November 9, 2006: Where the Boys Are
Somehow I knew the guys' camping trip was going to be a disaster. But at least it was a learning experience for everyone. George figured out that Burke's got a shaky hand and Callie slept with Sloan (thanks to Alex's big mouth). Alex learned that George has quite a temper. Webber discovered that bartender Joe (
Steven W. Bailey) is in a loving relationship with a man named Walter (
Jack Yang), which made Webber miss his wife Adele. Walter learned to never again go on a camping trip with straight guys. Burke realized that Derek has no male friends and George is rather nosy. Derek compared Sloan to "cancer - he infects everything" and yearned to start from the very beginning with Meredith. After last week's promos, I was right there with most of you, thinking Meredith
had better not sleep with Sloan. Then I thought: "Nah, she knows better," so I'm glad I was right. Meredith's best moment with Sloan was her three rules: "No flirting, no talking about Derek and no giving me the face." Of course, McSteamy broke all three of the rules. However, what a great way for him to pick up the clue phone, returning to Meredith at the bar and seeing her with Derek. Excellent way to end the episode - Mer and Der introducing themselves to each other and truly starting over. We'll see how long
this lasts.
Just as we were anticipating, Bailey put Cristina on the spot, asking Cristina why she erased her name from the assignment board. Interesting how Cristina never told her
why she did it, but good for Bailey for giving Cristina menial tasks like sifting through that little boy's stool samples and retrieving the Monopoly pieces that he swallowed. It was a crappy job, but someone had to do it. "No surgeries for you!" cried Bailey. My favorite line of Cristina's was when Meredith told her that she was helping to remove a man's penis: "That should be
me!
I should be turning a penis into a vagina. That should be
my penis!"
Speaking of the sexual reassignment surgery, Alexandra Billings was wonderful as Donna, the artist formerly known as Daniel. I was really psyched to see Alexandra in this role since, as a former Chicagoan, I have followed her career for more than 20 years. (I met her oh-so-long ago - one of the nicest human beings on the planet.) Alexandra is a transgendered entertainer/actress/singer who used to be known as Shante at the famed Baton Show Lounge in Chicago. She's been in the business for decades, but this role on
Grey's is beyond huge for her. For more info on Alexandra, go
here.
Also awesome was
Clare Carey as Vicky, Donna's wife, and I thought it made the story line even more compelling to have Donna get breast cancer from all the hormones. Vicky wanted her husband Daniel back when given the chance, but it was quite nice to have Vicky come back at the end because Donna was her "best friend."
One of the biggest reasons that I could never be a doctor was what caused Addison to leave the hospital room and go into the bathroom stall and cry. I wouldn't be able to give patients tragic news like that. How horrific for a woman to have to deliver a baby knowing that it was dead.
Alexandra Holden did a fantastic job as Jamie.
I was very happy to see
Kali Rocha back as Sydney, this time as Izzie's peer counselor. Just when we thought Sydney was a complete nutcase, that final "I lost a kid" scene redeemed her big-time, and I really hope she comes back. And I don't think Izzie will avoid her next time.
So just when George returned from the camping trip all determined to talk to Callie, boom - his Dad's there as a heart surgery patient. Some guys never get a break.
