A giant sinkhole appeared at Seattle Grace Mercy West this week in the form of cracked lives, sunk marriages and broken friendships. Not helped by the actual sinkhole that appeared in the middle of Seattle, providing us with a neat little medical metaphor for our doctors to work with. Grey’s Anatomy announced Season 8 with a premiere filled with style, form, humour and some really cracking performances. Refreshed from their summer hiatus Shonda Rhimes’s cast and crew treated us to a double bill of vintage Grey’s, reminding us that they maybe in Season 8 but they can still deliver the goods.
The premiere opens, a week following the events of Season 7 finale, with a departure from the normal format as we meet a young married couple arguing at breakfast, with no surgeons present. This young couple with early marriage problems provide the guiding medical drama as their story intertwines with our doctors. What makes this double episode so satisfying is the return to quality storytelling in the way that Grey’s does best, blending a strong patient storyline into the doctors lives, consistent characterisation and character follow through, with brilliant performances and careful direction. Shonda helps this immensely by putting three of her most experienced writers on the case. Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, who’s last episode was the quite exceptional, and in my opinion best episode of Season 7, Adrift and At Peace came in for 801 Free Falling. Deborah Cahn who had the unenviable task of writing the Season 7 finale, Unaccompanied Minor, having been given too much story to wrap up, came in for 802 She’s Gone. A nice touch was for Tony Phelan to direct 802, which allowed for a smooth transition of episodes given they aired together.
Meredith finds herself in the biggest personal sinkhole - Separated from her very angry husband; trying to cope with an unsettled toddler; her job on the line; surrounded by a nervous social worker; with her best friend dealing with her own unforgivable sinkhole. Everyone is rooting for Meredith...well ok, not Derek, nor Bailey as it happens but I’m grateful that her feud with Alex was treated quickly and irreverently. It was also made clear that Meredith wants to be a mother. I was never quite convinced in Season 7. Nor was I convinced that she wanted to adopt. It seemed that Derek forced that situation onto her. Meredith baby-napping, dealing with Cristina, lecturing Owen and realising that Zola should stay with Derek in order that they might keep her convinces me that she’s really in this. And the beautiful way the writers continue to place Ellis in every decision Meredith makes merely solidifies that.
Now Derek on the other hand, what is up with that guy? I want to have sympathy for Derek, I really do, but the writers make it very hard. He is not out of character (for me he is unfortunately in character, we see the worst of his very arrogant ‘holier than thou’ nature) and I can’t find it in me to be sympathetic. On a rational level I understand why he’s so angry. It’s not about betrayal, although that is the obvious issue. Nor is it about damage to his career. “The level of insanity in my wife’s behaviour defies imagination” – really Derek? Perhaps we need to take you back to the lobotomy you performed during your own moment of insanity, 516 An Honest Mistake.
For me the crisis that plays out in Derek’s mind is about the clinical trial itself and what it meant personally to him, to cure a disease that could potentially plague and kill the love of his life. That is really what’s going on here. But either Derek hasn’t admitted it to himself yet or he’s unwilling to share his feelings because the Derek we were treated to this week was deeply unpleasant. I am waiting for Derek to show us that he’s actually feeling something, not bitch and moan about what Meredith did or didn’t do or whether she is trustworthy. He needs to tell me about the personal impact on him. Maybe then I will understand his point of view and feel some sympathy for it. We are in for the long haul on this one folks. I trust that Shonda will deliver on this but she’s going to rip the band-aid off very very slowly.
Cristina went ahead with the abortion, in what was a triumph of excellent characterisation and performance. There was never any choice that this would be the direction of the story, if credibility were to be maintained, although I do not triumph over the act itself. But whilst this storytelling was true to Cristina I can’t help but feel this marks the beginning of the end for Cristina and Owen. Owen is now realising that if he wants to stay with Cristina he will never have children. That is some pretty heavy crap to get your head around. In a moment of blinding clarity, with an exceptional piece of story and dialogue Meredith gives Owen the truth. “My mother was a Cristina”. And Ellen Pompeo delivers gold.
It is satisfying that Deborah Cahn had the opportunity to bring Owen full circle. In Unaccompanied Minor he was selfish, he didn’t listen, he was insensitive. In She’s Gone Meredith opens his eyes and he finally sees the real Cristina and accepts that she might cut off his leg to save him but she won’t bend in her values. I loved seeing Owen’s struggle and acceptance and I’m looking forward to the fall out of her decision this season. It presents a unique and original story arc.
I will admit, in moments of weakness, when Callie was being her bitchiest self that I secretly hoped Arizona would run off with Alex. But I will settle for the return of Team Peds. To quote Arizona “Yay!” Alex has redeemed himself for his folly as the remaining MAGIC three were reunited in their efforts to cover up Meredith’s disappearance. I am so pleased this story was treated with humour and not drama. And I especially liked the comedy between Alex and Cristina. There is an affection there that we so rarely get to see. That it is Alex who comforts Meredith at the end just shows that these three really are indestructible.
