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McDreamy's New Gal: Just What the Doctor Ordered
Patrick Dempsey and Chyler Leigh in Grey's Anatomy by Scott Garfield/ABC
I know, I know — it was just one scene. But as those who read Ask Ausiello know, Chyler Leigh — aka the "forward" young woman who cozied up to Patrick Dempsey's Derek at the end of last week's Grey's Anatomy — is likely a keeper, and that gives this fan of ABC's top drama a new hope.
See, "dark and twisty" Meredith is not working for me. Of course, I am the same guy who took the character to task for not being serious about her work, her supposed career, but what Grey's has been attempting via Mer's own near-death experience and the actual passing of her mother and stepmother isn't solving the problem. Sure, it's giving Ellen Pompeo some "meat" to chew on — assuredly a welcome respite from the "I don't snore" silliness — but it doesn't make an especially enjoyable character to watch. When you're not entirely aghast that your protagonist just got wailed on by her drunken dad, something is wrong.
Enter "forward" gal. Her and Derek's meeting was likely meant to evoke the doc and Mer's first encounter as libido-driven strangers, but so what. It worked. We, as Derek did, realized throughout the entire past episode that Meredith is not including him in her life, and has in fact shut him out. He's barely a boyfriend anymore. Preying on the vulnerability of a neglected McDreamy is not an entirely moral act, but I'm a fan of Machiavelli in such matters. Whatever gets the job done and makes Derek realize that he has been all but left at the altar. Dempsey gets the magazine covers and "sexy" accolades, yes, but the actor beholding that stellar 'do deserves a story line that makes use of his rom-com roots. (Yes, I worship Can't Buy Me Love and still have a search team out for Amanda Peterson.)
Plus, as icing on the cake, Chyler has a great quality about her, a lightness. Look around at the Grey's women. Disgruntled, angry, conflicted, conflicted for no believable reason (a special category for Izzy), frustrated with barrenness, "dark and twisty".... What happened to the interns filled with joy and vigor? Excited by the unpredictable onset of each new day and case?
So "forward" gal, we welcome you as a wake-up call for McDreamy's slumber.
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May 15, 2007 1:07 PM
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AMEN Matt. I've followed Chyler Leigh since The Practice and loved her in Reunion.
Grey's has turned Izzie into such a pathetic person, it was always hard to care for Christina but now it's just easy not to, and the Meredith character has been taking some brutal emotional hits the last few months. A new female was necesary
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May 15, 2007 1:28 PM
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What I don't get is that just a few episodes ago, McDreamy was saying he was tired of "breathing for" Meredith. It was exhausting being her go-to person, and it was holding him back in his quest to be Chief. Now that she's relying on her friends and/or doing her own thing and isn't so needy, he feels ignored and abandoned? Talk about twisty. He should make up his mind.
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May 15, 2007 3:16 PM
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According to IMDb, it's been 12 years since Amanda Peterson was last involved in show business. But you can try looking for her in Napa Valley according to various sites.
I hope this helps.
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May 15, 2007 4:17 PM
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he could be her father, she's like 24 years old.
no thanks to watching that, meredith and derek is one thing that t made viewers tune in without them. the show has not much left.
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May 15, 2007 5:21 PM
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Well, I'm about 99% sure that "forward gal" is Meredith's half sister Lexie who's been away at med school, so I'm not sure that she's Derek's dream girl. But it does make for interesting TV.
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May 15, 2007 7:34 PM
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Is Mer like one of those daytime soap-type characters that will forever be spawning "half-this" and "step-that" siblings/family members?
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May 16, 2007 11:11 AM
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I'm looking forward to a story with McForward! This show needs someone with a positive attitude. With Addison gone off to her wellness center, she could be just what GA needs. Mer isn't very likable to me. McForward could get her to open her eyes and get a reality check. It would be great if the previous poster is correct and its Mer's half sister. Now we'll know who got all the "happy genes" in that family. We already know who got the "dark & twisty" ones.
