Grey’s Anatomy: The Blame Game

Two words to describe this week’s episode: bloody chaos. This was a fast-paced, complicated and intense episode that focused on the unexpected death of a burn victim. The episode was comprised of flashbacks from each doctor’s point of view. I liked this technique of telling the story by revealing new details with each doctor’s recollection.

There is a thunderstorm raging outside, which matches the stormy environment in the hospital and the episode begins with a bang as Alex and Jackson Avery, a Mercy West resident, come to blows. Then the Chief announces that the loss of the patient “was inexcusable” and that he will conduct interviews with each doctor to discover who was at fault. He interviews Hunt, Bailey, Cristina, Alex, Lexie, Jackson, Reed, April and Charlie.  As the episode unfolds, each doctor describes their evening and defends their actions, in hope of not losing their job.

Hunt begins and states that there was a hotel fire and the ER was swamped. We first meet Cathy Becker, the patient in question, and her son Danny through Cristina’s recounting. However, as Cristina gets called away, Reed and April take over the case. April examines Mrs. Becker while Reed deals with Danny. The doctors are distracted by other patients, such as the victim with the fireman’s ax lodged in his chest and their discussion about how the Seattle Grace doctors hate them.

Next, we discover through April’s interview that she left Cathy Becker with Sloan and Lexie to help Bailey after Charlie faints and accidentally pulls the ax out of the patient’s chest. Sloan also gets called away to assist Arizona with a teenage boy who had severe burns on most of his body. Lexie cleans and bandages Mrs. Becker’s burns and both she and Reed leave Mrs. Becker and Danny to help with other patients.

We then learn about other patients’ injuries and the next time we hear about Cathy Becker is during Jackson and Cristina’s interviews which indicate that she was in pain. Cristina assumes it is from the burns on her chest and prescribes her morphine. Cathy is left alone so the doctors can help with the other victims (are you seeing a pattern?).

After that, Lexie is with the burned teenage boy but is forced to leave the room when she breaks down in tears because she feels bad that he is in so much pain (I don’t blame her). Mrs. Becker’s son finds Lexie and tells her that his mom cannot breathe. Lexie and Jackson discover that her lung collapsed and dramatically insert a chest tube. Once again, Cathy is left alone but it is soon noticed that she is not breathing and the doctors discover that her airway is completely closed. It takes Charlie, Reed, and then Alex, who has been upset for the entire episode about Izzie’s disappearance, to perform a tracheotomy. Unfortunately, it goes down hill after this, her organs begin to fail and it ends with her bleeding out, as the doctors in question desperately work to try to save her but to no avail. Another dilemma was that none of the doctors were quite sure whose patient Mrs. Becker really was.

Finally, with the help of Reed’s memory, the Chief discovers that April did not initially check Cathy Becker’s airway, in which she would have found soot and could have intubated her to avoid the whole tragedy. The Chief then fires April. Derek tries to persuade the Chief to stop being naïve and see the negative effects of the merger on his staff. Derek believes that the doctors involved in the case are all good doctors but they don’t know or trust each other and are afraid of losing their jobs. Also, since the merger, “chaos is the new system” and that the Chief is really to blame.

For those huge Meredith fans out there, she is seen only in one of the opening scenes preparing for discharge and then at the very end leaving the hospital and oblivious to what has happened.

The episode was dramatic, detailed and uniquely presented. It required the viewer to really pay attention for fear of missing something. The episode perfectly illustrated how the merger has fueled competition between Mercy West and Seattle Grace doctors and left them vulnerable, struggling to stand out, and too busy hating each other instead of working together for the good of the patient. I agree with McDreamy, the merger has left the hospital in turmoil and the Chief must install some order instead of hiding in his office.

I liked the fact that the episode was different but I didn’t love it nor would I say it is my favorite episode of the season thus far. For me, the ensemble cast and their relationships are one of the reasons why the show is special and why I love it. I have a concern about the Seattle Grace vs. Mercy West doctors theme and hope the fighting wraps up somewhat soon. I don’t mind some friendly competition but I’d rather learn more about and see the Mercy Westers (that they decide not to fire) further developed. I can say that I am looking forward to the rest of the season to see how the Mercy Westers are further included and watch the growth of my favorite characters.

For another take on this episode, check out Mystery at Seattle Grace by Tanya Lane.

Season 6, Episodes 6: I Saw What I Saw (Originally aired October 22, 2009)

For more Grey’s Anatomy, click here.

Thursdays 9/8c on ABC

Photographs courtesy of ABC, Ron Tom

Project Runway: Greece is the Word

I’m just going to say now: I’m disappointed.

