“Grey’s Anatomy” recap: “I Will Survive”

On Thursday, we got the penultimate episode of the seventh season of “Grey’s”. I thought it kind of a snooze for the first three quarters of the show. Normally, I’d complain about that, but I’m willing to give the show a pass because the purpose of last night’s show is to set up next week’s finale. The finale looks good based on the previews, but we’ll see what happens when we watch it.

But, back to Thursday’s show. The biggest problem for me was much of the hour was fueled by the Chief Resident race, and I don’t really care who wins. Not to mention, this just feels like a repeat of the race to succeed the Chief when he was planning to retire a few seasons ago. So when a storyline that a) I’m not that interested in and b) has been done before is carrying the hour, it’s not going to be best viewing experience for me. On this storyline though, it looks like the race is down to Alex and April, right? Cristina is out, Jackson dropped out and Alex more or less push Meredith out with his end of the episode bombshell (more on that later). Is Lexie in the race too? I honestly can’t remember. For comedy’s sake, it would be great if April won the gig; can you imagine the rest of the residents having to report to perky, rules-following April?

As for the non-chief resident parts of the show, what can I say? Now that Callie and baby are both healthy, Arizona and Callie are married and Arizona and Mark are getting along alright; there’s not much to feed that storyline anymore. I’m not sure where Arizona and Callie go from here; I guess they’ve had their time in the spotlight, and they’ll now take Meredith and Derek’s spot as the show’s happy, harmonious couple (I can’t imagine things staying sunny between Mer and Der if/when her tainting their trial comes to light). At least there’s some hope for Mark if he and Lexie find their way back to one another (poor Jackson).

Speaking of Jackson, I thought he asked off of the Chief’s diabetes trial to focus on surgery because he thought that would be better his chances for a shot at Chief Resident. I never would have guessed he did it for selfless reasons; dropping out because he didn’t want his name to hurt the Chief’s chances of winning awards was pretty noble. Who knows, maybe Owen will take that selflessness into consideration when he makes his pick.

I wish I could get more excited about Derek and Meredith’s plans to adopt. It’s great that they want to, but just like I was indifferent about Meredith getting pregnant, I don’t think my enjoyment of the show will be made or broken if they get to adopt Zola. When Meredith was talking to the social worker, I wanted to root hard for her to do well, but honestly, I just wanted to show to move on to something, anything more interesting. It’ll be interesting to see if Meredith’s messing with the trial with hurt their adoption chances.

I don’t think it was much of a surprise that Teddy’s situation was going to get messy eventually. It was inevitable that Henry was going to develop real feelings for Teddy and Andrew was going to return, right? Hey, after seven seasons, it’s tough to keep the surprises coming, so I can’t beat up the writers too badly for this plotline. Does anyone think Teddy is really going to go to Germany with Andrew though? I’ve heard nothing about Kim Raver leaving the show, so if she did head off to Germany, I’d be somewhat surprised about that.

On the medical side of things, I’m torn on the Teddy-Cristina debate. I can understand Teddy being mad that her subordinate went over her head, but I agree with Cristina too. Yes, she defied her boss, but she saved the patient’s life. I do think there’s a little truth to Cristina’s accusation that Teddy is threatened by her. Why else would she overreact so badly? I have to bring out my Logic Police badge for a second though; aren’t there other cardio surgeons that Cristina could work under? Is Teddy the only heart doctor in the hospital? As for Cristina’s case; the tree in the lung was pretty interesting. No surprise that April was going to sell her out to Teddy though. It’s all about the checklist and protocol after all. You know what, never mind; I don’t think I could take it if April wins Chief Resident.

Alright, let’s move on to the two most interesting parts of the episode; at least for me anyway. I loved the Owen and Cristina showdown near the end of the episode. The best part about it was everything Owen said was right; Chief Resident would be nothing more than a resume highlight for her. She’d hate the administrative part of the job (where April would excel actually), and want to quit no sooner than she got the gig. The same thing happened to Callie, remember? It would have been an interesting story for Cristina if she did get it though; she’d have to deal with that doubt about whether she was Chief Resident because she earned it or because her husband did the picking.

And then there’s Alex. Oh, Alex. I will admit, I was surprised about how the Lucy thing turned out. I assumed that once he turned down the Africa job, she was going to say she took the job at Baylor. Then we’d have the classic TV “I gave up a good job for you, why didn’t you do the same for me?” argument. What a great job by the writers taking it a step farther and have Lucy not head to Texas, but take the exact same job that Alex turned down. That was just push Alex needed to go into destructive mode. Well, that and Cristina telling him that he doesn’t stand a chance against Meredith for Chief Resident. There was no way Alex was going to play fair and square; he just needed a reason to play the “Meredith cheated” card, and he got two. Can’t wait to what happens next week, and it’s been awhile since I said that about “Grey’s”.

