Private Practice

First rule of Fight Club — never talk about Fight Club. Second rule of Fight Club? Never let your grandson find you old, bloody and sweaty over an almost dead man. I so called it! It was either that or a very aggressive orgy. Sign me up for that nursing home. The Fight Club one, not the orgy one. In honor of this very cool storyline, I bring you tonight's....

(trumpet sounds)

Hits & Misses List! Get it? Sigh.

The Hits

• Dell's grandfather Wendell (George Segal) and the "old man fight club", as Naomi put it. Not only was it cool to see the guy who knocked up Kirstie Alley in Look Who's Talking, but it was hilarious! Until Nate had a heart attack, that is. I really felt for Wendell. I'm sure it is rather boring in one of those places and his speech at the end about missing Dell's grandmother was heart-wrenching. He just wanted to feel alive again. We should all take his advice about fighting more (figuratively, of course) for what we want while we still have a chance!

• The Newlyweds who couldn't seal the deal came back! That was unexpected and I liked the storyline. After everything they went through just to have sex, I was rooting for them to be able to have a kid. It all happened rather quick though...unless days were passing quicker than I noticed! They got the bad news, mulled over options, almost had the brother father the baby and pulled a single lively sperm out of the poor man's testicles in what seemed like the blink of an eye. For such great doctors, Naomi and Addison don't seem to have many other patients to see. I did like an old storyline coming back. I'd like to see more of that.

• Officer Kevin Nelson. Frisk me, you fool! I loooooooooooove him! He is so stinkin' cute I don't know who to root for — him or Pete?? Oh well, I hope it takes Addison a long time to decide.

• Charlotte & Cooper are hot! I'd like to see a lot more of this "dating" duo. Hopefully, we'll get to see another side of Charlotte. I want some vulnerability. Her barracuda side is wearing thin on me.

The Misses

• The baby class was stupid. I didn't get why Cooper had to take it from Charlotte to prove he was "bad cop" material. He will never win an argument with her. It felt rushed and out of place in an otherwise decent episode. Although, the guy who's fake baby looked like Chuckie cracked me up. "Wanna trade? I don't want to bond with Chuckie."

• Sam & Naomi irked me tonight. Why the rush to put a label on their newly rekindled sex life? Why the pressure? Well, I guess they do have a kid...but still! I wanted to see them having some fun before it got all serious.

• Dell was way out of line by confronting Sam. I know there are Dell and Naomi fans out there, but I am not one of them. He had no right to butt in, regardless of his feelings. And was it me, or was that kiss he planted on Naomi the most awkward thing ever? It was sweet and it's cute that he cares, but he's a child. Couldn't she be his mother? I could never see those two together.

• No previews for next week most likely means this is the last episode we will see for awhile. Booooooooo! That's the biggest "miss" of them all.

Do you think we were left with a reason to watch when the show finally returns? The Dell-Naomi-Sam and the Officer Kevin-Addison-Pete triangles are heating up, so that's something. I'll watch again, even if we have to wait until next fall. I won't be waiting and counting the days, but this show has promise and I am going to stick it out. I hope they rerun the series while we are on a strike-induced hiatus and the lack of new programming will gather some more viewers. Until then, spread the word about this show and check back in with me when new shows return. Bye for now.

For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.

Ick. Trunk. A word I never thought would make me shudder now makes me want to throw all my high heels in the garbage. This ruins my whole grocery shopping experience. The phrase "honey, will you grab the stuff out of the trunk" doesn't sound so innocent anymore. Ick.

At first, I was with Cooper and thought maybe Carl just had a rather large...you know! But then I saw that x-ray. Yowza. Oddly, I kept wondering why he would put that end in the bad place. Wouldn't you want to start with something smaller? Like the heel? I guess he's a pro,he has been seeing Violet for a year now. Poor Addison, she just wants a normal guy.

Another thing Addison wants is a baby, so I think Safe Surrender may not be such a good idea for her. All those babies with no one to care for them — of course she would get attached. It was very sweet how she bonded with Bat Girl/Melanie but I was glad the birth mother (am I wrong or was that Danielle Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives?) came back for her. No wonder she needed a shoulder to cry on. Good thing Naomi was at Sam's. I guess Addison knows their secret now.

