GREY’S ANATOMY: Rise Up…But Not from the Dead
November 7, 2008 by Kath Skerry
It’s been quite a long time since GREY’S ANATOMY brought me to tears, but last night that show damn near killed me…and a few patients too.
Let me get this off my chest and then I can move on. Enough with Denny Duquette. I get it, everyone loved Denny. I loved Denny, too. But with every episode that they gratuitously bring him back I think it does a disservice to his incredible original storyline. I enjoy the pretty that is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, but I think Denny’s ghost needs to be vanquished for good. Venkman, Spengler…you’ve got work to do, boys.
If you listen to The TV Talk Podcast then you know Ducky and I have covered this issue before. But let me say once again that I think the GREY’S viewers are being manipulated every time they bring Denny back. The show has changed a lot over the past few seasons. Listening to the collective voices of the fans, critics and ratings then it’s clear the show is not what it was back in its first few seasons. Every time they bring Denny back I feel as if the writers are using a crutch to get the viewers to be reminded of better days when the stories of the then interns and attendings were compelling and emotional and a lot less soap opera-ish. So enough with Denny. Please. I was thrilled during that brief moment when Izzie thought she had closed the book on Denny, but when his ghost reappeared I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and wait for the end credits.
One last thing about Denny. Izzie and Meredith have both seen his ghost. When my last day comes, and I’m welcomed to the pearly gates (fingers crossed), I’m going to be pissed if Denny Duquette is not their to greet me. I’m just saying…
So now that I’ve vented, I need to tell you how fantastic I thought last night’s episode was. The episode reminded me of the GREY’S episodes in the past that I just mentioned – back when the patients stories were used to help further the stories of the main characters, rather than just for the sake of displaying a bizarre medical mystery.
And I don’t think I can really write anymore without talking about the storyline of the elderly couple who Bailey and Derek were attending to. Ugh, I was a blubbering mess by the end of the episode. The way the older man was in theory ready to let his wife go, but when faced with her death he couldn’t give up on her. It was simple and beautiful. The way that both Derek and Miranda stepped in to help despite knowing that medically their efforts were pointless, was so touching. And I think Dr. Bailey needed to see that demonstration of love to get her head back on track in terms of doing what was necessary to protect her own marriage.
So thrilled to have Dr. Major McJourneyman at Seattle Grace. Like our other favorite doctors, this man travels with some designer luggage. His years in service to his country and his time spent in war have given him a difficult load to carry. And while he first came across as abrupt and uncaring, last night he showed that not to be true. He has something to teach his fellow doctors and I’m glad he’s sticking around.
And I must thank McJourneyman for giving the Chief his two cents on how ridiculous some of the doctors are – bringing all their personal issues with them to work and losing sight of the patients – it needed to be said. Cristina’s story of her father really brought to light that there is a time when personal issues help you to be a better doctor, but I don’t think those at Seattle Grace have quite figured out the balance. Anyway, despite his blustering speech about leaving, I’m glad Dr. Huntt is sticking around.
Not sticking around would be Erica Hahn. As you probably have read by now, last night was Brooke Smith’s last episode. It seems the powers that be at ABC dumped her and her lesbian storyline. Out of fear? I’m not sure we will ever know, but it certainly appears that way on the surface. This is a character that has become a standout both in acting and in plot this season. For her to just be gone, like that, without a proper sendoff felt plain wrong and disrespectful to those few of us who remain loyal GREY’S viewers. I can speculate until he cows come home, but the truth is, I don’t know all the facts. Maybe it was the gay thing, maybe there were other issues that we just don’t know about. It’s just all very suspect for me.
Getting back to the events of last night, I have to ask…is this season all about the fall of Cristina Yang or what? Episode after episode, it seems as if Yang’s flaws as a doctor keep being revealed. Earlier in the season we saw he lack of some basic surgical skills. Last night we really saw what a bad and selfish teacher she is. We’ve always known her ambition was a liability, but last night it manifested itself in a way that might cost her the solo surgery prize. Check yo’self before you wreck yo’self, Yang.
