Fair warning, when High School with Scalpels is the header, I’m discussing the previous night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy.  Look away if you haven’t seen it.

If you watch Mad Men, a keen sense of history will serve you well.  Even the best of Lost fans need a sherpa to deconstruct the multitude of layers in an episode.  For watching Grey’s Anatomy, you just need an iron stomach to handle all the saccharin.  Luckily, I have been inoculated against the worst of what creator Shonda Rhimes can throw at a viewer, and will break down each episode weekly for you.  I’m the oracle of Grey’s. I’ve watched each episode far too many times and can quote not only the lines, but the songs playing in the background.  Oh yeah, I’m that damaged.

After the mass murder shooting spree that closed season 6, we are treated to a “where are they now” type episode that shows us snippets of how each person’s recovery is going.  For a show that had to tell the story of 10 bazillion cast members, “With You I’m Born Again” was actually decently balanced, giving slightly more time to the original(ish) characters over the newest additions.  The story was told in the present time, with each character going to speak to the trauma specialist, Andrew Perkins (played by James Tupper).  We were also treated to flashbacks of some of the worst parts of the recoveries for some of the doctors.

I could spend the column going through each piece of the episode, but that’s something I do with my other fandom pals. Instead here’s what worked and didn’t work for this episode.

Bright & Shiny (what worked)

• The flashbacks were all done extremely well.  We weren’t subjected to too many soliloquies, which often plague the series.  Derek coming out of anesthesia showed us that his need for speed is merely bravado.  Meredith’s showed how she suffered alone through her D&C because she was too concerned for the well being of Derek & Cristina.  We also learned that Owen’s method for getting a “yes” to a proposal is to ask during your loved one’s nervous breakdown.
• Derek stepping down as chief & Webber’s subsequent happy dance. It would have been nice if Derek’s tenure as chief was used to explore Derek, but it was more a vehicle for Webber’s redemption.  Webber’s dance was a great bit of comic relief in an otherwise emotional episode.
• Bailey with the residents.  She’s snarky and strong “Nazi” we love, but with the underlying understanding that she’s grateful that she still has her people and sorry for the loss of those who didn’t survive.
• Derek stripping off his shirt and saying “let’s just pull the goalie and go for it”.  I absolutely did not replay that scene twenty times.  And by absolutely not, I mean I played it more like fifty.
• Quick comebacks.  In group therapy, Perkins asks if anyone has anything they want to share, and Cristina tells us about a great taco, which the others all excitedly latch onto.  Meredith told Derek that he’s “driving awfully fast” when pushing for a risky surgery and “should at least wear a seatbelt”.  Meredith tells Jackson he isn’t funny during a joking session, after he offers why he thinks she hasn’t been cleared for surgery. He tells her he wasn’t joking (ooh burn!!). Lexie tells Alex he’s not as badass as he thinks he is.
• Sandra Oh’s delivery of every line.  She brings the funny “PERV” and the intensely longing “you’re either born simple or you’re born…me”.  She may be the most talented actor on the show, bringing out the best in even the worst writing.
• The return of Alex as evil spawn.  Izzie brought out the best in Alex, and without her, he’s a pompous jerk.  We know he means well, but has a rough exterior to cover his fear of failure.  I’m okay with that.
• The lesser characters being mostly in the background.  The only non-original character that got a focus this week was Lexie.  She’s been around since late season 3, so I’m fine with that for now.  The others had a line or two, but nothing that really interfered with the other storylines.  The Callie and Arizona moving in sub-story was subtle and sweet.
• The twisted sisters.  “Derek’s the love of my life, but you’re my soulmate.”  Meredith and Cristina are without a doubt the most rich pairing on the show.

Dark & Twisty (what didn’t)

• Bailey’s speech and breakup with Ben.  She dumped him because she was too busy putting herself together? That’s when we need other people the most.  Plus, I hate weepy Bailey. All due respect to Chandra Wilson, but we’ve seen too much of the character’s missives on life and inevitable breakdowns after them.
• Arizona and Teddy’s friendship.  It’s just weird, and I really find Teddy’s character to be useless.
• April Kepner crying at the wedding.  I get that it was a “life moves on” moment for her, but I don’t care about this character either.
• Hair & makeup.  Please tell Patrick Dempsey to lay off the Keratin treatments, I want the curls of wonder back.  Meredith at the wedding looked like a raccoon that got slapped around by Rachel Zoe.  Cristina’s dress was gorgeous, but her hair was piled on too high.  Lexie’s thankfully back to brunette, but her lack of eyebrows was disturbing and distracting.  General styling was just a bit off, and while nitpicky, it bugged me.

For the true fans

• Derek asked if Owen needed a bachelor party and is relieved when Owen says no.  In season 3, Derek throws a poor excuse for Burke’s bachelor party at Joe’s.
• Owen asks Meredith if Cristina is going to come down the stairs for the wedding, which she basically couldn’t do for her uncompleted wedding with Burke.
• Meredith fixes Cristina’s necklace right before the wedding.  In her non-wedding to Burke, Cristina was clawing at her necklace after Burke leaves her.
• This was supposed to be hour 1 of a 2 hour premiere.  The ABC brass decided instead to air the second episode next week.

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW

Next week’s episode is called “Shock to the System”, and actually has me more excited than the premiere.  Meredith will tell Derek about the miscarriage, and Cristina will have a panic attack in the OR.  Though it won’t take place next week, Meredith’s admission will pave the way for the Mer/Der storyline of the season – babymaking and the difficulties they’ll face on that path. In episode 7.3 “Superfreak”, Derek’s sister Amelia will visit from her home in Addison’s LA.  She, like Derek, was present at their father’s murder, and tensions are high since Derek’s brush with death.  Any insight to McDreamy is good in my book, so long as I don’t have to watch Private Practice to learn it.

Tagged as: Grey's Anatomy