'Grey's Anatomy': It's old guys' night

Edward Herrmann has joined the cast of "Grey's Anatomy." I know, I know, I should have led with: George finally told Callie that he slept with Izzie! Oh my! But frankly, the appearance of Herrmann, that veteran actor last seen on "The Gilmore Girls," is a lot more interesting and uplifting, proving as it does two things: "Grey's" is definitely on an upswing and old-guy interns are the latest TV trend.

Over at Fox, an AARP member is trying to become part of "House's" team, despite the fact that he never graduated medical school, and now Herrmann gives us Norman, a pharmacist-turned-doc-wannabe. He didn't have much to do on last night's episode, except spout old-guy platitudes and generally test Dr. Karev's ability to control his own intern, but we've already gleaned that his wife is dead, his children are grown and now he wants to be a doctor. Given that it's Herrmann (I still cry when I think of his character's tragic demise in "The Great Waldo Pepper"), I think we can expect great things.

There was a definite geriatric theme at Seattle Grace last evening. Really Old Guy, the coma patient in whose room our intrepid team has gathered for lunch since Season 1, woke up. Woke up and started spouting all sorts of marriage-counselor wisdom, mainly that Izzie should not hold her breath for George because men almost never leave their wives. (Which, given the current divorce statistics, doesn't seem quite accurate, but then the man's been in a coma for years.)

It's still hard to see where we're going this season; there is a slowness and steadiness to the story lines, which, while less grim than last year, feel a little too careful and sometimes repetitive. Yes, George did finally tell Callie, and with any luck the fallout will be excruciating and terrific. The whole Izzie/George storyline cannot be resolved soon enough, although if it gives the writers an excuse to bring back the old weird and vibrant Callie (remember when she lived in the hospital and danced in her underwear?), I am all for it. This pale and wan Callie is a waste of Sarah Ramirez's considerable talents. She and Bailey have not had nearly enough to do in these opening episodes, though Bailey has at least been able to vent her "Nazi" character's common sense once or twice. Even Meredith seems subdued, her clandestine, closeted shagging of Derek notwithstanding.

It is, by necessity, a more diffuse "Grey's," and the writers seem to be proceeding with caution. The addition of the new interns destroys the show's original template -- focusing on a group of residents is a bit less tidy. But Herrmann can only improve things, and if rumor is to be believed, there are other new and returning characters waiting in the wings.  Me, I keep hoping Denny's ghost will materialize -- maybe he could do what Old Guy couldn't: knock a little sense into Izzie.

--Mary McNamara

(Photo courtesy ABC)