(S04E06) "Are you two... a couple?" - Hahn
I think we might have finally reached a turning point for Grey's Anatomy. This wasn't the best episode, but it set up a lot of things that I think the show desperately needed. The most noticeable difference? The addition of Dr. Hahn. She's added a fresh voice to the Seattle Grace staff and her presence has given life to a simmering feud between Cristina and Izzie which I can't wait to see unfold. We saw some great development from the ongoing saga that is Derek and Meredith, Lexie became more than just "the other Grey," and George and Izzie finally hit a roadblock.
That's right, the beginning of the end! We're witnessing history here folks. iGeorge is becoming obsolete! Thankyouthankyouthankyou. Izzie (in her quest for perfection) can't seem to bring herself to hop in the sack with George! She wants the right moment, the right everything. We all know that is never going to happen. Sure, she was fatigued from her surgery, but c'mon. I'm calling it right now. They're done. If they can't get it on now, then they never will. Hopefully that's the intention here because George and Callie came to terms in this episode too. So if we're lucky, we can lay this entire twisted sex triangle to rest and try to achieve some semblance of normalcy.
Fortunately, as I mentioned, a meatier (far more interesting) story for Izzie has already been set-up -- a feud with Cristina. Hahn, as you may recall from last week, does not like Cristina. As a result, she's chosen Izzie to help out on all of her cardio surgeries. Even after Cristina figured out a way to perform awake open heart surgery on a patient that was allergic to anesthesia, Hahn still picked Izzie to assist! I love it! Seeing Cristina get shut down like that was awesome. I love when she gets put in her place. One point to address though. There was a lot of talk about being "hardcore" in this episode. I found it interesting how that applied to both Izzie and Cristina. Izzie preps for a huge surgery by getting to know the patient. Cristina preps for a surgery by getting to know... the surgery. Look how it paid off for Izzie when the guy flipped out on the table. Had Cristina been assisting, who knows what would have happened. It'll be interesting to see if Hahn picks up on this key difference between the two of them.
I think she probably will. Hahn is no fool. Look how she spoke to Richard on her first day! That jab about being an attending and not being invited to the "guy's night out" was flawless by itself. She made an excellent point about the message it sends. But then she took it a step further with the comparison to country club outings with "no blacks allowed." Oh, snap! She's sassy, and regardless of the rumors that have been swirling regarding her character's sexuality, I already like her better than Addison. I actually hope that she does play for the other team. It'll be nice to have a female on this show who won't be hopping in the sack with any of the guys.
As I mentioned, Meredith and Derek both took some serious steps forward in this episode. Meredith finally realized that she's in love with Derek and that she needs to let him know how she feels. At the same time, Derek realized that he can't take care of Meredith anymore and that more importantly, she won't let him. So that creates a bit of a standoff. I think for the good of the show, they need to have a really solid falling out. Keep them apart, at least for the rest of the season. The show is called Grey's Anatomy. So give us another aspect of her life already. Or at least someone else to sleep with. After that poll I added to my review last week, the overwhelming consensus seems to be Sloan. So maybe he's next?
Now Meredith's epiphany came courtesy of her patient, a guy who went skydiving with a faulty parachute and lived to talk about it. Grey's Anatomy does that a lot. Cases that are way too "in step" with what the main characters are going through. Sometimes it's done well and sometimes it's not. This was a case of the latter. Not good at all. Meredith's situation was corny enough, but add in Callie and George's involvement with the two bridezillas and Izzie's comparisons of sex with George to her heart patient's desire to see a horn-crusted yellow-bellied barn swallow (or whatever the hell that bird was called), and it was just too much. Why does everyone need a person dying on a hospital bed to tell them what to do? It'd be nice to see decisions get made that weren't contingent on how the guy in Exam Room A lost all his fingers.
The only people that (currently) seem to be doing whatever they want are Alex and Lexie. Which is why I suppose they slept together. Birds of a feather. While I'm not a fan of them as an item, I'll support it if it means no more Ava/Rebecca. Alex needs to get her out of his mind and if that means hopping in bed with Lexie Grey, then fine by me. I think he probably does like Lexie to some extent. He did pull her from the closet and take her under his wing, but he definitely made it clear that he was hung up on someone else and was only in this for the sex. So if Lexie is indeed everything that Meredith is not, then maybe we'll see her actually make a long term play for Alex.
Other ramblings...
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While everyone seems to support Sloan being Meredith's next hook-up, I think Sloan is probably in-line to be Callie's rebound first. If not, then why else would he be acting so nice to her and offering to torture George? Plus, he's been with Callie before which definitely raises his odds.
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Webber living in a trailer right next to Derek's place is hilarious. That common area between the two trailers needs to be utilized for more scenes. The "gentlemen's evening" was nice, but scotch and Monopoly (Hahn included) was kind of dumb. I wasn't expecting strippers but I was hoping we'd find out some weird quirk about Webber. Maybe his way of relaxing is getting a facial or re-enacting Civil War battles. I don't know, something goofy. Monopoly and scotch was safe. This could have been funnier.
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Once again, Bailey was almost non-existent. What happened to her constantly harping on Callie? Or anyone for that matter?
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I loved when Hahn called Derek and Sloan "pretty" and "prettier."
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Cristina had one shining moment in the episode. While Meredith was going on and on about her issues, Cristina said there's a big difference between being aware of your problems and actually overcoming them. Excellent point as it applies to so many things in this show.
I like where this is all going. We can only hope that iGeorge is indeed losing steam. Hopefully the same goes for Meredith and Derek. For the same reasons that people are put off by Jim and Pam being together on The Office, Meredith and Derek need to stay apart. The second the couple you want to see get together gets together... it loses all its mojo. When Grey's Anatomy first started out, half the fun of the show was the "everyone wants to get laid" mentality. Now it's the "everyone wants to settle down" mentality. Fortunately, that seems to be breaking up. Get it? Breaking up! Ha!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-02-2007 @ 12:32AM
Jonathan Toomey said...
The only other thing I'm wondering about is the title. I don't think there was a reference to the song "Kung Fu Fighting" (and yes, before anyone says it, I know that every episode is a song title), but what did it refer to? I'm assuming the quiet, calculated battles that were being played out -- like two kung fu masters. Especially Izzie/Cristina and Callie/George. Any other thoughts?
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11-02-2007 @ 6:39AM
Denise said...
You've got to be kidding me with the Mer/Der break up for awhile. THEY HAVE DONE THAT....TRY ALL OF SEASON TWO.
We've invested more than three seasons now..Just get them together. I dno't know why you would care anyway as you seem really bent on the George and Izzie story more than anything and did not even give us a Mer/Der option in the poll. Could it be that a recent US magazine poll had 87 percent of fans STILL wanting Mer/Der together? Guess they didnt' catch this online piece..it might have changed their minds...NOT.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:15AM
Susan Burns said...
I am tired of Meredith being miserable. Enough already, she never had a relationship with her father, and she doesn't now. She would have killed a cat to have been with him season 2, but now she's pushing him away. I love quirky Meredith Grey, not miserable woe is me Meredith. Thank goodness, there's Lexie because she's quirky too (which truly shows the 2 of them are related.)
Enough thoughts, bell's rung...gotta teach.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:15AM
Alicia said...
I looked at my husband at the end of this episode and said, "Ha! GA is Back!" I think that Hahn was so needed!
I LIKED this episode.
My favorite part though was at the end when Merideth comes out of her room and sees Lexie and Alex, and Lexie saying "Please tell me you don't live with Merideth Grey."
And well... I think the scotch and Monopoly was classic.
I just hope they keep it up.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:16AM
Jimmy said...
Burke who? Casting Brooke Smith as a series regular was the best move Grey's has made in years. Smith's portrayal of Hahn as this ballsy, strong woman is a refreshing change from all the other women on this show (with the exception of Dr. Bailey). I loved how she took down the chief, and she was totally correct, and it's hilarious how she puts Dreamy and Steamy in their place. The scenes between those three were the best of the episode. With the loss of Addison, Hahn is a breath of fresh air.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:23AM
Nicole said...
I'm so with Jonathan...I hope Izzie and George loss steam. They never should of gotten together.Especially this close after him and Cally split up. I mean come on you just split (not legally yet) from your wife and you already have a new gf? THat's kid of mean. Then when Izzie broke down the look on George's face was awesome. It was a look of 'what am I doing?' or 'wtf?' I am rooting for der/mer.they need to get together and just leave it like. I agree that Sloan might be with Cally next. They fit in some wierd way.Not to date tho.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:56AM
Jame said...