I loved how Cooper and Charlotte were each other's internet date. I'm going to ignore my over-analytical side who is screaming about how the odds of that happening are so slim. As much as I like Cooper and Violet, this new twist to their storyline could be really good for the show. I'm very intriqued as to how this will work out and what Violet will think when she finally finds out. I hope we get to see that episode before next fall. Stupid writer's strike. Give them what they want already!

Despite the typhoid outbreak, I enjoyed Sam and Naomi's storyline. It also gave us two more welcome guest stars — Lane from Gilmore Girls and the father, Graham, from My So-Called Life. Holy crap did I love that show. Forgive me, but I have to say it...Jordan Catalano. Sigh. I'm also way into the GG guest star streak we have going. Who could they get next? I vote for Kelly Bishop to play Violet's mom. Couldn't you just see her showing up and being all Mama Gilmore? Cooper would be puty in her hands. I love it.

Ok, I'm back from my tangent. Typhoid. Nuns. So I was all set to believe the Father and one of the nuns were having an affair, then he told the cutesy story of their forbidden friendship and secret culinary rendezvous. I'm glad they kept it platonic between those two. I wouldn't want them to cheapen it. I liked how the entire experience restored Sam and Naomi's faith, not only in God but in each other. The familiar saying "when God closes a door he opens a window" comes to mind. I'd call their newfound sexcapades an open window, wouldn't you?

So it seems we have a rerun next week, but in two weeks it looks like my wish is coming true — the sexy LAPD cop is back! So hot! But more importantly, it looks like Dell's secret love for Naomi is out of the vault. What will Sam do? It's going to be a long couple of weeks. Until then, have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.

If there's one thing I can say about this show, it's that they get some fantastic guest stars. Christopher from Gilmore Girls and, my personal fave, Darlene Connor. With a gun. In the convenience store.

But I'll get to that. My first priority is to cover the sex that went on and the sex that didn't. Cooper and Violet — did anyone think that was really going to happen? I'll be honest and say I thought it was going to be Violet who chickened out, but I like how it worked out. I thought Cooper was going to confess his love for her right there in his Skivvies! The dynamic between these two is more intriguing to me than Pete and Addison. There is a lot going on there and I hope it continues to unfold in these awkward ways.

Pete and Addison — I was glad that didn't happen. It was way too soon for them to take it to that level. Early in the show, I wondered where their relationship would go if they did the deed at this point. I couldn't figure it out, but I knew it didn't make me happy. After that emotional birth they went through with the widow, who could think about sex anyway? I felt bad for the widow and it was great of Addison to step up and comfort her, but did she really need to get into the birthing pool with her? With all the amniotic fluid, blood and fecal matter? And then she walked around with the baby in her soaking wet poopy pants! What in the hell got into her? Not Pete, that's for sure. He bailed on her — I didn't see that coming. He's obviously more damaged than I thought. Maybe it will be a long, hard road for those two after all.

Sam and Naomi had some "I almost lost you" sex. That was hot! There is still some major chemistry between those two. Obviously, being held at gunpoint by a pregnant Sara Gilbert makes you frisky. I thought the whole hostage situation was a bit flimsy though. Sara and the convenience-store clerk/babydaddy didn't look like two broke people to me. There wasn't enough detail for me to believe she needed money badly enough to rob his store because he left her. I sensed her despair over being abandoned, but his willingness to help the baby was so evident I can't believe that was the first time he told her that. I love to overanalyze, as you can tell.

Side note: Someone get Sara Gilbert a sitcom/drama of her own. I mean other than The Big Bang Theory. She's been in the background of shows for too long (ahem, ER). Sara Gilbert is a great actress.

The woman with the four boys definitely has her hands full, but they wrapped that storyline up way too quickly. Do they honestly expect me to believe her immature husband miraculously grew up because his wife said so? He'll be burping and playing Xbox in no time. That subplot really fell flat.

All in all it was a good episode, lots of personal drama. I hope we haven't seen the last of the cop who asked Addison out — David Sutcliffe is supercute and one of the reasons I loved Gilmore Girls so much. I can't believe she said no! What a fool!

