DVD Review: ‘Grey’s Anatomy: Complete Ninth Season’

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘Grey’s Anatomy: Complete Ninth Season’ on Blogcritics.

The ninth season of Grey’s Anatomy‘s is a time of great transition. As it says on the cover of the Complete Ninth Season DVD, “Everything Changes.”
The entire season focuses on the effects of the plane crash in the season eight finale, as well as events that intercede to set the doctors’ lives on new paths, proving that a series can still maintain a freshness and extremely high quality almost a decade into its run.

The season premiere, “Going, Going, Gone,” picks up months after the plan crash. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) is grieving the death of her sister, Lexie (Chyler Leigh), Derek (Patrick Demsey) has traded being a surgeon for teaching, Cristina (Sandra Oh) has not returned to the hospital because she can’t bring herself to board a plane, Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) is cold towards her wife, Callie (Sara Ramirez), because Callie has amputated Arizona’s leg, and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) seems to be recovering, only to take a turn for the worse and dies.

This is the starting point for a roller coaster of a year. We see how the doctors try to cope with their losses and move forward while dealing with the guilt plaguing those who may be responsible or should have been flying that day, too.

The hospital pays out a huge settlement, which threatens its very existence, and the desperate plan to save the facility has great personal cost both to those keeping the mission a secret and those on the outside wishing they didn’t have to look in. And a marriage crumbles as an interloper (White Collar‘s Hilarie Burton) somewhat inadvertently takes advantage of the strain.

There is also turmoil that has nothing to do with those events. Webber (James Pickens Jr.) faces a crumbling marriage as his wife, Adele’s (Loretta Devine), mental health decays. Jackson (Jesse Williams) wants to confess his feelings for April (Sarah Drew), who is rehired at Seattle Grace Mercy West, but she is moving on with a paramedic named Matthew (Justin Bruening, All My Children).

But there are happy times, too. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) gets to marry Ben (Jason George). Meredith discovers the joys of motherhood. Cristina finds true wisdom in working with Dr. Thomas (William Daniels, Boy Meets World). New ownership looks good for the hospital. Owen (Kevin McKidd) finally stops fighting with his wife. Alex (Justin Chambers) falls for a kindred spirit. Life is a mixed bag, and there is always happiness sprinkled in the sadness.

Best of all, the halls are now ringing with a new class of interns (Camilla Luddington, Gaius Charles, Tina Majorino, Tessa Ferrer, and Jerrika Hinton). These five are built to last, unlike previous batches, with four of the quintet signed on as main characters for the upcoming tenth year. (In-demand Majorino has a previous series commitment that prevents her full-time return at this time). They remind us of the youth and foolhardiness that once belonged to Meredith, Cristina, Alex, and their friends. They are a reflector to show the growth of the central cast. They reinvigorate the story, and give the series promise of many more years. In short, they are a fresh injection of welcome blood.

The original characters are still our most beloved, but as Grey‘s approaches a milestone decade on the air, it cannot remain stagnant. The writers deftly balance plots of both new faces and the beloved veterans, keeping things going, even as they reinvent themselves, and tying both together in a pleasing patchwork. This is a stellar season, full of terrific installments which I cannot praise enough.

The bonus features are light, unfortunately, though how much more can be said this far along? “Happy Trails with Jim Pickens, Jr.” revels in the real-life passion of horses and charity that our Dr. Webber has. “The Long Road Home” is also about fifteen minutes, and covers how Arizona’s storyline this season was approached, and the special effects behind the now-one-legged doc. Plus, there are a LOT of deleted scenes, and a couple of minutes of outtakes. Plus, the finale is an extended episode. The only thing really lacking here is the absence of a single audio commentary.

Grey’s Anatomy Complete Ninth Season is one of the best ones yet, and is available to relive on DVD now.

Grey's Anatomy still running strong

Grade: 95%

ABC's Grey's Anatomy brings its fall run to a close with "Run, Baby, Run" this week. It's the day of Bailey's (Chandra Wilson) nuptials, and she is not ready for it. Does she love Ben (Jason George) enough to spend the rest of her live with him? Her first marriage ends badly, so she gets some doubts about whether entering into a second union is a good idea or not.