I love Hahn.
I stopped watching at the end of last season because I hated the GeoIzzie story line.
I just watched GA online because of boredom and Hahn amuses me. I really do hope they make her character gay because the woman characters constant problems with men are seeming a little ridiculous.
Last night's episode was definitely a step in the right direction.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:57AM
Andrea said...
Alex must have known that Lexis is Meredith's sister. The former interns know everything about each other (including the colour, shape and size of their fecal matter, likely) and Alex living with Meredith gives him more access to her life.
If so, I'm not sure if it was cool of him to take her back to his place.
Dr. Hahn is great. The fact that Brooke Smith is currently also on Weeds (also in medical uniform) momentarily throws me here and there.
I liked the scotch and Monopoly I didn't think that "boys night" was inappropriately discriminatory but Hahn's reaction did provide humourous filler.
Of course Izzie and George won't/shouldn't/can't be together, and Callie and Sloane are going to become fuck buddies.
The episode itself wasn't great but I do appreciate that it set up future episodes. Sometimes the purpose of an episode needs to be to move the plot forward.
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11-02-2007 @ 10:57AM
K31 said...
I HATE HATE HATE Hahn She is such a HUGE B!! I can't believe you like her better than Adison(maybe the current PP Adison i could understand but not old Adison) at least she was sassy and no-nonsense but you could still see she was human-Hahn just comes off as some puffed up machine w/a scalpel up her butt.
And I'm sorry but I have to agree w/the boys there was nothing wrong w/a boys night-they were friendly (Chief is living on Derek's land for goodness sake!!) before she came in so why should they have to include her now or not be all friends at all?? The only thing i will give her is that she shouldn't have to run her surgeries by the Chief b/c Burke never did that either.
But Overall, I really hope they don't focus too much on her. And yes, it's nice to see Christina get knocked down a peg a time or two but not letting her at least scrub in WITH Izzie was LOW--there wouldn't have been a surgery w/out her--even if her motives were not orginally pure.
And hopefully the SLoan & Mere won't happen b/c that would for sure mean the final end to the Derek and Sloan rekindled friendship-which i think is good for the show
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11-02-2007 @ 10:57AM
Ang said...
I know everyone hates on Gizzie about I think that they are the most refreshingly real couple on this show and maybe in prime time. (who has not been psyched for a romantic night only to just want to go to sleep because your day sucked and left you wrecked) My friends & I both watch the show and every Thursday rermark about how much we wish we had a 'George' in our life. So to quote Chris Crocker.. "Leave GIZZIE alone!" They are so much more functional than Meredith & Derek ever were.
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11-02-2007 @ 1:03PM
justelise said...
Hahn is awesome. I love the fact that you know she could steamroll over just about every woman in that hospital with the exception of Bailey. I also like to see Christina get shut down. I think that now that Burke is gone, taking her unfair advantage with him, Christina is going to have to play on a more level playing field with the others. I hope Hahn continues to choose the intern that is most well suited for the case rather than the one who might know the surgery the best. I can't wait to see her continue to put pretty and prettier in their place along with the chief if necessary.
I'm completely indifferent about Meredith and her relationship(s). That shouldn't be the case for the lead character in a series. I'm also indifferent about Alex. I think it's time for him to get over Ava, but for Lexie? C'mon. Everyone knows she's gonna want more out of Alex than he can give of himself. The only two women he'd softened for are gone now and he can't have Izzie, so he'll likely become a total ass once again. Maybe he'll even tap Callie just to get George's guile up.
I am tired of people hating on the George/Izzie relationship. Maybe they'll be able to love and heal each other because they both had some really bad experiences. If that's the most they get out of that relationship, it's still a win win for them.
Isn't it about time Sloane developed real feelings for a chick? Maybe he'll hook up with Callie and fall for her. I think it'd be fun if he were in a relationship for a while and Derek wasn't. A little role reversal would be an interesting twist. It is good, however, to see them actually operating as friends again though.
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11-02-2007 @ 1:42PM
iamhoff said...
Pretty and prettier...classic! I also think that Hahn was the breath of fresh air that GA needed. Cristina is on the defensive, Izzie has a mentor/supporter, and Webber got himself out maneuvered. So many new directions these 3 factors can take the show.
