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« Roush Dispatch
Finale Fever: The Finale
Chandra Wilson in Grey's Anatomy by Michael Desmond/ABC
How much do I love Miranda Bailey? Now and forever my favorite Grey’s Anatomy character, she (and by she, I mean Chandra Wilson) gave me a great new catchphrase in Thursday night’s Grey’s finale. Next time someone asks me what I’m looking at or what I’m thinking about, I might just say, “The bigger picture.” Her approach seemed to inspire just about everyone in the show to get out of their funks, and by the end of the busy two hours, there were quite a few happy (or at least happier than usual) endings.
Mer and Der were back together again, at last, having finally saved someone in their clinical trial: “We can be extraordinary together instead of ordinary apart,” said a “whole and healed” Meredith. McDreamy grins again, and all is right with the world. How corny and over-the-top-McSwoony was Meredith’s candlelit hilltop landing strip marking out Derek’s blueprint on Dream House Acres. And also how appropriate to the tone of TV’s finest medical romantic comedy.
Meanwhile, a newly re-assertive George got the Chief to give him a second crack at the test (which he had failed by a mere point). Cristina also spoke up, at last, regaining her mojo (thanks, sparkle pager), telling Hahn to shut up during surgery and discovering the joys of teaching. Speaking of Hahn (who got a deserved dressing-down by the Chief), Callie kissed her and meant it. I think. (Sloan gave her the push, but not before some hot sex spiced with dirty Hahn innuendo.) The Chief went back to Adele, telling everyone within earshot he’s not really such a bad guy, and I believe him. Good for them. Alex finally woke up and sent the dreary Rebecca to a nut house, revealing he had been his mother’s caretaker and ultimately crying on Izzie’s shoulder (some mighty fine work by Justin Chambers in that moment). Izzie got the keys to the clinic, courtesy of Bailey, who finally realized, “I can’t do everything and still have everything.” Home she goes with her bambino, and hopefully, eventually, to a reconciled husband.
And can I just say: That Star Wars/Han Solo soliloquy Bailey recited to Concrete Boy was one for the ages. Wouldn’t she be a hit at Comic Con?
All in all, Grey’s was a terrific way to close out the season, a night later than usual, thanks to the strike. (Yes, I know the two-hour Lost is yet to come, but I’ll be away by then, having made plans long before I knew ABC was going to extend the show’s run PAST MEMORIAL DAY! Stupid strike.)
Thursday’s other big finale: Ugly Betty. Thank God for Hilda and the hunky (if not exactly unattached) coach. I needed something to go right for someone in that frantic hour, besides the resplendently villainous Wilhelmina, that is. Although if Betty is on her way to Rome, as she oughta be (I’m all about the travel these days), I guess I can get past such unfortunate twists as Daniel’s surprise fils, Alexis tiresomely suspending Daniel (again?), and Henry’s inexplicably impulsive surprise proposal to Betty, which makes no narrative sense. Like Tucson is in Betty’s future. Arrivederci, Hank. Funny bits: Everyone ducking when Naomi Campbell pulled out her cell phone at the softball game, Justin calling the sweat-free coach “Lizard Man,” Betty as a dodge-ball “human shield” back in high school. (Which provided a blink-and-you’d-miss-it-preview of Lindsay Lohan’s guest role for next season.)
And now, catching up with a few other finales that got lost in the season-ending madness of Dancing With the Stars and American Idol:
Law & Order. Fine end to a terrific rebuilding season. Nice job of taking the usual ripped-off-from-the-headlines gimmick (in this case, a murder involving a high-class prostitution ring that counts the state’s governor—think Spitzer—as a regular client) and using it to ensnare Jack McCoy in an ethical and political dilemma. By episode’s end, as the governor gets away with his naughty malfeasance (unlike real life) by paying off the defendant and even the feds, self-righteous Jack now has a mortal and well-connected enemy as he faces a big hurdle to his re-election campaign for the top DA spot. As Cutter bluntly put it: “I’m glad I’m not the one getting my n--s squeezed.”
