(S06E01,S06E02) Every end of a television season, I ask myself, "Why do I keep watching Grey's Anatomy?" Then I realized why; I love Callie. Sure, she came into the show in the second season and isn't an "original" character, but she's become what I consider the most genuine character.
Then they start the show with "Wade in the Water?" I'm automatically an emotional wreck for two hours. Instead of a regular episodic format, the premiere episodes shifted to a timeline (Day One, Seven, Ten, Thirteen, and so on). I guess they got the memo that FlashForward was on before them.
Day one dealt with everyone coping with a return to everyday life. The two episodes, happily merged as one, set up the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) and chucks them at the cast. Callie starts the ball rolling: she has to identify George, alert Izzie, then figure out what happens to his organs with Izzie and confront the Chief.
Our main patient of the week is a girl who lost her arms to a speedboat propeller, that were sewn back (I assume by Callie, since she refers to it later). The main reason she's here is to show that Lexie needed to be a better friend and doctor. Clara (who looks like a young Nicole Kidman) then goes crazy and her arms start bleeding again.
The secondary patient, Andy, suffers from something that's not curable by muscle relaxers. Unfortunately, the Chief is under much stress and won't let Arizona do her job correctly. I felt horrible for the mother, and it continued into the second episode.
The funeral wasn't as sad as I thought it would be. There were so many pre-episode pictures up that I thought the funeral would take up half the show, then it was five minutes and it wasn't sad at all. The core group walked away and Izzie spread the giggles. She laughs at the fact that she has cancer, like this was all some really badly written show. Oh wait, it is.
We got lots of guests during the episode but Mitch Pleggi? Skinner trying to steal Derek away? Causing a coup d'etat (much better use of the term than Big Brother)? And then he looked just like his X-Files character, where you only see him behind a glass talking to the higher-ups.
The second episode/hour starts with Day 20 and quickly sets up 21. The episode went by jumping yet another 20 days by the end. The show jumps into it with the chief in a car accident because he wasn't focused; Lexie still continuing with Clara; Callie now at Mercy West; and Arizona turning to her for help. Izzie and Alex have unsaid drama.
Derek was set up as a real character in the second half, not just a one-sided McDreamy. First, Arizona and Derek finally fix the problem with Andy, then the two had some genuine interaction. Derek confronted Alex about his problems with Izzie. He took a moment to talk to Mark about the hospital's situation and ended the episode by confronting a very edgy Bailey. Miraculously, he had the time to have a lot of sex with Meredith.
To round out the characters that will still be around while Ellen Pompeo is on pregnancy leave, Lexie continued to evolve. I loved the anxiety that Lexie had with Callie. She was smart to get Owen to talk to Clara. Then that preview for next week looks like she'll be broken down.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Izzie, probably because I don't like Katherine Heigl. She's less wimpy than she was before, but she keeps going from likable (getting Amanda off of the bench) to questionable (her reaction to her cancer).
The episode ends with a strong narration happily tying up some loose ends. Then the chief drops the bomb: the hospital is merging with Mercy West. Just when Callie got away, eh? I laughed a little watching Lexie have a putz attack, but I'll feel bad for her next week. She wasn't really a doctor in any sense in this episode, just a friend to lean on.
The opening episode came on very strong. Even the little funny moments were witty: cancer pops, George being hung, poop bag, walking in on sex, and ceviche. They were placed in the right places to balance out the deep issues of grief this episode dealt with.
There was a lull some time last season, but I think getting rid of George was one of the best things this show did. It sharpened the rest of the characters, while making better connections between all the characters. There are a lot of rumors floating around involving Mercy West later on in the season, but I hope they decide not to fill in the empty gaps with a million unnecessary characters. How did the episode grip you? Leave comments below.
[Watch clips and episodes of Grey's Anatomy at SlashControl.]
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-25-2009 @ 9:44AM
tingrin87 said...
for those of us (me) who stopped watching grey's last season (it was getting kind of ridiculouswhat happened to George? how did he "die"?
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 9:44AM
Adam said...
SPOILER:
George was enlisting in the army as a trauma surgeon and was on his way to tell his mom. At a bus stop a woman walked in front of a bus and he saved her by pushing her out of the way. Bus hits George.
And now you know blah blah blah......
9-25-2009 @ 9:44AM
Jessica0602 said...
Izzie laughing was a throw back to the Code Black episode where she says she tends to laugh at inappropriate times. Hence that scene at the funeral. This recap sucks. They should probably have someone who actually LIKES the show to recap it each week.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 9:44AM
MaryKay said...
I agree with Jessica -- TY Squad please let someone who actually likes the show do the recap.
