Anyone else feeling like episode four (yes, I'm still counting) finally felt right? It was comfortable, easy paced, and it wasn't trying too hard. It had a nice balance of patient stories vs. character building. It's grown on me. I'm a fan of Private Practice and I'm not afraid to say it. And I may even be looking forward to the absolutely sure thing hookup between Pete and Addison. Pete is cute. It's not going to be Addison's happily ever after, because that would just be too easy, but it will be some fun TV.

While there are no major plot twists are revealed below, I'll still add a spoiler warning. And I just wanted to use italics.

I'm terribly disappointed in the whole office for not RSVPing to Addison's little shindig. She's trying! After feeling disillusioned last week, she's making an honest effort to get to know everyone, and no one seemed to care. Maybe it's because I'm Southern, and certain protocols are just expected, or because I'm waiting for the RSVPs to roll in for my son's birthday party and the phone ain't ringing, but what a bunch of self-centered whiners! Even though they showed up in the end, Addison doesn't need another reason to come across as weak and needy. We already know she does that well enough already.

And is Addison really going to get pregnant? What does she want more, love or children? What does she think a child is going to do for her? And how many real life kids does Addison know? Can you really see her dealing with snot on her shoulder and fruit snacks stuck in her hair? Like I said, I'm looking forward to the Pete and Addison thing getting into gear, but how is this need for her own "miracle" going to play out? Even in pre-PP days, there was that duality going on – Addison needing love, and Addison also pining to be a mother, or at least experience what it is to be a mother, and understand what her patients are going through. I find her need to hope for miracles and chances endearing, but I'm afraid to see what the reality of daily motherhood will do to Addison. I'm dreading some end-of-the-season classic pregnancy cliffhanger. As for Pete, he helps old people have better sex. What's not to love about that? But is he a great love or a daddy?

You know, Violet's stalkery obsession is like a bad splinter under a band-aid. You know you're going to have to rip the band-aid off, and then deal with the splinter underneath. As such, I'm really hoping that bringing Violet's ex's wife Cami into the office, and from what I hear, the ex himself in the upcoming weeks, is the first real sign of Violet really letting this go. We're just going to have to be along for the whole gruesome process. And I know I'm kidding myself.

So why oh why did Cami have to give her a glimmer of hope? Violet's going to latch onto that comment like a rabid dog. And now we find out that Cooper has been pining away for Violet? Oh, it's a match made in creepy heaven. Wow, can't wait for that eventual breakup! It will be a half season of ickiness!

But even though I still think he's creepy, Cooper handled the gay kid and his unrequited love in a sweet way. The young actor who played Michael should be commended, too.

Other Comments:
- I have to let go of the idea that any of these doctors have any idea about client privacy. I don't see Dell handing out copies of the HIPAA privacy rule. Yes, I know it's TV, but I could wallpaper my house with those information sheets.
- Crohn's Disease is fairly common, really. I have two friends that have it. It shouldn't have taken a whole pow wow to figure that out. I guess they had to one-up Dr. Charlotte at the hospital somehow.
- Can we please, please, give Naomi more of a storyline?
- I think we have enough backstory now, four big episodes in, that I don't have to do any more rambling recapping. I'm liberated!

What do you think? What about Violet and Cooper? What do you want to see... Addison the mommy or Addison the happy better half?

Comments

I agree about the Crohn's comment also, I know a few people with that disease also, and I know that it didn't take years for their doctor's to diagnose it.

As for the gay kid, as soon as Cooper asked "who is she?" I knew he was gay. Well, I should actually say, it confirmed to me that the kid was gay. I thought he was when he said he was in love with someone from the skatepark. If he was straight, they (the writers) would have phrased it as "I'm in love with a girl (or the girl's name) from the skatepark" not the way they did.

Rishi | Oct 18, 2007 12:24:49 AM | #

---

I forgot to mention I liked some of the guests on the ep this week.

I think the actress who played the girl with Crohn's I think was from Joan of Arcadia (science geek chick, undercover cute).

Also the old guy with the fainting problems was a Senator/Representive on The West Wing. He was the centre/focus of my favourite ep on that series - the one where he played the grandfather of an autistic grandson and he was trying to convince the Wingers to get more money spent on research for the disease by reading a book during the 'free' talk session on congress. I don't remember the term, but if you remember the ep you know what I'm talking about.

Rishi | Oct 18, 2007 12:28:30 AM | #

---

I really like this show. Most of the characters are very likeable and multi-dimensional, but I am developing a HUGE problem with one character and that is Violet.

First of all, the woman is just a little too far off the deep end. I have plenty of women friends who have had very difficult times getting over a relationship, but this is beyond normal behavior.

That, however, is not even my biggest complaint about this character, and I think it is what Kiley kinda mentioned, and that is her COMPLETE lack of professionalism.

The first week, she wasn't so terribly bad with her patients, but it has plummeted since then.

The second week with the switched baby dilemma had her telling the mothers what a "good mother" could and could not do. That was aggrevating.

