THE STORY: For viewers bored or distressed by the constant gore and breakneck speed of hospital dramas like ER, GREY’S ANATOMY comes as a breath of fresh air. Unlike other shows set in the world of medicine, this series is just as concerned with its characters’ personal lives as with their medical careers, and thrives by stressing the way in which the two intertwine. After all, for surgical interns who have chosen to dedicate their lives to medicine, the hospital largely becomes their home. Extremely well-written, the series mixes serious issues like mortality with funny storylines and wit. Each character is well developed and individualized, coming off as real rather than stereotypical.
Rather than standing on its own, each medical challenge sheds some light on the doctors’ personal experiences, bringing the hospital environment to a refreshingly relevant level. While the series may not be the most realistic medical drama on television, it is certainly the most compelling and entertaining, containing such juicy plotlines as love triangles, affairs between coworkers, and secret romances. This release contains every episode from the show’s well received second season, picking up right where the first left off, with Meredith discovering that her boyfriend, Derek, has been hiding the fact that he’s married. Shocked and betrayed, Meredith embarks on a messy healing process that involves angry shouting matches and a string of one-night stands. As usual, the show avoids taking itself too seriously by interjecting serious themes with lighthearted dialogue and humorous medical emergencies. Rounding out the already impressive ensemble cast are new characters like Derek’s wife (Kate Walsh) and new love interests for most of the cast. While the season contains plenty of laughs, it keeps the intensity up as well, and ends on a decidedly somber note.
THE REVIEW: Grey’s Anatomy started as a guilty pleasure when I had to review the first season. My wife watched the show solo when it was originally broadcast while I watched sports. Then I had to review the first season and she joined me—although I never admitted to her my growing enjoyment of the show. Then the second season came and I was a lot more eager to dive in. It was apparent to my wife this growing love of the show—particularly when I had to take the dog out during the first episode and told her in a certain style of voice to pause the show. Apparently it was very telltale. What my voice sounded like I don’t know—but the minute I came back in the house my wife said, “I knew you liked this show.” I still denied it—but it’s undeniable.
Grey’s Anatomy is addictive. It’s impossible to walk away from the show mostly because of the great cast and plotlines. This is a better cast than anything ER had after the original cast started to split up. Not only can the show follow serious plots—it can also be funny, interesting, and wholly sweet. And of course there are the love triangles that continue to wind in and out of the storylines.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are parts of Grey’s Anatomy that are 100% silly. Every week follows the ER formula with bringing in accidents and illnesses that are so rare that they might happen 1 in a million and yet every week they show up on Grey’s Anatomy. That can get extremely annoying—but that is offset by Sandra Oh’s eager character that must get in on every surgery. The way the interns fight for patients—sometimes right in front of them—is always good for a laugh. The relationships are nice and tense just like any other primetime drama. It’s fun to eagerly await Meredith and Derek getting back together.
THE EXTRAS: Commentary by: Director Jeff Melman and writer Krista Vernoff (“Into You Like a Train”), Creator Shonda Rimes and editor Susan Vaill (“Thanks for the Memories”),Sandra Oh and director Peter Horton (“Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”),Creator Shonda Rimes, director Peter Horton and editor Edward Ornelas (“It’s the End of the World” and “As We Know It”).
“The softer side of Dr. Bailey” – This is an interview with Chandra Wilson.
“The Doctors Are In” – Favorite characters answer fans’ burning questions. This is mostly fluff.
Finally, there are deleted scenes, four extended episodes, an exclusive set tour, and creating “Pink Mist”: Anatomy of a special effect.
FRANKLY: The second season of Grey’s Anatomy is as addictive as television gets. The characters are brilliant and refreshing. Sure, some are pretty and cute but they are well balanced with depth that doesn’t always come with shows and beautiful characters. No one is shallow—every character is given a reason for being, they are given a history, they give us a reason to continue to tune in. I still haven’t admitted my love for the show to my wife—but you can believe the second season is a must buy and it has lead me to Tivo-ing the third season.
+ Charlie Craine
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