This episode is a great one for the character of Dr. Miranda Bailey. We get to see her strengths, and her vulnerabilities. The way she asks Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Callie (Sara Ramirez), and Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) to be her bridesmaids is perfect and unique. When Webber (James Pickens Jr.) and Ben demonstrate just how well they know her, arranging a surgery to calm her nerves, it's heartwarming. Having Webber arrive to pick her up in the limo is touching. And then, watching Bailey skip the wedding to take care of an ailing Adele (Loretta Devine) is a great moment, not just for the series, but of television in general.

The way Bailey's character is so well-defined is a shining example of why Grey's Anatomy is still top notch nine seasons in. Believe it or not, many shows have less defined characters after so many episodes because the people are played out, then stretched to keep the plots going. In Grey's, that isn't the case. Situations may arise that are dire, and they can change the characters in some ways, but the core of who they are is solid, and by keeping their behavior true to that setup, the series lives on, as enjoyable as it ever has been.

But besides being consistent, Grey's Anatomy is still able to deliver surprises, just like in real life. Bailey chooses to attend to Adele, knowing Webber needs her, rather than go to her ceremony. "Run, Baby, Run" ends without knowing whether this means Bailey is calling off the marriage, letting her doubts take over, and seeing being a doctor as a truer purpose for her than being a wife, or whether she is just the compassionate woman and friend we know her to be, sticking by someone she cares about in his hour of need. We know Ben even less, and even though he has demonstrated that he likes Bailey for who she is, will he understand her actions in this particular situation? Thus, there is a hook that remains unpredictable, a triumph for a nine year old show.

I mention that the characters in Grey's are allowed to grow, while still keeping who they are at heart, and "Run, Baby, Run" showcases this for others besides Bailey, too. Several of the main cast begin the series as interns, still unsure of themselves, untested, and lacking leadership skills. But now, they are the attendings, with a new batch of newbies to rule over. Seeing Alex (Justin Chambers) try to teach (Camilla Luddington) a lesson) in his own, not quite effective way that he stands behind one hundred percent, at least in front of her, or Jackson (Jesse Williams) take nerves out of a leg without assistance in an important surgery proves this, and it's thrilling to use this scenes to measure how far the characters have come.

This is equally true when viewing the new interns, who can be sort of paralleled with the show's original five, but are beginning to deviate significantly from those personalities, only just barely starting to come into their own. The most obvious example of this in "Run, Baby, Run" is Stephanie (Jerrika Hinton), who is smitten with Jackson, and goes along as his date to Bailey's wedding, not really understanding what is going on. One can easily picture the same type of thing happening years ago, with the old attendings taking advantage of our beloved interns without a second thought, and the interns reading so much more into it.

The new generation this year is really, really strong. Other groups of interns have been introduced in the past, but haven't had staying power. These people, Jo, Stephanie, Shane (Gaius Charles), Heather (Tina Majorino), and, to a slightly lesser extent, Leah (Tessa Ferrer), seem to have what it takes to re-invent Grey's Anatomy all over again. With many of the experienced doctors leaving the series, this allows Grey's to continue with new blood, and letting the old blood of the previous interns become the surgical stars they are meant to be. Fantastic!

All of this does not mean that Grey's is done with their current cast members, by any means. Meredith is still growing, finding within her the ability to connect to Derek's sister, Lizzie (Neve Campbell, Party of Five, Scream), even after losing her own sibling. Meredith doesn't let people in easily, but as an adult in a marriage with a big family, she is learning. And Cristina (Sandra Oh) certainly ties the know with Owen (Kevin McKidd) well before she's ready, and she may finally be in a place where she can handle being part of a couple in a mature way, and thankfully Owen seems ready to give her that chance.

And does anyone else think that Jo and Alex are destined for a real romance? 

Basically, "Run, Baby, Run" highlights what Grey's Anatomy does right, reveals a path to keep it running for many more years, and faithfully serves the characters fans have come to love over many long years. Wonderful. 

