(S05E17) "There's no fixing you. You're a lemon." - Derek
It's official: I'm an emotional loser. After two weeks without my weekly Medical/High School drama, Grey's is back and even more dramatic than I remember. Has Grey's Anatomy been this good in a while? I always thought that with such a big ensemble cast, the show was bound to have loose ends. With this episode, it seems as though each character is what I remember from the first two seasons.
With no big guest stars this week, the characters developed amongst themselves. I appreciate the return of the Meredith/Christina friendship, now back at full strength, but why does it seem like when Meredith solves one thing, another falls apart? She suffers from the Chaos theory.
I've never been that keen on either Lexie or Arizona. Somehow, both characters in this episode miraculously become genuine individuals. Arizona just needed to be knocked down a peg and she became human all of the sudden. Her whisper to Alex -- "You Go, Karev" -- maintains that chipper attitude, but it's not as in your face. Lexie, although really a Little Meredith with parallel problems as her older sister, has benefited from not having Sadie around. She is a smart girl who can diagnose problems, unlike all those really idiotic interns.
Speaking of Arizona, Callie tends to get these horrible storylines. I don't get why her character gets so messed up. She's a great surgeon and a good person. After the whole George and Hahn situation, she is definitely rebounding and happily not too fast. I still appreciate the time she has with Mark, because it helps focus both characters.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Owen's situation. The whole post traumatic stress syndrome is definitely going to get worse before it gets fixed. If anyone watches this season of The Real World, Ryan has had the same PTSS problems and it doesn't go away. I applaud Christina for trying her best to deal with the situation, but she's going to go through a lot.
There was definitely a standout patient of the week: Beth, band girl with seizures. Not only do we get to learn that Alex was a high school wrestler (kinda hot), but he also uses his instincts and believes in himself. The seizure squad is horribly mean, and it's funny that even with the geeks and dorks, there's a pecking order. Alex emerged a stronger, more confident person. It's a shame that he probably won't be able to celebrate it with Izzie.
As the main character of the show, Meredith didn't get much airtime, but it was just right for the episode. I think she dealt with the whole Derek situation correctly, and she's invested too much time and passion in Derek to just fall into his drunken trap. There's a part of me that can't believe that the Chief told Meredith about Derek proposing; was it really his place to tell Meredith? I'm sure they just used that to set up the ending tiff between Meredith and Derek. Statistically, I couldn't hit a ring with a baseball bat in the dark.
Then there are the people we saw for two minutes. I have loved Loretta Devine since the show Boston Public, so whenever Adele shows up, it's all good in my book. She comes in as a mother to fix the whole Bailey/Chief situation, in both a funny and strict parental way. It's a shame that George was only on the show for a few minutes, especially with those rumors of him and Izzie walking. Granted, George has gone through a lot, but that doesn't give writers the right to write him out when he's still working.
Finally, why was Dr. Nelson mentioned on this show? I understand that there are always "other" doctors in the hospital, but why mention Shadow Sheppard? I guess we'll have to watch and find out.
And then there's Izzie. If this isn't the oddest way of writing off a character, I don't know what is. This whole episode had this passive/aggressive nature. Izzie gets upset at the interns for not being able to diagnose "Patient X," but she laughs at Meredith and Christina when they talk on top of each other.
With that said, I have two hopes: I hope they keep the cast the same after Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight walk. You can't just add two characters and have life be all hunky-dory. Also, I hope to find a boiler room where wind puffs up my hair and I miraculously get to tell people what's on my mind.
Next week seems to have a lot of Christina in it. I'd better have a box of tissues ready.
Grey's Anatomy' Photos
Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of her new public service announcement produced by OTCSafety.org at Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City.
Joe Corrigan/WireImage.com
Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of her new public service announcement produced by OTCSafety.org at Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City.
Joe Corrigan/WireImage.com
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of a new public service announcement for OTCsafety.org at the Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Wilson
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of a new public service announcement for OTCsafety.org at the Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Wilson
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of a new public service announcement for OTCsafety.org at the Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Wilson
Getty Images
Actor Patrick Dempsey (R) and wife Jillian Dempsey arrive at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan/WireImage.com
Chandra Wilson and Debra Birnbaum, Editor-in-Chief of TV Guide Magazine, arrive at TV Guide
Chris Weeks/WireImage.com
Actress Chandra Wilson arrives at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Steve Granitz/WireImage.com
Actor Patrick Dempsey poss in the press room during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan/WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Sandra Oh and Patrick Dempsey pose in the press room during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan/WireImage.com
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-13-2009 @ 4:03AM
Cyantre said...
Death Cab for Cutie song title, ftw.
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 4:39AM
Phish said...
I fell asleep about 2/3rds into the episode, and i watched it live! Not tivo! So its wayy before my bedtime, just goes to show the quality is nowhere near where it used to be.
