'Grey's Anatomy' recovery: Sealed with lots of kisses

Like surgeons, television viewers see death on a regular basis. Especially this season. Whether it was the almost instant failure of the much trumpeted "Bionic Woman" or the last-minute tragic demise of "Aliens in America," TV has had a fairly high mortality rate. So when you see a show, trapped in a potentially fatal spiral, emerge from its coma, blink a few times, then rise from the bed like a wounded action hero, it is worth taking a few moments to rejoice.

"Grey's Anatomy" is totally and seriously back.

The lead item for last night's two-hour season finale would seem to be the much heralded reunion of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey). But frankly so many wonderful things occurred in that the Big Kiss, high on a hillside surrounded by luminaries outlining the house Meredith finally has the courage to envision for them both, was anti-climactic. In the best way possible. How could it not be? It was preceded by some of the greatest moments on television this season.

Callie (Sara Ramirez) finally kissed Dr. Hahn (Brooke Smith) in the hottest, loveliest liplock between two women ever on scripted network television, unbroken by the typical horrified/frightened pull-back. Alex (Justin Chambers) broke down in Izzie's (Katherine Heigl) arms after finally admitting that his Ava/Rebecca (Elizabeth Reaser) is mentally ill, just like his mother. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) turned over the keys to her beloved clinic, acknowledging that even she cannot do it all. George (T.R. Knight) grew a spine, took a stand and got the chance to retake his residency test. Cristina (Sandra Oh) got her groove back, performed a tricky surgery and told Dr. Hahn to back off. Meredith thrashed the Chief (James Pickens Jr.) for abandoning her mother and driving her to a suicide attempt, and the Chief told his wife he loved her and he was coming home. Even Dr. Sloan (Eric Dane) had a moment of glory, giving Callie the final push she needed.

I did mention it was two hours, right?

In between there was much commotion over a young man encased in concrete, and two young lovers, who were also patients in Meredith and Derek's clinical trials for a new treatment for brain tumors.  Some of it bordered on the ridiculous -- moments before brain surgery the tumor couple, er, coupled for the first time; the concrete was the result of a bet to impress a (really mean) girl, and in the last three minutes pretty much everyone in the cast was kissing someone. But it didn't matter because it was such a relief to see the show functioning as the unique hybrid it is.

One part "Sex and the City," one part "ER," one part "The Paper Chase," "Grey's" captured hearts and eyeballs with its comely cast, snappy dialogue and unapologetic search for wisdom, not to mention true love. Then, last season, something went tragically awry. What was effervescent fell flat, what was illuminating became preachy, what was quirky turned weird and possibly mentally unbalanced. Meredith's faux suicide, George and Callie, George and Izzie, Derek and Meredith over and over again.

Season 4 debuted with some promise but the writer's strike hit too early in the season to really call it. But while other shows sputtered and stalled in post-strike episodes, "Grey's" kept its shoulders squared and its chin up. Meredith went into therapy and apparently she took everyone else with her. The dark days of Season 3? It's as if they never happened. The final moments of the season finale may have been a bit goopy, but they were intentionally the opposite of a cliffhanger. What "Grey's" viewers needed was a renewal of vows. And they got them, sealed with the kiss of their choice.

-- Mary McNamara

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[kingsGirl]

I was so thrilled to see Mer/Der reunite! I just hope that next season when we witness Derrick telling Rose it's over that some twing of guilt doesn't prohibit him from going through with it. It has been such a circular battle with these two that I vowed to stop watching the show if they did not get back together for good. I am interested to see what exciting things Ms. Shonda has in the cards for all these characters. It's a great show - cheers to next season! It was well worth the wait!!!

[dc]

So, any wagers on McDreamy getting into some sort of terrible accident on the way to speak with Rose, while in a turning of the waiting tables again, Meredith "waits"?

[kubiac]

Great ep. Very well written. Proves why this show is a hit.

[Kristen]

I have watched the ending over and over, I can't believe it finally happened!! What a romantic, perfect ending to a much better season!! I too said to my husband- what are the chances Derek is in an accident on his way to see Rose. I vowed it that is the case I wouldn't, couldn't watch it anymore. Yeah for George, Izzy, and Bailey too!! Grey's is the only show I watch and I am soooo very happy that it is back to the show it used to be... can't wait for next season-Don't let us down!!!!!

[Luci]

Honestly i wasn't at all too excited to watch grey's anymore, especially when the derek/nurse thing started. But seeing the finale tonight! OMG! im back! Im back! can't wait for next season. Thank you for bringing back MER/DER together. don't know if the writers will be able to read this but thank you. They belong together.

