Hi! My name is Liz, and I'm admitting I have a problem. I'm addicted to Grey's Anatomy. Have been for about two and a half years. I was clean for the past few months, but I've been slipping lately. It's not the writing, anymore, or the hip music, or even how the show makes me feel. I think it's the characters. Much as I may be annoyed by some of them, or disapprove of some of their choices, in the end I care what happens to most of them. And that's what keeps me hooked. So let's chase that dragon together, shall we? (Don't read on unless you're addicted to spoilers)

In case you hadn't noticed, our Theme of the Week is addiction, and how it never ends well. And also that Callie kind of sucks at life, which is truly a shame. The big case this week is a series of trauma victims from a gas main explosion crystal meth lab explosion at an apartment building. We've got the loveable "how could they be drug dealers?" neighbor, the slightly less loveable "I didn't even do drugs until recently!" client (don't get too attached to him), and the even less loveable "You mean cooking meth in our apartment could hurt our baby?" drug-dealing couple, plus their baby.

First off, I have to give props to Alex for smelling meth on the baby. That's quite a unique nose he's got there, and it kind of makes me wonder where he acquired that skill. Unfortunately, those props need to be immediately stripped, because he confronted the baby's drug dealing dad before the police got there. Just when I think he's starting to learn to control himself! Aaaand, let's get to the juicy stuff:

Meredith/Derek/Lexie: First off, I just need to confess that a relationship based entirely on sex and mockery sounds kind of awesome to me. Though we may need to come up with a new acronym. Second off, I need to confess that I really, really don't care whether Derek and Meredith stay together, or stay broken up, or whatever they are. Used to care, now I don't. He's whiny and patronizing, she's whiny and selfish -- they deserve each other. Flame me if you will, but that's where I stand right now. And seriously, how could anyone be addicted to her?

Mer and Lexie, well, that's another toughie. Lexie lost some of my goodwill she garnered last week with all the hovering and staring, but it's hard not to be sympathetic. I mean, chick just lost her mom, and her sister treats her like trash. "I'm a person who just doesn't want to know you"? Uncool, Meredith. Uncool. It's not Lexie's fault her dad left you. You were probably a really heinous five-year-old, sucking tequila out of a juice box and squinting at your stuffed animals until they agreed to do what you wanted.

Cristina: Mama Burke is camping out in the waiting room, and reveals herself to be the Best Ever (along with Bailey, who is permanently the Best Ever) when she confronts Meredith for her "It's so, so over" speech at the wedding: "Were you being inappropriate, or were you being selfish?" AWESOME, though if she knew Meredith at all, she'd know that the answer is "both, all the time." She also describes to Derek a few parallels between his and Burke's situations, which is fair, since Cristina and Meredith are both pretty socially dysfunctional. However, I was totally NOT on board with her whole, "An honorable man knows when to walk away, and when to take less than he deserves" speech. Um, what does that even mean? And what does it have to do with being honorable? Whatev, she's still awesome.

Her conversation with Cristina was also mildly harsh. I mean, she said a lot of nice things about Cristina being a strong woman and all, but what was that bit about how she could have become a brilliant heart surgeon with Burke by her side? Clearly, she doesn't know Cristina very well. Heck, she'll be halfway to brilliant by the time she helps with all those cool surgeries she traded wedding presents for! Also, did she give a teeny tiny pep talk to that drug-dealing mom at the end, or was it just me? Soooomebody's growing as a person! And oh, I hate to burst your bubble, Cristina, but Burke's definitely NOT coming back to say goodbye. Although a Grey's Anatomy/Bionic Woman crossover would be all kinds of incredible.

George/Izzie/Callie: Le sigh. George is on a big "I love you" high, but Izzie got over that high in the weeks when they weren't speaking, so she's a bit more pragmatic. Because yeah, stealing your chief resident's husband? Bad. Idea. But Izzie, honey, it won't "work itself out" without him telling her. Callie will clearly just get pregnant, or something. Because, while the strong woman that was the original Callie would never stay with a man whom she suspects of having an affair, new, beaten-down Callie apparently will. To the point of refusing to allow said man to tell her he wants out. Stupid Gizzie. Paging Shonda: Give me back my original Callie - stat - and throw in a hook-up with Sloan for funsies.

All in all, this was definitely a better episode than last week's. Fewer awful speeches, for one. Plus, I've had a week to adjust to the whole Gizzie thing, though I'm still firmly against it. A couple of the plotlines, however, seem like they're getting a bit stale. So how about we meet some more of the new interns and shake things up a bit, eh? Bring back the fun? I mean, let's face it...it's not like I'm going to stop watching, but I might as well enjoy it as much as I used to, right?

How are you feeling about the season so far? Do you want to see more of the interns, or would you rather the show focus on the characters we already know and (mostly) love?

For more TV recaps and commentary, visit Liz at Glowy Box.

Comments

Liz, this review frakkin rocked! Your entire diatribe on the Meredith/Derek fiasco is DEAD ON. They are both pathetic, but I can not imagine anyone being addicted to Meredith. She is easily one of the most, if not THE most, self-absorbed character on television.

I am sympathetic to Lexie despite what others say. She lost her mom and found out she has a long lost sister and is trying to connect. Sadly that sister is the oh-so-selfish Meredith who thinks the world revolves around her. Lexie should go hug Mama Burke for her dead on review of Meredith's constant behavior.

Callie has began to frustrate me as well. She used to be so strong and she seems to become weaker every week (though based on what all she has going on, it is somewhat understandable). I did find the scene where she realized George and Izzie were having an affair to be heartbreaking and Sara Ramirez did a GREAT job in portraying it so subtly at first and then breaking down to George at the end.

I am slightly coming around to Gizzie now, but only because of George and the fact that it seems to really be taking a toll on him. I do have to say that, based on Izzie's comment about 'sleeping alone' that George and she must have done the horizontal mambo (or whatever Derek called it) again.

Bailey was also on FIRE in this episode. She was hilarious and back to her old self, which I felt kinda vanished for awhile. Her punching Alex was just a classic move for her, though.

Def better than last week and I am excited about the weeks to come...

buffynangel | Oct 4, 2007 9:51:49 PM | #

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Love...the Nazi...err...Bailey!

Nemesis | Oct 5, 2007 1:04:58 AM | #

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Are you kidding me? I was liking your article briefly but don't worry I won't be back to read another. How any of you people can make judgements of any kind about Meredith or Derek. Do you have a degree in psych and it didn't work out so you fell back on writing this crap? If you don't you have no ability at all to know truly what someone who goes through the emotional abuse that she has would be like. Yes she's a character but you are reviewing the character. Abuse is a horrifying thing and when it's done to a child it is so damaging you can't imagine. Do you judge people in real life like that? Are you so self-absorbed that you wouldn't be a friend to someone with "problems"? Do you know how special a person it takes to love someone like that? Derek's there despite all those problems and it takes a strong (not pathetic) man to do that. It takes a very strong woman to keep going and be standing after all she's been through. Too bad you are so self-absorbed that you can't see it & appreciate it.

You might want to note that Mer, Der & Lexie are not a group on tour. It's easy (how is that?) for you to have sympathy for Lexie because she just lost her mom. Excuse me? Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you think Mer's list is a little longer? Lets see Abusive Mother, Father abandoned her, NDE, Mother dies, Finally has the courage to let Lexie's Mom in & her Dad followed shortly by Susan's death, her father slapping her and the final insult (which was HUGE) her Dad shows up drunk at her work and proceeds to CLEARLY tell her that she IS NOT WANTED. OK, so who had the longer list? I'm thinking you can figure that out but then again you did write this article.

I ask you to take a step back and look at a Meredith that you know and admire (or don't admire) for getting through all she has in life. She may do it with more grace than Mer but Mer still gets credit for not being in an institution in a corner hiding. There are people who have had less to deal with and are in those corners hiding. I hope that one of your friends doesn't have a string of really bad luck and you get to see the negative side of them as they struggle through. Dealing with those type of issues brings out the ugly sometimes but caring & compassionate people look beyond that to the person within.

