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« Grey's Anatomy
Adjust Your Expectations
They're over. Or are they? Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy by Scott Garfield/ABC
Episode Recap: "A Change is Gonna Come"
Watching the season premiere tonight was like welcoming an old friend back into your home. It was so easy to slip back into Grey's world and get caught up in all of the amazing moments that make this show so much fun to watch. And while I expected the night to start off on a somber note (by addressing the Cristina/Burke fallout), I was pleasantly surprised by the way the attendees paid tribute to Bailey, by giving their new interns the same exact first-day speech Bailey had given them. In fact, I was pleased to see Cristina was doing just "fine," as she told her interns: "Don't suck up to me. I already hate you." Same old Cristina . . . so far.
Surprisingly, Meredith also seemed to be doing just fine, despite not having seen Derek in seventeen days. Izzie, on the other hand, was bitter that George had all but disappeared after she told him that she loved him. Of course, we all know how that storyline ended, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Then, of course, there's Bailey. I have to admit, I think she would have been an awesome Chief Resident and I was secretly rooting for her to land the job last season. However, that's not to say that I was happy to see how badly Callie was adjusting to her new role. Alex was downright difficult with her and George wasn't exactly giving her a soft place to land when they found themselves having an impromptu chat about having a baby. But as Bailey told her at the end of the night, you can always hope that tomorrow will be better.
So, the attendees found themselves working on cases that were representative in some way of their own lives. Meredith worked on a woman with a severed arm, who lamented that she was all alone in the world and about to have a baby. When that patient started to let the fear of being solo sink in, moments before her surgery, Mer calmed her down by telling her the one thing I can imagine she has probably told herself a million times: "Better to be alone, than to feel like a failure in a relationship."
Meanwhile, Cristina was working on a patient whose skull had disconnected from his spine. The common thread here became obvious when the man's family came to see him, and Cristina told them it could be for the very last time. Perhaps it was that moment that really got Cristina thinking about how much she did in fact miss Burke, as we later learned in the episode.
Then there's Izzie, who worked on a deer tonight. Even she compared herself to being like Bambi, "all alone in the forest." It didn't seem like George quite understood that metaphor at the time of their heated exchange in the stairwell, but I guess he did — why else would he have showed up at her door that night, just to tell her that he loved her, too? And like many of you out there, I'm not too thrilled by this confession either.
The high point of the night for me was the scene shared by George and Lexie. For the most part, I thought Lexie was a little too preoccupied with what Meredith was doing all day, so I was really impressed when it was she who was able to get George to stop feeling sorry for himself and to live in the moment instead. After all, he did just deliver a baby! And how amazing was it that the new interns were so impressed by George's work, on his "first" day on the job? As George told her earlier, Lexie is "kind of awesome," and even more so for keeping George's secret.
I have to mention that I was somewhat disappointed by the explanation they gave for Burke's departure. He simply handed in his letter of resignation? Seriously, I think I was hoping for something a little more creative than that!
Then of course there's the stickiness of what happened between Meredith and Derek tonight. One minute Meredith is telling him that they're breaking up and they're done. The next minute it's like prom night at the hospital all over again! Who knows what's in store for these two this season, but I'm ready to take that roller coaster ride one more time to find out!
Let me know what you thought of tonight's episode and remember, you can catch clips from Grey's Anatomy in our Online Video Guide.
Feel yourself missing Addison in this episode? Tune into TV Guide Network for "Come Rain or Come Shine: From Grey's Anatomy to Private Practice" for an in-depth look at her journey; Sept. 29 7pm/ET.
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Sep 27, 2007 11:14 PM
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Love having Grey's back!! But Izzie nearly ruined it for me.
I'm really interested in George's situation because as we've seen before, interns really share a special bond together and he has that bond already but he will eventually share a bond with his new interns, Lexie especially. Personally I think if George dumped his current friends (Meredith & Izzie) for Lexi and some random intern, it would be a definite upgrade.