I'll end this recap with one very important question: What else do you think is in the Dell vault? Ah, possibilities! See you next week.

For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.

Guest blogger Matt Mitovich here, and this is your Private Practice recap!

I know, some of you are like, "But Matt disses PP on the weekly podcast. Infidel!" But those who truly listen to the podcast know that I give the show props where they are due — and this week's episode was one of the best yet. Really.

I heart Paul Adelstein as much as a guy with a wife and kids can. I'm about 90 percent there in forgetting what a louse he played on Prison Break, and it's all due to his great work here. Such layers and pathos. Having been an ER fan since Day 1 (and also a Grey's enthusiast), I have seen more than my share of "Is the child being abused?" mysteries, but this one still rang fresh (and threw in a hint of dimension to Chris Lowell's character, to boot). I wasn't wild about the young girl actress at first, but damn if she didn't sell me on the "Why can't Mom's pain be mine?" thinking. In the end, Coop did what was right, and then washed away any guilt by getting "very drunk" at Addison's.

Coop's storyline also pushed along his "thing" with Violet, which can only be good in my book. Oh, how I am 'shipping them. (Do they have a couple name yet? "Coopet"?) I actually just got done editing TVGuide.com's November Sweeps Preview special, and there is goooood stuff ahead for... Vooper. From where I sit, they are PP's big root-for couple.

OK, here's a PP weakness: shoe-horning Charlotte into the Oceanside orbit by any means possible. If she loathes this group of quacks so much, no matter how bad her insomnia is, would she seek treatment there? Methinks the end game here is to make her the obstacle for Addison-Pete. Pete wants fun, Addison wants A Ring and Children, but Charlotte could use a bedmate — and she did like Pete's hands on her. I could be wrong, but that Paddison kiss last night seemed too much too soon to not get waylaid by an interloper.

The other case-of-the-week, with the wife lying to her husband about her motherhood plans, took some interesting turns — and was a great excuse to see The Closer's Corey Reynolds and Close to Home's Kimberly Elise — though I was suspecting, when the wife revealed her disease to Naomi and Addison, that she was snowing 'em to get them on board the big lie. That would have been a nice, dark twist. But I suspect the show feels it's too early on to get too cynical with its stories. I also fear that every single week will present a "want to be pregnant" case that will further wind Addison's biological clock. Not that I begrudge her want, but realistically, will the show make her a mom anytime soon in its existence? Maybe three seasons in, when it needs the boost. But to keep hinting at it and playing that card and having Ad' yammer on about it to every passing acquaintance... just seems a bit odd.

News flash: Women in Connecticut don't pleasure themselves! OK, maybe just Addison. But since she's just a character on a television show, I guess I should take back the above generalization.

How funny was Violet's William Jefferson Clinton fantasy? Of all people! It just goes to show you, all women have something or someone that gets their motor going. I'm a Milo Ventimiglia kind of gal myself and his Heroes superpowers definitely add a fun element to my daydreams. Who is your fantasy man? Post below and share with us all!

It was kind of nice that Addison and Pete were open about their mutual attraction to one another and we almost saw a kiss. Addison was good — for now — and walked out with a nice mental image to take home to her showerhead: cowboy/gladiator Tim Daly. I liked that thought! We even got to see a glimpse when he socked the runner's coach in the face! Well deserved. Now I was not blessed with a remarkable physical talent like running or walking briskly but I understood Nicole's desperation to achieve her dream. If I were her, maybe I would have taken that "snake oil," too. Sadly, the coach she trusted was just as desperate as she was to succeed and jeopardized her health so she could compete. Now she can never compete again.

Cooper actually showed signs of maturity tonight. In the first few episodes he came off as a player with no common sense, but the character has grown. I thought he handled the Violet/Alan situation very well. He voiced his concerns and gave some tough love to Violet when she needed it. He was right to tell her he was done being there for her if she was just going to keep setting herself up for failure with Alan. I was glad it didn't take her long to see that she was back in the same old cycle and patched things up with Cooper. He so loves her. Awww!