I enjoyed this episode and look forward to seeing how the season unfolds.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 9:53AM
Michael Pascua said...
It's funny, I like the show, but see the show as what it started off as: A high school drama taking place in a hospital. The writing hasn't been strong recently and if anyone argues that a person getting hit by a bus (or getting stage 4 cancer) is a good plot line, I'd like to see that.
I like most of the characters. I love Callie since she walked in. Arizona has fallen into place. Christina/Owen is a good story. Bailey is a strong woman who now has to cope being a single mother. All believable.
Not every show can be praised for each and everything they do. For example: I hear a lot of people disliked this episode of Glee (but I digress). If it weren't for people pointing out flaws (or anachronisms) the show would chug along through the crazy whims of Shonda Rhimes.
Also, I'm sorry I forget quotes and plot-lines that happened back in February 2006. I guess I'll have to go back and watch it on Lifetime. (Then wonder why everyone's hair changed)
9-25-2009 @ 11:02AM
Matt said...
I really enjoyed these episodes, and I really hate it when people rag on writers in the comments, but I sort of agree that someone who likes the show should write about it.
It's interesting that Izzy's character still has an "out" (her cancer can ramp up at any time), while George's character could come back at any time (a freckle is not enough verification).
You sort of missed perhaps the absolute most ridiculous thing....
they verified it was George by a Texas-shaped freckle on his hand. A freckle.
Fantastic episode. Who cares about Mitch Pileggi when Martha Plimpton was a fantastic guest! Mitch seemed like a wasted guest actor, as his character was pretty flat...though they could be setting up for a future ep?
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 10:44AM
mterrific said...
I felt like I needed a nap after the first episode. It was so damn emotional.
I've watched this show since the first episode and stayed a steadfast fan, even when it got kind of lame in the last 2 seasons. I enjoyed these episodes a lot but it seems like all the dialogue is just mini (and sometimes long) speeches.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 10:49AM
Kristi said...
It must be hard to write a review when you don't like a show. . .I love it and find it to be truly unique.
http://www.orble.com/teevee-greys-anatomy-924/
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 11:22AM
Roy Schwartz said...
You can read more about the episode's condition - tethered code syndrome, here:
http://bit.ly/P5o0x
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 12:54PM
Sancty said...
I have to agree with the consensus... anyone who starts their review with...
"Every end of a television season, I ask myself, "Why do I keep watching Grey's Anatomy?""
Probably shouldn't be the reviewer for the show. I know its all Internet-Cool to bash the highest rated shows... and G.A. will give you some times to shoot holes in their writing unquestionably, but to go in with a tainted view (sans Callie), is really just... lame
There was no mention of the fabulous performance by Chandra Wilson (needs an Emmy!) as Miranda Bailey this week... no mention of the surprisingly quick progression of the 2nd calendar year, as Callie & Bailey are now attendings (at different hospitals however... kinda), and Lexie is now a Resident. No new interns this year, seems kinda odd... unless they're coming next week.
The lack of Merideth was totally great for me, as she is the character that annoys me the most, and the movement to a true ensemble cast is exciting me.
I am intrigued by the teasers for next week... did the Chief sell everyone out to keep his job? Curious... I dig the foreshadowed Webber/Shepherd war.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 1:09PM
Michael Pascua said...
I'm not going to come in watching Grey's Anatomy with sunshine and flowers with my love for everything about the show. That's just one-sided. If I complained about the show, people would egg me. If I gave the show a love-fest, people would think I'm biased and would want someone who was fair and could see the flaws.
Sure, I may ask myself "Why do I keep watching this show?," but the point of the matter is that I keep coming back. There is still something holding me to the show: chararacters i sympathize with. There is reason that Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson were nominated for Emmys: they are good actors. They help anchor the melodramatic nature of characters like Izzie or Lexie.
Then I think we are now missing Burke, O'Malley, Addison (though she visits for crossovers), and Hahn. Hell, when's the last time we saw Joe the Bartender? We now just see the bar. Then Meredith has to take a leave (for Ellen Pompeo's baby)? Is this still Grey's Anatomy or now Shepherd's Anatomy? Are there too many changes for a person who watched the show from the beginning?
Again, I hope they don't add a ton of characters, but I fear we'll be getting a handful of Mercy West characters instead of the traditional year of interns. But how many of them will stick? Will they show up, then disappear after Ellen Pompeo gives birth and Katherine Heigl returns from taping a movie?
11-22-2009 @ 11:18AM
Why Me said...
Gee, talk about complaining about a show?
Meredith Grey annoys you?