Grey's Anatomy will return to ABC Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET in January.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published on TheTVKing

State of Georgia not in a good state

     ABC Family's State of Georgia premiered last night. In the episode, Georgia (Raven-Symoné, That's So Raven) tries to audition for a role on stage. The casting director isn't impressed, telling her she's too fat, her talent isn't any better than anyone else's, and she's never be believable as a seductress. Georgia sulks briefly, then, encouraged by her Aunt Honey (Loretta Devine, Eli Stone, Grey's Anatomy) and best friend, Jo (Majandra Delfino, Roswell), Georgia returns to seduce the director and prove him wrong. She succeeds, without actually going through with anything sexual or losing her dignity.

     It's hard to keep an open mind about any Raven-Symoné vehicle. Despite being the cutest kid ever on The Cosby Show, since then her career has been overacting in ridiculous, unwatchable ways. She's popular with kids, but anyone who reaches teenager levels of age would have a hard time stomaching her. Yet, State of Georgia may be a transitional show into actual adult acting. Much of her character is overly dramatic, and she quickly falls back into the "too much" she learned as a child actor. But there are glimpses, especially as she deals with the casting director, whose character is as dreadful as the acting behind it, where Raven-Symoné actually shines through as a decent actress and singer.

     The demographic for this series is likely tweens and up, who were fans of Raven-Symoné before. In that regard, State of Georgia should do just fine. By making the lead less obnoxious, but not completely forgetting her previous work, there's a certain balance that might help usher maturity into fans and star alike. If these people, by and large girls, tune in, the series has a shot. Anyone else, please avoid, as it's not worth the effort.

     Speaking from the perspective not in Raven-Symoné's demographic, the series is borderline horrendous, and certainly not worth the time. Fluffier and less realistic than its lead-in, Melissa & Joey, which is pretty fluffy and unrealistic itself, State of George does not have any hallmarks of a series that will be anything special or win any awards. It's even less well made than pretty much any other ABC Family series, which is certainly not a top tier cable network. Which is too bad, because once Raven-Symoné shows she does have some talent hidden away, one wishes she would get more of a chance to use it.

     The supporting players are also well cast. Delfino shows range and the ability to do comedy, including physical comedy. She over blows some scenes, but likely because she was instructed to. She's still fun to watch, even then, though it's too bad her character is reduced to a bunch of bad hair jokes. Devine, of course, is amazing, and she is only being wasted on a series like this. Given crappy dialogue and nothing to play off of, she withers. Hopefully, she will be allowed to do other projects at the same time, so she doesn't forget what it's like to do something worthwhile.

     State of Georgia airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC Family.

JWTV Quickie: Grey's Anatomy - "This Is How We Do It"

     All in all, we got a pretty average episode of ABC's Grey's Anatomy this week. The most moving plot is probably Chief Webber's (James Pickens Jr.) crusade to get his wife, Adele (Loretta Devine) into the Alzheimer's trial that Derek (Patrick Dempsey) is doing. It's hard to watch Adele, struggling with her disease, not even wanting to admit out loud that she is sick. Richard was in denial for awhile, but now that's he's on board and full supportive, his wife is resistant. Derek agrees to break the rules, following Weber's example, but when Adele misses qualification for the trial by one point, Derek's wife, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), tells him it's over. We'll see if Derek follows through on that or not.

     Poor Cristina (Sandra Oh). It totally isn't fair for Richard to put Owen (Kevin McKidd) in charge of picking Chief Resident. Owen is going to have to have inarguable proof that Cristina is better than every single one of the other doctors if he is going to name her to the position. I know Richard doesn't care about the politics, he is just placing his trust in a highly qualified doctor. Unfortunately, Cristina is kind of sunk now. I can't see Owen maintaining much credibility if he gives the title to her, so he probably won't.

     Anyone else see Star Trek: The Next Generation's Counselor Deanna Troi, Marina Sirtis, stop by? Yes, that was her in the bed with the accent, playing the clinical trial patient who leaves the hospital to allow her gay son to stay with his boyfriend. She is almost unrecognizable from her TNG days, but it is great to see her again.

     Should Teddy (Kim Raver) be with Henry (Scott Foley)? Debate in the comments below. I could go either way on this one. I loved Raver on 24, in spite of the haters, and I thought the had good chemistry with both Owen and Mark (Eric Dane), as well as Andrew (James Tupper), who will soon be returning to the show. All these men! What is a girl to do?

