(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.

(S02E09) Contamination

When it comes to Private Practice I run hot and cold. For some unknown reason, there just is no luke warm. And yes, while I commonly err on the cold side towards the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off, tonight’s episode provided that surprising shot of heat that I do so enjoy.

Spurred on primarily by the controversial subject of whether or not vaccinations lead to autism in children I found the topic of tonight’s show fascinating. It came as no surprise that the doctors at the practice all believed that when it came down to it vaccinations could not hurt but only provide prevention. Having heard the flip side, and then witnessed the family of characters experiencing life with an autistic child who were firmly in the anti-vaccination camp, it really left me and other viewers with a lot to think about. To add to the already steaming medical controversy quite common in medical journals today, there was the matter of whether or not anti-vaccination parents could be considered neglectful. What a thought.

Without a doubt, what I was most proud about when it came to tonight’s storyline was the shows ability to truly show each side of the story and make you ponder, in the end, who was right and who was wrong. Should Cooper have given that child a measles vaccination without parental permission? Was that mother the cause of her sons death when he died of measles after the family had already suffered so much throughout the years with her sons autism (possibly brought on by a previous measles injection)? I can’t make that call. But perhaps you can.

This is what a good medical focused show should do. Besides providing interesting characters, weekly drama and constantly twisting plot lines, it should make you think. Before tonight, I’m not quite sure that Private Practice ever did that for me. They tried, with various controversial subjects before, but more than anything they angered me in their obviously skewed view points. Tonight, they hit it right on the mark.

(S02E09) “World’s Apart”

Thank God for January’s “new,” fresh, and supposedly exciting back to back episodes of Privates Practice and Grey’s Anatomy. After tonight’s pathetically over dramatic episode, they’ll be needing a new start.

So here’s my major beef, Violet gets reamed out for taking up fourth floor Doctor Lockhart’s offer to consult on his post-cancer patient that now wants to be a mom. The patient was not just impressed with how Dr. Lockhart helped save her life, but tremendously grateful. In short, he performed a miracle and feels he can do it again. Who wouldn’t be inspired by that. You can’t hate a woman that wants to rise to a challenge like that and be part of the next miracle in progress. Yes, Naomi did agree to work with the devil (or at least her Doctor), but that doesn’t make her a traitor, not yet. Sam and Addison need to calm the heck down and get off their high horses.

Which brings me to my next issue, Addison dropped a patient because she didn’t live up to the good Doctor’s opinions. The patient was a call girl paying her way into medical school. No, it’s not an ideal professional choice, nor a safe one even, but should that matter when a sick girl needs care? I think not. Most ignorant of all, perhaps, is that Addison enabled her and her lifestyle choice from day one when she agreed first to see all of the other call girls and then again provided the patient with advice to keep her life style choices a secret from her parents. It seems awfully cruel to do a roundabout when the girl obviously needed guidance and medical help the most. I’m disgusted.

In other, equally over dramatic news, Meg walked in on Violet and Peter gasping for air mid- make out session. Please tune into your favorite soap opera and compare. Does anything seem familiar here? Ooh and in addition to that little sad break up scene, Kevin the S.W.A.T. guy suddenly decided Addison was too high and mighty for his taste. Sounds like she got a taste of her own medicine if you ask me.

(S02E09) “Know When to Fold”

Violet and Pete together?! Seriously, in all my hours of watching this season’s Private Practice, I did not see that happening. As the atypical cool kid in the practice he’s always gotten plenty of action, however, with his past family tragedy he’s never been able to settle down. Violet’s sweet and sincere, but I would think she’d want something serious. Perhaps I’m wrong, maybe the timing will be right for both parties. We shall see.

In the meantime, did anyone notice just how many B/C list actors were on tonight. First Dawson’s Creek’s Meredith Monroe is found sitting uncomfortably in Addison’s office, receiving the news that she has cancer. Then Everwood’s Sarah Drew is found lying on an examination in Dell’s office telling him that she’s not ready to have a baby and thus sparking the idea of setting up an in-house adoption agency. Poor Dell though, so eager to please, I’m afraid he may make a mess of his efforts in the end. There’s already rumors that the indecisive momma to be may end up as a love interest for Dell. That can’t end well.

Tonight’s budding relationships may still be up in the air, but there is one thing I’m sure of. The new fourth floor practice run by Charlotte is sure going to stir things up a bit. More out of office drama and complicated relationships?  I couldn’t ask for more.

(S02E08) “Crime and Punishment”

Private Practice truly jumped head first into possibly one of the biggest medical controversies out there. I’m talking about an issue that almost every single person in the world has an opinion on. This is an issue in which even the government, churches and professionals have felt the need to step up and have their say. Abortion: Do you support the choice or view it as murder? Perhaps you fall somewhere in between as many people do. Personally, I don’t feel it’s my place to share my views on the topic. That’s not to say I don’t have views, I just make it a habit to keep certain opinions to myself, where they belong.

