Season 4, Episode 11 - Crash Into Me - Part 2

This season of Grey’s has been a definite improvement over last year. I’ve known it all along, but I haven’t been able to quite put my finger on what it is. The show just seemed to have this intangible…thing…about it that set it apart from previous episodes. Tonight, however, I think I finally discovered it.

Maturity.

The four core doctors that we’ve been following since the pilot, Meredith, Christina, Izzy and George, are not the wide-eyed kids they were three years ago.

Watching Meredith operate on the paramedic, and then give that speech to the other guy’s wife…well, speech-giving Meredith is nothing new, but it just seemed more grown-up and less whiny than in episodes past. And finally seeing her step up and give Derek the ultimatum was refreshing.

Christina has really taken to the role of Resident, and, I believe, is the most convincing doctor of the bunch. As she consoled Lexy after she lost the Seth Green character (fantastic guest spot, by the way), it’s easy to see elements of the great doctor she is destined to become.

Now, I don’t know how everyone else felt, but I’ve become kind of fond of the George and Izzy storyline. I believe that, particularly in this installment, they had some of the most significant character development of anyone on the show, in that they had to make some of the most mature decisions that a person will ever have to make. First, Izzy is facing the serious doubt of whether she is really and truly cut out to be a doctor…which is really going to be held over for later episodes, it seems.

However, the BIG thing was their decision to end their romantic relationship. I know this will please many, but, as I’ve said before, I’ve grown quite fond of them together. Still, I think it’s the right move now. “Timing, not chemistry,” indeed.

So, as I said earlier, on the whole, I’d say the season is leaps and bounds over last year. It didn’t fall into the trap of taking itself too seriously, as the show has done in the past, which became my biggest complaint. It still remains one of the most compelling shows on television, and one of most anticipated viewings of the week.

Episode grade: A
Season grade: A-