A few other random thoughts…

*Sorry I didn’t do a recap for last week’s show. I was out of the office on Friday, went home for the weekend and didn’t get to watch it until Wednesday. Overall, I thought the episode was kind of bland for having two main characters getting married to one another. Also on that point, I was shocked about how close-minded Callie’s mother was. I remember her dad was the same way; I thought him finally coming around would have rubbed off on her too. Other quick thoughts…I was kind of surprised Meredith and Derek would miss Callie and Arizona’s wedding; did they really have to pick that moment to get officially married?…I can’t figure out Stark; he’s mostly a jerk, but then he turns around and gives April a glowing recommendation for Chief Resident…last week was the second episode in a row that Bailey had to talk Callie off the edge; she’s like her fairy godmother.

Line of the Night: “Meredith messed with the Alzheimer’s trial.”

Honorable Mentions:

“My mom was a nurturing as a steak knife.”
-“No time for mommy (stuff).”
-“I have everything I ever wanted…almost.”

*I was kind of surprised next week’s finale is only an hour; the reaction to Meredith’s deceit and the fallout from the Chief Resident selection could probably take up the hour itself. That’s fine with though; I’d rather there be fewer, stronger storylines in a shorter amount of time than a bunch of filler storylines in a two-hour finale.

Joe Dyton is a marketing copywriter in Washington, DC and a freelance sports reporter for the Frederick News-Post in Frederick, MD. He is a former assistant editor for The Dealmakers real estate magazine in Hamilton, NJ and a former sports writer and copy editor for The Trentonian in Trenton, NJ. He can be reached at thedytonian@yahoo.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dyton99.

“Grey’s Anatomy” recap: “Blink”

Last night we got our first new episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” in almost two months. November 19 was the last new episode that aired. That seems like a long time for a show to go on a non-summer hiatus. Anyway, I was grateful for a new episode last night. Was it worth the near two-month wait? Not really. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, I just wanted a little more after such a long break. It’s my own fault for setting the bar too high. There were plenty of good stories in the hour that made this episode pretty good.

For starters, I have to applaud the writing staff for finally, finally giving Eric Dane some time to shine. I’m not 100% sold on his kid having a kid storyline, but if it gives the Mark character some long overdue screen time, I’m on board with it. I enjoyed all of his scenes last night, especially the ones with Addison (I’ll touch on the big crossover in a bit). I wrote at the beginning of the fourth season that he deserved to have a true storyline of his own. It may have taken two and a half seasons, but he got. Bravo, writers. Bravo. It’s just too bad that when he finally gets a storyline to himself, he loses his girlfriend in the process. I’m not saying Lexie walking out was right, but I can understand why she did it. Going from living with a boyfriend to living with a boyfriend, his 18-year-old daughter and newborn grandson in less than a year’s time is a lot to take on for anyone, especially someone as young as Lexie.

On the Addison front, I am always happy when she comes back to Seattle Grace. I never thought she should have left in the first place, but I understand why it happened the way that it did. I would have liked to have seen her interact with some of the other characters more, but given the circumstances of the medical case she was brought in for, I can let it slide. After all, the brief time she did have with some of the other docs did lead to the bad, but hilarious, idea of trying to set up Bailey. There a lot of good moments last night, but I think the episode highlight for me was when Bailey gave that poor doctor that McDreamy tried to set her up with her two-minute life story. It was pure genius and totally Bailey.

My favorite scenes from last night included Cristina and Teddy. I was blown away when Cristina was flying solo on a heart valve replacement and started to drown and Teddy just sat there thumbing through her magazine. That scene was intense and jaw-dropping to me. I’m not 100% sure the “sink or swim” method of teaching is the best way to go when it comes to literal life and death situations. Fortunately, Cristina made it though. The crazy thing is that wasn’t even the most intriguing part of their storyline last night. That honor goes to Cristina begging Teddy to stay and asking it would take. I couldn’t believe my ears when a) Teddy said she wanted Owen and b) when Cristina said she could have him. Whaaaat??? I’ve watched every episode of this show, and I can’t think of a line uttered by any character that got me to straighten up on my seat like that one did. After I was over the shock though; it made sense to me because of who said it. I totally believe Cristina, especially in the emotional state she was in, would trade a boyfriend in for a “Cardio God.” It’s been awhile since something happened on “Grey’s” where I couldn’t wait to see the aftermath, but this will be one of those situations.

