Deanie87

Ugh, I really, really hope that there is some larger meaning to all of this and that it is going to somehow give focus to this season because there is not one thing so far that interests me about this. Owen has a PTSD flare up, Meredith is a victim of some tragedy and everyone rallies around, Amelia falls off the wagon and gets bugged eyed and screamy. How about something we haven't already seen for a change?

I haven't had a chance to finish last night's episode, but I was very surprised that Colbert didn't mention anything about David Bowie. Did he later on? (I have only gotten to the second El Chapo segment.)

I agree, but I'm sure that the majority of the cast, especially those who have been around awhile, actually prefer having the time off and that may have a lot to do with why they keep it this way. The ratings are still very high and it's still a money maker, so why fix what they may feel ain't broken. The quality of the show itself suffers, but I am not convinced that this is much of a concern anymore, tbh.

This describes the majority of the cast, minus the once per season centric episode. There are 3-4 characters who get true storylines and guaranteed scree time these days while everyone else just rotates in and out with a patient here or a tiny thread of a storyline there. I think that unless your favorite is one of those actors then you may be rooting for them to leave the show. I definitely think that at least a couple of cast members are leaving. SaRa and JW seem most likely at this point, though I wouldn't be shocked if JC left either. There are a few reasons why he hasn't done any press in over a year, and his contract status may be one of the reasons. One can only hope.

I think it will be a patient also, or some never before seen hospital employee. I guess maybe Owen, but it would have to be in the midst of some crazy PTSD episode, but even then, that is a lot to put on a character. I am as tired of the Mer/Alex/Jo "triangle" as I am of the Perils of Meredith Grey, so I really hope not. I don't think that Jo would ever, ever come back from that, regardless of what happened between her and Alex. Not to mention, if Jo hasn't slapped Meredith silly by now, I don't think it is going to happen. However, they could be setting up a way for Jo and Meredith to connect, considering they have hinted at Jo being the victim of violent (and probably sexual) assault. I wouldn't mind that so much. While I wouldn't blame Camilla for wanting to move on, I would be very surprised if she left willingly.

I forgot about that speculation, that could be interesting, although I wonder how "stand alone" it will be. That scenario would also make sense as I could imagine Denzel being up for the challenge of directing that kind of episode. I'm kind of finding it hard to imagine how they will fill all 42 minutes with silence from Meredith's perspective, but I guess we'll see. Maybe some characters (like Jo and Alex) won't even be in the episode, which I would actually prefer, especially since it would make sense that the entire would take place at the hospital. And to be fair to the writers, its possible that they had to take Denzel when they could get him, hence this episode kind of coming in the middle of a bunch of other stuff. I am okay with that as long as it doesn't set a huge precedent. When Will and Grace, for example, started planning their episodes around guest stars, it really affected the show in a negative way. I would hate for Grey's to become a go to for every friend of Shonda's or Debbie Allen's who decides that what they really want to do is direct. That is a worst-case scenario, of course, but I am wary anyway.

I agree. I think that the third kid was a completely ill-thought out idea, kind of like a "look here is a shiny baby to make you forget that we just killed McDreamy." But since they made it a huge plot point, it is silly to now ignore it. I have always felt that having 3 kids wasn't entirely in Meredith's character, but since they did it, they should really acknowledge it realistically. One of the premises of the show is the comparison of Meredith vs. Ellis, and her time with and away from her kids is a big part of that.

This would be my hope. I really do think that they have been writing Meredith in this way on purpose, so I would be thrilled if they address it in this episode and that will make way for her to be there for others and to pave the way for her friendship/romance with the new guy.

I still think that this is going to be Meredith's "come to Jesus" episode in some way. But other characters will be on the periphery. My prediction for Alex and Jo: We finally cut to them for the first time at the end of the episode and Jo is about to respond to the proposal when Alex's phone rings and its Meredith (to make sure that she is in every scene) letting him know that she has been in yet another accident/shooting/bombing. Alex cuts Jo off and instead of muttering "JFC, not again, I'm too old for this shit" like a normal person would, he tosses the ring at Jo and races to Meredith's side. Which will make Jo the bad guy again because god forbid Alex deal with his own crisis and not Meredith's. I just hope that the next episode starts with Alex returning home to an empty apartment. My alternate prediction is that we pick up days after the proposal with Alex telling Meredith Jo's response. Which sucks in every way. Imagine, Mer and Der on the elevator back in season five, only instead of answering, Meredith gets off at the next stop to find Cristina for whatever reason. I'm sure that would go over wonderfully. Its not that I begrudge Meredith getting her own episode, its that it comes smack dab in the middle of episodes where other characters have FINALLY gotten something to do I also don't understand why a show that has started to rebrand itself as the Meredith Grey show again, insists on adding 2-3 characters every season, especially when Meredith doesn't have real relationships with half of the cast on the show now as it is. I hope that many characters are leaving at the end of the season and I especially hope that Alex is one of them.