     I am kind of liking the vibe between April (Sarah Drew) and Stark (Peter MacNicol). I know she says she wants to be friends, but I can see it growing into something more. She definitely has a fondness for him. I think she only distances herself because Alex (Justin Chambers) is giving her crap. Alex, meanwhile, is also stirring things up with Fields (Rachael Taylor), who is playing hard to get until Meredith vouches for Alex and she starts to turn around. These are fun new relationships. In spite of myself, I'm also kind of liking Lexie (Chyler Leigh) with Avery (Jesse Williams) even though I'm a big supporter of Lexie and Mark. Ah, well. Find happiness wherever, right?

     It may be unpopular to say, but I am already tired of the Mark / Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) animosity. Get over it already! Don't even get me started on the 'surprise' ending, when Arizona and Callie (Sara Ramirez) got into a car accident! Look, I can see why Callie took off, and left off, her seatbelt. In fact, I didn't even notice at first that's what had happened. But Arizona constantly looking away from the road while she was driving drove me crazy! No freakin' way! Especially with her pregnant girlfriend in the car. You could see disaster coming from a mile away. Come on Grey's! You can do better!

     Next week, the musical episode! I am super excited! Expect a longer, more detailed review for that one. Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

Glee writes an "Original Song"

     When FOX's Glee announced it would be tackling original songs this week, I knew it would either be amazing or horrible. I didn't really see an in between happening. It is the former, by the way. What I did not expect is the volume of new songs! SIX! I expected two or three for the Regionals competition, and of course we get those, but we also got more in the middle of the episode. Here is a ranking of the original songs in reverse order of greatness:

6. "Only Child" Another Rachel (Lea Michele) misfire, which, in concept, has potential to be good, but is executed poorly. Score: 2/10 (By comparison, "My Headband", Rachel's previous outing, gets 1/10, but it's a good thing for the show that both rank so low, as it is intended.)
5. "Get It Right" A Rachel power ballad, which I will discuss below. Score: 7/10
4. "Big Ass Heart" Puck's (Mark Salling) second attempt to woo Lauren (Ashley Fink) by song should have been equally offensive as his first, but she's no longer immune to his charms. Plus, he writes it himself! Score: 8/10
3. "Trouty Mouth" Santana (Naya Rivera) sings this one to Sam (Chord Overstreet). You can really feel the love. Hehe. Score: 8.5/10
2. "Hell to the No" Mercedes (Amber Riley) kills it in a number that fits her so perfectly, it has to be written for her. And by her. Sorry Will (Matthew Morrison); it was plenty good enough for Regionals. Score: 9/10
1. "Loser Like Me" No surprise here. The New Directions have been picked on for far too long, and they channel that frustration, and their triumph over it, with a song that captures the spirit of the series better than any other. Love watching Sue (Jane Lynch) squirm in her seat as she realizes she inspired it. Score: 10/10

     The songs that are chosen for Regionals are certainly fantastic. Rachel's ballad is drawn from her experiences with Finn (Cory Monteith) and Quinn (Dianna Agron). They are secretly dating, and Finn wants to hold off telling Rachel until after the competition. Quinn reluctantly agrees, but befriends Rachel in an effort to keep her enemy close. Rachel finds out anyway, accidentally, and pours that hurt into an emotional song she delivers with trademark talent from the stage. While I like other songs in the episode better, for what it was, "Get It Right" is fitting.

     While I am glad for the song it produced, the triangle with Quinn, Finn, and Rachel could be handled better. While Quinn was growing as a person at the end of last season, recent episodes have shown her backslide. This week, it appears she is only with Finn so she can win Prom Queen. While later admitting she has a whole future planned out for them, once they take over Burt's (Mike O'Malley) auto repair shop, it looks like Quinn only wants Finn for what he can give her, not who he is. I am disappointed, as Agron has the chops to handle a more serious plot, so I don't understand why she is not getting it. At this rate, Rachel and Finn will reunite by April.