You know this really isn't about the character Meredith but it's about all the real people that I see that are hurting and struggling just to take the next step. It's about all the new abuse & damage they get that comes from shallow (if the shoe fits) judgmental people.

The thing is that if you are not capable of looking at damaged characters with an ounce of compassion are you sure you can do it with real people?

Linda | Oct 5, 2007 3:10:03 AM | #

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Right on Linda!!!! and let's not forget that Meredith had to witness her father more "involved" with her 1/2 sister and his grandchild right infront of her. That would upset me greatly. Knowing daddy didn't fight form me but has a whole other family he did fight for.

Denise | Oct 5, 2007 4:27:12 AM | #

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Actually, I do have a degree in psychology (seriously--and Mer clearly needs to see a psychologist, as a side note, and Derek should be trying to facilitate that, rather than enabling her self-destructive behavior). I also think that with what Mer's been through (which is a lot, as you pointed out), she could stand to have some compassion for someone who's also going through a tragic situation.

Liz | Oct 5, 2007 4:32:01 AM | #

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Meredith needs to get layed

BATMAN | Oct 5, 2007 5:13:55 AM | #

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I agree with Liz. All of the other characters on the show seem to be growing except Meredith. I want to like her, I really do because she was so cool the first season and she was sympathetic the 2nd season, but last season and the 1st 2 epi's of this season have done nothing but make me want to yell at the TV when she's on. Yes, she's been through a lot, but isn't she smart enough and old enough to do something about the past (therapy, maybe...surely there's a good psychiatrist at Seattle Grace or she can get a referral). How long do you get to use your past as an excuse to be such an emotional mess? Lizzie finally got up off the bathroom floor last season, and it's time for Meredith to do a little emotional growing up.

Diann | Oct 5, 2007 5:19:38 AM | #

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Hate to tell you, Linda, but I too have a degree in psychology and agree with Liz that she needs treatment. Or, better see some progress as Diann pointed out.

I fail to see that it is worth getting THAT upset about. This is a character on a television show, as you pointed out, and I watch the show to be entertained as well as have a dose of real life. Do I think Meredith as had it hard? Absolutely. Do I think that it has probably effected her in lots of ways? Without a doubt. But this selfishness of hers has been going on for years now and she needs to start showing some growth as a person. Even in the real world, some growth is not completely impossible.

buffynangel | Oct 5, 2007 6:22:41 AM | #

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While we can debate Meredith to all ends, I do like how the main cast members look like they are growing up and learning and taking charge against the back drop of the new interns.

Sarah | Oct 5, 2007 6:33:00 AM | #

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Linda, I appreciate your sensitivity to emotional issues and your ability to understand what trauma does to a person. Truly.

But, um, these characters are *fictional*. It's a *TV SHOW*. You don't really believe that criticizing FICTIONAL CHARACTERS in a TV SHOW makes someone unable to relate to real people, do you? To the right: fiction. To the left: reality. They, uh, don't have to meet. Really, it's OK.

Oh. Come. On. | Oct 5, 2007 6:38:18 AM | #

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The show was ok. There have definitely been better episodes. Though I will still watch week to week.

I too agree that Meredith's character is ridiculously too Self-Absorbed, Self-Centered, and just too whiny. It's pathetic, that now there is absolutely NO REASON why her and Derek shouldn't be together. It's like the writers are just trying to come up with ANYTHING to push them together, pull them apart, push them together, pull them apart. It's getting old now..and I'm starting not to care whether they are together or not. It was fresh once, now it's just plain old. Either put them together or give them other love interests for awhile.

All in all, I'm curious to see the George and Alex developments.

Jason | Oct 5, 2007 6:43:48 AM | #

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Great review, Liz. You saved me from 30 minutes of thinking for myself!

I wanted to point out a few things. Mega props to Justin Chambers for the slight nose twitch/snarl he did when talking to DruggieDad. That little movement added alot to realizing just how pissed off he was. He definitely has a history with abusive parents, I just can't wait to get around to that storyline.

I want Bailey! I love that she is growing as a person, but not growing from that person she was (Addison...).

Alyx | Oct 5, 2007 7:51:10 AM | #

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Linda, you are a scary individual.

