'Grey’s Anatomy': Crossing over at Seattle Grace

When I was on the “Grey’s Anatomy” set for a feature story about last night’s “Grey’s”/”Private Practice” crossover, Dr. Bailey herself (Chandra Wilson) kindly summed up what has become a primary difference between Shonda Rhimes’ two ABC dramas. “This is the more juvenile, crazy, off-the-wall, people-who-don’t-have-any-sense kind of show,” Wilson said of “Grey’s.” “The ‘Private Practice’ people are a little bit more mature.”

Lucky for us “Grey’s” fans, “Private’s” Addison (Kate Walsh), Naomi (Audra McDonald) and Sam (Taye Diggs) brought a little of that maturity with them to the halls of Seattle Grace. Their presence, which could’ve easily just been a cheap ratings ploy, instead had the welcome effect of bringing the beleaguered mother ship from which “Private” launched back down to
Earth.

For starters, there was a renewed focus on medicine (always a plus for hospital dramas). The Addison with the sassy new haircut and sharp gray suit wasn’t back in Seattle to drive a wedge between ex-husband Derek and Meredith, though her arrival did have the side effect of delaying Derek’s plan to propose. Rather, Addie was there in hopes that her brilliant neurosurgeon ex could save the life of her brother Archer (Grant Show), an egomaniacal, womanizing (and yet, still oddly charming) neurologist, who was fading fast thanks to a bunch of worms in his brain. When Derek finally operated, we got to see said worms on that snazzy OR monitor, and it was hard not to be on the edge of your seat as he carefully extracted them one by one.

Later, in the “Private” part of the crossover, it was a desperate Derek who required Addison’s mad OB/GYN skills. After a long day of saving Archer, he’d rushed into operating on his pregnant patient’s brain aneurysm, and one small error turned into a big ol’ problem that threatened to end the lives of both mother and unborn child. During that surgery, a frustrated Addison reminded Derek of the “hot dog Thanksgiving,” a disastrous holiday during their marriage when he wound up cooking hot dogs after her feast made his sister sick and led his mother— who, she finally established, had never liked her — to accuse her of trying to kill everyone.

The exes' exchange highlighted another strength of the crossover: the characters’ deep, and evolving, emotional bonds. For the most part, Derek and Addison seem to have moved past the pain of their acrimonious divorce, but being in the same place again naturally stirred up the knotty feelings that come with seeing someone you once felt certain you’d spend the rest of you life with but somehow didn’t. How can you not feel a bit melancholy, especially when all of your old reunited med school buddies — including Sam, Naomi and Sloan — keep singing the heartfelt song Derek composed and performed for Addison at their wedding, even if it was a cheesy little ditty that rhymed “gross anatomy class” with “Addison’s fine ass”? Or when, like Addison, you realize that seemingly everyone from your old life and your new one is coupled up and you’re still single?

Naturally, Meredith felt a bit discombobulated by the Oceanside Wellness gang’s presence. Mostly because she didn’t recognize her Derek in the guitar-playing, sappy-songwriting one of their memories. Cristina empathized because she suddenly didn’t recognize Owen, either, after the arrival of his “sunshine girl” ex-fiancee, who was at the hospital with her sick dad (played by — whee! — “Lost’s” Bernard!). But instead of running from the Derek development, which the old Meredith might've done after Sadie, a.k.a. the clueless, cheating intern, got caught and quit, the new Meredith realized she was exactly where she wanted to be. Give this girl your mama’s diamond ring already!

Admittedly, the Sadie story felt like an abrupt way to get rid of Melissa George, but it did result in two positives. (A) It means one of the season’s extraneous recurring characters is off the canvas. And (B) At least it gave T.R. Knight something to do. As for “Grey’s” other possibly leaving actor, Katherine Heigl, she got her best story in months. (Not that it would take much to beat the Dead Denny mess.) She organized a morale-boosting contest for the disgraced interns and, Lexie being the only intern we actually see regularly, naturally won. But it makes sense that Izzie — faced with the possibility of a still-mysterious life-threatening illness — would find herself in the denial stage. For now, it seems she can only handle what's fun and frivolous, and, if Alex’s conversation with Addison hinted at what lies ahead, Izzie's smart to get all the carefree fun she can now.

Finally, I cannot end this post without mentioning my favorite pairing to come out of the “Grey’s”/”Private” combo meal: Bailey and Sam. The grief he gave her about becoming a pediatric surgeon … the grief she gave him for letting ex-wife Naomi go and wind up in the arms of Archer … the fist bump. I say again, the fist bump! Together, Chandra Wilson and Taye Diggs are hilarious and touching and all sorts of fabulous. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we ever see of this unexpectedly dynamic duo.

So, what did you think of the crossover? Weigh in below!

—Shawna Malcom

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Roslyn Whitlock]

I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they all were excellent. I hope shodra will do this again. I always tape both shows every week, never miss them. I hope Sam and Nae will get back together. Please find someone for Addison, she needs a good man in her life.

[Dixie]

The reviewer has obvioulsy partaken of Shonda's kool-aid.

[Kel]

I thought it was okay. I enjoyed seeing Derek get a real story line for a change, but I thought there was way too much Addison. Also, I wasn't buying the whole nostalgia story line. I might have if Derek and Addison seemed to have any connection to each other since she's moved to LA, but neither ex is ever mentioned. So, that rang false to me. I thought the Private Practice characters were mostly annoying, although I agree that Sam and Bailey were made to win. I didn't really understand why Meredith had to take a complete back seat in the episode. It would have been nice to see her and Derek have at least one scene with his old friends. After all, Derek has moved on and most old friends would be happy for him and make at least some effort with the new girlfriend (who isn't so new). I won't watch PP, but I do think Grey's is getting better. And, yes, let's hope mer/der finally do get engaged although I'm sure the writers will screw it up.

[Liz]

Loved the episode. Kate Walsh and Patrick Dempsy have AMAZING chemistry. Their scenes were so brilliantly done. I love how Kate, Patrick, Eric, Taye, Audra, and Grant interacted. The singing at Joe's was bittersweet. Honestly these two episodes just showed why Addison and Derek should actually be together. They challenge each other, believe in each other, and trust in each others ability to do what they do best. They are equals. I think this was one of your best episodes this season for GA and PrP just keeps getting better. It was such an amazing pleasure to have Addison stomping or clicking I should say in the halls of Seattle Grace. Looking forward to next week.

[Matt]

I enjoyed it immensely. Chandra Wilson is bang on the money with her description of the two shows. The Private Practice gang are more mature and they thankfully brought some maturity to the Greys episode.

The original gang of Derek/Addison/Mark/Sam/Naomi/Archer would make a far better TV show than the current Greys gang of ghost-seeing, whining, self-obsessed characters.

Patrick Dempsey and Kate Walsh shined brilliantly - Addison is sorely missed on Greys and manages to somehow have chemistry with everyone. Fabulous character and brilliantly played by Kate Walsh.

[marjorie]

I LOVED the crossover. The feeling of nostalgia was very much portrayed. What I enjoyed the most were Patrick, Eric, Audra, Taye and Kate plus Grant and Chandra all together! (I love broadway actors, and have so much respect for them). They made a great chemistry together and the vibe of group of friends going back and reminiscing old days. The characters of Addison and Derek are so much fun to watch. They have serious chemistry! It's hard to think why this couple are no longer together. But the way they intereacted? It's more realistic than the current love of Derek. They play the husband and wife who bicker so perfeectly. That's a big credit for Kate Walsh and Patrick Dempsey.

[Mich]

Really can't understand those viewers who hanker after the MerDer May Sept romance and who keep wanting to pour cold water on Derek's past and present relationship with Addison. I thought the cross-over episodes were brilliant and the interaction among Derek, Mark, Addison, Naomi & Sam was just amazing. Now there's a group who should have their own show! I can do without the whining neurotic gang of Mer and friends and the interns (who really don't really have any role except for Lexie because, surprise, surprise, she's Mer's half-sister). I for one was glad that Mer had hardly a role to play in those episodes.