While I congratulate the show for taking a stand and fully taking on a topic that is sure to get almost every viewers attention, I also wish they had kept their own opinions to themselves. Sure, we were able to see both sides of the token. Violet and Addison have both had abortions and are pro-choice. Dell once insisted his girlfriend have an abortion and is now left with mixed feelings, falling somewhere in between. Then there’s Violet and even Pete who are very anti-abortion. And, of course it goes without saying what her view is when Meg’s performing the procedure. In the end though, the practice must take a stand, and therefore in some respect, the very show must take a stand on the issue. I’m not so sure that this was the wisest decision they could have made, and as an individual with her own opinions on all matters I’m not so sure that I was happy to have the show take their opinion and bring it to the forefront as the “right” answer.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling what they choose to present as “right” wrong or right, I’m just calling it a personal opinion. Unless you have to share it with the world, I suggest you don’t. End of story.

Another part of this episode that annoyed me slightly is that, besides abortion, mercy killing was also brought on as a big storyline issue. Now I don’t know about you, but isn’t one very big controversial issue enough per episode? Here’s a show that was barely keeping us entertained in the early season and now all of a sudden they’re pulling out all their big fireworks and shooting them off at rapid fire. Keep a little till the end people. I’m just saying, don’t go crazy quite yet, we’ve still got a finale to watch after all and the end isn’t quite near.

(S02E07) “Tempting Faith”

Maybe it’s the holiday spirit creeping up on me, but I have to admit, that was one excellent episode of Private Practice tonight.

Swingtown’s Grant Show guest starred this evening as Addison’s slutty and snotty brother Archer, the character we hate to love. Not only does he shake things up on the west coast by convincing Kevin that he’s not up to snuff when it comes to dating a Montgomery Forbes, but he also shags Naomi, causing her to be the first one to make a bold move in the precarious Sam and Naomi break-up.

The other plot line that I believe was carried out quite nicely was that involving Violet’s court mandated pedophile client. Though the man had never actually committed the crime, his dirty thoughts left his presence in the practice after-hours as a much disputed event.

Dell was up in arms, having been physically abused as a child and now the father of a young girl constantly in harms way. In fact, the instant physical reaction that Dell had when the pedophile was caught chatting with Sam and Naomi’s daughter alerted him to the fact that it’s high time he fights to keep his daughter safe by gaining custody. I really can’t wait for that story line to reveal itself further going forward.

If there’s one thing that this episode reconfirmed to me with deep anger and disgust, it’s how disgusting I find Charlotte’s character. In fact, her growing interactions with Cooper made me even start to look down upon him as well, that is, until Cooper finally told her what’s up and that they had a major problem between them if he is willing to share his home and life with her when she won’t even admit to her sleazy business acts. Let’s face it Char, you can’t win every fight with WTMI seduction. (Nobody needs to see some of that stuff, I swear I’ll have nightmares tonight.)

So, here’s a round of applause of the writers and producers of Private Practice. It is my highest hopes that you keep this effort up. It’d be a horrible shame if this rise in quality only had to do with sweeps.

(S02E06) “Serving Two Masters”

Overall, not bad. Which, if you’ve been counting, is an improvement.

Tonight’s Private Practice was a lesson in letting the cat out of the bag. First, while scoping the bar scene for single ladies the boys stumble across Charlotte. Ready to seize this golden opportunity Cooper convinces Charlotte to go home with him, causing quite a scene both outside of work and in. As is status quo in the Private Practice office, his secret relationship doesn’t stay secret for long when the rest of the team quickly realize that this coupling has been going on much longer than a one night fling. Not soon after, Violet discovers that Charlotte is the person responsible for the construction upstairs. Now, if only Cooper was as adept at discovery.

Next thing you know Addison is chasing down S.W.A.T. man (cough, still in the same shirt, cough) after suspecting him of infidelity shortly after the poor man said a one-sided “I love you.” Now, is that any way to treat a budding romance? It’s clear that this one-time cheater has a trust issue. Luckily for all involved S.W.A.T. guy (I know he has a name, but until he gets a new shirt get used to it) is completely forgiving once Addison admits to how her past infidelity set her up for future fears.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all came when the persistent Dell shows his daughter into Daddy’s “office.” While this one time storage space wouldn’t fool any self respecting adult patient, baby girl is delighted at all that Dad’s achieved since they parted ways. Of course, just like the rest of the characters, I was shocked and yet delighted at Dell’s new role as Papa.  Depth, it’s what they all need.

Oh yea, and of course, there were the usual crazy, complicated patients. A man with two pregnant wives who just now meet, gotta love it.

Or not, I’m still deciding.

(S02E05) “Let It Go”

Finally, the characters of Private Practice get down to the core of what gives a show it’s heart. In tonight’s episode, we were allowed a real glimpse of the key player’s personalities.

In the sub-plot surrounding Violet we receive confirmation that she was once raped. While we still don’t know the full-extent that this has effected her, it’s obvious that this part of her life is painful and not fully understood by many, with the exception of her old college friend. Sadly her one time confidant is now running for congress and will do just about anything to erase her own painful past, including sacrificing Violet’s job. Time will tell, but this may just be an opening for a major move in Violet’s life. I don’t suspect that she’ll leave the show, but she may be forced to leave the practice.

