In a recent interview, ABC Entertainment Group President Stephen McPherson characterized GREY’S ANATOMY as “a show that’s evolving.” Having just watching the sixth-season premiere, which bows Thursday September 24th on ABC at 9PM, all I can say is “Bring on the evolution… stat!”
Mama always said “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Fortunately for you, I never really listened, freeing me up to give you my thoughts on the season premiere, titled “Good Mourning.” Picking up pretty much where last May’s finale ended, the episode is basically what you’d expect: One long farewell to George O’Malley. Tears are shed, clothes are torn (apparently, GENERAL HOSPITAL isn’t the only sudsy drama on which people get inexplicably turned on by the death of loved ones) and Bailey has her prerequisite meltdown. (Note to the writers: Having a strong character show their vulnerable side by flipping out is a fantastic insight into their character. Having it occur every few episodes is a tired plot device. Or as my inner-black girl screamed at the set, “Girl, you’re a doctor! Pull it together! Seriously!”)
To be fair, things aren’t all doom and gloom in the hallowed halls of Seattle Grace. When not constrained by George’s mournful goodbye, showrunner Shonda Rhimes has cleverly begun to set things in motion. The immensely likeable Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) is given her own storyline, one of her fellow docs decides that a change of scenery is definitely in order, and, most interesting of all, serious tensions arise between Dr. Webber and Dr. Shepherd (James Pickens Jr. and Patrick Dempsey respectively). These hints of things to come give us hope that maybe, just maybe, there’s reason to think the show, like Izzy, can bounce back. 