Oh and George is SO getting that solo surgery. And let’s face it…he’s probably the most deserving.
Anyone else still watching? What did you think of last night’s episode? I’ve received a few emails already and it seems like at least some of you really enjoyed it. Come on..talk to me.
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I thought it was a great episode. It is interesting how “Dr. Major McJourneyman” brings out the liabilities in they Grey’s doctors. To see the inner-workings of the hospital from his point of view, you can appreciate how frustrated he’d be. I thought the Chief’s prank on George was hilarious. I too feel that Denny should be done – I thought it was an ok amount of Denny last night, but that should be it. But sometimes I feel like every week the Grey’s writers are just trying to pull on our heart strings, so that’s why Denny should be finished. (It was nice to see him again though….!) And I love how sweet Izzy and Alex are..I hope it lasts though – I have always loved them together. It was nice to see Meredith with an interesting side-story (the journals), but not the main focus of the episode. It was a very touching episode with the elderly couple and Derek and Bailey at the end.
I actually didn’t mind how they got rid of Hahn. Although I have no problem with the story-line, I really didn’t feel the chemistry between Erika and Callie. I thought Callie standing up to Erika (and up for Seattle Grace) at the end was a great exchange, and obviously Erika wants no part of that team anymore.
Though I found the WAY she was let go crappy, I am not sad to see last of Dr. Hahn. I found her completely and utterly devoid of personality, and I would rather have George & Izzie back together than sit through the boring storyline between her & Callie. (IMHO of course).
I do agree that pulling out “the Denny Card” is purely manipulative – But I’m curious and interested to see where this halucination is going and what it means for Izzie. (and poor Alex if he has to deal with another girlfriend with serious mental issues!)
And as for Dr. Hunt’s tirade against them for not viewing the patients as people. It’s about damn time someone said that to them!
I so agree about Denny. Everytime they need to boost the ratings they resurrect the poor guy. Perhaps if they kept him alive in the first place… tsss
He really did have a great storyline but funny how it works out – I’m sure Jeffrey Dean Morgan was peeved when his character was killed off, but if he stayed he wouldn’t be doing Watchmen now 🙂
I agree on the major guy – he definitely said what had to be said (for quite a long time now).
As for Hahn, I don’t know what was up with that but as far as the character was concerned I wasn’t too impressed with her. Not because I have a problem with the whole Callie-Hahn lesbian couple thing, but I think the chemistry between them was way off.
I am totally against the theory that Hahn was booted because of the lesbian story line. I think they are just going to show Callie experiencing her new discovery and they wouldn’t be able to do that with her in a relationship. I was not happy to see Hahn go, however I am glad for one reason. Why they would have two characters with similar sounding names when said by other characters, sound the same. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Hunt – half the time in the past few episodes, I couldn’t keep up with who they were talking about.
Oh good Todd – I thought it was just me that kept mishearing their names!
I am sooooo glad Erica is gone. I have never liked the character and could not wait to see her leave. Plus there is something about the actress’ voice that kills me everytime she talks.
Never liked Hahn regardless of sexual orientation but had no idea this was her swan song until I read it here, GMMR. Hmmm, I just don’t think people liked her. I will say she had redeemed herself slightly in Thursday’s ep for her obvious concern for her patient but in general, good riddance.
Denny should go back to Supernatural where ghosts are plausible! Yes? Also, Dr. Major McJourneyman should still be on Journeyman 🙁 I miss it!
I was never a fan of Hahn. I did like the beginning of her’s and Callie’s storyline. But once it became apparent that they were going to go the lesbian route something changed with the character chemistry (I mean when Callie realizes that Hahn is “into” her as more than a friend). Then I felt the storyline was just uncomfortable and made more so when Callie got oral sex advice from McSteamy (that was just creepy).
I didn’t like Hahn as a doctor either. I am actually surprised at the gay and lesbian storylines on ABC. They are done in a much better way then they would be on FOX or any other network just trying to grab ratings. They seem more “real” and to a point I like that.
But Grey’s Anatomy was really good this week. That old couple nearly killed me.