-Isiah Washington's absence was noticeable
-I really don't want to see Meredith dissing her sister all season
-Chyler Leigh/Lexie Grey seems to be a much needed addition
-Is it just me or were there just WAY too many interns crowding the hospital
-I still don't understand Richard's decision to choose Torres over Bailey
-and of course: Bailey ROCKS
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Sep 27, 2007 11:15 PM
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Loved having Grey's back too! It feel's like I've been reunited with some friends that have been missing for a while.
I really enjoyed Lexie being George's friend. A lot of people seem a lil upset about her joining, but I'm really looking forward to the fresh blood.
As for the Gizzie finale, I'm sorry but I can't help but love it. Some people, do just fall in love with the wrong people. And it can get ugly. It's not just on TV. But when you're feeling all alone, that love is everything that's why Izzie obessesed over not talking to George the majority of the eppy. They had to reach that point for it to finally cool off, if they just dropped the storyline, I think it would have rung more false then for them following through with the exchange.
It was a slow beginning, but I think we're gonna get our Grey's to shine again this season.
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Sep 27, 2007 11:41 PM
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Saving a deer. Seriously? The deer leaping to it's feet perfectly steady after being charged with the paddles? Seriously? Seriously?
Izzie drives me nuts, I hate her storyline and dislike her and George immensely.
I'm so over Derrick and Meredith, who even cares anymore?
And who was the Chief Resident last year? Would have been Bailey and Callie's boss but don't recall seeing anyone in that role....seems like a big hole in the story.
Meredith's sister was playing so obviously to Meredith traits---I'm quirky, I talk a lot, I'm obsessed with following someone around all day (Meredith) and seeing what they think about me. Yawn.
Very negative I know, but the last 1/3 of last year I was nearly done with the stretches of imagination, leaps of faith and out of left field awkwardness of George and Izzie that this season premiere really needed to step up it's game to keep me.
It didn't. I'm done. Thursday night is now for Ugly Betty and The Office.
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Sep 28, 2007 12:29 AM
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Yeah it was fine.....not great.....
Im waiting for the "Our Dad sucks" talk between lexie and merideth....
And I ave one thing to say about George and Izzie.
Yuck.
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Sep 28, 2007 12:30 AM
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Dang that Tivo!
Mine cut out just as Izzy is going to the door. I think I know what happened, but I didn't see the tone or the faces. Will someone please set the times correctly and let Tivo know?
Ok - Why isn't anyone yelling at Alex for not noticing all his materials gone?
Derek and Mark - I came back for you - priceless in a weird awkward way.
Lexi - A basically emotionally intact Meredith? She had stable parents, a normal life and knows how to be nice to people. Meredith is not looking good in comparison. Sure Meredith had an emotionally abusive/bankrupt upbringing - but hey that is what therapy is for - get some!
Poor use of Christine although it sounds like next week will be good one (Although I only know from spoilers because of the frakking Tivo!)
Happy to have my watercooler show back.
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Sep 28, 2007 12:58 AM
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I hate Izzy and Gizzy, just kill the witch off, she sucks.
Derek and Burke were an awesome duo too...
Don't like Lexi and I miss Burke...hello Bionic Woman!
Oh well...
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Sep 28, 2007 2:01 AM
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I posted the following post on what I thought was tonight's blog, so I'll post it here also.
Gotta say, I totally agree with you, kellyn.
Original Post:
The whole show was boring for me. Last year was so bad, IMO, and perhaps I had low expectations going in, and they were met tonight.
It wasn't bad like last year, but I didn't find anything great going on. I guess it's bad when you want Lexie to win the guy, win the friends, etc. But then I've never been a Meredith fan, with all that pouty, whiny selfishness.
I will watch next week but I can't see that they'll improve on this tired formula.
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Sep 28, 2007 2:14 AM
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I was actually pretty disappointed with this episode - I thought this was the chance for Shonda and Co. to show that they've gotten it together over the break after last year's so-so season. I agree though - the lame explanation for Burke's excuse....lame, lame, lame. I realize that the whole offscreen drama was a big scandal, but I can't help but feel cheated that Burke is gone - I really, really liked his character *and* I really like the relationship between Burke and George. Ironic, I know, given that the two actors probably detest each other, but you never saw that onscreen, which I think was a testament to their skills and talent.
