So finally, Bailey gets a purpose. It's only taken I don't know how many seasons to elevate Bailey back up the cast pecking order. Yep, sure she's had OCD, a wedding, a clinical trial but none of these have defined her role in the show. Her OCD appears to be forgotten. Her wedding was to a then guest star (though one might argue that bringing Jason George in as a regular is the kiss of death to that marriage). Her Aids clinical trial has gone nowhere. And she was a minister without portfolio on the board - what was her role on the board anyway? But her elevation to chief has given her purpose and reach. Professionally she can interfere, annoy, and generally run amok around all the surgeons. She's arrived.
Walking Tall, written by Meg Marinis, directed by Debbie Allen, featured Bailey's 'perfect' first day as Chief of Surgery, ball busting, bossy and frankly rather dictatorial. Honestly I expected nothing less from the surgeon formerly known as the Nazi. The episode itself however was flat. I enjoyed it. It was not a bad episode. Actually it was quite fun but did it stoke fire in my Grey's heart - no - and that's disappointing for such an early episode. Written by Meg Marinis who has penned a few big episodes in the last two seasons there should've been more character and story depth, especially from Miranda. Instead we were treated to an over simplified lesson in leadership. The humbling of Bailey reduced to one episode when it could've been a huge storyline. Saying that, Chandra Wilson delivered a wonderful performance of a sheepish chief but oh, how I miss watching the passionate and adrenalized Bailey of 'Death and all his friends', episode 6.24.
Walking Tall also saw the return of an emboldened and infected April, determined to get her marriage back on track. Delivering a tirade of military metaphors she demands that Jackson hears what she has to say through the lonely, isolating yet transparent bubble. You can't blame Jackson for being is a pi**y mood. She abandoned him, quite possibly at the worst time someone could abandon a spouse. And she doesn't see it yet. April has turned into a firebrand, she's incendiary. We've seen hints of it before - those with the long memory again may remember her shouting at Owen while driving the ambulance - but nothing like the person she's become now. It's intriguing. Is this an organic transformation of the character or did the writers plan it? I hope, really hope, that when they were planning the time jump, April's decision to join the army was independent of that, that her running away was a truth rather than a convenient manufactured outcome. She is a runner, she ran from a wedding, she ran from her job….now she's stopped running and she's fighting. I want to be optimistic about this couple but I can't. I'm struggling to be optimistic about couples, period, in this show.
Did you spot the irony surrounding Meredith and April? Meredith's husband died, the man of her dreams, her 'other' soulmate, and she ran. Far away. She came back, and we've all forgotten that she went in the first place. April and Jackson lost a baby and April ran. Far away. April returned yet in her case we get to see the consequences played out over, probably at least half a season. Jackson and April are allowed to live through grief and its repercussions. Meredith is not. And that's all about Patrick Dempsey.
The rest of the story lines played out as character house keeping, letting things tick along in the background. The sisters continue to be bonding as roomies, now making more room for Alex. Unfortunately Jo persists in being the least watchable character in the show. I'm beginning to think she has 'Arizona' syndrome - where her story revolves around the one romance she has, with little if any character building. She's still whining, which is what she was doing at the end of season eleven and this forces me to reach for the mute button when she starts talking. It's getting tedious now. Speaking of Arizona….Callie is sharing her love life, true to form, with everyone in the entire hospital, except of course with her ex-wife. We were told before the season started that Arizona will be okay with this. I wonder if she really is? Owen and Amelia are caught in their lust bubble. I love that they are keeping things light hearted with this couple. Both characters have had full on emotional entanglements that it's a relief to see gentle flirting. Unfortunately gentle flirting does not tell a big story. Let's get on with this one shall we.
There was a breath of fresh air wafting through the episode. It was subtle, strong enough only to dust the hairs on your arms but nevertheless could be felt. Isaac Cross, Intern. Cross is the Heather Brooks, maybe even the George, of season 12. He hasn't said much. He certainly hasn't done much but the promise is there. With wonderful comic timing and a tender delivery Joe Adler brings what many of the other interns have failed to bring, believability. We can forgive his crush on Jo, he doesn't know any better. We can only hope that the writers discover that this character has that special something that makes us want him around, something we probably haven't seen since April turned up. I would say Jackson too, but those of you who've been reading my reviews for some time now will know that I was not a fan of Dr Avery when he first arrived.
The mystery continues when it comes to Meredith's children. Where are they? I like to solve some of these little puzzles in my head. I imagine a very efficient nanny has been employed, using the profits of the house sale or maybe Derek's life insurance. I can't imagine she's a live-in nanny. Where the hell would she or he sleep? There can't possibly be a spare bedroom in Meredith's mother's house.
ICYMI - there were two lovely references to Mark in this episode. The first - the title - Walking Tall, those of you with long memories will remember fondly Mark's reminding Callie "walk tall Torres, walk tall". Irony or coincidence that Callie has a new confidence around dating other women in this episode. The second reference to Mark will quite possibly be my favourite little scene of the season. I know, only episode two, how can I possibly have a favourite:
Amelia: Have you ever had a friend who's like a really good friend and you just wanna make out with them all the time
Callie: Oh yeah! Yeah, I used to do that for years.
Amelia: And what happened?
Callie: ….Sofia.
Episode two, Walking Tall, was enjoyable, warm, though not an earth mover. It reminded me of early seasons with a 'back to basics' theme running through it. While the cover versions are excellent the lack of original or new music rather implies we are nearing the end. As a show that I love FOR it's strong female characters it lacks the presence of strong male leads, not necessarily to provide romance but to establish a balance, the yang. Perhaps I was reminded by 'the lady place' conversation or perhaps I'm just missing Derek…or Mark.
Okay, I will always miss Mark.
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