Up until tonight, I didn't realize there was a drug used with Katrina victims that helped lessen the fear of their traumatic experiences. I find that scary. Obviously the victims need all the help they can get to cope but I hope they aren't used unless it is an extreme circumstance. Messing with the mind can be a dangerous thing. On the other hand, if something traumatic happened to me, I'm not sure if I'd be able to deal with it. It's very sad that there is a need for those kinds of drugs.

Did anyone else think Sam's patient was a victim of spousal abuse up until the end? I don't know why but something didn't feel right about that situation. At the end when I realized she really was attacked by a stranger, I couldn't help but think the storyline fell flat. It was certainly a terrible ordeal but her desperation to use drugs to help her forget so her husband could feel better about leaving her alone felt unreal to me. But I've never been in a situation like that so what do I know? I just thought they could have found a better storyline to go along with the use for those drugs.

I hope I'm not the only one who was fooled by Maya and her friend, Ruby. Bravo, writers. I must be getting old but when Maya said she wasn't a kid anymore, I wanted to scream! I remember what it's like to feel that at 13. Now I know how wrong I really was. It's a shame that their immaturity hindered them from recognizing a dangerous situation. Addison said Ruby's gonorrhea was advanced so she must have been sick for a long time. It probably even contributed to her ectopic pregnancy. Why is it still so hard for children to go to their parents about sex? Why is it hard for parents to talk to their kids about sex? I think this storyline is an example of why we need to, no matter what your moral standpoint is on the issue. It is possible to arm kids with the knowledge they need to make sure they don't end up in a situation like this and still advocate abstinence if that is your personal belief. If it's on TV, I'm sure there is a parent out there who has had to deal with a problem like Ruby's. Let's not let it be you!

If you were Naomi, what would you have said to Addison? Part of me understood why Naomi was furious that Addison didn't come to her when she thought it was Maya who was having sex. Then I remembered what Cooper said about confidentiality laws. That's a tough call. I think I would have kept the secret and tried to help her get back on track. As a former teenager, I know I listened to licensed professionals more than my own mother (sorry Mom!). Still, Addison was right to suggest that Naomi talk to Maya about sex. It also made a good topic for a Sam/Naomi scene in which they realized they were neglecting the sex talk. I'm sure many great parents find themselves in similar situations.

Wow, this show is bringing up some great topics! Teen sex, homosexuality, self love, happy paps... how great was that? I'd hate to burst Dell's bubble, but since he's not a woman, he could never know that there is no such thing as a happy pap. I look forward to seeing more of his "gynergy" in the future. Now there is a made-up word worthy to stand next to vajajay!


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Oh man, my heart just bled for poor Michael, Cooper's patient. Of course, most of us probably assumed his crush was on a young girl only to be floored when he came in with a beat-up face courtesy of his crush, Brian. Like Cooper, I thought Michael's bravery was astounding. Not only was he self-aware enough to realize he was gay at the tender age of 10, but he found the courage to share that with his skateboarding buddy for whom he pined! I was glad Brian came around in the end. He definitely handled the situation horribly but he was probably just as confused as Michael. It's never too early to talk to your kids about tolerance and respect!

So Cooper failed where Michael succeeded and kept mum on his feelings for Violet. I thought that was a smart move considering she was too busy trying to steal the urine of her ex's new wife! As it turned out, new wifey was not pregnant but was scoping out Violet. Maybe all Violet needed was to hear that she wasn't that easy to get over after all. I hope this closure helps her finally move on... and away from the pee-pee! Desperation is not a good scent on any woman.

I loved how the doctors banded together like the Scooby gang to solve the mystery of Noncrazy Crazy Girl. Addison was right to believe her — she wasn't making herself sick on purpose like her mother thought, she had some weird GI disorder. How many rare disorders do you think we'll learn about by watching this show? The possibilities are endless!

For someone who is so cynical, Addison has a lot of faith. Sure, she likes to put on the sour face but you can tell she wants to see the good in people because that's what she wants people to see in her. Someone who wants to be left alone doesn't go around hounding people for RSVPs to a party. She wants to be accepted and liked. I think the gang is starting to warm up to her. Violet opened up to her and, in the end, everyone showed up to her party.

