Choices, Love and Heartache is the Theme on Grey's This Week
On Thursday, 8 March 2012; we were treated to another installment of Grey's Anatomy and what an episode this was. It far and away made up for the fail that was last week's episode "What is it About Men?"
"You're too tense, it's not wood-shop."
A Penis Transplant
The case of the night was a penis transplant. Grey's are famous for their out of the ordinary, rare medical cases, but this was so well executed, and the humour behind it was hilarious. I seem to remember a TV show in the US getting in trouble for using the word 'penis' in the dialogue way too much, I don't remember if this had anything to do with Grey's Anatomy, but I was wating to see if there was fall-out in the US over this episode, which aired over there in October last year. But I didn't hear anything about it and the word 'penis' was spoken by the actors frequently. It's funny because I dont recall anything being said, and I so wish I could remember where I read that information, but I know it definitely happened on a TV show in the US.
Anyway moving on. This case involved a young man who had penile cancer and the famous Catherine Avery who had treated this patient's cancer and has now brought him to Seattle to perform the ground-breaking surgery. Catherine Avery is Jackson's mum; and is played by the very talented Debbie Allen who directs Grey's Anatomy sometimes and is famous for her role on Fame. I was so hoping that we would get to know Jackson better in this episode. Who better to show us the real Dr Jackson Avery, than the person who gave birth to him. But I really did not get anymore insight into his character and I felt sorry for Catherine when Jackson kept deflecting all of her questions about Lexie and his life in general. However you can see why Jackson is hard on himself sometimes, given he has a famous grandfather and mother; he has a lot to live up to. I really have tried to like Jackson, but apart from his dark, brooding good looks, and charming smile, there is no depth to him. We have seen the dark side of every Grey's character, but Jackson is a mystery to me. Oh and in case you are wondering where Lexie is for all of the Jackson/Lexie fans, apparently the actress had some time off, which is why we haven't seen much of her this season. I also don't think shipping Lexie off to "God knows where?" was a great idea. That would make any mother suspicious.
Who Wants to Step Into the Future
Anyway enough about Jackson. Dr Catherine Avery presents her case to an auditorium full of residents, interns and attendings; most of whom cannot wait to get a piece of this action. April admit to Jackson and Alex that Catherine is one of her Facebook friends, Alex jokes that Catherine has a stalker. Alex just can't stop picking on April lately. Sexual tension anyone? In any case, I'm sensing it and my mother always told me that if a boy picks on you, then he likes you.
April and Alex; Will They Get it On or Not?
Now just going back to April Kepner for a minute. It was hinted at that April was going to have a romance this season and lose her virginity; finally! Heated discussions all over fan sites are going on about who it should be, both in the US and here in Australia. The US are about to show Episode 17 on the 15 March 2012, and April Kepner is still a virgin, so it's obviously going to be saved for the final episodes, however who do you think it should be? I am divided between Alex or Jackson or maybe McSteamy. Given that I don't like Jackson that much, I'm more open to it being Alex. Anyway this is way off track.....back to the episode. They migrate to the skills lab and the residents are given chicken breasts to perform surgery on and demonstrate their skills. Catherine Avery asks the group if they have worked with the tissue of the penis before, and Alex calls out "Put your hand down Kepner." He just can't help himself. Meredith and Jackson are chosen to scrub in, along with Mark who is trying to convince Catherine Avery to talk to the patient about re-constructive surgery, which has less risks. Catherine is annoyed at Mark for doubting her, but the option is offered to the patient anyway and he refuses.
"Put your hand down Kepner."
Zola is Sick
Alex gets paged to Peds before Catherine has assessed his work as Zola has been brought in with a nasty bowel obstruction. He says nothing to Meredith and runs from the room. This is the Alex I love, the dedicated peds surgeon who will drop anything for a sick kid. But in this situation he is a basket case who doesn't know what to do. He pages Cristina for advice. Basically Alex cannot reveal to Derek and Meredith that Zola is even in the hospital as it is a breach of ethics and confidentiality and it could ruin the adoption process. Alex is livid with the social worker and even more upset with Arizona for forbidding him to page Meredith, so he pages Cristina. Cristina shows up and Alex is pacing the halls wondering WTF? He tells Cristina about Zola and that it could screw up the abortion if they tell Derek and Meredith. Poor Alex, he is also thinking that if Meredith finds out he kept this from her, she will never forgive him. In the end Cristina makes the call, she goes to the OR where Meredith is working on the penis transplant and calls her out. At first Meredith hesistates; wanting to stay and finish, however the look in Cristina's eyes and her tone of voice tells Meredith that it's serious and she had better move it. The eye acting in this scene was superb, absolutely brilliant. Catherine gives her curry about Ellis Grey turning in her grave or some such garbage.
Another week of sulky, shitty Derek.