I wondered how long Meredith would be able to keep the Chief’s drinking a secret. That was quite a secret he burdened her with. I can’t blame her for finally spilling the beans to Derek. Especially since he was so keen on finding out why he was doing less and less surgeries. I read that Meredith is going to be mad at Derek for making a secret of hers public; I can’t help but wonder if this one is it.

In honesty, the only thing I didn’t care for about last night was all of the Alex and Reed stuff. Maybe in a different episode it may have worked, but there were too many other more interesting things going for me to care about their mind games yesterday. And to make matters worse after all of their nonsense, there was no real payoff for the audience. Although I did like Alex’s line to Reed about how he doesn’t trade “get togethers” for surgery. If she wants to “get together,” she just has to ask. Speaking of Alex…

It had been teased that Alex was going to “slip up” pretty early in his marriage with a mystery woman. I never thought it would have been Lexie. I guess because at the time, I didn’t know that she and Mark were going to break-up. That was just bad, bad, bad. And Meredith is right; although Alex probably doesn’t feel like he’s married, technically he still is (shades of Derek in the first season). I’m curious to see how Izzie will react when Alex confesses. From that initial preview it looks like none too well.

Here are a few other random thoughts about last night’s show…

*I enjoyed the other medical storyline about the start quarterback. I wonder how many pro athletes (especially in football) want to quit out of fear, but can’t. I loved how Derek heroically came up with a way for him to leave the sport without actually looking like he quit. As for Cristina’s case, I enjoyed watching her patient make her run through hoops while she tried to make a decision on her heart operation. If any other doctor had this case, I would have found it annoying, but with Cristina it worked incredibly well because bedside manner is her medical Kryptonite.

*The best throwaway moment for me was when Lexie came over to shower at Cristina and Callie’s. She was expecting Owen in there only to catch Callie and Arizona. Very funny stuff.

*I have to rant about the crossover for a second. First of all, I hated how ABC pumped it up like more of each show’s cast was going to interact with one another. I remember one specific preview where it looks like Cristina is kicking Tim Daly out of the OR, but it turned out it she was talking to Owen. And I know I’ve said it before, but I feel like ABC is holding “Grey’s” fans who don’t normally watch “Practice” hostage with these crossover events. The only thing that made it a crossover was Mark going to L.A. to have Addison operate on Sloan. If someone doesn’t watch “Practice” every week, they’d have no clue of knowing what else was going on with the episode in any scene that didn’t include Mark and Addison. I know the network wants to get more people to watch “PP,” but this isn’t a good way to do it. I’m fine with “Grey’s” characters crossing over, but the episodes should be independent of each show, so “Grey’s” fans can decide if they want to watch “Practice” or not. Last night, “Grey’s” watchers had to watch that “Practice” episode, or they would have had no idea that a) Mark considered leaving Seattle for L.A., b) he and Addison “got together” and c) Sloan and the baby would be OK. Well, people would figure out “c” on the next “Grey’s”, but you know what I mean.

*Speaking of ABC’s promo department, I can’t help at laugh at how they’re marketing that “Deep End” show; “From the network that brought you ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.” Seriously, that’s the best they could do? I’m supposed to watch this show because it’s on the same channel as “Grey’s”???

*Kevin McKidd discusses the bomb that Cristina dropped at the end of the episode on TVGuide.com. Here’ the link:

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Greys-Exclusive-Kevin-1013689.aspx

*Honorable mentions for “Line of the Week”

-That’s quite a sandwich.

-“I can’t have a stumpy baby.”

-“Get me Addison Montgomery”

-“Grandpa.”

-“That’s not how you bond with children.”

-“You want lunch or you want the scan?”

-“They call me the Nazi, and not because of my icy blue eyes.”

-“Pig or cow?”

-“The Sloans are a passionate people.”

Well, that’s all that I’ve got. I apologize for this being so long. I think I’ll add to my list of New Year’s resolutions that I’ll learn to write more efficiently.

Have a great weekend!

“Grey’s Anatomy” recap:”I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me”

Last night, we got our first “normal” “Grey’s” episode of Season 6, and I thought it was pretty good. It was one of those episodes where I felt like not a lot happened, but a lot did happen, if that makes sense. I think I felt that not a lot happened because there weren’t a lot of storylines. I’m not complaining though, I think “Grey’s” is at its best when there’s less going on. Yesterday, there really only two major storylines: the schizophrenic (I spelled right on the first try!) guy and his mom, and the concern about the merger. There were some fringe stories mixed in of course, but they all were a result of the main merger story (Cristina faking an interest in peds, Callie considering moving to Portland, Izzie not taking care of herself because she was in fear of her job, etc.).
Overall, I was OK with last night’s show. It had no chance of reaching the heights of last week’s premiere of course, but that’s OK. I feel the merger with Mercy West storyline was well-done as a set up for what’s to come. I just hope that this story arc doesn’t consume the entire show; it won’t be very fun to watch the younger docs fearing for their jobs every week. It was very gripping and interesting last night, but it could get tired quickly if it’s brought up each episode.

