‘Grey's Anatomy’: Erica and Callie go out on a date-date

First dates are always nervefrackinwrackin’. What if it all goes horribly wrong? Even worse, what if it goes incredibly right? That could potentially lead to date No. 2 and No. 3 and a relationship and love and being vulnerable and trusting and all sorts of terrifying goodness. And really, who needs that?

Looks like Callie and Erica just might. The Seattle Grace colleagues finally braved their first same-sex date, and it was sparky and funny and full of promise. Making it to that dinner, which thankfully did not take place at Joe’s bar, provided the episode with some of its best moments. Like a palpably anxious Callie hilariously oversharing with a surprised Dr. Bailey: “There’s been kissing but no touching and what if I’m not into it? What if I’m horrible at all that stuff south of the border?” And Dr. Bailey’s equally amusing, and ultimately affecting, attempt to later calm Callie’s nerves. (Vajayjay and motherland and Africa, oh my!)

But what I liked most was how the night’s developments rang true for both women. Naturally, Callie would equate their first date with sex. Whether marrying George or deciding she wants to be Chief for all of 2.5 seconds, she’s always been a girl who rushes into things. Erica gently reminded her they could take it slow, and just as quickly proved to us that outside of her burgeoning relationship, she has no intention of going soft. “You lie to me again about your experience and the next heart you see will be your own as I cut it out of your chest with a steak knife,” she warned Meredith. Day-um.

But Callie and Erica -- Callica? -- weren’t the only Seattle Gracers exploring new territory. No-longer-an-intern George, so often wracked with insecurity, proved refreshingly self-assured when dealing with an 8-year-old kid suffering from heart failure. Meredith freaked when Derek discovered her mom’s old diary and proceeded to do a lot of Mer-style whining about it but in the end, she didn’t tell him to pack up his arsenal of hair products and retreat to the bachelor pad-trailer. Instead, she offered to let him make her mom’s den his own. (Wow. Guess therapy really did do some good.)

In a less welcome twist, Cristina became enamored of the dermatology department. Yep, the heretofore unseen dermatology department. I’m always leery when characters who’ve lived, either literally or figuratively, in a place for years suddenly stumble across a hidden nook, cranny or sun-bathed waiting room they never knew existed. It just feels like lazy writing. But I had an even harder time accepting that Yang -- who breathes, eats, sleeps, dreams the fast-paced, cutthroat world of surgery -- would be enthralled, even temporarily, by the uber-chill Planet Lotion, where residents bake each other seven-layer birthday cakes, are treated to massages and leave early to go for facials. When the words “There is no mocking in derm, only warmth and light” were uttered, I had to rewind and make sure it wasn’t Izzie who’d spoken them. “We are not happy, glowy people” -- now that’s a Cristina gem, sold later in the episode, I have no problem buying.

Another line of the night came courtesy of one doc who remained blissfully, unapologetically immovable. “Surgery’s like the Wild West,” Sloan informed Izzie. “You didn’t get your claim in Montana from the bank, you got it because you put a fence around it and shot the ass off anyone who walked by.”

Your turn. Did you think the episode hit the mark? Are you eager to see Callie and Erica tackle date No. 2? What did you make of Cristina’s detour into derm? And, finally, did we really need to see the graphic, bloody removal of that poor patient’s face??

-- Shawna Malcom

(Photos courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Sarah]

Blah episode.

[Anna]

1 minute of Meredith and Derek together while Callica is forced down our throats is NOT what I signed on for this season. I thought we'd *gasp* see Meredith and Derek together. Not Meredith bedding Cristina all the time.

This show is sooooo over.

[tracey]

Easliy the best episode of the season thus far and the best episode -- outside of last season's finale -- in quite some time. I loved every part of the Callica scenes and Bailey was awesome! George was adorable and the whole dermatology wing part was hilarious. I agree with Sarah (to a small degree in substance, certainly not tone) in that I would have like to have seen more of Meredith and Derek but they're taking baby steps and I enjoyed that we got to see Derek in his own right, not solely in relation to Meredith. I'm glad he put his foot down with regards to Alex (who acted like the ass he is) and Izzie (who finally stood up for herself). Good for him. And good for Hahn for metaphorically slapping Meredith on the wrist when she caught her lying about her surgical skills. That stuff can get a (cute!) kid killed! But, still, Callie and Erica's foray into dating was my favorite part. I've never seen a storyline like this approached with the same attitude as the straight ones. Refreshing!

[Mel]

Wow, I thought this epi was worse than last weeks. When did Grey's become the L-Word? Cristina & Meridith, Callie & Hahn. By the way, there's no chemistry between C & H. I remember when Callie was HOT for George. Now she looks like a middle age teenager & Hahn has "glazed" look on her face. Seriously. The dermo scene didn't fit in. Derek is now emasculated because he moved into Mer's dorm, and she's with Cristina at (of all places) his trailer. This show is going down the toilet. Izzie & Alec, whatever. Chief, take a valium. Ratings show this.

[J.C.]

All these bitter tears from MerDer fans just make the Callica taste all the better.

[DocCovington]

This was a great episode. Everything about it felt right: The humor, the romance, the drama, the med part. ;) Brilliant writing, directing and acting.

People complaining just don't know what they're talking about. This show is NOT over, it has finally achieved the next level.

(P.S. As for the Callica haters: You're a homophobic bunch, that's all. Torres and Hahn have a hundred times more chemistry than Torres and O'Malley ever had... Just shows how blinded you are by your own fears and your complete lack of tolerance and understanding. Sad.)

[Samantha]

Dude, Callica is AMAZING.

And those of you who don't see that Callie and Erica are a thousand times better than Callie and George are homophobic.

I love George, don't get me wrong. But he and Callie didn't... there was no chemistry there. Now, Erica and her... they are amazing together. That is one couple that is definitely screen time worthy. Sure, Mer/Der is nice... but watching them always leaves me depressed.

But then we get Callica and I just feel so much better.
CANNOT wait for more!!

[deejaye]

Go Callica! I want more episodes for them!