Meredith and Derek are next seen in an exam room arguing about Zola's medical condition. Arizona reassures them that it's all going to be okay, she will operate and Zola will be fine. Derek is freaking out, and worried about the shunt operation he did a few months back and argues that he should be in there. Arizona tells him no, that it is not necessary and that the social woker is watching and if she finds out that Derek and Meredith know about Zola's medical condition it will affect the adoption. Arizona assures the couple that she is more than capable of doing the surgery.
Meredith: "We Have to Follow the Rules."
As much as Meredith wants to see her little girl, she realises that Arizona is right. Owen Hunt comes in and tries to talk Derek out of going anywhere near Zola. Derek is in a rage; upset because Zola is ill and angry at the adoption people for taking her away from her parents who are both doctors and may have seen this coming, and of course Derek is also angry at Meredith. Meredith pleads with him to just let it be and obey the rules. She tells Derek it's all her fault and if they want her back they have to follow the rules. Meredith's realisation that following the rules is necessary obviously gets through because Derek eventually calms down, He then goes off to the stairwell to sulk with Owen. Good grief these two make a fine pair of sooks. Both of them seem so emotionally retarded at the moment. However, the communication with Cristina and Owen does go both ways. She's not talking either.
Zola is taken into surgery and Cristina and Meredith go outside to sit in the ambulance bay to wait. Cristina reassures Meredith that Zola is not going to die. Derek finally turns up and informs them that so far everything is going well. As Arizona and Alex work in the OR, Alex questions Arizona's attitude regarding Zola. He asks Arizona, "What if this was Sofia and Mark and Callie weren't there? You would have no rights." Arizona tells him to mind his own business, however at the end of the episode she asks Callie if they can have paperwork drawn up that says Arizona is Sofia's Mom. Callie promises that they will do it. This was Arizona's epiphany that she has fallen in love with Sofia, and Alex forced her to see it. The surgery is a success and Alex goes to find Meredith and Derek, who are now in the resident's lounge. Alex gives them the good news and they both sigh with relief; Meredith bursting into tears. Cristina tells them to go home and she will stay with Zola. Brilliant acting by Ellen Pompeo, I was in tears watching her. However, the scenes where Owen was watching Cristina play and talk with Zola really gave me mixed feelings. Surely Cristina is not that insensitive to Owen's feelings.
Cristina calls Derek and Meredith
The Penis transplant turns out to be a success, despite April stuffing up while suctioning. Mark and Jackson stepped in and saved the day, they all head to Joe's bar to celebrate. Mark's comment in the OR "That's the pinkest penis I've ever seen." had me in stitches of laughter and I'm not even sure if he knows April is a virgin. Meanwhile Teddy is throwing a dinner party for the couples; Bailey has just made the decision to end her relationship with Eli, after getting a dressing down from Ben that she had asked him to wait for her. Bailey denies this, but I think after giving it some thought she realises it's true. She runs into Ben shortly after giving Eli the bad news and tells him it's over with the nurse. At the dinner party she admits to Henry that her and Eli broke up. Owen arrives at the party and tells Teddy that Cristina is stuck at the hospital. The realisation that children will never be possible in his life is hitting home and watching Cristina with Zola must have really hurt him.
"You don't cook."
Cristina Cooks Owen Breakfast, But Owen wants something else. In a matter of seconds they are on the kitchen floor doing their thing. This happened at the beginning of the episode and my first thought was 'Oh! This is how they are going to deal with the abortion issue.' If the previews of next week are anything to go by then I just answered my own question. There is going to be no dealing with their marriage issues any time soon. This storyline is probably going to drag out for most of the season.
Incy Whincy Spider
The end of the episode was cute. Meredith and Derek singing to Zola and the scene in the elevator where they are holding hands. That to me signalled hope; I think they are in a much better place now. Let's hope McAss reverts back to McDreamy next week. I have so wanted to smack him the last few weeks. Next week expect to see more of Lexie and Meredith in pink scrubs. The coming episode is called "Poker Face." and it wón't be what you expect at all. Anyway enough said, I do not want to spoil it for the viewers who do not read the spoilers on the US websites.
All in all this was a great episode. I really hope we get to see more of Debbie Allen as Jackson's mum; some fans are saying she should be Chief of Surgery; that could work, she would make an excellent Chief. Owen Hunt is not cutting it as far as I'm concerned and I think the new job is pulling him away from his marriage a little, which is what he needs to address now; but that's not going to happen. This rift is going to blow up in Cristina and Owen's face.
Highlights: Meredith's scene when she found out Zola was OK, and broke down. Cristina to Alex: "How small are your balls."
Mark: "That's the pinkest penis I've ever seen." April's reaction was priceless
Is there a Ben/Bailey reunion in the cards?
Lowlights: Derek (about Meredith) "I know I should be with her, but I can't look at her, this is all her fault." Really Derek; all her fault? Take a chill pill.
Cristina playing with Zola, and being totally oblivious to how Owen must have felt watching this.
Till next week.
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