Reaper. The little show that could. Could get renewed (for midseason), and could keep getting better, as it did throughout these finale weeks. So is Sam actually “the heir to the Devil’s domain,” as demon Tony and others seem to believe, or is there something else his supernatural “dad” (who survived being buried alive) is keeping from him? Personally, I think we’ll eventually learn that Sam has something closer to angel blood in him, but I’m a little rusty on my theology. Favorite part of the episode: Sock’s unnatural high upon being kissed by a soul-sucking succubus. Of course he couldn’t help trying to pimp her to Benji. What a goofy jerk.
How I Met Your Mother. Capping a terrific comeback season as Barney and Ted make up, Barney makes significant doe eyes at Robin, and Ted makes a significant proposal to Stella. Funny bits I’m still laughing about: Robin describing Springsteen as “the American Bryan Adams,” and Marshall suffering with head lice at his job interview.
And to recap (I covered some of this in more length in earlier Dispatches this week):
The wrenching House finale, featuring the death of Amber and a powerhouse performance by Robert Sean Leonard, was hands-down the episode of the week.
But poor Bones. There’s just no excuse for the clumsy way they wrote Zack out of that show, revealing him as the confused lackey of a puzzlingly anonymous serial killer.
Desperate Housewives flash-forward? I’m for it. The Katherine back story left me cold and was preposterous even by this show’s standards, although Dana Delany can do no wrong and I hope she stays on Wisteria Lane to the end.
Loved seeing two brats get their comeuppance this week: Housewives’ bad seed Kayla hoodwinked by Lynette and sent off to make her grandparents’ lives miserable, and Gossip Girl’s malicious Georgina sandbagged by Blair and Dan, sent off to reform boot camp by her scary parents. As Gossip Girl herself eloquently put it: “Bitches don’t just happen, they’re made—by parents even more wicked than their offspring.”
How I’ll miss that snarky voice, and so many of my favorite shows, this summer. But summer TV beckons, and when I get back in the saddle mid-June, let’s catch up with the best and the worst of the off-season.
XOXO
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May 23, 2008 11:15 AM
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Matt - Thanks for your great work this past season. You greatly enhance my enjoyment of the shows I watch. I hope you have a restful vacation and look forward to your reviews on the summer shows coming up.
I thought Reaper provided the ideal season finale. We weren't left to spend the summer with Sam in dire straights, but with an intriguing final scene ("mom" digging up "dad") that peaks our curiosity. I was about to give up on this show, but the post-strike episodes have been so strong, I'm looking forward to its return.
As for Ugly Betty, there's no way to repair that tiresome soap cliche, the inconvenient baby, and we know Betty isn't going to end up in Tucson; so I'm fine with her flying off to Rome with Gio. And I love Hilda--for me she's the Niles Crane (Frasier) of this show. I look forward to seeing her more than I do the title character.
I hated losing Jesse Martin on Law & Order, but I don't blame him for wanting to move on. I like the way Anthony Anderson has fit into the show with his character, Det. Bernard; he was a great choice to replace Martin. I've also been enjoying Tom Everett Scott's appearances as the governor. We've been left with an intriguing story arc to look forward to next season.
I also loved the How I Met Your Mother and Desperate Housewives finales. They both left very intriguing set-ups for next season. (Barney making googie eyes at Robin? Is this why future Ted has been referring to her as "Aunt" Robin? And is Stella "the one"?)
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May 23, 2008 12:05 PM
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Matt - Thanks for your great work this past season. You greatly enhance my enjoyment of the shows I watch. I hope you have a restful vacation and look forward to your reviews on the summer shows coming up.
Ditto!!
Matt, let me echo Marci's thanks for all of the awesomeness that you brought us all season!
Ugly Betty - Last season I was a huge Betty/Henry shipper, but after the events of this season I'm all about Betty/Gio now. Kudos to Freddy Rodriguez. I hope we see him again next season. Ditto Eddie Cibrian and Judith Light (is she officially a series regular yet?)
