Private Practice more than doesn't suck, it's awesome!

     It has arrived.  Last night was the Private Practice season finale, "The End of a Beautiful Friendship", on ABC.  It had me in tears through sections of it.  Which means, it was fantastic, of course.  If it stays this good, it will surely be one of my favorite shows to tune into every week.

     For one, several of the love triangles that have knotted our characters for weeks have sorted themselves out.  I am still very sorry for Sheldon (Brian Benben), and sincerely hope a love interest is brought in for him next season.  However, Cooper (Paul Adelstein) proposing to Charlotte (KaDee Strickland) was one of those tear jerking moments.  Even more so was the office scene near the end, where he asked for the ring back so he could propose again tomorrow.  They are the couple I have rooted for for a long time, and they had better be solid now.  Also, Peter (Tim Daly) and Violet (Amy Brenneman) have been mooning over each other for awhile.  It got annoying, so I stopped being in their corner, but their apparent reconciliation brought back the memory of that brief time they were happy together, and it's wonderful that the uncertainty is over.  They can be a great mommy and daddy now.

     Though not a hater, I am less thrilled about Addison (Kate Walsh) and Sam (Taye Diggs).  They stayed away before because of the risk of hurting Naomi's (Audra McDonald) feelings.  Now that she is good with them again, will their finally getting together keep everyone ok?  I'm sorry, but Addison needs a friend much more than she needs to be with Sam.  She needs something, as she used to be my favorite character on the show, but now is pretty far down the list.  Speaking of Naomi, her own situation sorted itself out, as one guy left the picture.  I think her Fife (Michael Patrick Thornton) being together may take the sting off of the Sam and Addison thing.  I hope.

     Ok, to the elephant in the room.  It was no big surprise when Dell (Chris Lowell) died, though the plot was structured in a way to keep you guessing.  After all, he is the most dispensable in the love stories, as he hasn't connected with any other main characters in a very long time, and he was dropped to a limited number of episode this season anyway.  However, he also filled a role no one else did, and so I will miss him.  I'd much rather he have left for medical school than died.  Leaving Betsy (Hailey Sole) an orphan that way was heart breaking.  But the bright side is, that leaves room for a new cast member.  I nominate Sheldon to full time status, instead of 'Also Starring' in the credits.  I'd also like it is Fife and / or Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) stuck around, though, to be honest, Amelia is definitely the third place choice.  Her value would be a friend for Addison if everyone turns against her for hooking up with Sam.

     The good news is the show is considered a sure thing for a fourth season, and I am very much looking forward to it.