Zoanne Clack on "Where the Wild Things Are"...

Original Airdate: 4-24-08

Okay, before I start the blog, I wanted to mix this up a little in the spirit of the episode.  Let’s have a contest.  10 points for whomever tells me why Bailey’s carrying her baby around all the time.  25 points if you can tell me the name of the crazy tumor that Phillip ends up having (no cheating by going back and looking!!!  We’re on the honor system here!).  40 points for the guesser of the theme of this episode.  And here’s the motherload, the “medical mystery” if you will: there are lyrics to a song referenced within this blog (which also gives another clue to the theme).  80 points for the person who can name the song (and an extra 20 for the artist).  Answers are in spoilers at the end (remember: honor code people!).

Alright, you with me?  Let’s start this party right.  I know I, for one, have been a bottom-feeder for the last few months.  A scavenger sitting in the mud and spitting out rocks on the bottom of the fishtank, flipping through my TIVO and watching umpteenth re-runs, models modeling, mensa members losing to fifth graders, chefs making 20-course meals out of garbanzo beans, and stars doing everything from dancing to rehab to showing us their “other talents.”  Although I do admit that I have been crazy inspired by The Biggest Loser.  Love it.  Can’t get enough of it.  I sing the theme song to myself as I get up in the morning (What have you done today, to make you feel proud…?)  And the piece de la resistance:  Groomer Has It.  Animal Planet.  Feel the burn.

Did I mention I’m SO GLAD WE’RE BACK????!!!  So glad prime-time network TV is back and can fill my TIVO with sweet, yummy non-rerun fictional candy again.  Can I get an Amen?

So what’s been going on in the 6 weeks (tv time) since we’ve been gone?  I’ve heard a lot of speculation out there, but Meredith is absolutely.  Not.  Pregnant.  Not even close.  Hasn’t even had sex.  With anyone.  Meredith.  Our beloved, “have-sex-instead-of-problems”, “meet-your-soul-mate-and-sleep-with-him-after-picking-him-up-in-a-bar” Meredith.  She’s traded sex for… therapy?  Therapy?  Our Meredith?  She senses there’s something wrong, something really wrong.  But she can’t put her finger on it.  Or can’t admit what she’s already put her finger on.  Therapy is interesting because it’s the one place you get to talk about yourself incessantly and someone actually LISTENS.  They’re actually paid to listen to your drivel.  And occasionally give you mind-blowing assessments of your behavior.  But Mer’s not quite taking full advantage of that.  But it looks like there’s some movement at the end… we’ll see what she does with that.  Maybe it’ll help her actually start acting like a human being around Derek.  They haven’t spoken in the entire six-week interim.  Mer’s been totally avoiding him and he’s been avoiding her.  But they can’t keep that up.  They can’t handle that.  Deep, deep down, on their basest levels, taking intellect out of the picture, they belong together.  They need each other.  It’s instinctual, base, feral. 

But what if it’s not?  What if all of their instincts are wrong, like with Izzie?  She put all of her blood, sweat and tears into Cheech, I mean, Otis, and for what?  Poor Izzie.  It’s time for her to figure out who she wants to be and what kind of doctor she wants to be.  On her own.  Not emulating Cristina, not fighting for lost causes, something where she can take charge and find out what she’s good at.  Don’t you think?  Thank God Richard’s around to put everything into perspective for her.  Maybe her instincts weren’t great, but she’s human.  And being human ain’t so bad.

Unless you’re Cristina.  When being human is bad.  When being human means that you have to go against all your natural instincts to win at all costs.  When being human means you have to put your tail between her legs (figuratively speaking, of course) and sacrifice the win to get where you want to go in life.  To realize that sometimes in order to win, you’ve got to lose – you have to give up one thing to gain another.

What you gain can be what you need.  Humans need human connection.  And when they don’t get it, they tend to take it out on other people and not realize what they’re doing themselves.  Who could I possibly be talking about?  Maybe a little guy we like to call George?  George walking around like a wounded lion.  Pouncing on people left and right, trying not to show the scars of being left out of his peer group.  Poor Lexie got the brunt of this… little did he know he had a friend right there, the whole time, wanting to be there for him.  And frickin’ Lexie!  There’s someone who needs to be loved.  So sad.  So vulnerable.  Which kind of actually makes her strong in a very co-dependent kind of “please like me” kind of way.  She’s like a little puppy who works so hard to do right and please their owner (except that puppies don’t usually have the whole alcoholic father part).  Her pleasing puppy is in sharp contrast to Alex’s underdog, who’s always fighting to keep his head above water.  For him, it’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes him wonder how he keeps from going under.  There’s something going on with him.  With his past.  Something that doesn’t fully let him reach his ultimate potential…. Hmmm, maybe we’ll start finding out what that is soon.  Every dog has its day.