 With that said, let’s jump into the high (and low) lights of the evening…

Here’s what I liked about last night’s show…

*The episode title, “I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me.” It was fitting since Seattle Grace had a schizophrenic patient on their hands and a lot of the doctors were looking of their shoulders because of the merger.

*Izzie’s wig. Well, not so much the wig, but everyone’s reaction to it. Despite all of the tension last night, there was some good comic stuff in there. Watching Cristina and Meredith have a mumbling conversation about Izzie’s “Stepford Wife” look was hilarious. Even the interns’ false praise of the wig was funny.

*Watching Cristina in pediatrics. If Izzie’s wig was funny, this was even better. Is there a doctor less qualified to work with kids than Cristina? She’s so robotic and to the point, but desperate times call for desperate measures. She didn’t even want to pretend Arizona’s patient wasn’t hiding under the covers. I also loved her failed attempt to get Mr. Bear to talk; she sounded like a scary version of the Cookie Monster. I think my favorite part of this storyline though was the payoff. I liked that Arizona told her straight-up that she didn’t appreciate being used. Arizona’s always so sunny and cheerful (the perfect recipe for a good pediatric doctor), so it was great to see her be a little assertive. I hope we get to see more of that side of AZ as the season goes along. She might actually start to grow on me.

*The paranoid schizophrenic case. I found everything about this very interesting. “Grey’s” doesn’t do a whole lot of stuff with mental ailments, so this was a nice change of pace for the show. I thought it was interesting to watch him process what was going on around him at all times. Although, I found the scene when he was talking to Lexie a little bizarre. It was if a switch had been flipped; he seemed to be OK; he was even cracking jokes. I thought to myself, “Where did this come from?” I also enjoyed watching Bailey (totally underused last night in my opinion) convince him that she wasn’t an alien and that his mom needed surgery.

*Caring husband-Alex. Who would have thought Alex could have such a caring, sensitive side? He was great last night making sure Izzie was staying medicated and fed. Has any character developed more on this show since it started than Alex Karev? I think what I like the most about his development is that even though he’s matured and mellowed, he hadn’t lost his edge and will still be honest and say what’s on his mind. I thought his, “I can’t be your nurse” line was something old-Alex would have said, but I didn’t mind it as much because he said out of love rather than meanness.

Here is what I didn’t like about last night’s show (there wasn’t much)….

*I know I say this every time they pop up in an episode, but the gross-out scenes. I yelped when their one patient’s cheek had been scraped so bad you could see teeth. Eww!! And don’t get me started on Lexie landing in a puddle of spilled blood. Repeat, she landed in a puddle of spilled blood. I don’t know what to say except it made the baby’s severed arm look tame.

*The way the Chief handled things. I’ve never been in charge of a staff, so I can only imagine how tough making cuts must have been. But the least he could have done is saw the fired people out of the building and wished them the best instead of Derek having to do it. I mean an HR mass email letting people know they’d been canned? That’s weak, and a little gutless. Hopefully, he’ll handle the next round with a little more class.

OK, a few more random thoughts and I’m finished…

*I forgot to mention in last week’s recap that I also liked that after the Chief got into his car accident the doctor overseeing his treatment was Callie. Irony is a funny thing sometimes.

*I am enjoying watching Derek branch out from the Mer-Der cloud and getting some storylines of his own. His showdowns with the Chief last night were really good.

*I enjoyed the baseball scene at the end. It was a great way to ease the tension, although I had to laugh at the attendings saying how the younger docs needed to relax. It’s easy to think that way, when your job is most likely safe.

*I am glad Callie and Arizona defined their relationship last night, but I thought Callie and Arizona were already girlfriends, is that just me?

*Line of the Night: “My patient really wants chocolate pudding, and this is the last one.”

*Honorable mentions for “Line of the Week” 

-“Izzie’s safe because of cancer.”

-“No one wants a dead kid.”

-“I think you missed a spot.”

-“Aliens impregnated my mother.”

-“You’re becoming a crazy person I don’t recognize.”

-“That’s how I know my job is safe, Dr. Yang. Because I reattach babies’ arms.”

That’s a wrap. I hope you all enjoyed the show. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Joe Dyton is a marketing copywriter in Washington, DC. He is a former assistant editor for The Dealmakers real estate magazine in Hamilton, NJ and a former sports writer and copy editor for The Trentonian in Trenton, NJ. He can be reached at thedytonian@yahoo.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dyton99.