But before we get into that, let’s catch up! Gordana thinks it’s cool she’s made it this far. Which begs the question: if you didn’t think you had it in you, why did you come here and take the spot of someone potentially more interesting than you? Nicolas talks about asserting himself as a designer and taking a Me, Me, Me approach. Christopher goes on again about his lack of formal training – yet look how far he’s come. For the moment, he forgets how often he’s landed in the bottom.

The designers meet Tim and Michael Kors on Rodeo Drive to introduce the Michael Kors challenge, aka the silliest frikkin’ challenge ever. Kors charges the group with creating real or imaginary designs based on a picture of a locale that inspires them. But we’re going to narrow those locales down even more to places that have inspired Michael Kors. So it’s not really about the designers on the show, it’s actually about Michael Kors. For some reason.

Huh? Why not give the designers cameras and drop them off in a botanical garden somewhere? Or in different neighborhoods of L.A.? Does L.A. not lend itself to finding inspirational beauty in the city? I just think it’s a little silly to take someone else’s muse and then call this a challenge about inspiration. It appears that the designers receive only one picture of each locale, not even a dossier with additional information.

Moving on. The designers all applaud, showing me that I’m the only one with the issue. The pairings: CH picks Palm Beach; Nicolas chooses Greece (and not NY because that’s too easy and he wants a challenge. Noted.);  Barbie chooses St. Tropez; Gordana picks New York; Irina chooses Aspen; Christopher lands Santa Fe; and last man called Logan is left with Hollywood. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

Irina notes how other people joke and laugh frequently, causing a delay in their work because of the constant distraction. Irina, meanwhile, only laughs when critiquing other people and their work. Gordana interviews that some people might crack under the pressure; the editors then provide ominous shots of Logan and Christopher.

Tim Time. Gordana makes Tim nervous because she’s spent most of the day working on a jeweled neckpiece without starting the dress. Tim warns Christopher about his clichéd Santa Fe colors and design, and encourages him to ratchet up the sophistication. Tim worries that CH’s printed dress is too common and needs distinction. Nicolas calls his own design “different,” and Tim warns him to make it stunning. He advises Logan to make sure the multiple parts of his look are cohesive.

Irina provides further commentary: she’s surprised (note: she’s laughing) by Christopher’s continued presence because she thinks his dress is something an Amish woman would wear. Nicolas, meanwhile, thinks that Irina’s outfit borders on costume-y, and “it’s really not [his] thing.”  Irina thinks that people are getting by on the bare minimum, and that the level of talent and creativity hasn’t increased. Except for her own of course, because she’s out to top herself week after week. Later, she pretends to be friends with people.

Nicolas runs into problems because he chose jersey as the material for his top but has no experience working with it. He begins to worry about elimination. Barbie comments that “if Christopher can put that garment down the runway and not get eliminated, then I don’t know what’s going on.” Even he realizes that he’s gone “Little House on the Prairie,” and then cuts at least twenty inches from the dress. He thinks it’s a brilliant move, whereas anyone else would have called it absolutely necessary.

Runway. Guest judge: Milla Jovovich. Which is fantastic. I just watched The Fifth Element this morning!

Logan: Not really Hollywood? Barbie: Sure. But not groundbreaking. Nicolas: Sigh. Not Greece. CH: Beautiful dress, lacks some originality. Christopher: Cute pieces, but not together. Irina: Aspen glamour! Gordana: Beautiful cocktail dress.

Safe: Barbie.

Irina’s outfit has surprise and sexiness in her 1980s Aspen look. The fantasy is “cool” and the tailoring “impeccable.”  Kors says Christopher’s dress is almost a costume, and Heidi says the handmade belt is the only interesting thing about the garment. Nina points out all of the inspiration from Santa Fe that Christopher could have borrowed from, but didn’t. Milla says she’d live in CH’s dress, and the judges love the print choice. The braiding impresses Nina especially. Kors says that Nicolas’s Greece is more Grease. Get it? Milla likes the shirt and says that he should have taken that idea and gone all the way with it instead of stopping short. Nina wonders where the fantasy is. Heidi thinks Gordana’s dress is “quite beautiful” and Kors calls it urban, sexy and sophisticated. They also love the neckpiece, which I admit, looks fantastic. Nina doesn’t like Logan’s look, but Heidi gets it and “doesn’t mind it.” Kors and Milla both tell him that he should have pushed it farther. Kors says of the outfit: “They’re clothes, they’re not fashion.”

