'Grey's Anatomy': We get it. Really.
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Twice while watching Grey's Anatomy on Thursday I wrote the following in my notebook, in all caps:
GET IT, GEORGE?
Look, I know this show uses its medical cases as metaphors for or reflections of what's going on in the lives of the people treating them. It's just that usually the writers display a more deft touch. Tonight, the show was talking in all caps.
It wasn't enough to have Chairman Assistant Director Skinner's assistant talk about how in love she was with her boss, even though she knows it's wrong in front of George (and Addison, for good measure). No, then Mrs. Chairman had to tell George that "the wife always knows." And then, George stands by and watches while both the assistant/girlfriend and Mrs. Chairman walk out.
It's kind of a shame, because there was stuff to like elsewhere in the episode, from the mechanics of chairman's fishectomy (loved Cristina's excited recitation of case history, and Beck's "Nausea" playing during the surgery) to Ava's running meta-commentary and Addison finally succumbing to her attraction to Karev and the resulting, spinoff-launching fallout.
But subtle it was not. Wedding cakes, penis fish, runny noses were all thrown out as symbols tonight, but instead of just letting them be symbolic, the show had to tell us why they were symbolic. I think the viewers are smart enough to get that Burke's obsession with the cake wasn't really about the cake, without him baring his soul to Izzie or telling Derek how he has to be specific with Cristina or he won't have a wedding. I think we understand that sometimes a penis fish is not just a penis fish without talk of instant karma or how it crawls inside you and won't let go. And we'd understand that Bailey is perhaps trying to take on too much even if chipper/competitive attending Sydney calling her out on her standard of care.
OK, onto the good stuff: Elizabeth Reaser, once again, was a big bright spot as Ava. Her "it's like a soap opera" commentary felt just about right, a nice but not overly self-conscious wink to the audience. I also like that her and Karev's relationship doesn't quite appear to be headed down the Izzie-and-Denny road; with her encouraging him to go after Addison, it feels more like a best-friends sort of deal.
The way Addison's possible departure is being handled worked for me too. Much as I like the character, she is pretty obviously at loose ends in Seattle. Karev seems to recognize that and is probably smart not to take their tryst for anything more than what it was. I know I've advocated an Alex-Addison hookup before, but the show did a pretty good job tonight in making the case for why it probably wouldn't work out (and not just because Kate Walsh might be getting her own show).
As for Sloan, well, he was just being Sloan. His lie to Addison was both a cop-out and a not-very-nice way of saying he knows what she did without actually saying it. It wasn't nice, but at least it was consistent.
And, for all the metaphorical bludgeoning George took tonight, I have to admit I was a little intrigued by his solution to the Izzie vs. Callie problem. Do I actually think the character will be working at another hospital next season? Well, no. But at least the guy is trying to take some measure of control over the situation.
I'll let you take up the issue of how Derek refrained from throwing something at the overly communicative Meredith.
Too much symbolic weight tonight? Or is this just what Grey's Anatomy does? Have at it.
After being pushed to the background for so long, Kate Walsh proved that she deserves her own show last night. She's just too damn awesome to be criminally underused like she has been lately.
I, too felt like the situation with the chairman was an obvious reflection of the george delima, and I didn't need it to be explained to me over and over. A metaphor ceases to be metaphor when they come right out and say it. They all but had a lightbulb appear over george's head and the line "Gee, this is what my situation could turn into!"
Otherwise, a decent episode. I am getting a little tired of the chief p***ing the wisdom of his experience on to a new person every episode though. We get it, he made a mistake... but does he really think that others will change their ways based on his experience?
I missed the 1st 1/2 of the show. What happened between Derek & Mer??? Is he pushing her away so he can advance his career? Also, did something happen between Addison & Alex??
George: You made a mistake, get over it, stop making it worse by hanging out with Izzie all the time. Focus on Callie.
Callie: Any man that can be taken from you isn't yours in the first place. Sucks, but that's how it is.
Izzie: Have yourself fitted for a straightjacket, pronto. Crazy b****.