For a short fix, Gosford Park is excellent and I think Fellowes was involved in the writing or producing as well. But if you really want to sink your teeth into something wonderful, I have to echo everyone who suggests the original Upstairs/Downstairs. In fact, were this not such a mannered and genteel show and forum, I would demand that all of you stop what you are doing and start watching it now! :) It is far superior to Downton in nearly every way (except, of course, cinamatography and scenery) and, IMO, is the bar that every show like it should be measured against. Even Fellowes must have thought so, given how many times he ripped it off. I watched it not long before Downton premiered and I was shocked at how many storylines were either taken directly from or "inspired" by U/D. Having said all of that, it can take a bit of getting used to, as it is filmed on a stage set and can be very theatrical. Unfortunately, no long and loving shots of the Yorkshire countryside, but the acting, the drama and the storylines are so good that you will barely miss it. I didn't catch it when it originally aired, but once I started it, I pretty much did nothing else until I had seen the entire thing. If there were any anachronisms, I don't remember them, and there really wasn't any softening of attitudes to reflect the current culture (which was the seventies, but still). And some of the storylines were pretty racy given that it was a British period piece from nearly a half-century ago (clearly, I hadn't yet discovered I, Claudius - yikes!) All of Bates and Anna's misery won't be in vain if U/D benefits from a renaissance!

That's what I was thinking! I generally like Robert, but does he really not understand the implications of "Well, no one has 5 housemaids anymore. It just isn't done"? Violet, of all people, got it when she asked if it really worth putting that many people out of work just because having so many servants isn't fashionable anymore. I know that Robert remarked that the wages were much higher, but the house ain't getting any smaller, so unless he and Mary are going to start washing windows, those poor souls left are going to have to work even more hours in a day to get it all done. I guess eventually they will have to start closing up some rooms. I will say, though, that I love the looks on the faces of the Upstairs faction when confronted with anything that doesn't conform to "the way its always been." When Carson tells Robert that one of the staff got another job because her fiancee wanted to spend evenings with her, he looked so very confused. And I actually loved the cheek of the blackmailer. Yes, she was awful, but it was worth it just to see the utter apoplexy of Carson, Mary and the rest, at just how little respect the blackmailer was showing them. I would love a little more of that.

I will definitely report back after reading the Tey book. I haven't read others of hers and I do love historical fiction, especially British history, so I imagine that I will enjoy it. Before I start it though, I have to finish The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, which was also on the list of best mysteries. I am only on the third chapter, but so far I really like it. It doesn't seem to be a mystery in the sense of murder and detectives, more along the lines of a mysterious antiquarian book dealer and the quest for the enigmatic author, etc. etc. Lots of eccentric book lovers, gorgeously described libraries and 1945 Barcelona so what's not to love! Edited for double post

She doesn't seem to write as many Hamish books as she does the Agatha Raisin for some reason, which is shame. They are old-fashioned in the best sense.

I just started listening to the latest Agatha Raisin mystery, Dishing the Dirt on audiobook and I am not sure that I am going to make it through to even the next disc. Now this series is not high literature on its best days, but the books are usually light and charming and pretty funny, perfect for listening to while cleaning or driving. The most recent installments have been flimsier than usual, but this one is the worst yet. The entire plot starts at like the second sentence, with no introductory atmosphere or anything. Then the narrator sort of just explains the plot rather than have the characters "live" the story. I know that Beaton is getting up there in years, but this is really bad so far. She is always one of my go tos when I want something light and breezy (love the Hamish Macbeth's also), so I hate to give up on her. I also got Joesphine Tey's The Daughter of Time Christmas which I am excited to start. It is lauded as one of the best mysteries of all time, but it has been really hard to locate in any of the libraries in my entire state for some reason.

