Grey’s Anatomy – Watching Meredith play doctor

I really liked the feel of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy. It was almost retro; back-to-basics. Sure, there was melodrama — the whole Cristina being asked by Meredith not to be Callie’s kid’s godmommy, the flirtation between Alex and the new ob/gyn, Teddy dating a guy while her “husband” looks on, plus the drunk guy with the knife in his head — but the episode unfolded in a rather simple way.

The premise, that what happens in a single hour can change everything (or not), seemed to work quite well here, without being all Jack Bauer/24-ish about it.

I can’t remember the last time we’ve seen Meredith in action as a physician for as long as we did in “Golden Hour.” And she proved herself to be much more than a capable doctor. She exhibited smarts and keen observational skills by noticing the difference in the stroke patient’s signature, from the intake form to the release form, and that the Chief’s wife’s mind wasn’t quite right (though Richard’s in angry denial about it). When things occurred which were beyond her control, like not having an open ER for the little boy with a broken leg, she demonstrated compassion and understanding. And she never got flustered, even after the fortysomething dad who thought he had heartburn died during emergency surgery.

Meredith was a professional, and that was nice to see because, all too often, she just plays one part of a romantic couple and obsesses about relationships, or she’s the put-upon daughter who’s still in mourning and living in her mother’s shadow, or the friend of someone in trouble. It’s not often that we see the dark and twisty Meredith Grey — who received her fertility meds from Derek in an edgy scene in the elevator (I so did not think he was prepping to give her a shot of medicine) — in her full-fledged doctor mode.

While Meredith was doing her best amidst the chaos of The Pit, it was likewise fabulous to see the  character who’s usually in hardcore doctor mode, Miranda Bailey, messing around with Eli in the On Call room and getting flustered several times, including when Derek walked in on them. I like seeing the buoyant side of Bailey.

I’m reserving my judgment on the Teddy-Henry storyline, although it’s still reminding me a bit of Izzie and Denny, except that Henry is ambulatory. Clearly Henry has a thing for Teddy, or is starting to develop one, and will likely become a giant obstacle in the middle of Teddy’s love life. Seeing Henry dis Teddy’s date recalled to my mind the friction between Alex and Denny.

I’m lukewarm on the flirtation between Alex and the new doc Lucy Fields who, to me, bears some resemblance to Izzie. Think they’re trying to replace Izzie and Denny with Henry and Lucy?

All in all, I enjoyed this Meredith-centric episode that, for once, didn’t focus on Meredith’s flaws.

Clacked by Meredith O'Brien
on Feb 18, 2011 @ 12:20 EST5EDT