Addison is getting to Pete! I like watching them like each other. It feels so real, so I know Tim Daly and Kate Walsh have some killer chemistry. Maybe Addison is Pete's second chance like the lady from Everwood said. That story was so sweet! The reenactment of their sexual positions was hilarious. It's good to know that love and sex are still possible to find at that age.

At the end we find out Addison may not be able to conceive a child. Anyone want to bet that Pete is the one who can help her with that? And I don't mean sexually, I mean holistically. I smell a storyline! Anyone with me?

I enjoyed this episode. There were some very funny moments. Sam thought the Arm & Hammer man was bald even though "it's really just an arm and a hammer." Dell yelled out "vulva" to Addison and Sam told him he needed new flirting material. I laughed out loud, I'm not ashamed to say!

So what do you think? Is this show hitting its stride? What storylines do you like most or want to see happen? Keep chatting and stop back next week for more antics from our other favorite docs. See you then!



For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.

Well I don't know about you but I won't be eating cake anytime soon. And that stinks because I really like cake. Not sure how I feel about Dell trying to win Naomi's affections through his grandmother's baked goods but I do know what it's like to want an "in" with someone you care about. He's definitely barking up the wrong tree though and she really gave it to him in the end. Poor Naomi. I want to feel bad for her but she's really just wallowing in her own misery. Why won't she try to reconnect with Sam?

And more Taye Diggs please! Not nearly enough Sam scenes tonight.

Maybe my memory is fuzzy, but I don't recall ever learning the reason for their split. Shout it out in the comments if I missed something. If I didn't miss it, I want to find out!

But back to the wallowing. Wow how old was that message Violet kept listening to? Watching her try to help Sad Sack all the while knowing what a "weak" person she is in love as well was scary. If it's one thing Dr. Melfi on The Sopranos taught us it's that even shrinks need shrinks every now and then. Violet needs to find one. And fast!

Sad Sack's wife was the lady from Herman's Head! I loved that show. I couldn't tell you details from even one episode but I know I liked it. I think.

The newlywed storyline worked but the blue children situation kind of fell flat with me. The fertilizer poisoned them because they were around the toxic fumes so much, leading me to believe they had to be playing in their secret den a lot! How long were these children out of the yard and out of their mother's care? She never noticed that all four children were gone? Cooper was wrong about it not being negligence. She should hire that nanny back.

I felt bad for the virgin. All that waiting and when she was finally ready to let go her hoohah didn't cooperate. If the Private Practice writers were trying to recreate the vajajay phenomenon with hoohah I think they came up short. Just putting that out there.

But I liked how Pete and Addison paired up to help them get their magic, despite their lack of faith that magic really exists. Why does Addison work so hard to push him away? She didn't seem to have trouble getting into relationships back in Seattle. It looked like Pete had his own relationship drama. The scenes at the grave were very telling. Geez, this practice is full of people with issues. It's a good thing they can heal others because no one seems to be able to heal themselves.

Is it bad that the entire show is full of people with problems? Don't we need someone with a stable existence? I understand the need for drama but I don't want to drown in it. Maybe I'm searching for things that are wrong with this show because I want to make it better. If I take a step back, though, I see that I'm enjoying it. I guess it's like Pete said, nothing is perfect.

For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.

Wow. Now I know what Ron Burgandy meant when he said he was in a glass case of emotion! So much went on tonight. There was a poison Granny, a baby switch and a nasty stripper with a rash on her bum! Yuck!

Speaking of bums, I loved how Sam was more concerned with Stripper Ginger's rash instead of the fact that she was gyrating in his face. He's my kind of guy! Another classic example of how men and women handle break-ups differently. Women bring ice cream over and men send strippers. Whatever works, I guess!

Poison Granny was very clever. Malicious and insane, but very clever. I guess a mother really will do whatever it takes for her child. I would have had her butt hauled off to prison but Sam recognized the desperation in her actions and decided to go along with the scheme by telling her son he was allergic to alcohol and staging an intervention to get him help.

Did anyone else feel bad for Violet? I did too, then I heard that she spent $6000 on a bike. Did this bike come with wings and an engine? Because if it didn't I think she got hosed. I love the irony that is Violet. Her career is based on helping others with their problems and yet her life is a complete mess. It's obvious she is taking way too long getting over this break up. When is her strange romance with Cooper going to start?

Only a Grey's Anatomy spin-off could take a sick baby and turn it into a genetically mutated baby switch with a bit of conniving husband on the side! I felt so bad for the natural mother of the sick baby. When she woke up that day she had a great family and she ended up with a sick baby she didn't know who may have only 5 years to live and a husband who switched the baby at birth. I did feel bad for him though. They went through a lot to get pregnant only to end up with a sick child. I guess I see why he would want to switch the babies, but I would never do it! A mother never leaves her child behind. I liked that line!

I'm torn about Sam and Naomi. Should they get back together or are they better apart? They both seem so sad apart but I guess being lonely is no reason to get back with someone if it didn't work. Does anyone else think Sam and Dr. Charlotte are going to become involved? They are butting heads a lot which in TV speak means they will soon be doing the deed! That could be some good drama!

Does Dell have a thing for Naomi? Is that why he didn't want Addison to speak at his school? That's what I thought! Addison kept trying to sell herself and it was hilarious. When did she become one of the best neo-natal surgeons in the world? Is that self-proclaimed? I'm going to need some documentation on that.

Dr. Pete's little speech to Addison was very yummy! He likes his women real. Hey, I'm real. I'm no neo-natal genius with a specialty in genetics but I'm a pretty great blogger! Right? That has to count for something! Anyway, I wonder how long they are going to drag out the attraction between these two. I hope a decent amount of time. I like watching them dance around one another.

I enjoyed this episode. I know a lot of people are on the fence about this show but I hope they stick it out. It has to find its niche but I think it could be great! Remember, Grey's wasn't Grey's right away people! So come back next week! It looks interesting — blue children and a broken hoo-hah! Don't they mean vajajay?

For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.

Thank God my anticipation for this show didn't ruin the first episode for me. I was afraid I put a hex on the show by hyping it so much in my head. Sure, at first I wanted Addison to stay in Seattle and in Karev's arms, but I think I'm going to like her "one-man gyne show" in L.A.!

I didn't think I was going to laugh when Sam saw Addison naked because it had been all over the commercials, but I did. She did the robot! Anyone doing the robot is hilarious, at least in my book.

Overall, I felt this show had a different vibe than Grey's Anatomy. I liked that it was not set in a hospital and the conversations and issues were more grown-up and less petty. Don't get me wrong, I love my Grey's, but this new dynamic was refreshing. But, of course, it did mimic the wacky medical situations that seem to come out of nowhere. Addison will be delivering a three-headed baby in no time!

I enjoyed the intense relationships that already exist between the characters and look forward to the new ones that are developing. Naomi and Sam still love one another, and their work relationship will make for some great drama throughout the course of the show. No matter what, they seem to have each other's backs.

I also found the friendship between Addison and Naomi interesting. I sympathized with Naomi when she confessed to Addison that she needed a "someone." I wondered if the fact that they hadn't spoken for so long would play a part in the show at all. Could they really pick up where they left off when so much has changed in their lives? Well, so far, so good on that front.

So did Pete really think Addison moved to L.A. because he kissed her? Or was he just being flirty with her? I'd move to L.A. if Tim Daly kissed me. I'd move to L.A. to dance a naked robot for Taye Diggs, too. OK, maybe not. The point is that Addison seemed to have good chemistry with both of these guys. Could a Sam/Addison pairing ever happen?

Despite the almost unreal medical situations, the mini-stories in tonight's episode weren't completely ridiculous. I liked how Violet and Cooper teamed up to help Crazy Counter get to the bottom of her problem. Addison and Pete kicked butt and took names with the teenage mom, and Naomi and Sam managed to get a dead guy's widow to give permission to take his sperm so the dead guy's mistress could have his baby. Phew!

Well I'm happy, but how about you? Do you think this spin-off will go the way of Melrose Place or Joey? And how do you feel about the new Naomi, played by Audra McDonald? Just a few things to chat about during the long week ahead until the next episode. See you then!


For more Private Practice, check out our Online Video Guide.