I'm just going to get this out of the way right now: tonight's episode of Grey's Anatomy was to be continued. In two weeks. Now that's just plain mean, ABC, writers' strike or no. (Also mean? Airing a new episode Thanksgiving night. There was almost a fistfight between the Grey's fans and the football fans in my household. Thankfully, we were all so stuffed that it fizzled out pretty quickly.) So okay, tonight was chock full of drama, melodrama, a painfully cheesy death scene, and about a million plotlines. Put on your running shoes, because this is going to be an exhausting recap! (Spoilers ahead...)

The Ambulance Crash: Our main cases this week came from the aftermath of a collision between two ambulances right outside the hospital, caused by one of the paramedics having an unexplained seizure while driving. Thus, they have to drill into her skull to figure out what's wrong (after she has another seizure on the operating table), but the equipment goes dead while Derek's probe is in her brain. Of course. As if this episode weren't dramatic enough already. I'd call it overkill, but we've only just begun...

Trapped Paramedics: Two paramedics are trapped in one of the crashed ambulances. The cherry on top of this drama sundae? One of them, whose wife is an X-Ray tech at the hospital, is crushed, and will bleed out as soon as they move him. As if THIS weren't bad enough already, his partner gives him a pep talk consisting almost entirely of incredibly cheesy, overused lines. He's all, "Talk to me, buddy. You're not dying on me, dammit! Remember the night you met your wife? And you used that cheesy song on her?" (Cue an "I Can See Clearly Now" singalong, with the "I think I can make it now/The pain is gone" line spoken with comical gravity by the Chief.)

The whole thing is a) Absurdly clichéd and cheesy, and b) Rather similar to the whole "pole through two people, one of whom will die once you remove it" episode. But way, way less emotionally affecting. Stop trying to make me cry, Shonda! Or at least, stop trying so blatantly. Blah, blah, he says goodbye to his wife, his partner is now also in danger, an emotionally-invested Meredith crawls into the rig to do what Addison would call "crazy MacGyver surgery," much yelling of "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE TODAY!" ensues.

Neo-Nazi: One of the other injured paramedics insists to Bailey that he have a male doctor. And by "male," he apparently means "white." Oof. Turns out he's got a giant swastika tattooed on his stomach, and "didn't want to offend" Bailey. And by "didn't want to offend," he apparently means "didn't want to give her cause to actively hurt, rather than help, him." He needs surgery, which George has to participate in because the supremacist won't consent without a white doctor in the operating room. I loved the little moment in which Bailey refuses to pass the surgery off to someone else, because it would make her like the white supremacist. Bailey rocks, y'all. Unfortunately, the surgery causes her to miss an important "state of the marriage" lunch with her husband (which seems like it's been a long time coming, from the hours we know she keeps), which leads to the line of the night: "S'posed to be having lunch with my husband, and I'm elbow-deep in Nazi gut." And wow, completely fair that she doesn't want to be called the "Nazi" anymore.

SETH GREEN!: SETH GREEN!!! He's a patient of Sloan's who's just had a neck tumor removed, resulting in a virtually exposed carotid artery. Which could burst at any minute. And eventually does, while he's flirting adorably with Lexie. Um, yeah, Lexie should totally date Seth Green if he lives, especially given the Alex/Ava situation...

Alex/Ava: Okay. So Ava's back, and wants to see what Alex does while he's at the hospital, refusing to let him blow her off. Good on ya, Ava. Seems totally necessary with this guy. That said, it's pretty awkward when she and Lexie meet, even though Lexie denies knowing Alex once Ava says they're involved. Which, okay. Ava? You aren't exactly "with" him, since he's basically done nothing but blow you off. And Lexie? I don't think you can agree with Seth Green that Alex is your "boyfriend," since he's pretty much made clear that that's not the case, and since you refused to talk to him even before the Ava thing. Dude's clearly a lone wolf, at least for now. Just sayin'. That said, I'm totally rooting for he and Ava. (Yeah, I'm a closet romantic. Shut up.)

Other thoughts:

• At this point, I seriously couldn't care less whether Meredith tells Derek that she hates his dating while they're breakup-sexing, or whether Derek dates Rose, the formerly-engaged (and full of relationship goals) surgical nurse. Seen it, tired of it, ready to move on.
• Wait, George and Izzie are still together? What, are they platonic lovers now? SIGH.
• Hitting on someone when they're trying to get your help on a major surgery is just not cool, Sloan. Leave Hahn alone until after she removes the nice father's chest bone.
• I loved Derek's exchange with George when he asked what the deal was with his and Izzie's relationship, and George totally called him on being clingy and missing Meredith. These are the moments that made this show great--not the moments that try and force tears out of me (which is like blood from a stone, at this point).

Overall, I applaud the return of second season-style action and the lack of focus on Gizzie, I frown upon the cheesy attempts at being tear-jerking, and I demand more Dr. Hahn. (Whom everyone in the world is clearly split on. I, for the record, come down as solidly pro-Hahn. In case you hadn't noticed.) I humbly request that we return to the clever Grey's Anatomy dialogue that we all know and love, and ditch the tired Private Practice dialogue that we all know and are disappointed in. Plot-wise, let's go with quality over quantity, k? Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving! (I would totally win an apple pie bake-off against Izzie, by the way. And not just because Izzie is fictional. My pie today rocked.)

How did you feel about Ava's return? Were you able to get emotionally invested in any of the myriad plots introduced tonight?

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

Comments

Derek is pathetic he wasn't eyeing the nurse but the engagement ring. For a man who just got divorced he sure is in a rush to get married.

Tired and over done. Let Meredith move on already from this guy.

Sara | Nov 22, 2007 9:06:38 PM | #

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I'd like to see more medical & hospital plot and less personal & romance sleaze.

| Nov 23, 2007 4:29:58 AM | #

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So I do not know why but I still want MerDer to be together. I did like the exchange between Lexi and Seth Green,

I love how Hahn crushes Slone he needs that.

AND YOU GO Dr. Bailey... I hope she does not follow in the footsteps of the chief in the marriege arena

Christina | Nov 23, 2007 6:28:36 AM | #

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So I do not know why but I still want MerDer to be together. I did like the exchange between Lexi and Seth Green,

I love how Hahn crushes Slone he needs that.

AND YOU GO Dr. Bailey... I hope she does not follow in the footsteps of the chief in the marriege arena

Christina | Nov 23, 2007 6:28:42 AM | #

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Alex and Ava are awesome together. She can put him in his place and they are smokin hot. I hope Elizabeth Reaser stays on - she is an amazing actress.

Shannon | Nov 23, 2007 7:09:38 AM | #

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rose will kiss derek

juanete | Nov 23, 2007 8:04:47 AM | #

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I don't want to see more medical drama if the week and hospital plot lines - that was never what this show was about - that's e.r. Hated the whole upside down in the ambulance plot. Been there, done that. And I can't believe the writers write Merideth that way - a woman is sobbingly saying goodbye to her dying husband as he's bleeding out upside down, and for Merideth, it's still all about her - talking to the chief about how she never saw the woman before and - woe to me, I had to bring her the worst news of her life, poor me, I have such a tragic life.

Sue | Nov 23, 2007 9:00:55 AM | #

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Not bad, hate the two part-er with the extra week wait. Started to cover my eyes at the end with Seth Green and Lexie, because I was waiting for the artery to burst and it did, hello slasher movie.

The ambulance story and Mer's involvement did seem a bit repetitive; kinda like the bomb story without the explosive ending.

jbw | Nov 23, 2007 9:10:01 AM | #

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I predict: Bailey's marriage is doomed. Doomed! How are they going to bring Bailey into 'love drama' storylines if she's still married? That's how doomed is her marriage. Doomed!

Meredith is still on this show? What does she do?

I formally weigh in as pro-Hahn. I love how she calls everyone out on their unprofessional behavior. She's the doctor I'd want operating on me. Christina can assist. Meredith and Izzie better not even scrub in.