And the comedy continued as the new 5th year residents squabbled to the frustration of Bailey, who, in a moment of despair pulls out a Gunther and “who doesn’t love a Gunther!” Was it me, or was Bailey just a little bit too angry this week. Perhaps the most surprising story turn was with Teddy and Cristina. I like this new Teddy. She sussed out Cristina in Season 7 but realised her method of dealing with her wasn’t working. So she’s changed it, helped by her unnatural ‘sex fuelled’ cheerfulness. She’s gone passive aggressive. She’s attacking Cristina with tough love hidden under the guise of back to basics. And then there’s Jackson with Mark. Oh this will not end well. Shonda is setting up her mentor/mentee relationships for Season 8 for some juicy medical mishap. Oh bring it on! But where is April’s mentor? Surely she deserves an attending to stand up for her, to support her, to coach her...Just like Jackson’s changed from Cardio to plastics lets hope April changes from Neuro to ...Ortho? General? Bailey and Callie are missing their own resident bunnies.
This was a truly excellent double episode but there were two things that did not sit well with me. Richard Webber took the fall for Meredith. I realise he feels responsible for her job situation but this story arc feels like a cop out, the easy way to get Meredith back in scrubs. The second issue I have concerns the very poor editing of both episodes but particularly 801 Free Falling. Having 4 babies on set was probably quite demanding. Having them alternate in shots was, I assume, chaotic for continuity and, unfortunately, it showed. There were too many shot errors that were poorly dealt with in the editing suite. Normally these are only spotted when you view for a 2nd or 3rd time but I saw them on first watching. I am surprised. The editor for Free Falling, Susan Vaill, has been with the show since the beginning.
OK there is a third thing that didn’t sit well with me...Lexie and Jackson having sex within the first minute of the show. I did not need to see that. Seriously, this relationship needs to tank quickly. I'm beginning to think that the writers merely see Lexie as Jackson's little sex poodle. I hope she gets some meaty material further in, and no, I’m not talking about Jackson type meaty, maybe her own set of interns to boss around.
But those were small issues really. To end on a high...How does life start for Callie and Arizona in Season 8? If you were ever in any doubt that the writers or Shonda pay attention to fans then you only need to watch the opening Calzona scene to be reassured that they do. This picture says it all...
The elevator opens. The girls are wearing low cut blouses to show off their matching valentine’s hearts. Arizona is holding Sofia. Callie is fiddling her ear with her left hand in shot, prominently displaying her wedding band. You can almost hear Shonda speaking to Tony and Joan on the first day back after hiatus – “make sure the first scene is a Callie and Arizona ONLY family scene”. And then fast forward to the first day of shooting, to the director, Rob Corn – “make sure Arizona is the one carrying the baby and the jewellery is in shot”. We are treated to an affectionate gaze from Callie to Arizona. Then through the episodes we witness friendly banter between Arizona and Mark, and mutual parental fear between all three parents. Putting aside the fact that Sofia was very deliberately cast to look like Callie, take a step back. If this was the first episode you ever watched and you saw Callie, Arizona and Mark, who would YOU think Sofia’s real mother was? On this episode you’d have to say Arizona. Showing Arizona and Callie, as equals in an affectionate, married family unit with baby, and showing Mark, as a comfortable, yet separate part of their life was deliberate, carefully constructed and, a direct result of viewer feedback during hiatus. Although I suspect that Shonda would never admit to this.
This whole double episode reminded me so much of the early days as interns. Squabbling, almost killing each other; covering up for one another; comforting Meredith who’s not with Derek; Bailey being the ‘nazi’; Cristina, excitable, passionate yet back to intern basics with her cardio god. I love it. I was not excited about Grey’s after the S7 finale but I am very excited after seeing this premiere. I remain a little cautious, worried that Shonda will let her baby writers out of their prams as the season progresses, but what I saw this week gave me hope for a mighty fine Season 8.
A few random highlights...
The most heartbreaking scene: The chief walking out and talking to Adele. You just know this season is going to test our own tear ducts when it comes to the Alzheimer’s story arc. By the way, has anyone else noticed how very fine James Pickens Jr looks in pink?
Performances knocked out of the park: let’s give it up for Ellen Pompeo (just brilliant), Sandra Oh (who never ever ever does a bad job) and the dark horse that is Kevin McKidd, who stole the show eventually.
Just the funniest thing ever: Oh the entire Gunther story, but particularly “you crazy bitch, you almost killed me” sequence.
With so much going on, I haven’t talked about the music. I shall save that for a mini post on my blog later in the week.
Well folks, what did you all think?
Written by: Brouhaha aka @pipmaxine, who apologises profusely for mentioning Jackson way to much in this review. I'm very sorry. It will never happen again... if I can possibly help it.
