
3) I miss Callie Torres. F* Callie O'Malley - she sucks. Bring back the brass bitch.
4) Didn't they already do a "tell everyone your secrets just in case you can't" storyline? Or was that deja vu from another of the 64 medical shows?
Having said that, go George. We all know iGeorge isn't going to work out, but he can't live like this.
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10-12-2007 @ 12:08PM
pinkpearlhtml said...
As usual I kept on waiting for this to be better and it always fails. They need a huge overhall on this show. Alex is such an ass-at first I was going to say I hated him. But I guess that is what they want us to do. And that last move on the elevator...so horrendous! What an a**h*le! So good job on that. But puleeze the whole thing about George telling the obnoxious woman to speak her peace because he wasnt sure if she was going to be able to talk again. Um...OK...so what? Were they going to chop off her fingers? She could always write things down or learn sign language for petes sakes. IT WAS REDICULOUS! Last my "favorite" person on the show...Merideth. Give me a break. You all think Gizzie is the worst pairing I think Meredith and McDreamy are the worst. Get a back bone Dr Mc, and dump her whiny oh so complaining butt!
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10-12-2007 @ 12:08PM
justelise said...
I think the Callie character is great, but she and George make a horrible couple. She married George even though the corpse of his Dad wasn't even cold. What kind of person does that? It's obvious that George was not in the state of mind to be making decisions of that caliber when he got married (he was so upset he was practically bipolar). For her to go along with it (probably out of desperation and the fact that she sees George as some kind of prize, after all he's the heart in the elevator guy) is unconscionable. She was the one who should've stopped him from doing anything rash because she wasn't grieving. I feel as though Callie's been nudging and pushing George in a specific direction since they started going out and it bothers me. I think that's what made me very disappointed in her in general. I don't find it odd at all that George sought out Izzie for comfort and ultimately slept with her. I'm not a fan of iGeorge, but I have less contempt for Izzie (when it comes to George) than I do for Callie.
Your impression of Bailey is way off. She was always a compassionate person who was bound and determined to keep her interns from killing anyone. Thus the yelling and the tough love. She's an excellent teacher, but we know that no one can go around yelling all the time and still have the respect and admiration of their subordinates which Bailey obviously still has. Everyone that works with Bailey with the exception of Callie loves her for her strength, her composure when things get crazy, and her fairness. Just because she's not pitching a fit or taking off the kid gloves with her superiors in every scene doesn't mean she's softened. Callie wishes she had Bailey's management ability just as much as Bailey wishes she had gotten her job. They cannot keep the place running without working together, which is why Bailey volunteered to help. I doubt Callie would've asked her for help because she's too insecure about herself and her performance in this new role.
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10-12-2007 @ 3:58PM
jigme chhimi said...
Please for the love of GOD bring back Dr. Burke and Meridith....
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10-13-2007 @ 8:57PM
Merle said...
I wasn't going to watch this year but here I am taping the darn show. Last night was a little better than the first 2 episodes but please bring Burke back. I love Sandra Oh but she needs Burke.
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10-13-2007 @ 1:37AM
Nancy said...
I have not been happy with the end of last season, and the begining of this season. The show lost 2 POWER people, Burke and Addison, and gained little meak "Mer's" half sister. George needs to start acting like a man and not a coward, and think about his career first. The whole cast is weak! The show needs pazazz or it is going to loose their loyal fans like us!
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10-14-2007 @ 10:03PM
Scott said...
Whether you want to admit it or not, this show is seriously missing something, with the absence of Washington/Dr. Burke. Dr. Burke added a serious counterpoint to McDreamy's personal and professional flightiness. Burke was the professional validictorian of the bunch, and the texture his storylines brought to the show is sorely missed. Without Burke, Christina, Bailey, Shepherd and even thei Chief's characters are missing a critical confidante.
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