Siansonea | Nov 23, 2007 9:10:42 AM | #

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I got hooked on this show from the beginning because of the medical drama not for the personel love life of everyone. So whoever this Shonda person is take note and get with the wants and needs of the long time viewers.

| Nov 23, 2007 9:28:45 AM | #

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How can someone be hooked on this show and NOT know who Shonda is??? That's like being hooked on CSI and not knowing who Jerry Bruckheimer is!!

As for the person who wants more hospital plot & action and less romance & personal relationships - go watch ER. The whole idea about Grey's is about personal relationships.

Linda | Nov 23, 2007 10:51:50 AM | #

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This entire new season is far removed from the first two brilliant seasons of this show. I was watching it with my mom's bf last night, (wanted to show off the best show on television) and I was embarrassed. I AGREE!! Stop trying to make me cry and make me cry. Stop the cheesy Private Practice-esque dialogue and hit me with some Emmy-winning dialgoue Shonda. I want my old Grey's back. The first two and a half seasons of this show were unbelievable. This cheesy stuff is gettin way tooo old. "More Old Grey's I say!!"

Ryne | Nov 23, 2007 12:22:43 PM | #

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And yessss. MORE HAHN!! She is brilliant. She is far removed from being stuck in the well on "The Silence of the Lambs." Hahn has quickly become one of the strongest characters on this "used to be" unbelievable drama. Perhaps time of during the writers strike will allow Shonda to remember how to write like she used to. God I hope so.

Ryne | Nov 23, 2007 12:27:18 PM | #

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I like when Ava is around, especially because I have been saying forever that there needs to be some romance between people that aren't just doctors and interns and one slightly slutty nurse (who I actually liked and would like to see a little more of) honestly the characters come off a little snobby, as it seems that they don't associate with anyone who isn't a surgeon. No wonder Meredith didn't know who the x-ray tech was!

Mandy | Nov 23, 2007 3:47:36 PM | #

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Ugh! This show has gone downhill fast. Maybe the writer's strike will give them time to think up some better storylines.

Friday | Nov 23, 2007 4:25:59 PM | #

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The ambulance driver did not have a second seizure on the operating table per the recap. She had it while she was in her hospital bed talking to Shepard about the procedure.

Renee | Nov 23, 2007 5:27:05 PM | #

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I wondered about the scheduling as well. A two-parter split over three weeks? It would have been so easy to have some sort of "filler" for Thanksgiving eve and run the two parts in two consecutive weeks. Sheesh.

Seth Green! And his amazing spurting carotid artery. Okay, I might not like that storyline with another actor, but...Seth Green!

Best storyline was Bailey and swastika tattoo guy. Also, Christina's comment about her step-father's relatives (parents?) shows how fallacious the dude's reasoning was. Even a white person wouldn't necessarily be on his side.

Dr. Hahn is a terrific addition to the show. Even when she's giving Christina a hard time, it's good. When she's dressing down Sloane's inappropriate behavior, it's even better.

Yes, this show has degraded some and has some painful bits, but it still has enough worthwhile parts to keep me watching.

meggins | Nov 24, 2007 8:48:09 AM | #

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All I could think about when the ambulance guy was hanging upside down was Spiderman

All I could think about when the ambulance guy was hanging upside down was Spiderman #1 and wondering why Meredith couldn't at least put a pillow under Stan's head as he was lying with his head in the shattered glass. Don't much care for Eva. I find her boring. Love Bailey! Anyone else recognize Nazi guy as Brian Kinney
from Queer as Folk?

susanc | Nov 24, 2007 9:06:56 PM | #

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There's more to Nazi guy than meets the eye. He seemed very concerned about his African American partner's welfare before the swastika was discovered, so much so that I thought he was in love with her.
Wasn't Ava wearing the same blouse she wore when she first re-met Alex three episodes ago?
Meredith cannot dance for toffee!
I really don't want Bailey's marriage to be over it seems like too much of a cliche. Bailey's been married for ten years and was Chief Resident when we met her so it can't have been a surprise to her husband that she worked hard.
Poor Derrick - he wants to be everyone's friend and only Mark actually wants him to be!

Sirius | Nov 25, 2007 3:07:14 AM | #

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Does anyone else remember the episode of ER where Benton lamented having to miss time with his mom because he had to operate on a guy with a swastika? Just wonderin'

bb | Nov 25, 2007 11:08:03 AM | #

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Does anyone else remember the episode of ER where Benton lamented having to miss time with his mom because he had to operate on a guy with a swastika? Just wonderin'

bb | Nov 25, 2007 11:08:05 AM | #

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It's hard to be anything-Hahn, considering she was barely in this episode. This was the least whiny episode in a while, and was much better than a lot of the other parts of this season.

I dont think dialogue has really changes - it's always somewhat cheesy, but that's the show.

Josh | Nov 26, 2007 9:24:34 AM | #

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Okay, I think a little perspective is needed about the whole "dialogue" thing. Greys has been pulling that stuff since its been on the air. It's finally getting on people's nerves, and its suddenly Private Practice like? Go watch your Season 1 & 2 DVDs again and tell me exactly how the dialogue has changed. Private Practice is just Grey's without the emergency room and the weird surgeries.

Angel | Nov 26, 2007 8:20:22 PM | #

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the end was like out of a horror movie!
I cant stand izzie which is weird bc she was my favorite
it actually makes Meridith tolerable
hahn is such a bitch, kill her off already>>but then i feel like I lover her later, like i did addison.
ok episode.
why is the chief still here?

? | Nov 26, 2007 9:07:42 PM | #

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I do enjoy Dr Hahn - way to go dissing Sloan! That will probably make him want her all the more.

I love Meredith an Derek and want them to be together.

I don't get people that marry someone in a profession like doctor, firefighter, policeman, and then bitch because of the time and hours taken up by their job - Hello? What is different about their job AFTER you marry them then before? NOTHING so get off their backs! Bailey's husband needs to get over it - we've barely seen or heard from him except when he was in the accident the day she was in labor so why must be deal with this cliche now?

Betty | Nov 27, 2007 4:19:09 PM | #

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I also think there is more to the swastika guy(Brian Kinney
from Queer as Folk). He was worried about his partner and he did say something about it being a mistake when he was young.

Ray | Nov 28, 2007 6:28:56 AM | #

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Does anyone know the name of the actor who played "Stan" the ambulance driver who dies.

Shay | Dec 6, 2007 8:01:33 PM | #

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Does anyone know the name of the actor who played "Stan" the ambulance driver who dies?

Shay | Dec 6, 2007 8:01:40 PM | #

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Does anyone know the name of the actor who played "Stan" the ambulance driver who dies?

Shay | Dec 6, 2007 8:01:42 PM | #

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The E.R. episone with Dr. Benton saving the guy with "Die N" on his chest was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the paramedic with the swastika.

Ech | Dec 7, 2007 12:17:41 PM | #

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I cannot get enough of Erica Hahn. Did any of you see episode 410 already?
Shewas really hard on herself. She is married to her job. Tell that to Dr. McSleazy.
Friends would be good, but lovers would be better.

Tyler | Dec 12, 2007 12:39:01 PM | #

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I just realized today (upon seeing a rerun on lifetime) how amazing season 2 was.. I miss it. However, I did think this episode was on the better side in terms of end of season 3 and season 4 standards.

I am so over "Gizzie", never liked to begin with. However, I do want Mer & Der to be together. I want them to be together, but not like they've been lately... I want vintage Mer/Der back.

Julia | Dec 22, 2007 9:25:27 PM | #

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I just realized today (upon seeing a rerun on lifetime) how amazing season 2 was.. I miss it. However, I did think this episode was on the better side in terms of end of season 3 and season 4 standards.

I am so over "Gizzie", never liked to begin with. However, I do want Mer & Der to be together. I want them to be together, but not like they've been lately... I want vintage Mer/Der back.

Julia | Dec 22, 2007 9:25:57 PM | #

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I just realized today (upon seeing a rerun on lifetime) how amazing season 2 was.. I miss it. However, I did think this episode was on the better side in terms of end of season 3 and season 4 standards.

I am so over "Gizzie", never liked to begin with. However, I do want Mer & Der to be together. I want them to be together, but not like they've been lately... I want vintage Mer/Der back.

Julia | Dec 22, 2007 9:27:42 PM | #

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