Deanie87

And honestly, if I thought that the writers were going somewhere with this, it would sit better with me (maybe and hopefully they are). It makes sense that she would think the worst of someone right off the bat, but it still comes off like the usual "throw someone under the bus to make another character look good" trope that Grey's trots out time and again. Part of the problem is that Jo's character has been here for 3 seasons and has been written all over the place with her backstory thrown in once or twice a season when its convenient but then forgotten the rest of the time. I think that the writing and characterization has been a little better this season for the most part (in the little that we have seen and compared to the horrendous writing of the past couple of seasons), so I am cautiously optimistic. I like Jo and I don't need her to be a "nice" character and I don't care if she comes off as a bitch with a chip on her shoulder as long as they give some motivation and write her consistently from here on out.

I think that the only people who put stock into this "feud" are the fans. According to everything I've read, Patrick Dempsey is happy to be off of Grey's and racing and the majority of the cast isn't missing him. Everybody wins.

I haven't watched the whole episode yet, but didn't Stephanie lie about working for the Chief a couple of episodes ago to get ahead? So its not like Jo not believing her is coming out of nowhere.

I've also read some speculation that it could be similar to the Buffy episode Hush, where there is almost no dialogue in the episode. Or maybe the perspective of a deaf patient. Stacy McKee does write most of the more gimmicky episodes, so there could be something to that.

Well the episode is called The Sound of Silence, so yep, I predict another disaster of some kind. Sigh.

I wonder if its going to be the mid-season finale? I hope not, only because I really don't like the uneven "seasons" like this. I am enjoying this season o far and this kind of just loses the momentum.

I agree, but wow, his segment with Elvis Costello was so, so awesome! It doesn't hurt that I am a huge fan of both, but I loved how Stephen whipped out a lyric from a lesser known song off the top of his head (I assume.) When Stephen is a real fan of something or someone, there is nothing better. And this interview in particular, was a big example of how Stephen differs from the other late night hosts: he just seems like an adult. I know that he isn't that much older than either of the Jimmys (and I am roughly the same age as all of them), but he just seems to exude depth and a soulfulness that the other guys just don't. I found myself very moved by Elvis and Stephen watching the clip of Elvis's dad and their conversation afterward even though it was jokey and not played as a deep or melancholy moment. I don't know, it was a short segment and, again, not overly serious, but it somehow didn't feel like just another celebrity interview, at least to me. I couldn't look away.

I wish that they would also clarify what the deal is with Alex's shares. He didn't get the board seat, but if he did get the shares (and we never heard that he didn't), then he should also be a decision maker as a shareholder. Or at the very least rich and he doesn't seem to be that either considering he likes to live in a sketchy area because its cheap. I guess he wouldn't be rich if he didn't cash out, though, and he could just be very frugal given his childhood. Its reasons like this that I hate the board too. It may be their dumbest storyline decision ever.

Yeah, my problem is that the show wants it both ways with the kids. They make the conception/having the kids MAJOR soapy plot points, and then don't know what to do with them. The Mark/Callie/AZ was their story for like 2 seasons, losing Zola was a huge issue between Derek and Meredith and was even part of a cliffhanger. The used Meredith's completely unnecessary youngest kid to wring the pathos out of Derek's death. And then....nothing. Which, again, is fine with me I would prefer that there were no kids on the show at all. Contrast that with Bailey, whose pregnancy and birth was a one episode big deal (and then one more when Tuck got hurt) but for the most part, it was just a fleeting part of Bailey's storyline and didn't effect every storyline after, so I don't mind that we don't see Tuck very often. I agree, I like that they have a pretty healthy relationship, all things considered, and I like that they know each other well enough to know what the underlying reasons are for their fights. Jo knew Alex well enough to know that he was "proposing" because he was emotional about his dad and Alex knows Jo well enough to know that all of her neediness and out of the blue questions are based on her insecurity about the permanence of things in her life. I actually love that about them. But I still want something more and deeper for them and I have a really hard time believing that the writers can't come up with something that makes sense for them as a couple to work through. Part of the problem is that they started as a couple so late in the series and most things have already been done before. But I think that with their past and with stage of life difference, it isn't impossible to put a new spin on conflict between them that doesn't involve cheating or a lovechild coming out of the woodwork. I hope there is more to come for them.

Yeah, and I think that there are plenty of times that Alex has just been an asshole because he is an asshole. We weren't asked to sympathize with him when he ratted Addison out to the husband of the woman with the hysterectomy, we weren't asked to sympathize with him the many times he was flat out rude to George or a total dick to Izzie. In the earlier seasons, I thought that the writers did a good job of showing some kind of motivation as to why Alex did stuff, but not necessarily asking us to excuse him for it. He has always been the most self-aware character as well, and that goes a long way with me. And I would rather see the motivation behind a character's actions than just having to fanwank constantly about it (see: Izzie, Derek). So, I'm not really sure what kind of character development would have been better? Just a 1 dimensional misogynistic dick constantly? He wouldn't have lasted on the show, IMO. Or have him turn completely into one of the "good characters" like Derek, Izzie or George, who behave just as badly or hurt people just as much, but surround themselves in such self-righteousness and "goodness" that characters actually line up to tell them that they are good people after they cheat or do other emotional damage to someone? Alex never gets that. He gets called out on every bad thing that he does (even if 20 people have done the exact same thing with no consequences), he only has people lining up to praise him when he actually does something good. And even then its not every time. I know that I am biased when it comes to Alex and I probably defend him more than he deserves, but I think that he has had a lot of organic character growth. The writer/recapper doesn't like him and is right in that Alex Karev is a completely cliched character: hot manwhore D-bag with hard luck story and secret heart of gold, especially with the babies. But I think that Justin Chambers has done a lot with what could have been a horrible character and made him into more than just a cliche. I'm not sure what the better alternative would have been and I certainly wouldn't call him a bad character.

I don't mind that we never see the kids, and in fact I don't want to see them. But since the show goes out of the way to make these kids a plot point (Callie got pregnant by Mark GASP, Derek died and Meredith was PREGNANT when it happened!!!111), it does irritate me that they don't put more effort into explaining some of these things. Otherwise, stop having characters have more kids. Why does Meredith need 3? As for the drinking, I am one who drank more once my son was born, at least in frequency if not in volume LOL! He drove me to it! But I think that I would throw up if I even smelled tequila much less chugged it from a bottle. Of course, what's the point of having an annoying sister in law who doesn't drink, if not to take care of your kids when you are half in the bag? ETA - ChickenWing and I posted at the same time and neither of us want to see those brats anymore than we have to! Also I think that the whole thing was just a trumped up way to tease the promo, none of it was necessary or even coherent given what the actual plot was.

Me too, me too! And this was the first substantial storyline that he has gotten since his father died way back at the beginning of season 10, so it was doubly exciting. And maybe I was looking at everything through my Alex heart-eyes filter, but I enjoyed nearly everything about this episode, even Maggie's rambling and even Amelia's humor. I wish this was the character screentime ratio in every episode, but that is probably me trying to turn my inch into a mile. I loved Alex being a great doctor, but it was also great to see one of these doctors being scared and unsure of himself for once. I would imagine that is closer to reality than the posturing and arrogance that most of the doctors show constantly. I loved that he took the burden off of the parents and put it on himself and then second-guessed that decision and then tried for a Hail Mary. And I loved how supportive Arizona and Bailey were about it and how much confidence they had in him. The director's gimmicky camera work could have been cheesy, but I loved it. From the camera staying on Alex while first Bailey and then DeLuca gave their monologues to the semi-ridiculous slo-mo of Sensitive Doctor Alex taking off his mask and gown in sadness to cradle the baby on his chest while forlorn Beck played in the background...I fucking ate that Karev porn up with a spoon! If it had been any other doctor I would have sprained my eyes from rolling them so hard, but I'm a hypocrite like that. Speaking of DeLuca, I like the Karev-lite thing he has going on and I would love to see him work more with Alex. I am even on board with the Maggie hook-up. I also loved (for once) Bailey calling the Chief out for coddling Meredith. I loved Jackson and his attempt to be civil and reasonable and how it always devolved into rage. He still obviously has feelings for April, but man she needs to take a giant step back. And she needs to prove to him that she wants to fight for HIM, not just for some vows or idea of marriage. I like Ben and Jackson's friendship as well, and I am just generally happy with all of the guys on my screen. As for Alex and Jo, eh. I am very glad that Jo isn't pregnant and that they talked about Izzie, but the promos and even that scene in the bathroom with Stephanie were completely unnecessary and manipulative. And while I loved the cute scene of Alex in his underwear(!) at the end, this isn't a storyline. I want them to work through something that can't be resolved in one episode. Also, since when is Jo concerned with labeling their relationship, she was the one who didn't want to do it before. I understand that finding out that Alex may have potential babies out in the world would be upsetting, but he timing was terrible and anger seemed to be based on that 5 second elevator conversation. In the end, though, I like that Alex mentioned that he gets angry and she gets insecure when they have issues, but I want to see more of that. But also for the love of god, can Jo please do something outside of just being a girlfriend?!? For a show that congratulates itself on its "feminism" (I mean, even the girl twin was the one who made it LOL), they sure are dropping the ball when it comes to Jo. I really, really hope that changes. I thought about this too. Her mother could show up, but wouldn't Alex have to be notified, at the very least, if the embryos actually got implanted? He talked as though he knew for a fact that nothing had ever been done with them. I would like another conversation where Alex can put not only his marriage to Izzie in perspective, but also her abandonment of him and his asking her to leave. I would like to see what, if anything, he has taken from all of that beyond blaming himself, and what part his relationship with Jo has played into his coming to grips with it. I realize that I may as well ask for another Alex-centric episode co-starring Kyle Chandler's reanimated bomb squad guy, but its still want I want.

Maybe it is a dinner party to celebrate both Bailey and Meredith's promotions. I could see that not being all that important to Meredith and her forgetting that they are supposed to be celebrating her. But aren't some cast members not at the dinner party? I can't remember the BTS photo but I thought that Richard, Maggie and Ben weren't there, so I guess that at least points toward it not being to celebrate anything for Bailey. Maybe when they are trying to cheer Maggie up, they drunkenly decide to throw a party and then forget, and Maggie won't be able to make it anyway. I don't know...I wish they weren't being so stingy with sides and info!

I agree. I don't hate April and I know that all people grieve differently, but he told her how he felt and she left. Having gotten what SHE needed, she is ready to work on the marriage. As he said, it is all on her terms and much of their relationship has been that way. The way she left and came back and then left again, only to now expect everything to work out the way she wants gives me Alex/Izzie vibes and that is not how I usually see April and it ain't a good look.

I think that is a little unfair to Richard. Maggie may be his biological daughter, but going by what we have seen onscreen (regardless of the stupid time jump), they are little more than strangers, work colleagues at best. They have had a couple of heart to hearts and Maggie has made it perfectly clear that she has a father and wants nothing to do with Richard in that respect, which is perfectly her right. But its not like Maggie is longing for a connection with him that he refuses to give. I think the effort that he has made with her is perfectly reasonable, given that he never even knew she existed until she showed up. Beyond that, he is just closer to Bailey and Meredith, regardless of biology. Compared to them, Maggie is co-worker who has made it pretty clear that she doesn't want to be much more. I think him giving her any kind of symbolic medical item would come completely out of nowhere, as he hasn't mentored her and only known her as the fully-formed genius doctor that she is now . If he had something of Ellis's that he hadn't already given to Meredith or something, I think that would be more appropriate.

I haven't been this excited for an episode since season 10. I'm bound to be disappointed, but its nice to look forward to the show and have something to speculate about! I don't think that Jo is pregnant either, but I do hope that the scenes in the bathroom with Steph and the elevator scenes are related. The things that puzzle/intrigue me are: 1. The summary says that the secret is one that Jo "has been keeping" from Alex, which doesn't sound like she just found out she is pregnant. Maybe she has had "female" issues in the past and the news she got this morning is a confirmation of something that will affect Alex too (which makes it sound fertility related.) 2. The fact that Jo asks if she really needs to tell Alex point to it not being a pregnancy 3. The "Its not like I wanted this to happen" does sound like a pregnancy. Its probably something completely not related to any of this and will be something that can be resolved by the end of the episode and that will be their "storyline" for the remainder of the first half of the season LOL! Ugh! All of the theories and speculation on the various interwebz is making me nervous!

I know he had less than a minute of screen time in this episode but if Alex Karev isn't in the top 3 of characters who have grown, then someone needs to revist their "Reformed Man Whores Who Have Secret Pain and Also A Heart of Gold Especially With Babies Chliche" handbook.

