“What a Difference a Day Makes”

It was beautiful, it was sad, it was breathtaking, it was moving, but most of all, the 100th episode of Grey’s Anatomy was everything it was hyped up to be and more.

On the day of Meredith and Derek’s wedding, you’d expect perfection. The skies would open up into beautiful sunlight, people would hum, heck even birds would sing, but that just wouldn’t be life now would it? No, life is so much more than that. If there’s one thing Shonda Rhimes, the creator, and her team of writers know, it’s how to make you appreciate life, in all it’s ugly and beautiful complexities.

Instead on the big day, Hunt, George, Lexi, Torres and Cristina and forced into a trauma involving a van full of kids just about to graduate college. When their lives should be beginning, the team watches as six lives end. It’s heartbreaking but inspiring to see the impact these kids lives instantly have on each team member.

Meredith rides a high after accomplishing her first solo surgery. The chief looks on like a proud but anxious Poppa but in the end her surgery, and day are a success. Derek, however, is forced into a much darker day. When Izzie reports that Denny, her hallucination, is back, Bailey, Derek and Izzie rally to find out what’s causing his sudden appearance despite a clean MRI. That’s when the worst news of all season comes…

Izzie has a new inoperable tumor. She’s losing her hair, her strength, even the ability to control her own brain, and she’s most likely going to die. So instead of receiving a wedding present from her dedicated wedding planner, Meredith gives one. Karev and her dearest friends turn what could have been one of the worst days of her life, into what could end up being one of the best by giving her the wedding she’s always dreamed of.

In next week’s special two-hour season finale, it’s time to find out which cast members we’ll be saying good bye too. Regardless of who stays or leaves, it’ll be the complexity of  heartbreak mixed with happiness; because really, that’s the only way that Grey’s knows how to exist.

Scrubs is about to end its surprisingly long run. Last week, the seed was planted for JD’s exit. This week, that poorly thought out seed bore fruit. It was inevitable. Zach Braff has been itching to prove he could do more than Scrubs ever since Garden State. I;m not sure that Zach is getting good advice, but the decision has been made.

JD is moving away in order to be closer to his son. Claiming its only a 37 minute drive, he attempts to maintain his life at Sacred Heart. In less than five minutes though, he’s found a new job at a new hospital closer to his new house. Clearly the writer’s just didn’t care about exposition here.

Obviously, this episode would be all about how the other principles felt about JD’s departure. Dr. Cox pretends to be excited but obviously he’s not happy about it. Elliot has no real reaction at all (which is right in line with her acting skills). Even the janitor seems to be fairly underwhelmed. Only Turk has the expected reaction of being angry, then sad and then . Its all very predictable. I suppose that its necessary to try to give long term fans some sort of catharsis that will make them feel better about the direction the show is moving in. It just doesn’t pay off.

There are certainly some funny moments. Todd and his new three way relationship with a mullet having couple, Ted the lawyer and his new girlfriend and the Janitor’s ramblings are pretty funny over all. Sadly like much of this season, it just isn’t a very satisfying.

Scrubs is a show that has been an unlikely success. Its been batted around and generally treated poorly by critics and networks alike. I had hoped that Scrubs would get a proper send off this season. With one more episode to go, it doesn’t seem likely.

(S02E22) “Yours, Mine and Ours”

According to E! Online Private Practice! Online will most likely be returning for a third season. Even after this pathetic attempt at a second run, the boost the show receives from post- Grey’s Anatomy fans has kept it alive. Switch the time and let’s just see how it survives.

Speaking of surviving, in tonight’s finale, Violet was left with her life dangling on a cliffhanger ending. Her one chance of survival seemingly left when Cooper didn’t walk into the life-ending drama going on in his living room but instead turned his sights towards the life-changing drama Charlotte was facing. Meanwhile, poor Violet is about to have her baby literally cut out of her by a psycho patient that believes the baby really belongs to her.

As for also possible partings that next season may see, Naomi has decided to take over Charlotte’s job and leave Sam and their practice behind for good. Seeing as her new digs will be just one floor up I’m sure that doesn’t mean she’s gone for good. God knows they love to mix the love dramas between the two floors.

Dell is another character that just may have seen his curtain call. After committing, perhaps the biggest faux pas to date at Oceanside Wellness when he accidentally switched patients embryos, the word “fire” is of course being thrown around. However, since Addison can’t keep her cool long enough to deliver her “almost-lover’s” wife’s baby, Dell’s act of kindness in taking over may just help him since Addison will most definitely owe him big time.

And did you just note how soap opera-esque that last line sounded? Such is Addison’s life apparently. Ever since Noah showed up, they’ve turned into the TV world’s worst couple and the viewers most unrealistic characters. I can hardly stand how wish-washy and pathetic the two act due to their uncontrollable lust. Save it for One Life to Live. I don’t watch daytime TV for a reason.

(S05E19) “No Good at Saying Sorry (One More Chance)”

The scene is now set for  a much anticipated 100th episode.

Of course there will be a wedding. Now that we know Izzy’s cancer is not going away without a serious fight, one which she may not win, Meredith and Derek have decided to move up their wedding so that she can see it come to fruition. From the previews it should be stunning. I think it would actually be an excellent time for Izzy to part from the show. Can you imagine the heartache? What better send off for such a major character than right after she witnesses love at it’s best; something we know she clearly holds so dear. Then again, maybe I’m less of a romantic and more of a twisted soul. We shall see.

As far as love goes, I see Arizona and Torres really making a run of it. After both Sloan and Cristina suggest Torres just lie to her family in order to reform bonds, Arizona gives her the support she needs should she choose to go that route. Torres is better then that though, and it’s what we all love her for. This couple couldn’t be more kind hearted and perfect for each other if they tried.

My only hope in the love department is that Hunt and Cristina get back on the right foot. He’s trying, he’s just a bit misguided. Cristina’s smart though, I honestly don’t think she’ll be ignorant to his immense efforts for long. Maybe one day they’ll have the type of love that Lexi and Sloan have. Perhaps unconventional, but sweet and fresh all the same. Steamy may be older, but that doesn’t make him any less of a man. He even went out to meet her newly reinvented sober dad.

Next week there are certain key truths with which we can count on. There will be drama. There will be beauty. And there will definitely be love. But what will make the show remarkable enough to truly stand out as something special. Well that, ladies and gentleman, I can’t wait to find out.

(S02E21) “What You Do For Love”

I find myself asking, again and again, what went wrong with “Private Practice“? “Grey’s Anatomy” was so good, and then bam, you get this new sister show that has such potential, so you watch it for a season or two but it just keeps falling short. Not always, but most nights, it’s just missing something.

I couldn’t believe it when Sheldon asked Violet to marry him. Sure, it was incredibly romantic, especially when he declared that he didn’t care whose baby she was carrying. But there’s just no chemistry there. I’d buy it more if Cooper asked. Sheldon asking seems almost ridiculous. Even Pete would have better odds of seeming a more suitable mate.

And what is with Addison? Does she like to get burned or what? Every time that girl sees fire she can’t help but putting her finger in to see if it’s still hot. Oh she’s great at playing the disapproving good girl with Noah but in the end she leaves just that little hint of pleased smile at seeing him around you just know what’s really on her mind. It’s pathetic.

Then, out of the blue tonight, Sam decides that he can no longer have a friendship with Naomi. Now, had he decided this maybe two to three episodes ago when they were both having relationships with other people and he was exploring any potential lingering feelings he might have for her, that would have made sense. Now it just seems cold and unbelievable. If anything, she should be pushing him away, in a brutal attempt to start fresh with this new career opportunity that has been offered to her, not the other way around.

I’m just so disgusted by how far astray this show has gone from the potential it once had. Hope is not lost, of course there’s always another episode with another story line, but it sure is lacking.

(S05E18) “Sweet Surrender”

If there’s one thing I’m anticipating after tonight’s “Grey’s Anatomy” it’s the huge Mer-Der wedding. Her dress was gorgeous! Plus, you have to love that Sloan and Derek made up in this episode. Even Meredith and her new bridesmaid Lexi shared a few very cute sister moments.

My only hope is that Izzie is around for the big day. After starting off chemo in full wedding preparing swing, her world came tumbling down as soon as she passed out and hit the floor. From the sounds of it, she got the first nasty taste of what her life trying to beat cancer is going to be like. With Cristina, Karev and the rest of her friends by her side, you can’t but root for the character, even if the actress may be happy to say good bye.

As for Torres, I thought tonight’s episode did an excellent job of showing the tight but dangerously thin ropes that bind child to parent. It’s obvious that her dad loves her, even if he can’t accept who she is right now. We should all be so lucky as to have someone like Arizona that’s there to pick up the pieces when others can’t. I believe Bailey knows this best of all.

Now the only couple not together is Hunt and Cristina. It’s obvious he cares for her a great deal though as he puts his pride aside to seek professional help. I don’t doubt this coupling will eventually work itself out. They’re perfect for each other. Maybe one day we’ll even see Cristina in one of those big white dresses again.

Yay weddings!

After the seemingly pointless vacation/wedding episode, I’m happy to report that my prediction last was wrong. I fully expected to see less of the core cast. To my surprise, all the core players where in action and on display.

Turk is up for the newly vacated chief surgeon position, but Perry is being stubborn and reuses to hire him. Finally, an outpouring of support from the staff and a sage-like meeting with a half naked Kelso persuade Cox. Turk is indeed the new Chief Surgeon.

Speaking of Kelso, he checks himself into the hospital with alcohol poisoning masking it as the flu. While essentially treating himself, he wistfully remembers his day in the hospital. It gives Scrubs a chance to pay a minor tribute to the mule-headed dragon of season’s past.

The big news this week is that Kim, JD’s baby momma and Elliott’s Sea ex-boyfriend Sean, are now dating. JD becomes jealous that Sean is spending so time with his son. Elliot is jealous of Kim as well and the whole thing leads to confrontation. In classic Scrubs fashion though, things seem to work out and the former lovers reconcile.  In the final moment, JD realizes that even though he’s doing his best, he simply can’t be the father he wants to be living away from his son. He decides to move. Thus we have the opportunity for Zach Braff to exit the show to pursue his dream of a failed movie career.

This was not a bad episode at all. As always there were some good chuckles with the Janitor and Kelso. It felt like an episode from season five or six, which was nice. The interns where regulated to bit parts as they should be. All around, pretty good TV and I legitimately want to see how this thing with JD wraps up. There are only two more episodes left.

6

Last week, Scrubs finally had an episode in which all the principle cast members were involved. Sadly, it was a disappointment. The whole episode was a half hearted excuse to have everyone outside in the Caribbean sun in bathing suits. The plot, such as it was, was that all three couples had their conflicts while trying to spend a romantic vacation together.

Picking up from last week’s non-cliffhanger, the Janitor is upset that everyone came to the wedding as it was really just a scheme to get presents. There are a few good gags with the Janitor, the brain trust and his soon to be phony-wife “Lady”. Generally though the show was about the couples and the breakdown of their relationships. It was short on gags just like last week.

Turk is upset that Carla is unable to be intimate while on their romantic vacation. Elliot is angry that JD hasn’t given her a grand enough pronouncement of their love. Most ridiculously, Dr. Cox is taunting Jordan because he wants to be more loving with the ice  queen. As you can tell form the descriptions, its truly uninspired writing. Scrubs isn’t exactly well crafted comedy, but this seemed particularly clumsy.

Not surprisingly, it ends with good feelings, a fake wedding, romance and a bizarre cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya” sung by Ted the lawyer to finish. I think this may be the last time Scrubs may ever been intern-free. It would not surprise me if this where the last episode featuring every member of the original cast. That would be a shame. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

After weeks of complaining about the lack of focus on the principle cast, Scrubs must’ve heard my complaints because this week saw the interns pushed aside.

The Janitor and his “Lady” invite everyone in the hospital to a wedding in the Bahamas. Despite the Janitor’s hopes, everyone decides to go. Set up as a spring-romance themed episode, the relationships between all the principles are front and center. JD and Elliot are looking forward to a romantic trip and Turk is hoping to rekindle the romance with Carla.

After much hand rubbing, the couples all make it to the islands. Though the others are able to enjoy the surroundings, Carla worries constantly about her kids back home, ruining it for Turk. Meanwhile, Elliot professes her true love for JD. She in turn expects JD to reciprocate in grand fashion. When JD disappoints her at the resort bar, she stomps away in anger. Unfortunately, we’ll pick this back up next week.

For the most part the episode is funny and sweet. Elliot’s constant forced drama is tiring though. Carla’s separation anxiety is also boring. It seems like the writers where just trying to come up with reasons for conflict beyond the hospital. Sadly, though it was a welcome sight to see everyone without the pesky interns the first episode of this two-parter was a disappointment.

Once again, Scrubs sets us up with another broken-cast episode. Elliot and Turk are working the night shift with the new interns. Thus, JD and Carla are missing from the episode altogether. This wouldn’t be much of a problem if it wasn’t for the fact that Scrubs has been pulling this for weeks. Scrubs has been consistently putting the new interns, rather than the traditional cast, in the forefront. So far, its been pretty lame. This week wasn’t much of an improvement.

Its a full moon night at the hospital and the interns have finally begun to get their footing. Unfortunately, this also means they’re getting cocky and are more prone to screw up.

Elliot has a woman who she believes has anorexia but actually is HIV positive. Intern Katie has a unstable homeless person who has to be restrained from chewing his bandages. Intern Sunny has to convince a woman to fart in order to discharge her. Turk’s new surgical intern is egotistical to the point of hubris and almost collapses a patient’s lung during a procedure. The various intern plots revolve around Elliot and Turk discussing their place in the hospital and their careers.

Eventually most of the patient’s problems are handled and we do get some solid acting out of the HIV positive patient. The interns weren’t bad, but in reality, this is not the Scrubs we were promised. It’s Scrubs version two, and like Jaws 2, it just isn’t what it should be.