Also finding that the ties which bond them can, and sometimes must, be severed, Naomi and Sam officially call it quits. This only occurs though after they not only full themselves, but also their daughter who has hopes of her parents reuniting. As this storyline progresses, one can easily tell that explosions may occur as both Naomi and Sam begin to date again. After all, nothing that happens in this practice is ever truly private.

In lighter news, Addison steps up her game and takes on her role as a leader without hesitation. After hours of sleepless nights she not only has an idea of how much money the practice will need to survive, but also an unpopular idea of how to obtain that quick cash. This includes leasing out the fourth floor she didn’t even know they owned until tonight. Speaking of fourth floor plans, could Charlotte be getting in on that action with her new job opportunity? Looks like a possibility to me.

Now, no Private Practice review can be complete without at least a small grumble from this writer. Tonight’s is quite valid, as the message the show sent out tonight was completely misleading. You can indeed get the HIV virus from oral sex. So here’s a clue to Cooper… put a cap on it. What’s more, just because you’re on the pill doesn’t mean you can’t slip up and get pregnant. Something to keep in mind Charlotte.

I personally feel that if you’re going to represent a very important issue as a doctor’s office, no matter how fictional, you should take it on with some sense of responsibility. There’s one too many kids out there who get their facts from a TV screen. Why add to that confusion?

(S02E04) “Past Tense”

And the vote goes to …

Addison?

How could I even be surprised. Without the Grey’s star, Kate Walsh, Private Practice wouldn’t have ever seen it’s day in the sun. Personal opinion? She definitely should have stuck to Grey’s, a show that was going somewhere.

The only place Kate Walsh is going now is to yet another gossip session, coffee mug in hand, patient not to be seen and an uncomfortable amount of truly tight clothing clinging to the flesh of almost each and every actor. One has to wonder if the shows budget went down as the plot continued to lose appeal.

Tonight though, luck may have found those of us who continue to stick with Private Practice through it’s awkward painful phase. Like a cool breeze, seasoned sitcom actress Jayne Brook swept into Oceanside Wellness Group spicing things up with one saucy kiss. Way to make an entrance girlfriend.

While I must admit I initially balked at a Brothers and Sister’s reoccurring character landing in yet another ABC show, but after seeing the proven radical differences in the two characters I calmed myself down a notch. One night a young highly republican mother finding difficulty accepting her gay son’s relationship status, and then the next a confident world traveling with that excellent “I don’t change for anyone” attitude. How can we resist? Brook’s nothing if not dynamic.

So yes, I was bored again by the big office drama which ultimately resulted in Addison’s winning control of the practice. I had my own personal grievances with the way the patients cases were presented, especially the highly controversial fake rape turned religious re-virginization (If you didn’t catch it, you didn’t miss much). The biggest problem is that they don’t dig deep enough. Addison always comes in judging and you’re hardly left to see the other side of the story, even when it could be smacking you straight in the face if they let it. Instead, I hardly care about the patient and am more angry at the doctor.

So my advice going forward to the writers, producers, directors, etc. of Private Practice? Take that next step. Make me care. Let me in on Violet’s obviously disturbing past. Let Pete tell some of his own story instead of bringing in a new character we’re still adjusting to, to do it for him. And for crying out loud, give that S.W.A.T. guy another shirt!

(S02E03) “Nothing to Talk About”

Dell is back! I couldn’t be more happy. I’m hoping that the return of a better show is also on the way. Seeing as Dell was the one and only character with any intrigue, the one guy who stood out from the crowd, I hope the writers go out of their way to include him more.

Onto other news of interest, Addison was almost sucked back into the life of constant surgeries tinged with that lovely hospital light glow. Charlotte may be a she-devil in the bedroom, but she sure knows how to play the surgery card. Fortunately for the team at Private Practice, Addison is still able to find the extreme importance of actually getting to know patients instead of just cutting them open.

Violet and Pete were the only two doctors with semi-interesting patients this week (Big-head baby really doesn’t count, but nice try Cooper). Pete’s guy was a cross dressing fire chief. While it’s clear that in the end Pete still felt his patient would be respected by the guys at work for his actions and not his wardrobe, the audience was left wondering. Okay, to be honest, who really cares? I wasn’t exactly attached to the character.

On the other hand, Violet’s patient was an accused sociopath. That was extremely interesting at first due to the excellent dynamic between the patient, his horrified mom and Violet, but once it was discovered that the poor kid was harmless all was well with the world. Which is fine, really. I’m not a total sucker for TV tragedy, and this happy ending fit nicely with Violet’s otherwise upset mood.

Looking ahead I’m hoping that we can move past the power trip/struggle going on between Naomi and Sam. From tonight’s previews, it appears that a vote will be cast choosing, once and for all, who’s running the practice. Personally, I couldn’t care less. But for crying out loud… let’s develop a new plot line we actually want to hear about.