Humans also get jealous, and boy is that running rampant around Seattle Grace.  Cristina so wants to be in the Callie-Erica crowd and she’s so not.  Callie and Erica are like birds of a feather now.  They stick together.  And Cristina is not in any way a part of their flock.  And what about Mark?  He’s totally jealous of Derek.  It’s like Derek is the prodigal wolf that strayed from the pack and Mark’s been waiting for him to come back, but Derek’s not coming.  Mark thought they’d go back to the pre-Addison days where they were hunters on the prowl, spiders spinning their webs.  But Derek’s already moved on to new prey.  Already catching someone new in his web. 

And that somebody is Rose. During the time we haven’t seen them they’ve developed a bit of a mating ritual where she pretends she doesn’t care and tries to hold on to her iguana aloofness even in the face of the overwhelming cuteness that is McDreamy.  And for once, he’s not trying to hold back the McDreaminess.  Usually reserved only for Meredith, he’s weaving his web and it’s trapping Rose.  The more she resists, the tighter the web gets around her.  I don’t think she’ll be fighting it much more.  But will Derek watch her struggle in his web, store her up for later, or go for it?  He seems pretty determined… she wants what he wants.  She’s a real woman ready for a real relationship.  And despite Mark’s incessant taunting, Derek’s going to stay true to Derek.

As Bailey stays true to Bailey.  Taking care of the hospital, the residents, her baby, her life, and overall just being supreme ruler of the universe that she is.  But can she handle it all?  Is she superwoman or is she about to implode?  Or perhaps even explode.  I mean, she just went through one of the biggest tragedies of her life, feeling like she may have failed in protecting her own little bear cub.  Then here comes this literal mama bear that kills because her bear cub was just touched.  Overreaction?  Or simply just instinct?  Can Bailey’s instincts be as sharp as she thinks they can be?  I think she really believes she can handle it all.  She is woman, hear her roar.  She’s also a doctor.  And a chief resident. A wife.  A mother.  (CAUTION: SPOILERS (answers) AHEAD!)  She’s split up with her hubby and she’s trying to get as much time with Little Tuck as possible (10 points).  She’s a Mama Bear.  Which is how we got to our theme: Animal Instincts (40 points).  A freakin’ bear attacked Phillip because he had a malignant glioma (25 points – and I’ll give it to you if you guessed just “glioma”) that was causing him to go against his own natural instincts.   Not to mention our residents are running around the hospital like rodents, feeding off of the life (and death) of the hospital. 

And now for the ultimate.  The motherload.  The “medical mystery” of it all.  The 80-point monster:

The lyric was: It’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under… And the song is called “The Message” (circa 1982). 

20-point bonus if you guessed Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

How’d you do?  Max is 175…

Comments

[Liz]

Meredith needs therapy and Derek is so McDreamy for going after Rose cause she wants what he wants but Mere gets scolded by Addi for letting him go? WTH kind of womans abuse is this. Derek's the WORST type of man Addison and Meredith should be happy to be rid of him.

Like he has no problems. GMAFB.

[chris]

Rose is wretched to watch. Derek with Rose is wretched to watch.

[kammommy]

So for a few months I actually thought "I'm okay without Grey's" and would go about my regular life.
Then I watch the show tonight. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!@% I was in denial, I was pretending that I didn't care, that I didn't miss the show. But I did miss it, every single character, and I am soooo glad that it is back on the air.
Thanks for a really good show tonight. I enjoyed it - a lot!

[Julie]

I agree with the post above about Meredith. I love her character, yet you writers in the blog, and ABC promo department, and the media love to dump on Meredith. I'm so sick of it. She is my favorite. She makes the show worth watching.

I also agree that I'm tired of the McDreamy is perfect crap. I'm so over it. I still want Mer/Der together (I think) but boy you make it hard to root for them when Derek is being such an ass.

I have NO interest in Rose. None. Zero. Zip. I pray that you limit her scenes as much as possible. The only saving grace is that rose/derek have no chemistry so it is obvious that she isn't a real threat.

But, it breaks my hear that you are wasting time with Rose. And, she is not a real woman. She's a lovestruck moron. Please don't let her have sex with Derek. That is sacred for he and Mer ONLY.

I'm super excited about Addison. Hate Ava, but whatever.

It is pretty obvious where you are going with Hahn and Callie. I'm okay with that storyline. I'd rather see over the top drama somewhere other than Mer/Der.

BTW, I am completely and totally bored by the Christina sucking up to Hahn stuff. Come on guys - it has been like a 150 episodes of that. Let's give Christina a more interesting and meaty role.

