Grey’s Anatomy – Derek the doctor or Derek the boss?

I’ve never understood Derek’s massive desire to become the Chief of Surgery, be it at Seattle Grace, or anywhere, really. He’s supposed to be one of the top neurosurgeons in the world. Cutting edge. Hard core. Removes inoperable brain tumors in a single bound. For a surgeon that is so badass, why would you want to step away and be a pencil pusher?

I’ve got nothing wrong with administrators. In fact, I think you can describe the duties of my day job as administrative. We serve an important purpose in coordinating, managing the details, and letting the experts be experts. When you are that good at something, you can’t take that talent … that gift away from those who need it. It’s a waste of everything that he’s experienced, of all he’s learned, and all he’s developed. As Cristina so often talks about, Derek Sheppard is a cutter. He is a surgeon. He is not an administrator, and needs to stay in the OR.

It will certainly help his home life. Meredith didn’t take to idea, or the expectations, of being the chief’s wife. Pushy April Kepner didn’t help things, but honestly, Meredith really blew things out of proportion. Did her husband go about asking her the wrong way? Absolutely. But, was he perfectly understanding when she said she didn’t want to go?  Sure thing. She finally came around, and the freaking out over the Mrs. Sheppard bit was good, but she’ll never be the arm candy that people will expect of the chief’s wife.

I know I wrote last week that Derek looked like he would make a great Chief, and after a week’s reflection and another episode, I’ll admit I was wrong. Derek seemed good because he’s such a natural leader and a great teacher. You throw that in with the talent that he has, and you’ve got an amazing surgeon. Let the experts be experts.

Notes & Quotes

• “It’s Valentine’s Day.” “We don’t do Valentine’s Day!”
• It’s a little weird to see Bailey liking someone, with the nervousness and the not being able to talk.
• Lexi definitely can’t pull off the blond-ness.
• George O’Malley made a much, much better Chief’s Intern (or resident, but you get my drift).
• I know I’ve professed my love for Arizona (again and again), but her pushing Bailey got a little old.
• Mark Sloan the grandfather was bad enough, but McSteamy the dad?
• And Callie the mother? First thing she’s done that I didn’t like in a long, long time … but acting like a mother at the end? Perfect.
• “These are all half eaten!” “Now you can see what they are.”
• Did any big fan of ER get a freaky flashback to Carter and Lucy on the floor when Alex picked up the dropped bill and found his patient?
• The preview for next week was a bit over the top, and I was very disappointed not to get a shot or two of the flashbacks.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Feb 12, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT