Christmas is in town and I’m loving it. There were some nice themes featured in the episode: spirituality, family, and forgiveness. You know what that means: It’s Christmas time. This time of year should come twice a year. Does anyone object? You better not.

          Spirituality/religion is something I’ve always thought should be more explored in a tv show. I don’t understand why people fear the idea so much. If you’re religious, you are and if you’re not, you’re not. That should be the end of it. From a producer’s perspective though, toying with the idea is risky. But sometimes, it’s that extra risk that’s rewarding. The story with Justin and his mom was beautiful. How else should Justin be feeling? He knows that his new heart was removed from the body of a dead child. That’s something a kid should never think of, but Justin does. For one thing, he doesn’t believe in God. I’m not going to go into the specifics of religion, but it helps to believe in something. This is Burke’s idea. When there are times he feels helpless, he has to believe in something stronger than medicine; it’s the only way to prevent you from going crazy. Justin doesn’t understand such a thing. He’s been pushed by his mother to a degree where he doesn’t know what to believe. She tells him about Santa Claus and how he is responsible for bringing him the heart. That’s a bit drastic. However spastic his mother can be, she loves him. What Justin lacks is a strong parental influence. Why does God exist? He needs to understand this.

          Cristina is just an adult version of Justin, struggling with the same problems. Medicine is the only link she has with Burke; that’s the only thing the two have in common. Religion is not one. It really is unfortunate. I think Cristina got a taste of what Burke was talking about. She contributes to his idea. When she tells Justin to live, when she asks him to decide to live, he got this new sense of hope. He’s never been told to fight; Cristina gives him that hope.

          The strength of the brain/mind was also explored in the episode. First, Izzie believes that Derek’s cynical views of Christmas could have infected Mr. Epstein’s brain. He was having surgery. That’s a bit out there, but you never know. Then Burke mentioned something about the connection between body/mind/spirit. This is arguably the reason why Justin took a turn for the best. I’m just throwing suggestions out.

          Does this mean that Izzie has forgiven Alex? She did practically cry on his arms and she did help him study for his boards. In the last three episodes, Izzie has gone through a big change. She’s becoming more of a woman. It seems to be that Izzie was innocent; she didn’t know what the world was like yet. She assumed everything was easy with her modeling job and her excellent job as an intern at Seattle Grace hospital. She had a steady relationship with her rich boyfriend. Now, she tried going out with a jackass who did exactly what a jackass does: he cheated on her. She lost a baby girl while spending all night trying to save her and she’s never felt so distant from her friends since she met them. This is not a good time for Izzie.

Dear Diary

Izzie: I love Christmas. I decorated the house beautifully. I love decorating. I’m a Martha Stewart-type person. So I had to help Alex after I learnt all my “friends” were helping him behind my back. That really pissed me off. So I got angry with him a bit, and I got over it. I cried a bit and I helped him. He better pass those stupid exams. I’m not done yelling at him. I’m glad Meredith and the others are telling me they’re being supportive. They’re doing the best they can; I see that. I just wish they were happier than that. Did I make such a mistake dating Alex? Maybe I did. I’m glad they’re finally on my side. Merry Christmas!

Cristina: You know why I’m not spiritual? It’s because I believe in science and I believe in medicine. I don’t believe in the power of the mind and I don’t believe in a supernatural being. I can’t afford to. Science is the one thing I’ve got going for me. I treated a patient named Justin today. He had an annoying mother who shoved Christmas and Santa Claus down his throat. He doesn’t believe in God or all that crap. But his mother doesn’t listen nor does she really care. It bothers me to see such stupidity in the world. It really does. The funniest thing happened: I spoke to him and told him to want to get better. Dying is not a good revenge. A few hours later, he became better. Was it just a medical miracle? I’m skeptical.

Today’s Baileyisms

-          “When you operate, the rest of the world goes away. Hunger, thirst, pain. You don’t feel it in the OR, but it’s not that way when you’re sharing your body with another person.”

-          “Nausea. Comes with the hunger, Grey. GO!”

Quotable Quotes

-          George: “It looks like Santa threw up in here.”

-          Cristina: “I’m Jewish.”

Burke: “Seriously?” Seriously?

-          George: “Look at her belly! She’s almost as wide as she is tall!”

Meredith: “Are her ankles swollen? Is that why she’s waddling?”

Izzie: “What’s gonna happen to use when she goes on leave?”

Cristina: “Leave? She’s going on leave?”

Meredith: “What do you think happens when people push babies out of their vaginas?”

-          George: “Do you think we’re gonna get a new resident?”

Alex: “Nah, They’ll probably just let us all walk around unattended, see how much damage we can do.”

Izzie: “Yeah, well, you would know.”

-          Burke: “Oh. Well, if there are any more traditions you want me to be aware of...”

Cristina: “Seriously, Burke, I haven’t observed religious holidays since I was old enough to know better.”

-          Marion: “You hear that, baby? Santa Claus is bringing you a new heart for Christmas.”

Justin: “Well tell that fat ass I don’t want it!”

-          Chief: “Anxiety attacks, aneurysms, and ulcers.”

Bailey: “Must be December.”

-          Burke: “I believe there’s a mind-body-spirit connection. And if Justin really doesn't want this heart, his body will reject it.”

Cristina: “Okay, let me get this straight.”

-          George: “Paging Dr. Karev-ian.”

Bailey: “What did you just say?”

George: “Ah-it, it’s a joke, Kevorkian, Karev-ian...Alex Karev?”

-          Alex: “Any abdominal pain.”

Cristina: “Yes, from my giant fat belly all the way to my back. Oh and I’m drunk. Hiccup. Hiccup.” This was hysterical.

-          Bailey: “Do not kick me!”

George: “Excuse me?”

Bailey: “Are you kicking me under the table, O’Malley?”

George: “No!”

Bailey: “Than clearly I wasn’t talking to you!”

-          Alex: “Why would you help me after what I did?”

Izzie: “Because it’s what Jesus would freakin’ do.”

Some Final Notes

-          Meredith’s house looks like the North Pole. It looked great. I’m a Christmas freak.

-          Cristina is Jewish and Burke wants a Cristmas tree.

-          Izzie wanted to buy Bailey’s kid a gift or she wanted to do a Secret Santa thing. I like both ideas.

-          Tim Epstein fell off the roof of his house hanging up his Christmas lights. His personality changed after he had his first surgery because there was bleeding in his frontal lobe. He made his kids cry. I’m becoming as good as a doctor.

-          Nadia Shelton has ulcers. She had been rescheduled for three days straight. I was seriously going to smack her whole family out.

-          Justin called Santa Claus a fat-ass.

-          George made a fool of himself in the OR when he made fun of Karev killing a patient. That’s not nice.

-          Derek is pissed off this week. He hates the idea of Chrismukkah and the holidays. People do stupid things and need brain surgeries. He needs to lay back and go Christmas shopping with his wife.

-          I liked the fact that every intern was helping Alex. I like how they come together.

-          Bailey wanted a strawberry milk shake. Extra thick. Watching her drink it was hysterical.

-          Meredith describes Alex as Dirty Uncle Sal. I won’t go into details.

-          I liked watching Bailey talk to her baby in the OR. She’s going to be a great mother.

-          Izzie saying, “it’s what Jesus would freakin’ do” is an instant classic scene. I was laughing for hours.

-          I’m glad George finally yelled at that spastic family. The Sheltons are no longer welcome in Seattle.

-          Derek says he fell in love with Meredith. Why would you tell your wife that?

-          Burke set up Hannukah candles and a Christmas tree.

-          The last scene with Izzie, Meredith, George and Doc looking up at the tree was nice.

This is probably not a classic episode but it’s a personal favourite. 5 stars

-          Next episode

-          Grey’s Anatomy season 2

-          Grey’s Anatomy