This show and Heroes have really been a huge letdown, makes one skeptical about investing time into a new show, only to have it either cancelled, or destroyed by idiotic writing and management.
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 7:11AM
bruce said...
I too fell alseep about 40 or so minutes into the show! Not sure why.
Are Heigl and Knight DEFINITELY leaving the show? 100% certain/confirmed? I've been hearing this for years now. They said Izzy has a 5% chance of survival, which in Grey's Anatomy world means she'll be just fine after some serious crying and intense background music plus hugging.
Anyway, like usual, I feel the biggest flaw of this show is having Meredith Grey be the central character. She's the worst character on the show, but that wouldn't be so bad if she were just one of many, not a "first among equals" sort of situation.
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 9:20AM
Michael Pascua said...
I don't think anything is confirmed yet, but the way the two seem to be written either out or further into the background makes some valid sense.
I agree with the poster that Derek will probably do the surgery. But when the whole contract situation comes along, it will be the solution to Izzie's life or death. Even if she survives and leaves, they'll probably turn her into a vegetable.
I think that that 5% represents Katherine Heigl's chance of coming back.
3-13-2009 @ 8:35AM
Cathy said...
The situations in the show are so transparent. Izzie has some sort of brain cancer, right? Derek feels like a failure. He will return to operate on Izzie (because she needs the best) and will either save her (5% chance) and become Super Surgeon again, or she will die and give Mer a reason to be angry at Derek. Whatever.
I wish George would get more screen time.
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 8:53AM
Cathy said...
Or...Izzie will need some sort of transplant, George will be a match, he will offer to be the donor, and they will both die on the table-- BFFs forever. That would be a write-off!
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 9:16AM
SadOldMan said...
Izzie will get a head transplant, and come back next season played by a different actress.
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 9:27AM
SJP said...
My prediction: Shadow Shepherd is going to crack. He's been there for 10 years yet no one acknowledges him or even knows his name. He's going to show up one day at the hospital with a bunch of weapons screaming "MY NAME IS JIM not JOHN!!!!!!" and go on a rampage and specifically target Superstar Derek. Izzie, caught in the crossfire, will get shot in the head.
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 2:55PM
bashar said...
izzie and george aren't leaving, it was just a misunderstanding! It was even posted on tv squad
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 5:57PM
Sancty said...
Bashar's right... they're not leaving!
It is frustrating when the TV Squad bloggers don't read their own website!
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 5:58PM
Michael Pascua said...
Whoops, okay. I guess I'm still in "doomsday" mode, where everything bad will happen on Greys, all in the season finale so I have to wait all summer to find out what happens.
3-13-2009 @ 7:10PM
Matthew Fleigle said...
We found out karev was a wrestler wayyyy before this, he told a patient in either season one or two. It might have been the episode where the patient needed to give part of his liver to his abusive father
Reply
3-13-2009 @ 10:29PM
juanis30 said...
Maybe Izzie will need something from her daughter to help save her life, they mention her a couple of seasons ago and I have been waiting for them to address that she gav her up for adoption.
Reply
3-14-2009 @ 2:00PM
scazza said...
It wasn't passive agressive of Izzie, BTW. She's living with death, so she's seeing things clearer, seeing what matters. She's pushing the interns to be better doctors, and because she's scared and needed the diagnosis. She's also seeing her friends who she won't survive, she's appreciating them and life and seeing it for what it is. You thought she was angry about everyone's future? I think she was trying to enjoy what time she has left.
Reply
3-14-2009 @ 2:06PM
scazza said...
Oh and Derek will definitely have to operate on her. I think it was even in the shots of the next episode, Izzie on the table.
I think Meredith and Yang are definitely handling things well, one day at a time, and being comitted. Yes, depression and PTSD are chronic conditions, but you can live with them especially through your committement and diligence to your spouse and your work. A great metaphor for all troubles in life.
Reply
3-16-2009 @ 12:40PM
Joyce S said...
The Actor who plays Derek said on a talk show just lately that ALL the characters have 2 yr contracts and not one of the main actor/actresses contract is up soon!
Reply
3-16-2009 @ 1:08PM
Tara said...
Sorry for the late response. I just watched the episode last night. I think the reason why Shadow Shepherd was introduced was to show a similarity with Sloan. Sloan is trying to prove to the Chief that he is not a second rate surgeon. When he found out about Shadow Shepherd, Kalli was fixing his hand, so he can get in the OR. Then after that, he went to boast to the Chief about how he accomplished several outstanding surgeries, and the Chief's response was "Have you seen Shepherd?" Then Sloan walked away, looking pretty disappointed. Remember that!
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 4:49PM
Scott said...
Derrick and Meredith aside... I think you people all have too much time on your hands. LOL
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