TVSquad

(S01E08) "If they talk about us, we should talk about them." - Sam to Pete and Cooper

I'm not sure I like the port Cooper found in his storm and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone thinking this (let your voice be heard in our poll). It's clear they are trying to make Charlotte more meaningful but for me, it's too little too late. The character was almost as poorly introduced and as useful as Nikki and Paulo were on Lost. Let's hope that the Private Practice writers know where they are going with this because it could ruin the show's best character: Cooper.

It's the morning after, and the men are trying to avoid the women. Things are awkward between the two camps and they do their best to not face each other for a while but eventually they have to because otherwise it would be unbearable to work together. Cooper and Violet decide to not address their bare encounter and to be friends again. Addison and Pete are able to work together despite the fact that Pete is jealous of Addison's dating while the latter think Pete stood her up for no reason. As for Sam and Naomi, I'll get to them later on.

Cooper and CanYouHandleMe441

After failing his attempt to be friends with benefits with Violet last week, Cooper goes back to his old habit: online dating. He seems rather into it and decides to meet "CanYouHandleMe441" at a local bar. Per the episode's official description, I knew Cooper would meet someone we knew. Somehow, I thought it would have been Violet. In my head it played like this: Violet decides to try online dating since it seems to work for Cooper; she meets a guy online and they agree to meet in a bar; when there, Cooper and Violet discover that they are one another's online date and they decide to hook up. Sadly, as I've stated in my intro, it didn't play out that way.

It's interesting that Charlotte's nickname is "CanYouHandleMe441." It sure shows a side of her that we didn't know existed. She has a lot bottled up inside and we saw a glimpse of how much at the end of the episode (it's burned on my retinas now!).

Addison and "Trunk"

After telling Pete that she's done with him, Addison agrees to go out on a date with Carl (played by Josh Randall). His first date with Addison goes well and he seems like someone that could be interesting for her short term. Even if he is one of Violet's patients and despite Pete's warnings, Addison is willing to give Carl a chance. But Carl has a deep secret: he's a human trunk! (Something else burned on my retinas). While at the hospital to get the shoe removed from his trunk, Carl asks Addison to break things up for him with Addison. The break up scene was quite funny as Violet needed to explain the why of the break up while not using too descriptive words! The facial expression on Addison's face when she connected the dots was priceless. She'll probably stay away from Violet's patients from now on. Let's hope Kevin (David Sutcliffe) pays her a visit soon.

Sam and Naomi

Sam and Naomi are all smiles towards one another. They know what they did the previous night may not have been the best decision they've made lately and they agree that it was a slip up. But while working on the rash case together, the Father tells them that to God and him (the Father), they'll always be married. So maybe sleeping together was not that big of a mistake? Plus the case made them realize that they are a good team. Sam makes the first move and takes Naomi's hand. They end up in bed together once again. I sure hope they reconcile because it is more interesting (and bearable) to watch them work hand in hand than be angry.

Other tidbits of interest:

• Addison's maternal instincts resurfaced when she had to take care of Marcy's baby so I guess we can expect her to try to use her remaining eggs soon.
• Lane (Keiko Agena) from Gilmore Girls guesting and Joy Lauren giving birth to a second child in less than three weeks! Talk about type casting for Joy Lauren!
  
• Dell still isn't given much to do. Actually, per the episode's official description, he was supposed to have more to do this week but the scene(s) were cut. Next episode has Dell's name in the title, so maybe we'll finally see him more than 5 minutes total in an episode.
• "I don't get stood up. I'm Addison." - Addison

The show definitely found its cruising speed lately. It is offering fair episodes with cases of the week that are not intrusive but that are interesting. There is also some character development for the six main characters every episode. I'm happy I've stuck with the show even if it's not on my "top shows of the season" list. By the way, the next episode (airing December 5) is supposed to be the last new episode of the series for a long while because the show wasn't able to complete more episodes before the strike.