Season 1, Episode 9 - In Which Dell Finds His Fight

Tonight saw what is likely to be the final installment in the first season of Private Practice. The show was a spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy, but was it a worthy follow-up? We’ll look at that in a bit.

As far as the season finales we’ve seen so far this year, this episode seemed the most well-rounded for me. It didn’t feel rushed or forced, like Desperate Housewives, nor did it leave us with zero resolution, like The Office. Simply put, it just worked.

There were three primary medical dilemmas this week. First, the couple that Addison had helped with their sexual problems a few weeks ago were back and unable to conceive, as he was sterile. Through a revolutionary procedure, Addison managed to find a lone “swimmer”, and fertilized the egg. I don’t know how medically accurate it was, but it was pretty cool to see an egg fertilized…I guess I should start watching more Discovery Channel or something.

Next was a plot with Pete and Cooper starting a parenting class for first-time fathers. Not really much to say about it, as it really seemed like filler.

Finally, the big thread was Dell’s grandfather. The receptionist suspects that his Papa is being abused in the nursing home, but it turns out that there’s some kind of underground geriatric boxing tournament going on. I’ve gotta say…old people fighting is funny. Anyway, Dell’s grandfather tells him about how boring life in the nursing home is, and how much he wished he had fought more in his life, which convinces Dell that he has to fight…for his right…for Naoooooomi. (Sorry, it’s really late.) I wasn’t convinced about the whole Dell/Naomi thing until he said “She’s worth it” to Pete. That could get interesting next year.

So…how was the season? If you stand it up alongside its parent show, it’s not as good. But, really, Grey’s, with the excpetion of recently, is one of the finest shows on television, so it’s unfair to compare them. On its own, then, I say that these nine episodes have been fantastic. Nothing mind-blowing, mind you, but I would say that it lived up to my expectations. I’m glad that it will be coming back, and I look forward to next year.

Episode grade: A-
Season grade: A-