Without her you would not have "Grey's Anatomy"
Hence the name, jeeeesh what is wrong with people watch the show be entertained by the actors "which is what they are doing:" and the writers must be doing their jobs because look at all the bickering going on here looks like a show should be written about this blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11-22-2009 @ 6:48PM
Sancty said...
Why Me:
Ok. I'll bite and respond to a rebuttal of a post I made... 2 months ago.
I'm allowed to be irritated by Merideth Grey. I was hoping she'd die in that river a couple of seasons back... I just don't like that character... and that's ok.
Not everything has to be "OMG I love this show SOOOOO much... and on the flip side, I don't feel reviewers should just be haters for the sake of appearing chic.
Without Merideth Grey you could easily still maintain "Grey's Anatomy" as
a) It's a play on Gray's Anatomy - A med school textbook
b) You have Lexie GREY
That being said the character of Merideth has been amped down this year and I'm enjoying her the most I have since season one.
Why do you come onto a blog that's known for reviewing episodes if you feel that we should all just "watch the show be entertained by the actors"? Its just an asinine opinion to have.
By the same logic why not just "read the blog and be entertained by the posters"? Why not? Because that's stupid as is your logic regarding actors.
So thanks for coming out... glad you're a fan. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
Pick a Car!
9-25-2009 @ 3:26PM
lcdd said...
I really liked this grey's episode. it felt like it had the focus of the early seasons rather than the later seasons which seemed to have episodes about nothing.
Also they are bringing in alot of new characters to the show.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 3:26PM
horsenbuggy said...
I stopped watching this show a long time ago. But I picked it back up when Kevin McKidd joined the cast. Am I missing something or is there supposed to be a recap AND a review? This was fine and all, but I was looking for more *insight* into the episode - especially such an emotional one.
Seriously, I cried through most of the episode and I haven't felt "connected" to these characters ... ever. I thought the episode was a brilliant examination of grief. Too often shows just gloss over the death of a character and go back to business as usual. But I thought that allowing each character to experience grief in their own time within "one" time extended episode was a fantastic way to handle it. The viewer didn't feel cheated at the loss of George. From Callie's immediate panic attack to Christina's belated processing of the situation, I felt like George was a real person who would really be missed.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 4:42PM
Sancty said...
Michael,
I wouldn't want the reviewer to think Grey's Anatomy was all 'Gumdrops, Lollypops and Rainbows' as the commentary would be equally maddening.
I think all that's being said is that there's a middle ground.
I actually enjoyed your response to my post much more than the review, because there was a balance to it.
I too pine for the return of Joe.
Grey's Anatomy can still work without Merideth Grey... with the addition of Lexie Grey.. they could theoretically carry the show on without Ellen Pompeo... who I'm no particular fan of individually.
The error was in naming the show "Grey's Anatomy", which according to rumour was a much debated measure, but the delicious pun was too tasty to pass up apparently.
I'm a huge fan of the additions they've made over the years (sans Kevin McKidd... but that's probably more about his character than him). I'll miss the humour that George brought to the show, but I've been missing that for about 2 years now.
The backlash to your column came from your condescending introduction... upon a second reading I'm getting that it wasn't necessarily your intent as it was more a bait n' switch to praise Sara Ramirez... but it still hit nerves.
I get that you're the writer, and as such, you may be brighter than the rest of us... but its ok for us as fans of the show and readers of the site to ask that the reviewer doesn't have a pre-disposition to whatever's being written about... it may not be internet-chic to be a fan, but who cares?
In other words... to quote a wise man, 'every now and then... pick a car'
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 5:34PM
elorack said...
I agree with the review for the most part. Grey's really isn't what it once was. I think since the WGA stike the show really lost it's footing/direction/mojo.
This episode showed me that they were getting back on track. I was kind of hoping that Izzy would have died, if only to give Alex Karev more growth. However I am curious to see how he will grow as the begin to obviously write Heigl off the show.
It was also really nice to see that Derek (by the end of last season) is going to be more than a the diva rock god of Neuro doc.'s. He is going to have a great story while Ellen is on leave with her new baby.
I can honestly I am looking forward to this season.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 9:51PM
David Holtzinger said...
I just couldn't grieve for George and was rather bored by the 2 hour grieving special. He just wasn't around enough last season for me to care about him one way or the other. His death has no bearing on the show. He was pretty much gone last year.
Reply
9-26-2009 @ 4:50PM
R said...
Crap show. crap writers. don't watch anymore. Laughable
Reply
9-26-2009 @ 12:27AM
R said...
crap show. crap writers. Don't watch it anymore, it's laughable. I just love reading the comments and thought I needed to add my two cents.
Reply