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Episode Recap: Freedom
Over an hour into tonight’s two hour finale, it hit me…we needed some humor to lighten up this very dark episode. Nothing seemed to be going right. Meredith and Derek were at each other’s throats over the latest loss in their clinical trial; Rebecca kept getting worse and was in need of serious medical attention (but Alex was in serious denial), and the man in cement seemed to be doomed (among other things).
So, is it wrong that when Cristina snapped at Erica in the OR, I almost cheered? For the first time something seemed to be going right---Cristina was in the zone and finally standing up for herself. The only thing better than that was the look of shock on Erica’s face when the Chief agreed Hahn needed to back off and let Cristina do her thing. I take that back, the best moment came later, when the Chief confronted Hahn after the operation and told her she needed to handle the residents better, “You need to learn how to teach, without crushing their spirits. You need to be a better teacher.” Not only is Hahn now on the hook, but Cristina overheard the whole thing. Finally, Cristina is getting her groove back!
With barely twenty minutes to go in the show, Meredith finally seemed to be making the progress in her personal life that could help her pave the way back into Derek’s arms. In a breakthrough moment, Meredith realized that the night her mother cut her wrists, she wasn’t really trying to kill herself. If she had been, an extraordinary surgeon like herself could have done a much more effective job in a timelier manner. Instead, Mer realized that what her mother really wanted was for Richard to come back to her and leave his wife for good. Finally, Mer realized that when her mom told her to “be extraordinary,” she didn’t mean in surgery.
George also had a breakthrough of his own. When klepto Lexie broke into the Chief’s files and found out that George had failed the intern exam by one point, George was pissed! He didn’t really want to know that such a small margin of error had forced him to repeat his internship and feel like less of a doctor. Finally, he stood up for himself, pleaded his case to the Chief and was granted permission to re-take the test.
After this long and arduous night, Alex reluctantly accepted that Rebecca really did have a problem that required psychiatric help. It was obviously difficult for him to let go of the want to “fix her,” something he apparently had tried to do for his mother years prior to now. And poor Izzie spent the entire night trying to get Alex to see the writing on the wall. I guess it’s safe to say that next year will be a rebuilding year for Alex, as he tries to move on from this latest personal turmoil.
My heart really went out to Beth (Jurnee Smollet) and Jeremy (Marshall Allman) tonight, the two young lovebirds who took part in Mer/Der’s clinical trial. I kept thinking that for symbolic reasons, the two might both survive their surgeries, but in a cruel twist of fate, only Beth’s was a success. But alas, that one success made it possible for Meredith and Derek to finally come full circle and rekindle their love.
The last ten minutes of tonight’s show was truly the best part of the whole evening. Cristina paging Lexie to retrieve her banana, (not to peel it for her, as Lexie suspected, but so that Cristina could teach Lexie something new), ended up being a really humorous and touching moment. Bailey finally got to see the bigger picture, something she had been aiming to find all night. For her, that meant giving the clinic to Izzie, so that she could spend more time with her family. Meanwhile, Richard went back home to his wife and owned up to his mistakes and a surprised Adele responded perfectly by saying, “well, it’s about time.” And of course Meredith and Derek kept chasing each other’s shadows, each trying to connect with the other.
Then there were the kisses!!! Not just one kiss, but several! Callie grabbed Erica outside of the hospital, in plain sight of everyone, and went in for not one but several passionate smooches. Richard got his lip lock on with Adele; Alex planted a few on Izzie; George gave one to Lexie and finally, Derek and Meredith connected in their most intense encounter in months!
I guess you could say tonight was really about breaking free from the chains that bind you. Seemingly, everyone had something weighing them down and holding them back. Meredith was finally able to identify what was keeping her from truly giving her heart to Derek. Callie stopped worrying about what other people might think if she really was attracted to Erica. Richard owned up to his mistakes and fought to win back Adele. George stood up for himself, Bailey found the bigger picture in life, Cristina let her extraordinary side show again and Alex was finally able to admit to himself that no matter how much his heart wants to, he can’t always save everyone.
Well, I’d say that gives us all a lot to ponder over the coming summer months…So, until next time, let me know what you thought of tonight’s episode and the numerous possibilities to come.
You can also check out full episodes and clips of Grey’s Anatomy in our Online Video Guide.
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May 22, 2008 11:58 PM
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Loved it Loved it Loved it!!!
Loved when Christina told Hahn to shut up and when the Chief finally put Hahn in her place. I could see that was coming as everytime Hahn snapped at Christina they showed the Chief watching and finally NOTICING. I am glad that he reminded her that Seattle Grace is a TEACHING hospital and that her job is to teach.
I wanted to smack those kids when they were laughing about their "not our friend" and was glad that Lola finally came through.
The scene at the end with Derek and Meredith - awesome - I laughed when Meredith said that she went and got herself "healed and whole" and Derek wasn't there. 
A brilliant episode overall.
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May 23, 2008 12:17 AM
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I really liked it
but what the hell is wrong with Mcdreamy come on dude,meredith is putting herself out there and u feel like a failure,gimme a damn break
i like rose,but she must be gone for good
some kisses were predictable,others no
i like that the chief and the wife are back
hated the storyline with Hamn and Callie but at least got Mcsteamy turned on jajaja
Alex and izzie so happy that is happening that gives something to izzie to do
Lexie and George im not really sure,we have to wait and see
as for Cristina getting back Hamn,classic and dirty ajjaja loved it
for the patients im so happy that the tumor girl and the dude with the stone all over him
good episode
cant wait for september
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May 23, 2008 12:25 AM
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Great episode, I like where it ended for everyone. The show has been much better post-strike. Poor Alex, it looks like he's the next one to try to get healed and whole.
