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 they 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 a stereotype. The relationships between the characters are what make the show unique, with interesting bonds developing like the one between vulnerably hardheaded Christine (Sandra Oh in an Emmy Award-winning role) and the show's main protagonist Meredith (Ellen Pompeo).
Self-pitying, stubborn, selfless, and determined all at the same time, each character plays a crucial role in the show's pleasing ensemble feel. 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 crushes and romances. A thoughtful soundtrack full of indie artists like Rilo Kiley helps give the show its youthful tone, while narration by Ellen Pompeo's character highlights each episode's themes, helping to bridge the gap between the show's lighthearted issues and more somber ones. This release contains every episode from the show's highly addictive first season.
Kati's "Grey's Anatomy" post from a few weeks ago FINALLY convinced me I had to start watching this show. Last week I was going to attempt to watch the episode where Meredith and McDreamy were getting married, but I just couldn't do it. The closest I got to cheating was actually reading her post in its entirety. So I immediately Netflixed season 1 and started watching over the weekend. And once again, I have found something to obsess over. Now for the past 5 years or so, I pretty much gave up television completely. Didn't even watch "Friends" re-runs. But now I'm joining the land of the addicted and happily getting my drama fix on a regular basis.
For those of you in the know, what I'm watching is OLD news. the Nazi; Christina and Burke hooking up; Izzy the model; George trying to convince everyone he's not gay; and of course McDreamy. Remember "Can't Buy Me Love"? Patrick Dempsey was adorable in that movie, but he's ever so much more delicious as a mature and charming doctor.
So it's all new to me, and after 5 episodes, I'm officially hooked. I've watched "ER" over the years, but this show seems so much more fun and gossipy, not so much drowning in sadness and heavy emotion. GA seems to have more of a happy cloud hovering over it, one that might drop some heavy rains now and again, but nothing excessively overwhelming. And certainly not as dizzying.
So now I must wait to get my next 3 DVDs, which will finish off season 1 and begin season 2. I long to stay home and become a complete couch potato, breathlessly waiting for McDreamy's shirt to get ripped off or something just as equally tantalizing. Nothing says "must-see" t.v. like a fine set of abs....
So tell me: when does McSteamy finally show up?
And who's your favorite GA character?
Labels: Grey's Anatomy, television