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May 16, 2007 11:24 AM
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Didn't you recognize Mer from All My Children???? I'm waiting for them to reveal that McDreamy is actually Mer's father.
I guess Grey's is proof that if you work in a hospital, you shouldn't sleep with your co-workers or you will become very needy and angry.
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May 16, 2007 11:26 AM
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Give me a break! Part of Grey's problem this past season has been every freaking couple is miserable. Now we add Meredith's evil half sister to the mix? yippee, can hardly wait (RME)
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May 16, 2007 2:53 PM
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Derek is an ass. First he didn't tell Meredith he was married. Then he left her to go back to his wife. Then he called her a whore and ruined her attempt at moving on with Finn. With the exception of fishing her out of the water, when has he ever been there for her, emotionally? Never. Her mother f'ed her up and then died. Her father abandoned her, and now blames her for the death of his replacement wife. Her step-mother, whom she had finally started to bond with, died. AND, Derek has been on the verge of dumping Meredith anyway, because he thinks he can't be Chief and her boyfriend. Blame Shonda for never allowing Meredith to be happy, but she's also written Derek as a selfish wanker. Meredith needs time. Her friends know that. They know she doesn't let people in easily, and they just try to be there for her however they can, even if they have to force it. Derek just sits back and complains that she doesn't let him in. I don't feel sorry for his character at all.
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May 16, 2007 3:26 PM
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Sorry, Matt, but I completely disagree with you on Forward girl. I was so relieved when Derek turned her down and I'm really dreading a season of watching her chase after him and trying to steal him away from Meredith. The writers need to give Meredith a break and let her recover from all the ridiculous drama they've written for her. I really liked where they were going with Susan and Mer's relationship; it's ridiculous that they have already killed her off. I don't know when it became the trend to keep everyone guessing by killing off a bunch of characters every season, but I really hope the trend comes to an end soon. It does not make for a fun evening of TV watching, IMO.
I am still rooting for Mer and Der to work out. Neither one has been the best example of a girlfriend or boyfriend, but I have faith that the writers can get their act together and give us a relationship that we actually enjoy watching!
Shonda said on her ABC podcast that next season would be more lighthearted. I certainly hope so, because I definitely miss the fun, shockingly sexy show that it used to be.
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May 16, 2007 10:28 PM
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I'm in Australia and we are like a million episodes behind you guys (possibly a slight exaggeration, but hey) so have yet to meet McForward. I agree a female is needed who has feelings of joy-joy and happiness, and personally I just want a female introduced to the cast who has short hair. Does noone in the hospital wear their hair up? Does it not get in their way as they are checking patients, flouncing around the halls, and pashing in elevators? Sure they pull it up for surgery - thank goodness - but please. Mer's hair is looking more and more ratty as time goes on - she needs a new 'do' and a new outlook on life, pronto!!!!!!
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May 17, 2007 12:10 AM
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As soon as McForward said her first words, I thought to myself that she sounded alot like Meridith. The phrasing and the tone just reminded me of her, so it makes sense to me for "McForward" to be Lexie.
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May 17, 2007 9:29 AM
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I have to disagree with Matt, too. I am so not looking forward to Lexi being around, causing problems. I am not welcoming McSlutty. I loved that Derek turned her down, even though the way Mer has been acting no one would've blamed him. That just shows how he loves Mer & is in for the long haul.However, the long haul doesn't have to be sooo hard. I also think enough is enough with Meredith. Geez. Everytime she starts to get back on track, they knock her feet out from under her yet again. The finale was actually the 1st episode of GA that I didn't like. It's like the writers basically just tried to mess up every character's life in this one episode.
It's my favorite show, so I will keep watching to see how they will hopefully get back on track next season. I am definitely looking forward to a lighter season. This very dark finale is like a bad dream. Hopefully we'll wake up in the fall to find out things aren't as bad as they seem now.
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May 18, 2007 3:32 PM
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