I liked Alex hooking up with Lexi. For Alex, it's good to see him move a little past Eva, at least for a bit. For Lexi, I see one of two things, either of which could be interesting story developments. If she really turns out to be like her sister, she's going to get clingy and really make an effort to pursue Alex. If she's her own person and willingly jumped into bed with him after his "I'm just in it for the sex" speech, maybe she'll evolve into a more forceful, dynamic person. Or at least get her out of the charting closet.
And I think it will be interesting to see where iGeorge goes, with the introduction of Hardcore Izzie. Yes, she couldn't pull it off in bed, but she's new at the hardcore thing and was exhausted. Ultimately I think iGeorge is doomed, but I do think they'll pull it together long enough to make sure all the pieces fit together properly.
Finally, Cristina is an interesting wildcard. I don't think she's ever had someone deny her more forcefully or put her in her place more directly. Watching her in the gallery, "doing" the surgery was actually kind of pathetic. She's never going to win, or even convince Hahn to give her a chance. Besides the ugly comments she made towards Hahn last ep (and previously), her poor judgement (helping Burke with surgeries when he was still injured, sleeping with Burke, sleeping with her other doctor/professor/whatever) and the fact that (until tonight) she was a strong, forceful woman herself are turnoffs to Hahn. And I'm not meaning in a sexual way. I don't think Hahn is a lesbian (interesting plot direction, tho'), but I think she's the cougar-type. She's an alpha and I can see her using men simply as sex toys. She doesn't present as the relationship type, and I think she knows Cristina's history as an offshoot of Burke (who was definitely an authority at Seattle Grace) to be a threat to her role as an alpha woman, particularly in Cardio. In any respect, the season is really starting to make some strides. Next week sounds like it's going to be all sex all the time, so I guess we'll wait and see if they can keep the momentum going.
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11-02-2007 @ 2:59PM
nattyff said...
love hanh!!! she just put everyone in their places (specially crhistina wich a LOVE), great move. IGEORGE RULES!!!! and i don't see the end of it because of these episode, in fact makes it more real (not everybody can have a sexy night after a hard day of work) and it's so much better have the intimacy to just sleep........
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11-02-2007 @ 4:24PM
Sarah said...
The LAST thing this show needs is another Meredith and Derek break up, her going to some other guy, him with another girl. Then cheating sex again.
Either put them together together for good. Or keep them apart FOREVER.
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11-04-2007 @ 3:46PM
Tanya said...
Meredith got on my nerves for a few seconds only which was a world record for me! The episode was grt and reminiscent of the old Grey. Hahn is a grt addition and I think its interesting to watch Christina and Izzie angling for the same surgeries. Christina needs to know that she isnt god gift to surgery.
Loved Izzie and its nice to see that her compassion wasn't taken in the wrong sense for once by fellow doctors. Very cool episode but I am now confused abt Gizzie.
I think if Gizzie ends maybe we will see Sloan hooking uo with Izzie? She is the only one who wasnt too impressed by him and didnt cow down when she was his intern.
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11-04-2007 @ 3:46PM
M said...
You must be effing kidding with me. Break up Meredith and Derek until the end of the season? It is BS like this that gives Shonda her ridiculous ideas. Shut up and mind your own business.
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11-04-2007 @ 3:47PM
Cat said...
I am loving Dr. Hahn! She fills a much needed void since Addison left-- the strong, no-nonsense, smart, sexy woman. I'm glad she's going to be a regular now.
And Gizzie just needs to end NOW. Please, please, please... let it die.
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11-04-2007 @ 3:49PM
pillippipi said...
I think Meredith and Derek will be always in love.... it's a log and beautiful story.... I'm so sorry for Derek....!!!
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11-04-2007 @ 3:49PM
Linda said...
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! On the Meredith & Derek staying apart.....NO. That will be a quick was to see a significant drop in the ratings.
You might try watching a show called Friday Night Lights because they manage to show a loving married couple successfully.
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11-04-2007 @ 3:50PM
Alexandra said...
Although i'm a hard core fan of MerDer (and I do hope they get down and dirty more frequently), I would like to see Izzie and George end up together. I mean like Callie was never meant for George... he doesn't love her. That should be reason enough. Obviously, they shouldn't be together.
The Alex & Lexie thing - Not a big fan.
Hahn being on the other side of the fence - yay to that!
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