(S02E11) Homeward Bound

Private Practice sure does know how to take on the serious medical subjects these days. Their last episode, focusing around the autism dispute got quite a rise out of several viewers. One has to wonder if that isn’t a strategic attempt they’re making to captivate their audiences going forward. We shall see.

Tonight’s episode focused primarily around a family of three all diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, CF for short. When the daughter comes down with a deadly and highly contageous bacterial infection the father must choose between letting her die alone (or rather with only the doctors to comfort her) or instead risk his own life and leave his much younger son fatherless in order to help her through it. It was heartbreaking.  It wasn’t a happy ending (and how could it be?), but it was a completion to a case that drew us in, something that Private Practice has struggled with in the past.

As is status quo with Private Practice, relationships ruled the roost amongst the doctors and we immediately were confronted with Violet taking charge of her sexuality by sleeping with not only Peter, but Sheldon as well. This was an interesting concept considering the ongoing dispute of whether girls should be called sluts for sleeping with various men when men are often congratulated for doing the same with women. Any college gender class would eat it up. In the end though, no definitive line was drawn about what is right or wrong overall and we’re given the impression that it depends on the individuals judgment call. The previous “player” Pete couldn’t handle Violet’s behavior, while Sheldon took her honesty in, accepted that she felt bad about it and would stop and looked at it as starting a new page in their relationship together. Not altogether a satisfying ending, but I’ll take it without much complaint.

Cooper is brought back into the fold with Charlotte when he decides to surprise her by offering his support at her home while her father is dying. Otherwise displaying remaining and anger and at best nonchalance towards her, this was a big step for him. It’s obvious that the comfort this offbeat pair can offer each other is far from over. Where as with Sam and Naomi, the opposite is true. Sam’s new girlfriend is even introduced to their daughter so things have definitely ended from the looks of it. As for Kevin and Addison, once a cheater, always a cheater. Tsk tsk Addie.