[Deb]

I hated the kiss between Callie and Dr. Hahn. Give me a break! I just don't want to see two women (or two men) in a liplock. Why has Callie "suddenly" discovered that she was atrracted to women? No need for this storyline. Forget it Callie...go back Dr. McSteamy.

[Elle]

Wonderful article, Mary. I couldn't agree more with your assessment of season three being out of character and the redemption of season four.

Not only did this past season recapture the 'hybridity' but also regain and augment its stentorian voice of change: the perfect liplock between Torres and Hahn, the exposure and condemnation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the reality of marital strains, of mental breakdowns, of HIV patients, and a handful of situations often too delicate for a writer to consider. What the finalé symbolized was vindication - vindication for the writers who rallied in California and vindication for all those now given a voice.

With luck, the essence captured with season four will continue with season five so that more can be said about the wonders of Grey's Anatomy.

[In The Know]

It's out there from their pod cast that Der will be fine and NOT get into an accident and Mer will not have to wait. Yea! They're baaaaaaack!

[Linda]

This was the best review I've read. The entire show was incredible and for us MerDer fans the ending was far from goopy. It was instead a balm to our bruised hearts. Bring on goopy, more goopy I say!

[galbara]

Excellent episode,,, what I'm thinking next season either Mc Dreamy is gonna have an accident or Rose is pregnant
Gosh! I can't wait for next season!

[maria]

I hated the kiss between Callie and Hawn. Just because of one bad man relationship doesn't make every women a lesbian. There are other male actor out there for
Callie. Find one. And no I'm not a homophob.

[JJ]

Grey is Back.

Love Alex finally let his walls break down and Izzie is there for him...these two should be together. What a long wait but worth it after that horrible gizzie.
Meredith has broke thru her own walls and came to understand her mother's wish for her. She will be storng and will not let Derek twist her around anymore.
Callie and Hahn....very tender and sweet.
Lexie and George......I dont know why I found them totally annoying but at least I dont turn away like with Gizzie.
I will definately tune in for season 5.

[Eva]

MerDer was the only reason why I keep my eyes on the tube!!! They were meant to be together...And I do really hate when I have to watched the Callie-Hann in their liplock issues. Yay...cant wait for the next season!!!!

[ninamyers]

It was like series finale...I watched it twice so that i didn't missing any single point in the whole 2 hours.Finally,im so relieved to see who did Shonda end the season with non- cliffhanger although I'm a bit worried what's gonna happen to MERDER in the next season.Why?When Derek left Meredith to see Rose to tell her about the reunion between Meredith and him,i have the concious to believe that Shonda may make twist in the next season.Who knows right? But above all, after 3 season of cliffhanger finale, we got to see all the characters settle down without left us with questions.

[Tracy]

I loved this final. I've rewatched it and it's even better the second time. I love the idea of George and Lexi together; they fit. I just want their relationship to take a long, long time to develop past romantic because George will mess it up somehow. I'm glad the Mer/Der situation is back in focus. They're better together than pining for each other in angst and bitterness. But I'd like Rose to stick around. Perhaps she could be with McSteamy since he's available. And count me in as one who loves, loves, loves Callie taking the initiative in her relationship with Erica. As long as the producers treat this relationship like they treat all the others -- the good and the bad -- and don't chicken out when all the letters from the homophobes come in, then it'll be truly groundbreaking. First things first, they have *got* to make Erica more likable and heal/explain her rotten behavior towards Yang otherwise she will be *too* unlikable.

[miguel de la salle]

PLEASE: SOMEONE....What is the music played during the final mega kissing scene???

[Blair]

I had most of this season of Grey's rotting on my Tivo because last season was so lame. When I finally got to it, I was pleasantly surprised. The final episode was a big winner. Unlike the stuffy homophones out there, I completely love the Torres-Hahn plot and hope like heck they're able to make it work. It's so rare a plot revolving around gay characters is taken seriously and made interesting and real. I'd love to see them have one of the few relationships to actually survive through the chaos and drama that is Grey's Anatomy.

[GrayFan]

Oh, calm down people. Callie and Erica's kiss was a great moment when two people who have amazing chemistry finally realize it. Try not to politicize the script and dump on these two characters all your resentments from...whatever. (Seriously, Callie just needs to "find the right man", do you realize how cliche and stupid that is?) These are two of the most well-written women on television. I would love a lot more of them and a lot less of the whining, navel-gazing of Meredith and Izzie.

[Leah26]

What a bunch of negative Nancies!! Grey's is still a good show! Maybe you forgot how great its been. Check out this recap thing ABC put together for the first 4 season-
http://abc.go.com/player/?channel=125571