Grey's Anatomy: Transplant Wasteland (9x17)

I think that Grey's Anatomy has a bad rap for some reason. I mean, I know it's melodramatic and unrealistic and all that, but I find it to be consistently well written and acted. The characters are interesting and dynamic, the plot keeps you on your toes, and the actors really know how to forge meaningful relationships between their characters. This week's episode, while by no means a show-stopper, was nonetheless a perfectly standard episode of a consistent show.

I'm a big fan of this season's plot thread about the hospital's bankruptcy. It makes the reality of the plane crash a big and continuing part of the show and the characters. This is the first episode during which the hospital is under new management: our very own Seattle Grace plane crash victims. And... Jackson Avery. There's a great tension between Avery and the others, since he is in many cases their inferior, and they feel - justifiably - that he has his position because of nepotism. There was a wonderful moment in the episode where Derek basically sent Jackson away with his tail between his legs. It's so awkward because the student has suddenly become the boss.

I also like the antagonistic divide between Alex and the others. In a sick way, he's a bit jealous that they were all in this plane crash together. Because, now, he's on the outside again. It's a bit reminiscent of the Karev from the beginning of the show, when nobody else liked him. I also adore the budding romance between him and Jo the intern. Obviously it will be a while yet before anything substantial happens between them, but it was nice to see Alex admit his feelings for her and start to make amends. I absolutely adore Alex working with the pediatric patients. For all his gruff exterior, he's amazing with kids. To this day he remains one of my favorite characters, not only on this show but in all of television.

Due to time constraints I won't say too much more about this episode. I love all the new tensions existing between the characters, as well as how this episode took the time to resolve some of these old tensions. For example, in an explosion of feeling, we finally had a blow-out between Owen and the others, particularly Derek. But, after a talk in which Derek touchingly admitted that he's not angry at Owen, but rather at the world and at Mark (sniff sniff), we had a reconciliation between these two characters. I'm glad to see that Owen will be reinstated as Chief.

And of course I must talk about the end of the episode... the decision to call the hospital the Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital is adorable. So. Adorable. Particularly when you think about all of the relationships represented in that room there at the end. Lexie and Meredith's sisterhood, Jackson and Mark's friendship and teacher/student relationship, Callie and Arizona's love and shared parenthood with Mark, Derek's big brother/little sister-like relationship with Lexie and his deep friendship with Mark... I think that renaming the hospital is the perfect thing to do. Just cheesy enough to be truly beautiful.

Great episode.

8/10