Derek & Mark are great together. And, I love that Mark hates Rose. Join the club McSteamy.

[MPF]

Welcome back!!! Missed spending Thursday night with all of my favorite characters.
Loved tonight's episode. Loved Meredith. Finally, we see the old Meredith again!!!

[SallySunshine]

Just one question. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH DEREK'S ISSUES?

[ToolateforMerder]

It would be nice if one of the writers acknowledged sometime that DEREK ALSO HAS ISSUES. He is not perfect, or dreamy, and I find it insulting that you keep on selling this poor Derek is a god vs Meredith is so so damaged.. I makes me hate him even more. Let him keep his “perfect” nurse (your words not mine) and find Meredith someone else. Please, this is really humiliating for woman.

[tets]

Meredith the rockstar surgeon is back! I can't stop grinning. All I need now is for the plant to disappear for good. Then for me Grey's is truly back.

[NC]

AMEN! Welcome back, good show =)

I'm liking "Medical Mer". She seems more confidant, less whiney, and I'm glad she won. (the tumor jump was a bit insensitive, though). Interesting to see how the therapy sessions go for her ...

Which brings me to Izzie. Izzie needs to have some couch time, SERIOUSLY! But many "YAY's" for the demise of Gizzie =)

Good to see Callie finding a confidant, though just because Hahn is being a b*tch to Cristina doesn't mean she has to, too. Being a "mean girl" was never her style, so I hope you guys don't go changing that now.

SO HAPPY that George called himself out on the complaining! Are my eyes decieving me or is he starting to grow up!?!

The Mark and Callie dance scene in the promo - on fire! Tell me you're not going the lez route with her and Hahn?! *not that I'm against a homosexual relationship on the show, it's just not with those two is all* Addi's remark to Callie seemed like a big, fat, anvil ...

[Sara]

Whoohoo, SO excited Grey's is back!!! It seemed like an eternity! I really enjoyed the entire episode, except for the Derek/Rose kiss..ugh! I can't stand Rose. She is so plain & boring.

Lexie is becoming more likeable. This was the first time I didn't think she was annoying.

I loved Meredith tonight, so smart, but still struggling. I wish she would just express her true feelings to Derek already. And Derek needs to beg for her back after making her suffer watching him & Rose. And I love that McSteamy tried to make Mer feel better.

I hope to see her back with Derek soon...get rid of Rose!!

[Crystal]

I just wanted to thank you for mentioning Lupus! I watch this show religiously and as a 22 year old with Lupus, I really appreciate the exposure, however limited to the disease. Thank you!

I LOVED every bit of this episode! I am so darn happy that you're back! I was really nervous/scared to watch with all the Derek and Rose crap being shoved down our throats in the promos but so glad I caved and watched!

It's SO obvious that Meredith and Derek are still so in love with one another! I'm very interested in seeing if their reconciliation will be believable, strong and healthy! I have to tell you - Derek NEEDS to step up to the darn plate and take responsibility for his part in what happened between him and Meredith. They BOTH made mistakes, not just Mer!
I LOVE that Meredith is in therapy - now Derek needs some, too!

SO GLAD Mer won the contest and her clinical trial looks like it's going to be so very interesting! ESP. since she and Derek will be working so closely with one another!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lexie. I laughed so HARD at her stealing stuff but the best was when she took Rose's flowers! That was fabulous!

Also loved the sister/Resident moment between Mer and Lexie! Really happy to see the promise of their relationship developing positively!

Finally, next weeks episode LOOKS amazing! I can not wait for Addiosn to shake things up and kick ass and take names!

Congratulations on a very well done episode! 'Season 4 - part 2' is off to am awesome start!

[Kim]

I absolutely loved this episode! It was so much fun to watch! Ellen is so talleneted,and you guys gave her so much good material to work with tonight. I really liked Ellen had a lot of screen time. Keep it that way! Also, I love Lexie the way she decorated her apartment to help George. I hope Lexie and Mer become closer in the next episodes.

[s.cali]

That was fantastic. Welcome back.

[sarah]

I kinda didn't like the episode,
I wanted more alex and izzie scenes they belong together.
please dont put george with iz again!

[Jeffrey Bryan]

Bwaha? Um... did I just read a ton of comments begging for Gizzie? Really? Painful, forced, crappy storyline Gizzie? No. Please no.

Great first episode back. It definitely felt like a "back to basics" which I greatly appreciated. Kudos, keep it up.

PS - Christina needs a better storyline than sucking up to Hahn. I mean... seriously.

[LS]

so, for serious, are you making Callie and Erica a couple? Because they would be a great couple. I really want that. Just so we're clear.