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May 23, 2008 12:23 PM
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Great review!
I don't know if I agree with the chief that he's not really a bad guy. He was correct when he told his wife that he made one mistake years ago. His one mistake made his life uncomfortable for a little while but ruined 3 others peoples lives. It was all good until his wife was going to leave him then he discarded Mer's mom like yesterday's trash. She sufferd while he got to make amends and be happy. For mye that one line made me dislike him. Over all a great epi. There were parts I could have done without but that's what I have a fast forward button for.
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May 23, 2008 12:51 PM
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Oh yeah I forgot to say that without Bailey I don't think this show would be as good.
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May 23, 2008 12:52 PM
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Matt,
No NCIS recap/analysis? Seriously? NO NCIS? To me, this was the best season finale of the season - so far.
For shame, Matthew.
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May 23, 2008 1:07 PM
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Oh yes, the Grey's season finale was ok, but there was nothing surprising. It was fairly predictable. Can't compare to season 2 when Denny died. (I agree that Bailey rocks, though!)
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May 23, 2008 1:10 PM
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Matt, I should have thought to echo the sentiments of the posters above before chastising you for neglecting NCIS.
You have done a fabulous job throughout this season - and in past seasons. I trust your perspectives. Please accept my apologies for not showing you the appreciation you deserve. Keep up the great work!
Valerie
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May 23, 2008 1:18 PM
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Thanks, Matt. Have a great vacation!
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May 23, 2008 1:28 PM
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Re: Grey's finale
I kept hearing about a "big shocker". Did I miss it or with so many people being killed off other shows this season that wrapping everything up seemed more like a series finale. Is that the shocker? It's not coming back?
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May 23, 2008 2:33 PM
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What about the Supernatural finale?? I'd say that one was a pretty big deal, since it appears that Dean actually went to hell.
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May 23, 2008 2:43 PM
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I know that you keep posting how wonderful the House finale was, and I really want to agree with you. . . but . . . in our house, we felt it was manipulative, unbelievable, and a jump-the-shark moment. Yes, it was well-acted. However, it was also full of contrivances and medical misinformation (granted, this is not unusual for House). The idea that House would take a drug that magically brings back his memory, then almost kills him, was bad enough. Next, they try poking at his brain to do the same thing????? Even if I could suspend my disbelief enough for that, I was so tired of all the sexual fantasy sequences that I wanted to throw something at the television. To me, the two-part finale seemed like an excuse to get Cutty undressed and give the actors some tear-filled scenes. I think House pushed me over the edge, and I won't be coming back to it.
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May 23, 2008 2:45 PM
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"Alex finally woke up and sent the dreary Rebecca to a nut house"
What an appallingly insensitive statement! I'm a big fan of yours, Matt, so I can't tell you how shocked and disappointed I was to read those words. You've obviously never known or loved someone who has suffered through mental illness. Yes, I know Rebecca is a fictional character, but to use such callous words to describe someone desperately in need of treatment is horrible. Shame on you!
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May 23, 2008 4:05 PM
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Some great season enders so far. Still waiting on Lost, but I have been lost all season with that show so I am one of the few who just don't care. Grey's was the most satisfying because there were no sudden departures of a key character (on this weeks very special episode), ie: Bones and NCIS, both I am not happy about. A lot of stories were wrapped up and we have Mer and Der back together. The kiss between Hahn and Callie was hot ... so that is something interesting to look forward to next season. Just hope the writers don't cop out and have Callie running back to men. Desparate Housewives was good too and the 5 year jump was a brave one and should prove to be interesting. Nice work this season Matt.
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May 24, 2008 8:42 AM
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House wins for best season finale this year (unless Lost somehow tops it... unlikely tho).
Bones wins for worst finale of the year. Possibly of the decade.
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May 24, 2008 4:55 PM
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