Jule | Oct 5, 2007 8:20:06 AM | #

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Was the actor that plays George drunk during the filming of this show? His one speach (I can't remember who it was with) he sounded like he was slurring his words. Go back guys and watch again.

Lizzy | Oct 5, 2007 8:47:25 AM | #

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Well, I only minored in psychology, but I've always wondered to this point why Meredith doesn't get the psychological help she so clearly needs, she really kind of tried to kill herself last season for goodness sakes. Why don't her friends and Derek drag her kicking and screaming if she won't go? And she is self-absorbed, I can't stand her character, it's too bad because I'm sure Ellen Pompeo is a pretty good person in real life. And to back track - her mother had the affair, her father left and basically the mother wouldn't let him come back and see Meredith (according to an episode where it was explained by Dad). The mother had the affair with the Chief, who really is 1/2 responsible for Meredith's Dad leaving, and yet Meredith cozies up to him like nothing happened. Why then should she shun the sister, who did just lose her mother in what was probably a medical malpractice incident (knowing how screwed up the hospital seems to be). If Lexie can move on, why can't Meredith? It's been at least 20 to 25 years for goodness sakes, move on. And it's true that there is no reason for Derek to fall so hard for her. She's attractive, but not unusually so, and it certainly can't be her personality, or the way she treats him, so what is it? I hope he realizes and just moves on.

Like the other characters though.

Sue | Oct 5, 2007 8:59:20 AM | #

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It must be the unseen incredible sexual acts Meredith peforms. I think it involves a trapeze...

McSlimey | Oct 5, 2007 9:26:26 AM | #

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Oh, Meredith, grow up.
She is selfish & whiny. (Dark & twisty) I wish she'd get over the "I'm an only child" bit. Maybe if she had embraced the family she has left, she'd have a more "normal" life. I, too, would not mind if Lexie became the new Grey in Grey's Anatomy. At least she's trying...

Mama Burke is AWESOME and very perceptive. Yes, Meredith was both selfish and inappropriate. And needs some therapy so she can move on.

Bailey, the super Nazi, has spunk. I just love her. And I'm so impressed that Christina is learning bedside manners! Wow. So all the characters are growing, except the main one. I'm rooting for Lexie.

Joan | Oct 5, 2007 9:37:41 AM | #

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The only two characters I enjoy watching on this show anymore are Bailey and Christina. Meredith is just awful and most definitely pathetic and so is Izzie.... as a side note, how she won the Emmy over Sandra I have no idea.

I'm still watching...but I don’t know for how much longer. The story lines seem to be basically repeated week after week, and there is no subtleness to what the "lesson of the week" is. The writing needs to get better....along with the characters.

B | Oct 5, 2007 10:22:47 AM | #

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Perhaps I place too much emphasis on certain lines but I feel like the season the writers have done several things to redeem Meredith. 1. During the break-up, she admits that it was too much pressure for her. 2. Meredith acknowledges to Lexie that she has kicked the perfect man out of her bed. That she has "daddy issues" she needs to work on before she can commit fully.
Those are two steps in the right direction.

Moreover, I don't believe that Mama Burke was correct in any of her advice. I didn't find Meredith's announcement to be selfish or insensitive. How do you exactly announce that the groom has left the building (and for that matter why couldn't Burke do that himself?) I don't find it honorable to know when to walk away (smart or intuitive but not honorable). And I found her comments to Christina to be horrific. She basically said that Christina would never be as good as Burke (when she was covering his surgeries), and implied that the only reason Christina was with Burke was to further her career.

Jenn | Oct 5, 2007 11:02:59 AM | #

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I still love this show, flaws and all. I love Bailey, I actually miss Addison, I want Derek and Meredith to work out but she really needs some to do some growing up!! Surely there is someone at the hospital that can help her put her life in perspective and DEAL WITH IT!

Jo | Oct 5, 2007 11:40:44 AM | #

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All together now, DIE GEORGE DIE.

Me thinks we need more Mark so there would be less of the rest of the isanticial bunch of residents. Still love some of them. But I could strangle and string up a few without a hint of regret at this point.

ave | Oct 5, 2007 1:26:39 PM | #

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I agree with most of what Linda says. Meredith has had a lot to deal with in her life, but she does recognize she has a problem and why, but just because you can recognize it doesn't mean you can fix it, not by snapping your fingers. Many, many people go through life and think they are perfect no matter how awful they are, at least Meredith recognizes she has a problem.

As far as her other family - all of these people just came flooding into her life in the last couple of years - she had no contact with her father since she was 5 - had no idea there was another family.

Lexie, on the other hand, has had a loving family with Mom and Dad since day 1. Yes, she just lost her Mom, but so did Meredith. Even though you could not classify Meredith's Mom as loving, she still loved her - even kids whose mothers beat them still love their Moms.

Callie is OK, but I've never liked her with George, not for one minute. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly, but I just don't like her with him. I do like Izzy and George together. I like their friendship. Isn't that what every woman wants - to be with a man who is their best friend and lover?

I love Grey's Anatomy! I don't want to see the interns all the time - I want to follow the characters we know and love already and watch them grow, which they all have.

Betty | Oct 5, 2007 2:17:11 PM | #

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I completely agree with Jenn. Meredith doesn't seem all that messed up to me...yeah, she has problems, but no more then you would expect a nighttime soap character to have. Why is she so horrible for not wanting a relationship with her sister? It is her perrogative. Other relationships with her dad's family haven't ended so well... I would be wary also. And Derick isnt just some hero who puts up with her... I mean, he did kinda just leave her when his wife showed up! All in all, I think Meredith does have some redeeming qualities... I definitely don't see that her character deserves such blatant animosity. I do agree, however, that Linda's outburst was a tiny bit over the top. Lets not forget that this is television, and shouldn't be taken so seriously. Kudos to Liz for a great blog. I also commend you for how you responded to such a hostile comment from a reader. Keep up the great work!

Becky | Oct 5, 2007 3:29:11 PM | #

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Thanks, Becky, and everyone else who recognized that someone can have "an ounce of compassion" and still criticize a fictional TV character. I'm all for vigorous discussion and debate (I mean, it's no fun if everyone agrees with me!), but let's keep it civil. And in return, I'll TRY not to be too hard on Meredith. ;)

Liz | Oct 5, 2007 4:08:56 PM | #

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ojay wat i took from today blog:
too many ppl with degree in psychology watch greys anatomy(although i dont think thats a bad thing)!
Linda is Ellen Pompeo's alias in this blog.

although i some wat agree with Linda but i think Becky has summed up things really nice so no need for me to get down that path.
And ofcource still love the show will never miss an episode.

zac | Oct 5, 2007 5:09:47 PM | #

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I love Meredith... she's my favorite.... I do think she needs to do some growing but it is hard. for the purpose of the show they should speed her get growing up so viewers don't sick of her which so many seem to have... but i think i love her so much b/c i understand her. I think that's what most people are missing... yes she may be a fictional character but she represents someone who has been hurt... especially by family, by never having a father and now it's hard for her to deal with that in a relationship. i understand that b/c i too think I would be horrible in a relationship b/c i can't deal with that yet. I do think meredith has grown but it takes a long time... it takes years... and years.
most of you don't get that because you haven't gone through it. i don't think she needs "help" i personally can't stand counselors and all those psych people... sorry for those of you that are. but yah you can learn how to talk to people and get their emotions out but you don't know them or about their lives you don't know what's best. who does... those closest to them. i know that personal friends have helped me more than anything. so yes meredith does need some growing and yes she may be a little selfish... but it's not something you can just get over and grow up as you all say.
yah yah it's just a show... but for some people it's knowledge you can look at another person going through the same thing and see how they handle things. you can't get that wisdom if they are over it in a couple episodes

Jen | Oct 5, 2007 8:23:03 PM | #

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Liz is my Hero! I want more Merideth bashing. I say kill her off, we have another Grey on the show now.

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Viola Clark | Dec 18, 2007 2:28:59 PM | #

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does anyone no exactly what Meredith said to Lexie about her dad? if u do PLEASE send it to me

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