I just finished episode 2 and I agree that it gets more interesting, and hopefully will as it goes on. I don't know all that much about the case, but I did find the different military accounts and the local accounts interesting. It sounds like Sarah (or whoever is making the documentary) is going to be able to get some good information and so far some of the "characters" that have been introduced have been honest and funny, at times. I wasn't hooked after this season's first episode, but I also found much of the Adnan case to be less than thrilling as well. So I am looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

Yeah, its weird. Quinn has been my favorite for the last couple of seasons, and I thought I wanted him and Carrie to get together, but it turns out I liked the idea of them better than any reality. I didn't like the letter and I didn't think it sounded like Quinn at all, and I don't really buy Carrie having any real romantic feelings for him. It was better when there was just a lot of respect and maybe Quinn having a unrequited and unspoken crush. I guess maybe his emotions were still raw and that is where it all came from, but still. So while I hope that Quinn isn't dead, I would rather he and Carrie stick with very close colleagues who have "what might have been" potential. Plus, I'm pissed that it took his death or brain-death in order to find out a tiny scrap of Quinn's background and I wasn't able to imagine him palling around with any of the guys from The Wire for the past few seasons. He could take out Marlo and his crew with no problem. Fanfic writers - make it happen!

But even if he isn't dead, and even if he miraculously survived, he won't really ever be Quinn again. I just wish the hadn't given hi such a severe and definitive prognosis, however realistic it may have been.

Quinn. I'm fine with Allison being gone, although I think it was a bit anti-climatic. I would have liked to see a final scene with Saul, Dar or even Carrie. Plus I had hoped that she would somehow alert someone to the trafficking house. I'm naive like that I guess. Quinn renewed my interest in the show. I don't find Carrie that interesting on her own anymore, and Quinn just made everyone around him better and there was still a lot to explore, even without the romantic connection. I'm not sure that Carrie and Saul are enough for me to turn in next season.

I think the show just made a huuuuge mistake.

I also wonder if it has to do with the tone of the other Shondaland shows. I don't watch Scandal, but I do sometimes catch HTGAWM, and Viola Davis's character is morally gray, to say the least, if not an outright villian sometimes. From what I understand, Olivia Pope can be seen as not such a moral character either. So with all of the attention that those shows get and with the "Greatest Era of TV" emphasis on the anti-hero (Tony Soprano, Walter White, every person on The Wire), I do wonder if there wasn't a deliberate effort on someone's part (Shonda, Ellen) to make Meredith more of the anti-hero type, like Annalise and Olivia, and in her own way, Cristina. Basically, the characters that get the most attention. The problem is, we are 11 years into Grey's and that just isn't who Meredith is, at least not to the extent that she has been written in the last couple of years, and I personally don't believe that losing your person and your husband would make someone change to that degree, especially when she still has so many blessings to count. My hope is that the writers are aware of this shift and that at some point (and soon) Meredith will come to realize it as well and then do something about it.

I don't think it makes her an uncaring monster either, and I agree that characters' reactions have been glossed over, but in this particular episode they made a point of showing many characters responding with compassion and Meredith...decidedly not. I don't recall if every character went to the chapel, but I do remember Alex and Owen, Jo and Stephanie, Arizona, Bailey and Amelia, maybe more. That is quite a few that didn't have anything to do with Jackson and April's storyline. This particular situation stood out to me precisely because Meredith's actions seemed so cold and so far removed from everything that was happening with everyone else and so far from who she had been presented as previously. The writers seemed to go out of their way to contrast Meredith's behavior with nearly everyone else's. So it didn't seem like just one more thing to be chalked up to too many characters. It seemed deliberate. I don't think the blind item is about Alex and Izzie's eggs, although that would be interesting. But if you break it down, the hints don't really work in that direction. I totally understand that the cast and crew are excited for Denzel to direct an episode and maybe if I was on set, I would be excited too. But I'm not on set, and the show has been off of the air for roughly 5 of the past 7 months and my favorite characters were on screen for maybe 20 minutes of the entire prior season total. So, Denzel directing an episode that has been described as all about Meredith doesn't excite me much, regardless of how good an actor he is or how good of a "get" he is for Shondaland.