Bailey: Lighten up. The drill sargeant routine is getting stale.
Chief: Can you just stop the charade that you're stepping down?
Meredith: Are you really supposed to be the main character? Also, your voice modulation is annoying.
Derek: Enough with the angst, geez.
Burke: You're such a girl.
Yang: You rock.
Karev: Sloan isn't enough of a cautionary tale to show you how not to live your life? Dude. You were cold to Addison.
Addison: You should move on. Oh wait, I think you are . . .
Sloan: Why would any woman want you for keeps? Seriously.
Ava: Where's your baby?
Sydney: Aren't you really a vengeance demon?
I am starting to REALLY think a lot of people have a problem with the Acctress that plays Izzie and HOW she looks. Because Izzie looks a certain way and Callie looks a certain way, people want the "normal" girl to get the guy. That's how it seems at least. But to call Izzie a crazy b??? Wow!!
Look, Callie and George NEVER worked. He married her because of the death of his Dad and the pain he felt. He was running from THAT pain. It's NOT rocket science.
Get used to Izzie and George people. I have high hopes that they are here to stay. The GROUNDING couple for the show. Eventually.
Dave
Ditto, Dave!
The symbolism was a bit heavy, but I didn't feel like the writers were beating us over the head.
As for Meredith & Derek, I think their possible "breakup" is just a cheap sweeps plot, but time will tell. Seems like most of the fans are becoming Anti-McDreamy when in fact Meredith's been the one to push him away. Not only did she not swim, in a sense she gave up on him. So not only have they not discussed it - after a month has p***ed in Shondaland - but Mer mocked him through the entire episode last night. Realizing she needs to communicate with him and then letting him know she had tuna salad & yogurt for lunch? No - he wants to know what's going on in her head. And probably feels now that she's living more to "make dead mommy proud" than she is to be there for him. And Derek can't be the crutch that holds her up only to feel the weight when both of them fall. I actually feel bad for the guy.
okay first of all i dont think that the writers were beating us over the head with the whole chairman situation but rather they had make george all pressured so that he decides to leave seatle garce. so i think it was more of u know rubbing it in georges face explaing his reaction n the end.
any way im with dave over the whole iziie situation and ppl when george and callie got married every one was like george and izzie belong togather where r those ppl!!
anyway i thought that it was a great episode and also i think derek is just using the meridth not swimming thing as an excuse to dump her as he wants to be the cheif. if u love some one u stay with them and help them through such times! not like "okay so ur suicidal so im going to leave u so u get even more depressed and next time try harder when u try to kill urself!!!"
any way greys anatomy rocks best show ever and cant wait to see teh addison spinoff
I saw the chairmen of the boards penis when the camera man did the between the legs shot. I rewinded and paused to make sure. That was awful!!!! I do like the show but I think they are trying to cause controversy. -With the penis showing!
I have no problem with Katherine Heigl's hotness. I'm hot myself. Lots of actresses are hot and they play characters that I like. Emily Deschanel comes to mind, as well as Charlize Theron. Don't ***ume you know where someone is coming from Dave.
Izzie Stevens, on the other hand, is a psychopuppy. Getting involved with Denny Duquette, a man on the verge of death, then pushing him even further over the verge of death by cutting his LVAD wire, sleeping with George, she's just made a series of decisions that I wouldn't want my doctor to make. Bailey's right, Izzie does get too involved emotionally. She's codependent with a capital C.
And I stand by my ***ertion that Izzie Stevens (not Katherine Heigl) is a crazy b****. Kudos to Katherine Heigl for such a perfect portrayal of a crazy b****.
As for Callie, I think she represents every girl who's ever managed to catch a guy who doesn't really want her. That's something that I can relate to, even though she's SO not as hot as me. I personally don't want her to 'get the guy' if the guy is George. I think it would be far more empowering for the character if she kicked him to the curb.
Ang, that wasn't his junk, that was his head. As he bent down to lower his trousers, his head came into the shot. It's obvious if you freeze-frame.