I dislike the new interns, I feel like they're replacements. I don't like the Lexie Grey storyline either. Enough with the tortured Meredith and her dysfunctional family life storyline.
I just felt like tonight's episode was going through the motions. And all the symbolic medical cases only served to smack us in the head. Yes, Izzie is wounded. Yes, Cristina really does miss Burke (I love Cristina as the tough, hard*ss b*tch, but she is human).
Also, I miss Addison. I'm not feeling the new spin-off and without her there, I feel like Mark has no real reason to be there - besides the whole, "I came to get you back" line that he threw at Derek. I feel like that was an afterthought...like the writers suddenly realized he had no real reason to be there either, so they had to change it quick.
Plus, I really hope Bailey doesn't get the backseat - she is such a huge talent, please, please don't waste her as a background character.
I dunno...I feel like they could do so much better, so I'm a little bummed. I'm glad that Grey's is back, but I'm bummed it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be.
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Sep 28, 2007 2:50 AM
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Glad the show is back but I thought I read somewhere that Gizzy will be put to bed (no pun intended) once and for all. Add me to the majority who can't stand this coupling.
I didn't hate Lexie as much as I thought I would, but that may change with time. Keep her away from Derek and I'll be fine with her.
Can't we have some happiness between Mer and Der...this whole disfunctional Meredith is getting so old. What man would put up with that?
Lastly, I missed Burke... it felt like there was something missing the entire show....and it was Burke and also Addison.
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Sep 28, 2007 3:09 AM
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Wordy, McWordy, alexandra12!!
I was so hoping they would "right the ship" tonight and get everything back on track..."Adjust your expectations" - how true. There is still lots to love about Grey's, but on some fronts, enough is enough:
- Izzie and "the I'm a deer in the woods" speech? I was forced to roll my eyes. It was tooo much. Izzie is wearing me out with all of her self-focus and dramatic speeches.
- Enough Gizzie! Enough! It still grosses me out after a summer break.
- Derek and Meredith - we're together, we're apart, we're together, we're apart...
And I call story retred on the guy eating stuff - remember the patient that ate doll heads and Bailey removed those during surgery a few years ago? Did Shonda think we'd forget?
As someone on another board said, "I remember when these characters were pleasant to be around."
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Sep 28, 2007 3:13 AM
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Yeah!! I think "Grey's" is getting back on track. Hopefully, they will find someone more appropriate for Issy, get away from that story line, and have a MUCH better season than last year! I felt like we were back in Season One again tonight, when we first fell in love with all of these people. At first, I missed Dr. Burke and Addison, but by the end, I feel like my excitment with the show is back!
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Sep 28, 2007 3:15 AM
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Can't help my wordiness, Kailess - am a writer, afterall (although not about television) and I had lots to say about this show/episode. I've never actually done the whole comment thing on this website - am making up for it now. 
Grey's usually brings out the emotional side of me - but tonight, all I could think was "Meh. Yeah, Grey's is back. But do I care?"
I actually don't mind the Izzie/George storyline. Although I am over the "I love you/love me/why don't you love me" angst. Katherine Heigl is such a great actress, seems like such a waste. Plus, it's getting a little annoying that the focus of every George/Izzie scene comes down to that.
I still miss Addison and Burke.
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Sep 28, 2007 3:52 AM
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I really missed this show! I am bummed Addison isn't on this anymore, because I watched Private Practice last night and I just didn't care for it.
Fav moments tonight:
Cristina calling her interns by numbers
The gang marking their territory on the bench
The interaction between Alex and Cristina at the end
Sloane's man love for Derek
Bailey!
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Sep 28, 2007 4:08 AM
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I love Grey's. Though there is a lot that I could have lived without last year (George/Izzy and the whole Meredith death thing), I think there is still enough to work with to bring the show back on track. Even without Burke and Addison, though I miss both already. If they will just, please God, kill the George/Izzy storyline. And give Izzy a decent storyline. Her character (the wounded deer *gag*) is beginning to pall.
The change in Bailey's role concerns me a bit. She is my favorite character, and I loved how she bossed everyone around and put the fear of God in them. Without being in charge of people, who's she going to yell at?
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Sep 28, 2007 6:03 AM
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