Well that particular incident stands out to me because it really highlighted how much she has changed. Nearly every other character went into the church to light a candle, and most of them didn't have anything to do with the storyline either. Meredith, on the other hand, burst into the chapel and interrupted Bailey because she was so insistent on leaving to have sex with Derek (or go hang out in a hotel room alone). She didn't even acknowledge why Bailey was in the chapel. Maybe she sent a card or flowers, but we have no reason to believe she did because it was never mentioned. I can only go by what was onscreen or was mentioned in passing. Other characters had other things going on in that episode but they were specifically shown doing something out of respect and Meredith wasn't, and in fact she was shown disregarding Bailey's attempt at showing respect as well. The Meredith that has been shown from the beginning of season 11 until now is almost unrecognizable to me as the same character. I have been watching some of the Lifetime repeats and I can't imagine the Meredith of even season 7-8 acting like that. Whatever warmth and compassion that she used to have has been missing for awhile, IMO.

I found it! I have no clue how reliable this source is given its name, but it seems like it is getting its information from other places. Looking at it again, I see that it addresses other characters, not Jackson and April. Do you mean that maybe she sees someone who resembles her and then goes into some kind of AU or dream sequence? I would be on board with that as long as it isn't her having another near death experience. What I would really like is some kind of Christmas Carol/Its a Wonderful Life type deal where Meredith realizes that she is pushing away the very people who can help her and it opens her eyes to the feelings of other people (and I don't mean Penny, I just don't give a shit about her.) Its a month too late for the Christmas scenario, but I would love to see some kind of epiphany and then a change in her. It would be even better if we see that there is a reason for the way that she has been acting since the beginning of season 11. Maybe she is hostile to Jo because she fears losing Alex like she did Cristina. Maybe she never acknowledged Jackson and April's baby because it brought back sad memories (that's a reach but still.) She is the central character but seems so far removed from many of the other storylines, and barely has scenes with at least of a quarter of the cast. I think that I would be more interested in Meredith's journey if it didn't amount to either rising above through Penny, a character who nobody cares about, or simply being awful to nearly everyone around her because she has experienced tragedy, although her personality shift actually began even before Derek died. There are many other aspects of her journey that haven't been explored that I would be more interested in seeing. I'm glad that you are looking forward to it, and maybe I will as we get closer and find out more about it. It sounds like maybe some other characters will get some forward movement too, so that helps.

I have to say that the lack of ANY kind of info or spoilers or sides, is really irritating. No offense to him, but why should I care if Denzel Washington is directing an episode? Maybe if he was acting in it, or it was Quentin Tarantino or another director with a very specific style or point of view I would care. But just telling me that Denzel is directing, doesn't do much for me as far as the show goes. I mean, its still the same writers, right? I read something about episode 9 awhile ago, but I can't seem to find it now to link it. Anyway, the article said that we will find out what happens as far as Alex's proposal and also what happens with April and Jackson in episode 9, but that Ellen Pompeo is in every scene. Which leads me to guess that Jo says no and Alex is commiserating with Meredith about it and that maybe there is a tiny time jump (of a day or so) and somehow Jackson and April get brought up. In other words, we get ripped off as far as any real reactions from the characters in their particular storylines themselves so that Meredith can possibly get injured again, either in real time or in some type of AU or dream state. Unless I get more or conflicting information about it, I really think that this is a stupid way to come back after a 2 month break, a very, very brief return of 8 episodes, not to mention the godawful mess that was the majority of season 11. I just don't think that Denzel and an entire episode of this version of Meredith, is much of a reward for the incredible patience of fans who have stuck around until this point. JMO.

I totally agree and I have always seen it as a different take on a relationship/romantic comedy. Its what you get when two people who reject every notion of romance and sentimentality (either through self-preservation or because they think they are "too cool" for it) and then find themselves facing it. I would probably still like it if everyone were flat out monsters because it is funny, but the moments of sweetness or "romance" here mean that much more to me because it often has to be pulled kicking and screaming from the characters. Comedy and humor are one of the most subjective topics around. Parks and Rec was sweet, and Leslie, Ben and Ann weren't a laugh a minute, granted. But personally, I can't understand how some people don't find Ron Swanson, Perd Hapley, Jean Ralphio, or Andy Dwyer all hilarous (all characters from P & R for the uninitiated), but like I said it is subjective. After seeing the whole season of YTW, I appreciate the LCD Soundsystem and A Rapidly Mutating Virus episodes, even if I didn't really enjoy them. I don't need this show to be funny all of the time, but my favorite part of the show, and my main reason for watching, is the interactions of Jimmy and Gretchen, whether they are sweet, horrible or somewhere in between. So I just don't enjoy the episodes that don't have that nearly as much.