I'm sure people will wander in here and moan about The Gay Agenda Being Pushed On Them And Shoved Down Their Throats and all I can say is oh shut up already and learn that there are people who don't look and act like you filling this world. Go join an isolated kool-aid cult if you can't handle that.
I do wonder if the way they portrayed the clinical trial and complaining about how they kept killing patients was misleading - these patients were in the trial because the only other option was waiting for death. These weren't patients who could have lived by using some other treatment.
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May 23, 2008 12:34 AM
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It finally happened! I have been waiting for them to get back together for... well for too long.
No, not Mer and Der... Alex and Izzie! Granted she looked like she didn't want to, but I'll take what I can get.
I too cheered when Cristina got all up in Hahn's face. The look Hahn gave was priceless.
Great episode.
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May 23, 2008 12:47 AM
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Shonda and co did an awesome job. I just wonder where they are gonna take the Sloan character in the coming season. His two possible love interests are seemingly together now so will they introduce a new character.The cast is already huge so whomever they introduce would have to be recurring.That is if this whole Hahn and Callie thing won't go the way of Gizzie, because from the looks of things on the GA board, alot of folks are split over this pairing.
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May 23, 2008 12:51 AM
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Emmys all around! Especially Chandra Wilson!
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May 23, 2008 12:54 AM
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I have to say that I enjoyed all the patient's storylines. I really felt sad when Derek started doubting himself and in his abilities because he was loosing so many patients.
The boy in the concrete, I felt sad for him that he thought that he was going to die before he got the kiss that he had longed for.
I was happy that Callie finally admitted her feelings to Hahn by that passionate kiss. (What she told Lola, i think that is her name, to stop worrying about what her friends would think of her and go and be with the boy in the concrete). I kinda felt sad for Sloane aka McSteamy because even though he was a great friend to Callie by helping her figure out her feelings, in the end he was all alone. I hope he gets someone so that he can stop being the "man-whore". (I found it funny that he kept describing all the things that Hahn would be doing to Callie while he was in bed with Callie).
I was saddened when Alex opened up about having being through the same thing that was happening to him with Rebecca earlier in his life with his mother. That really explained alot about why he was in such denial. I like how in the end, they showed that he had a heart and was actually human and could be affected by emotions. Personally am not so gang-ho about him asking for pity sex from Izzie because that usually brings out so many strings attached in the end. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that he needed that human connection that he felt was gone when he learnt about Rebecca's diagnosis and realized that he could not provide the help she needed. (By the way, was it just me or did anyone else see the knife being left on the kitchen table as set-up for an accident waiting to happen with Rebecca?)
I like the way the episode wrapped up with no big cliff-hangers but in a sort of happily-ever-after feeling that makes you want to know what happens next without feeling unsatisfied. 
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May 23, 2008 1:04 AM
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This was a superb episode except for one thing -- to Dianora: The hook up with Callie and Hahn was too predictable and no I'm not going to go join a cult just because I am not a fan of gay and lesbian behavior.
Alex broke my heart at the end, but I'm glad more light was shed on his background. You could just hear in his voice the little boy he used to be while caring for his mom. Great acting by Justin Chambers.
Jurnee Smollet is a wonderful young actress.
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May 23, 2008 1:19 AM
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LOVED IT!!!!
Best season finale of the year!! I cheered out loud, and cried 4 times!! Just loved it! Thank you writers for finally putting them all back together. While I feel sorry for Rebecca, she will get the help she needs. Cement boy got his kiss and lived. Miranda saw the big picture and gave Izzy the clinic back. Izzy isn't a surgeon and that is OK!!
I could go on and on. The house of candles was SO romantic. No way that girl did that, but romantic none the less!!
I was exhausted at the end and thrilled I stayed up for the whole thing and can watch my TIVO again to see it again!!
Thank you WRITERS!!!
Shondra, you are a genius!!
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May 23, 2008 1:35 AM
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So, which was THE kiss that Shanda promised would make us lean into our TV's. The closest for me was Alex-Izzie, but I found none too shocking. I have a feeling it was Meredith-Derek, even though that's possibly the least surprising season finale kiss in the history of television.
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May 23, 2008 2:02 AM
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I wish I had only watched the last 15 minutes as the rest of the show was depressing and flat and boring and I am a big fan of the show.
I have nothing against the Gay's but does it have to be shoved in our face the last two shows when it wasn't necessary but I blame it on all the liberals and that group in calif that feel they have to force there issues.
Hopefully next season will be bk to the great shows in the past.
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May 23, 2008 2:30 AM
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great show...i dont know wher to start but i just want to say i never feel that grey are any show has an gay agenda i think what they do so well is show that love is in all of us no matter what color what age or sexuality. i applaud that its gives me hope. i know many dont agree but thats why we live in a country where we are all free to choose. and can i just say the three kids who where the guest stars on this epsoide are excellent actors , once agian showing the coures of true love is never easy, and dose not always come in the package we expect. ok im done with my sermon..lol
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May 23, 2008 6:54 AM
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Good show except for the kissing scene at the end of the show.
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May 23, 2008 7:16 AM
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