In memory...

***Spoiler alert***

If you have not watched the first episode of season 9 of Grey’s Anatomy STOP HERE….warning you now.

Ok, so, I am a Grey’s fan from way back. As much as I have loved this show over the years I will be the first one to say that in my humble opinions Grey’s has lost it’s spark. I started feeling differently about Grey’s after season 3 (and no, that is not just because Addison left, although I am a HUGE Addison Montgomery fan.) It just didn’t feel the same. Now, I am a firm believer that every show that goes for more than 1 or 2 seasons has a point where it changes (for example Beverly Hills 90210, the original series, went through a change after a high school and then after college. Charmed changed after season 4. They felt like different shows almost). I allow for that change but Grey’s just felt weak. Season 6 was little better but 7 an 8 were slightly disappointing. Saying all that, I loved this premiere. It was emotional and yet still fun at times. I may actually be excited about Grey’s Anatomy again. 

The actors brought their A game, especially Sara Ramirez (Dr. Callie Torres) and Patrick Dempsey (Dr. Derek Shepherd aka McDreamy). The cast has always been good in opinion but this episode reminded me why I love them. The sad parts were really sad but the good news I was expecting most of them. Some stuff was news to me (Like Arizona…yikes). The preview for next week already has me nervous, I am sure it’s going to be just as good as this episode but it looks even more emotional than the first episode. I guess I should watch it with a box of tissues.

Overall-

Things I loved:

Cristina being Cristina. (The parts we saw of her at Mayo reminded me if the tough chick I fell in love with all of those years ago.

The Meredith/Cristina love …My favorite friendship on television.

The Meredith and Derek love…I enjoy seeing them happy after all the nonsense they deserve it, right?

Bailey and Ben (super cute and super happy…Because Bailey is made of awesome and deserves awesome things)

The Mark Sloan tribute, it was well done and super sweet.

The Callie/Arizona stuff (I was almost sure that  Shonda Rhimes had killed Arizona and I knew that would be a disaster). I am glad Arizona is alive and I am excited to see what they do with this. I am expecting some world class acting from Sara and Jessica.

Owen getting April Kepner (I won’t deny it was weird. But I liked it)

Jackson and Mark

Medusa…Right?

Booty call Bailey…what!?!?!

Derek, Callie and Mark

Alex  being a PIMP

Alex caring enough to stay at SGMW hospital.

Things I didn’t love:

The new interns…they bugged me…(but to be fair the Mercy West doctors bugged me once too and now Jackson and April are loved by me, so we shall see)

Cristina’s boss at Mayo…eeewww

That is about it..There were not a lot I disliked in this episode.

My rating? 4.5 stars out of 5…it was good but it takes a little more fantastic to get 5 out of 5…sorry.

Please be looking for a blog post to be made today about the negative attitude people seem  to have about Shonda Rhimes

Paging Dr. Addison Montgomery. Dr. Montgomery

 So, I just found out that season 6 of Private Practice will be Kate Walsh’s last. Kate Walsh originated the character, Dr. Addison Montgomery, on Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. On September 26, 2007 the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff premiered with Addison as the show runner. In a sit down on the talk show Bethenny Kate Walsh announced season 6 would be her last playing the lovable doctor.

This is upsetting news for me. Actually, I am not sure upsetting is the right word. I adore Kate Walsh and Addison Montgomery might be my favorite Grey’s/PPP character but both shows have lost Amy interest a little. I still like them and I still watch them but not the way I used.

Let’s analyze this a little though; can you have PPP without Dr. Addison Montgomery? There are other characters I like, of course. Charlotte King? Love her like whoa. Outside of Addie she is my favorite PPP character. She is tough and strong and full of all kinds of sarcasm. Charlotte and Cooper may be one of my favorite couples on T.V. Shonda Rimes actually found a way to keep them interesting without putting their relationship in jeopardy every week. Amelia is a character I enjoy (most of the time); I also enjoy the Amelia/Sheldon dynamic. 

Things I don’t like? Dr. Violet Turner (played by Amy Brenneman). I didn’t dislike Violet from the beginning. But overtime she annoyed me more than just about any other character in Shonda land. With the departure of Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder (see my earlier blog entry) I am actually 

concerned she will annoy me even more. Her on and off again with Pete was driving me nuts not to mention his character became more and more unlikeable around her character but with his departure I am sure she will whine us all into insanity.

Another thing I don’t like? Pete and Addison. I never understood them. I never got it. For Addison to date her best friends ex husband seem to backtrack any growth she has exhibited as a character. This was the woman who supposedly learned from sleeping with her husband’s best friend, right? Plus Sam is just…blah…I wish I could find a more interesting way to explain this but I can’t. He’s just boring and Addisam is boring.

Benjamin Bratt was a good addition to PPP. I know most people disagree with me but I don’t care. I like what he brings to the dynamic of the show. I like the way the developed his character and the dimensions they have given him. I adore his thing with Addison. I always wanted Addison and Pete to be endgame but with Daly leaving I guess that won’t happen. I could tolerate an Addison/Jake endgame

.

With all of that said I am little concerned by all of the Shonda land changes. First (as I said above) Tim Daly won’t be in season 6 at all. Kate Walsh is leaving at the end of season 6. Then on the PPP counterpart Grey’s Anatomy, we are losing Chyler Leigh (Dr. Lexie Grey), Kim Raver (Dr. Teddy Altman) and Eric Dane (Dr. Mark Sloan). Let’s just say I will be interested in seeing where these two shows go from here.

Check out the article about Walsh's departure her at TVline.com

Kate Walsh on Leaving 'Private Practice' , Blog Entry to follow

Seriously!? SERIOUSLY!?

This may very well be the worst news I have gotten all day. Eric Dane, the man who came into our lives as the lovable and flawed Dr. Mark Sloan (aka McSteamy) on Grey’s Anatomy, has apparently decided to leave after the shows eighth season. Shonda Rimes (Grey’s and Private Practice’s creator) gave a statement saying this was a mutual decision.

 Dane also gave a brief statement, the classic platitudes you know the drill. Dane’s departure comes right after the blow that Chyler Leigh (who plays Lexie Grey, the sister of the title character) left the show and her counterpart died on screen. Lexie, who was Dr. Sloan’s off and on paramour, left us feeling empty after her tearful exit in May. Fortunately, sources close to the show believe that McSteamy will be around for a few episodes in season 9 to wrap up his storylines.

Dane is the third person to exit the show this season. Everyone is expected to remain around for at least two more years. The third person being Kim Raver (aka Teddy). 

This is a sad day for me. I didn’t like McSteamy when he first entered (I mean, really? Total jerk) but he grew on me. His relationship with Lexie aka Little Grey was bright spot in what became at times a hard show to watch. Although as much as I love Slexie (Mark and Lexie), the back and forth did get to be a little much. And I told my good friend Natalie that it was do or die time. I guess I was right, die time.

Goodbye McSteamy and good luck Eric Dane.

Check out the article on Tvline.com