     And how about the modest acceptance speech by Rachel when she is named Regionals' MVP? Talk about character growth! Quinn may be backsliding, but Rachel sure isn't.

     I expected the show to drop the Santana / Brittany (Heather Morris) thing for at least a few episodes now that their feelings are out in the open, and Santana has been rejected. Thankfully, I underestimated the writers. We only get one sweet moment this week where Brittany worries over Santana staying with Sam, but it was one more than expected. I am told that Santana will be back to her old self soon, chasing anyone that breathes, but that the final three episodes of the season will really get heavy for the two of them. Looking forward to it very much!

 

     On the other side of the gay coin, Blaine (Darren Criss) finally kisses Kurt (Chris Colfer)! In the smooch seen 'round the world, the relationship the show has been dancing around for months finally culminates into something official. Inspired by Kurt's sad rendition of "Blackbird" after the death of his pet bird, Blaine makes a move. I love the two of them together; what fan of the show doesn't? And while I am straight myself, Kurt easily manages to move me with his sappy Beatles numbers, so I get why that would push Blaine to act. While not at the level of last fall's "I Want to Hold You Hand", and how could it be, with the motivation for each being on diffrerent levels, "Blackbird" is a more than an adequate showcase for the young man's talent.

     I am curious, though, when did Blaine become the voice of the Warblers? He is a junior member, and while he was well respected when the group was introduced, I do not remember him being the only soloist. All of a sudden, Blaine is the one who makes all the decisions for them. The stuffed shirts are against any changes at all to their formula, until Blaine asks for a duet with Kurt at Regionals, and then suddenly, everyone is on board. I would be more upset if the two weren't so damn good. They master "Candles" with ease. So I guess I'll just suspend belief and think that high school kids would willingly give out solos based solely on talent. Though that's a pretty big leap.

     I'm glad New Directions went with original songs, because otherwise I'm not sure how they would have shown themselves better than the other groups. The Warblers, besides the aforementioned duet, also rocked "Raise Your Glass". I almost wish for a spin-off series (notice, I said almost) so we can get to know this bunch, who is clearly teeming with talent. I also like their attitudes, as they were cheering for the New Directions in appreciation of what the other group accomplishes, but are disappointed by their loss. Totally legit, mature outlook.

     As for the third group in the competition, Aural Intensity, under the direction of Sue Sylvester, I really, really liked their "Jesus Is My Friend". Sure, it is pandering, but it is very good pandering. The choreography and vocal tones are spot on. It is almost so good that it isn't cheesy. Almost. The star of David takes it over the top, and kind of ruins any legitimacy that is creepy up.

     A great delight in this episode are the judges at Regionals. Continuing the tradition of bringing in famous faces, the episode also stays committed to this year's promise of keeping the focus on our favorite kids. While the trio does not get a lot of screen time, they expertly tear up what they do get, and make a memorable impact. Well, two of them, anyway. Some quick googling, and I can't find any information on the third, including who the actor is.

     Kathy Griffin plays a tea party member inspired by Sarah Palin and Christine O'Donnell in a way only she can. Even her preemptive announcement that she is not a witch made me laugh. While Kathy can sometimes stray a little too corny, I loved her Life on the D-List, and the editing boosted her legitimacy here. Equally funny is the wonderful Loretta Devine (Grey's Anatomy, Eli Stone), playing comical as a newly-minted nun who was, until recently, a stripper. Bonus laughs, in a sad sort of way, that the nun sees right through the Jesus pandering by Sue, but the Republican tea party candidate does not.

     So what is next on the docket for the New Directions? Well, we were promised a season finale at Nationals in New York City whether they were performing or not. Clearly they are. And with the original song ceiling busted, I bet we'll be seeing a lot more new pieces. Especially at Nationals, as they can't go backwards in competition once they have broken new ground. Also coming up, Sue puts together a team of fellow miscreants to take down Will, which will include his ex-wife, Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), seen-once-before Glee club coach Dustin Goolsby (Cheyenne Jackson, 30 Rock), and the former McKinley High glee director, Sandy (the great Stephen Tobolowsky). And we'll get the return of Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow)!

     Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Article first published as TV Review: Glee - "Original Song" on Blogcritics.

Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

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