OMG, this episode was ok, but i'm really excited about next week. ADDISON!!!! She's back in SG! Yayyy!!! It looks like it's going to be such an awesome epi!
Welcome back guys! It's been so long but you held your own tonight, and from the looks of things your getting right back into the wing of things!!! Hoorah Greys!

[Kyle]

Tell me why you writers always run Meredith down like you do? I loved this episode and cheered for Meredith and reading what you wrote about her almost made me dislike what I just saw. Just so you know, Derek is not the be all end all of male existence. He is a liar and he's been horrible to Meredith and yet you writers keep acting like he's some gift to all on this show. The Rose character is beyond boring and I'm just counting the days until she exits, but to see Derek with her almost makes me wish he'd leave right along side her. I love Meredith and Derek, but I root for Meredith and applaud her as a woman who watches this show and cannot believe how the writers tear into her on these blogs. Please STOP IT!

[B]

Very good episode, and I'm so glad the show is back!

I'm kind of surprised at how many posters here want Gizzie back - they were NOT good romantically. Great as friends, not as romance. If you can possibly get Christina Ricci back, the character she played would be great with George, but please, NO MORE GIZZI!!

I have to say, there isn't much chemistry with Derek and Rose. The fact that we've skipped 6 weeks of them dating doesn't help. We've had little time to get to know her, and there just really isn't anything built there. Not that it should happen now - just saying it's a tough sell. (No one's fault about the strike; it's a side effect.) - Derek seems like he's just trying to convince himself that he cares for her.

Love Erica and Callie together. I can totally see them as friends (or more?).

Love that Cristina gave up the contest to learn something she really wanted. Hope we see specifically how she's coping w/o Burke. (Whom I do miss, btw.)

Love that Meredith is in therapy (and woo hoo for Amy Madigan!), but I have to agree that Derek could use some too. Healing is a slow process, and I like seeing Mer take it on. Also loved her taking a step to really help people with the new clinical trial, rather than just diving into surgeries.

Love that Izzie seems to have hit whatever bottom and may find herself again. She's been rather adrift; a bit of acknowledgment that it started with Denny would be great!

Mark really needs a storyline. Seems like there's so much potential, but he always just sort of hangs around all the time.

Can't wait to learn what Alex is really about. We always seem on the verge of learning more, but never quite do.

Loved the woman who was married to the guy with the tumor (sorry - I'm terrible with new names). I felt so bad for her.

Lexie was very sweet, and she is like a lost puppy. She and George seem like a good pair to comfort each other (though maybe not as a romance ... Christina Ricci - I'm just saying.)

Bailey rocked, as always, and the Chief was great too. So glad you all are back!

[Ashley]

Can I just say, it HAS been WAY too long. Glad that the show is back. I enjoy watching the madness of Seattle Grace unfold, but please let the beauty of MerDEr and Gizzie bloom. At least prove to this pessimistic twenty something that love is real!

Seriously!

[Karen]

loved da episode!!!

i cant wait for meredith to work out all her problems so that merder can get back together!!!!

also saw the promo for next episode!! omg addison is back for an episode, i hope she whips merder into shape and make him realise that he sooo meant for her, and she's sooo meant for him...

[emeleye]

WELCOME HOME! Glad you're back. Keep up the good work.

[Pete]

Very good epi. Glad y'all are back, some thoughts:

Mer rocked it, cant wait to see how this brain tumor project pans out

i like Rose, I even like her with Derek, but I don like her with Derek for much longer than a few weeks, he ad Mer have to be together, but this Derek Rose thing is interesting and creating a lot of anticipation for me.

Want to know more of Alex's backstory, I've waited the whole series to learn about him, he needs to hook up with anyone but Yang

Gizzie sucks, glad its over, but how to you restore their iconic friendship, or do you? I see Lexie being George's new Izzie, but I see her more as a romance for him than Izzie was. George needs someone, maybe Callie again? Repair their damage?

Wanted to see Callie/Yang bond and be what Callie/Hahn is now

Hahn/Mark-not crazy about it but wont oppose it happening, I like her being tough and unattached

Mark needs to get over Derek and start being the manwhore we want to see

Yang- needs something, I dont feel Burke closure and this Hahn purgatory she's in is stagnating her character development in my opinion

Addie-bring her back for good

Derek-keep him looking hot

Keep up the good work!

[Bianca]

I hope that Derrick and Meridith get back together. Alex is much deeper than we think.... I am ready to see his story.. Christina has to feel nuts living in that apartment with Callie...WheW... I am ready to see Addy come back..waiting for next week.. I'm a little concerned about how many more episodes we will get with the srike and all.. and how the season 4 DVD is going to be.. mmmmm...thanks so much for rescuing my Thursday night.. you truly saved a life.. :)