The next week, she was dealing with the guy who wanted to leave his wife, and she did NOTHING but project her issues onto him. Getting angry at him because he did not leave when she thought he should? Are you kidding?!

The WORST incident was this week, though, as she was so obsessed with her ex's wife that she stole her file after considering stealing her pee. All of this is so far over the line, that it is even distracting to me, and I rarely complain about plot points that are unrealistic.

They need to alter this character as quickly as possible before she moves beyond the point of no return. Amy Brenneman is a very capable actress and she deserves better than this!

Travis | Oct 18, 2007 7:22:53 AM | #

---

After the patient started saying her first symptoms, I told my friend immediately - they're going to diagnose her with Crohn's.

I have Crohn's disease and it took doctors 5 years to diagnose me. A lot of symptoms look like they could be caused from something else. But watching that brought me back to when I was first diagnosed, it ended up being much more emotional than I had expected! And now I'm hooked on the show...

Kristen | Oct 18, 2007 8:34:18 AM | #

---

Don't know which hospital the show always talks about, but with all it's problems, it's one to avoid. Mis-diagnosing patients, baby swithces, god knows what else is wrong there.

Alfie | Oct 18, 2007 10:03:44 AM | #

---

Do the writers of this show even know any adult professionals, I wonder? If so, why do they make all the female characters (who are around or beyond 40) act like hormonal teenagers? Then they add this teenage surfer kid who has the wisdom of Solomon. Give me a break!
The cast is sensational and the writers need to come up with material good enough for them.

wmeador | Oct 18, 2007 10:43:09 AM | #

---

God, I want to like this show! But it's making it hard for me... I agree that it's getting better (in some ways), but man, Addison is now so needy and off-putting right now; kind of agressively annoying. All traits she exhibited on Grey's, but somehow, there she was sympathetic.

Violet is verging on derangement; and yes, she doesn't seem like a very good therapist. I would suggest adding a new character as HER therapist. I think it's pretty well established that often shrinks need a shrink of their own to help them with hearing all the problems they listen to. With that new character, they could then get rid of Dr. Charlotte from the hospital.
That character should walk around with as sign that says "I'm only here to antagonize everyone else." Talk about forced - sheesh.

Cooper is creepy and I don't look forward to he and Violet getting together.

Naomi needs something to do and the show MUST completely drop the 'Dell wants Naomi' subplot.

Ok, despite my rant, I am quite fond of the show. I felt the exact same way about Greys' Anatomy during its first season; it bothered me to no end. Then it became my guilty pleasure; then I became a fan.

With the acting caliber on hand (which in some ways has hindered the show a little - more unknowns would have helped), as long as the writing improves and gets more sure-footed, the show can be great.

Varris | Oct 18, 2007 11:29:20 AM | #

---

im glad to see that Addison is beating up the Bionic women. At first i thiught id be close, but now PP is staying at range while Bionic Women keeps falling more each week . So far BW is 37% below from the first episode. I smell a cancellation for Bionic Women, thanks to Addison.

john | Oct 18, 2007 12:17:54 PM | #

---

I love this show too! Here is what I see for Addison. I think there will be an abandon baby story line coming up in her future. She has to care for the child for awhile. Then it makes her realize that a baby can't and won't give her the love she wants and she realizes her true feelings for Pete.

Dawn | Oct 18, 2007 12:32:34 PM | #

---

I have Crohn's too, and while it's not always easily diagnosed, it's certainly not one of those illnesses that people think are "all in your head." And certainly skipped over some of the more unpleasant and yet MOST COMMON symptoms that would have made it obvious. This is not House, don't try to be.

Celeste | Oct 18, 2007 3:44:13 PM | #

---

Quite honestly - I was very upset over the way they handled the Crohn's patient. I have Crohn's and it was fairly easy to determine I had IBD - then we has to determine if it was Crohn's or Colitis. I really felt like they were belittling the disease which can be quite tramatic at times, particulary when you are pregnant. The "Medical" consultants need to do a little better!!!!!!

Michelle | Oct 18, 2007 6:02:32 PM | #

---

Still not really sold on the show; not really interested in the Pete hook-up-- it'd be funny, if, in Dell's pinning over Naomi, and Addison's lamenting whatever, that they hook up for a wild night and Dell becomes a daddy. Yes, after Veronica Mar's Dell deserves more to do. Yes, it's bad when I find the hospital doc more interesting than any of the principle characters.

John | Oct 19, 2007 6:30:56 AM | #

---

After they explained the symptoms of Crohns i knew exactly what i was, after having it for half my life. It made me sooo sad and upset

Natalie | Oct 23, 2007 10:31:12 PM | #

---

IBD pet peeve - I hate it that Crohns and ulcerative colitis both fall under the category inflammatory bowel disease IBD, and there is a completely separate illness, irritable bowel disease, with the same initials.

Inflammatory isn't irritable - lots more bleeding and pain.

Just a pet peeve for a longtime ulcerative colitis patient (30 years). Under control now with immuran.

Maureen | Oct 25, 2007 12:24:44 AM | #

---

Post a comment

Name:
Email Address:	optional
URL:	optional
Comments: