I’ll tell ya. I was so worried that the writers wouldn’t be able to top last season that I was praying for it to be half as good. We can accept half as good. Then this episode airs, and the whole world is talking about it. They should. At this point, I don’t know what else they can do. It feels as if the writers have taken everything out. I keep telling myself not to worry. Enjoy the freakin’ ride.

          In the spirit of Lost, I’ll start with the flashbacks. Just perfect. This is rare for a show of this genre to have flashbacks. It feels out of place. But the writers pulled it off. The fans wanted to see the first time everybody met. There were so many allusions to that cocktail party; I’m surprised everything was so consistent. I perfectly remember George talking about Meredith’s black dress with her stiletto shoes. Everything was perfectly done. Should I have ever doubted the writers? And of course, who can forget to mention the first time Izzie and Alex exchanged their “seriously.” We have to thank Alex for bringing out the hardcore Izzie Stevens. She looked like a princess at that party. Alex predicted Izzie to be the first intern to drop the program. He told her straight out. In a way, she was. In an interview, Shonda Rhimes also stated that she envisioned Izzie to be the first one to leave the program. I would have thought Alex. Just goes to show how much I know. I also loved the scenes with Addison and Derek. I thought him actually throwing Addison with her belongings out of the house to be rough and un-Derek. Kate Walsh did a great job looking depressed and sounding depressed. She is the most underrated actor on the show. We can’t forget the breakup scene between Ellis and Webber. Kudos to Kate Burton for acting out the carrousel scene so magnificently. Form far, Ellis looked really young. That angle works for her.

          Why didn’t Meredith make her choice? Let me guess: Does Shonda want to torture me anymore than necessary? Possibly. Do I need a resolution to this cliffhanger soon? Yes. Why? Because I might die waiting. As far as whom I want Meredith with after watching the premiere, I want her with McVet. He’s such a better guy. Ever since Derek called her a “slut,” I haven’t been able to like him. Personally, I have a feeling that Meredith will certainly choose McDreamy. Or, Shonda can pull a Friends move and have them hook up in the last episode. I don’t like the second option. McVet came out nasty though. He openly stated that Derek brings out the worst in her. He’s right.

          Katherine Heigl has been kick-ass these past two years. For Izzie, it isn’t the fact that she lost Denny that has her all shaken up; it’s the way he died. His death was spontaneous and in many ways, she still blames herself for his death. Referencing back to the season two finale, Izzie thinks it’s her fault Denny died. If she hadn’t spent all her time trying on every possible death, she would have been there for Denny. That’s a hard thought to have with you for the rest of your life. I do think she’ll return to the hospital. I just don’t know when.

          Sandra Oh was picture perfect. Cristina is a multi-layered character. Dissecting her personality is complex in itself. Having to understand it is worse. She offered some great comedic relief. Cristina talking about religion and a shivah was hysterical. I also loved watching her give Meredith the third degree. Meredith tried so hard keeping the night before a secret. It’s out in the open now. Then of course, her crying on Burke’s shoulder was powerful. Denny’s death has affected everyone in different ways. I love the way everyone’s handling the aftermath.

Dear Diary:

George: I almost died today. I was put under quarantine after a supposed spread of the plague was in the hospital. I spent a whole afternoon with Derek in the locker room. When I got home, Callie came running to hug me. I still can’t tell her I love her. I don’t know why. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. How much longer can I go without telling her I love her? I can’t tell her I will lover her “soonish.” Life doesn’t work that way.

Meredith: What is everyone’s problem? Why can’t they focus on the important events of the past two days? Burke has been shot, Denny died and Izzie quit the program. Izzie is going through a traumatic experience and everyone focuses on my screw-up. So I lost my panties in a hospital room. Big deal. So I haven’t chosen between McVet and McDreamy. Big deal. I still have plenty of time.

Quotable Quotes

-          Meredith: “So all of a sudden I’m the president of crappy lives.”

-          Cristina: “What did Derek say?”

Meredith: “He said, ‘Meredith what does this mean?’”

Cristina: “He had sex with you and he’s acting all McGuilty. All he says is, ‘Meredith, what does this mean?’ What does this mean?” Loved this one.

-          (In a flashback) Derek (to Addison): You screwed my best friend and al you can say is, ‘he was just there.’

-          George: “And we die in here with the crappy benches and the dirty scrubs and the old food in the lockers.”

Derek: “There’s food in the lockers?”

-          Callie: “Don't take it personally. It's the doctor-thing.”
Finn: “What?”
Callie: “Four years of high school. Four years of college. Four years of med school, at the time we graduate we're in our late twenties and we haven't done anything except go to school and think about science. Time stops. We're socially retarded. I mean look at me: I'm in love with a guy who won't say he loves me back and here I am in his kitchen cooking just hoping he comes home and notices me. I mean I'm a total freak. I'm that girl in the back of the class who eats her hair. Meredith is 17 years old; we're all 17 years old. This is high school with scalpels, Finn.” I love Callie.

-          George: “As usual, Cristina is too lazy to fill her locker with food.”

-          (In a flashback) Meredith: “I don’t have a story. I’m just a girl in a bar.”

Derek: “I’m just a guy in the bar.”

-          Derek: “I'm in love with you. I've been in love with for...forever. I'm a little late. I know I'm a little late to tell you that. I just want you to take your time. You know? Take all the time you need. Because you have a choice to make. And when I had a choice to make, I chose wrong.”

-          Cristina: “Don’t ever die.”

Burke: “I’ll do my best.”

Some Final Notes

-          Kate Walsh is unbelievable. Her character is dynamic. We met Addison as a cold and professional doctor. She’s ended up as woman clinging to her old reputation. Her scenes with the schoolgirls were powerful.

-          Poor Callie. Her conversation with Finn was fun. She really knows how to light up the mood.

-          George and Derek stuck in the locker room for the night was hysterical. For the first time, Derek learned something from George. Time isn’t always at your disposal.

-          Chandra Wilson keeps awing me. Her scenes with Omar were powerful and most importantly, meaningful. She took Bailey beyond the “nazi” attitude. She took Bailey deep down to her roots. It was the first time we ever saw Bailey melt down in the hospital as a surgeon. She’s done it as a mother, but not a surgeon.

-          Do you think Webber will retire? Adele is keen on getting him out of there.

-          This week’s episode beat CSI. I’m writing with a smile on my face.

-          I have a hard time believing that the girl’s grandparents didn’t notice their granddaughter pregnant. Give me a break.

-          Addison found Meredith’s panties. Here comes the bulletin board.

-          Why don’t we hear the theme song anymore?

-          This episode was supposed to be the second episode. Shonda reversed the order.

-          We better find out who Meredith chooses next week.

Awesome opener. I was worried they weren’t going to keep up with last season. I couldn’t be more wrong. 4 stars

-          Next episode

-          Grey’s Anatomy season 3

-          Grey’s Anatomy main