Last night I said to myself that I am now as familiar with Maggie and her various family members' vaginas as I am with my own. How are there no gynos on this show?!? At least that would give a real reason for the word to get mentioned as much as it does. No offense to vaginas of course.

My mini revelation is that I now prefer those characters to Meredith, Maggie, Amelia and sometimes Callie. I think we just got waaaaay too much of them last season (and the 3 seasons prior in the case of Callie) and the majority of their storylines just aren't interesting to me for the most part. I am hoping that my feelings toward Meredith improve, but the other three may be lost causes. I also found the 2 new guy interns funny and I don't mind them sticking around in the capacity that they were used tonight. The one crushing on Jo reminded me of clueless George and his crush on Meredith. Seriously. Alex got maybe 30 seconds of screentime last night and the last ten of that was him giving Jo a hard time for not being as devious as Stephanie. Jo is usually the one propping Alex, never the other way around, at least not in the last season or two. I appreciate the fact that Alex rarely, if ever, plays favorites with Jo, but I certainly don't see him propping up her character as if she was the greatest thing ever in the way that he does with Maggie and Meredith.

I thought that this episode was a big improvement over last week's. Bailey acted humbled and gracious, Meredith got to be on the receiving end of someone else's selfishness and arrogance for once and Amelia's superhero cape flapped a little less forcefully when Jackson stood his ground. The Chief being all Chiefly and wise and giving a nice speech that didn't seem overly "speechy." What is not to like about any of that? Speaking of Jackson, I'm glad he finally had it out with April and I hope he doesn't give in right away. I believe that she wants to work on her marriage, but Jackson's right - it is always on HER terms. And she needs to fight for him, not just for her marriage vows. I loved her sitting trapped listening to all of these doctors ramble on like teenagers about their first date, because that's how I feel usually, and I, too, want to bang my head against the nearest surface. I also appreciated the funny parts, and there were quite a few of them. April getting frustrated, Arizona, everyone bitching about Bailey in front of Ben. The tone in this episode was consistent and worked for the medical case and for the small bit of relationship drama. I liked seeing more of Jo being a doctor and I thought that the interns were kind of funny. I don't mind it when they act like immature fools, its what they are for and I appreciate them doing it rather than everyone else. Which brings me to my dislikes - ugh to most things Amelia and all of Amelia and Owen. I can't take the tittering and "Will You Be My GF/BF" nonsense. It just doesn't work for me. It was bad enough when Callie was doing it (but that is one of my pet peeves about Callie), but at least she had Arizona and her awesome facial expressions to bring out the humor in the situation. I just find nothing interesting about Amellia or Owen as individuals or a couple. Also, what the hell with the less than 30 seconds of Alex?? It must of been a pretty good episode if I liked it despite that! ETA - The music is horribly, horribly, almost comically bad. I hate it more than the emo 80s remixes and that is saying something.

Gah my dvr cut off and I keep hearing about the final minutes. Whappened??!?

Thanks BaseOps! Ugh...I really hope that they don't do it this way. It kind of ruined the momentum of the season IMO. Especially if they are going to do 25 episodes. I would prefer that they do 8 then a small break, 8 more than a small break and then the final 8/9, rather than long summer break, 8 episodes, 2 month hiatus and then the rest of the season.

I think that 15 seasons is probably their goal and it would seem that way based on various actor contract renewals (JCap so far). Just out of curiosity, do we know what the episode breakdown for the season is yet? I much, much preferred the 12/12 to the 8/16-17. They seem to really be keeping everything under wraps this season.

No I understand! I have just read a couple of comments about it and he does look like he may be a couple of pounds heavier, but I still hope they don't go there. That talk did come out of nowhere though...hmmmm.

Awwwww, come on Man, the guy had 5 kids :) Seriously, though, his weight always fluctuates throughout the season, but I think he looks damn good for 45 (and we are the same age so I don't mean in a "for your age" snarky kind of way.) I don't want to see any kind of storyline like that. Not only because there are so many other things I would rather see him deal with, but just imagine if there was an actress who gained a bit of weight (not from pregnancy) and the writers made it a storyline about it. That would be awful and people would lose their shit about it. Now, the lack of facial hair is going to be a problem...