Deliberation is more of the same, with Milla adding that Gordana needs to show more confidence instead of putting down her own work on the Runway.  Milla Jovovich is a great guest this week. She’s passionate about her opinions and seems very comfortable. I hate her hair, but otherwise, I really enjoyed her contributions. Bring her back!

Out come the designers, and this week’s winner: Irina. She’s a bitch, but there’s no argument here: she’s the only one who put forth an incredible and runway-worthy look. Safe: CH, Gordana and Logan. Between Christopher’s lack of fantasy and inspiration and Nicolas’s lack of effort, Heidi sends Nicolas home. Do you see why I’m so disappointed? First an awful challenge, awful designs, and then Nicolas suffers the auf wiedersehen. He takes it well, I guess. But he’s so much fun! Everyone else are duds. Talented duds, but they’re boring to watch.

Which sums up this season: lots of talent, but the personalities are so bland you could fast forward through most of the episode and not miss anything. Before we at least had Irina’s cattiness and Nicolas’s commentary, but now we’re just left with Irina. And only three more people to send home before Bryant Park.

Next week: “Horrifying,” “big scary mess,” and fashion plagiarism!

For another take on this episode, read Where in the World is Project Runway? by J.B. Perlow.

Listen to The J Factor with J.B. and Jaimie here or on iTunes.

Season 6, Episode 10: Around the World in Two Days (originally aired October 22, 2009)

For more on Project Runway, click here.

Thursdays at 10pm EST on Lifetime

Photographs courtesy of Lifetime

Project Runway: Where in the World is Project Runway?

In missing last week, I didn’t get to talk about Bob Mackie, Christina Aguilera, the second coming of Nicolas’s Xanadu-cum-Ice Capades ensemble, and Nina Garcia saying “Lady Marmalade” (as in the orange stuff your grandmother puts on biscuits).  And Shirin went home, which is a tragedy only because it means I’m already wrong with my predictions for this season.

This week Heidi tells our Final Seven bunch that they are taking a road trip to Rodeo Drive to meet a famous designer.  (So now Logan’s Dopey dwarf hat makes sense!)  In honor of this, it’s time for another Troop Beverly Hills clip.  As for the designer, it’s Michael Kors, who is so excited about today’s challenge: design an outfit inspired by a famous locale.  Carol Hannah hasn’t been to many places but she selects Palm Beach.  Nicolas, who is just annoying me more and more each week, picks Greece.  Althea selects St.Tropez, Gordana selects New York, Irina selects Aspen, Christopher selects Santa Fe, and Logan is stuck with Hollywood (California, not Florida, I hope).  This is a one day challenge.

As usual, we sketch, Mood, and fling the fabric across the model forms while they all make catty comments about each other (and do lousy Michael Kors impressions).  Enter Tim to check in on everyone.  He begins with Gordana , and he wants her to start on her dress and stop working on a neck piece.  He cracks a joke with Althea about what man would wear a shirt like that and the producers cut to Logan; I’m not sure what that means.  Tim advises Christopher to avoid being a cliche, as we cut to Irina making a snotty comment about him still being there.  In talking with Carol Hannah, he’s concerned that there’s nothing special about her Palm Beach dress. Bleh comments about Nicolas, Logan, and Irina so let’s skip that.

The next day it’s showtime!  Nicolas doesn’t see Greece in his outfit but he explains that it’s something you could wear in Greece.  That was the assignment, right?  Design an outfit that can be worn anywhere.  Anyway, Christopher laments that he gets passed over for jobs because he doesn’t have proper training, and I think this is just a set up for him going home, which wouldn’t surprise me because he’s one of the remaining folks I picked for the final three.

Runway.  Heidi introduces our judges: Nina AND Michael are there, plus actress and L’Oreal spokesmodel Milla Jovovich (also of The Fifth Element and The Messenger and some other stuff I haven’t seen and can’t be bothered to look up).  Logan’s up first and I don’t see how it’s a Hollywood outfit.  Althea can see her model streetwalking in St. Tropez or something; I guess I can see that.  Nicolas’s isn’t Greek at all.  Carol Hannah gets more of a South Beach look than a Palm Beach look but I’m sure they won’t know the difference.  I sort of see Santa Fe in Christopher’s number, and Irina did a good job capturing Aspen, but a white fur would have been better.  And we end with Gordana’s take on New York and I think it works but, again, I’m usually wrong on this stuff.

Heidi sends Althea out and starts the questioning.  Milla likes Irina’s “grande dame” of Aspen look; Michael thinks it recalls Aspen in the 80s (which is the only time I’ve been so that’s probably why I think she did a good job).  Nina doesn’t think Christopher captured Santa Fe at all, Michael agrees, but Milla likes the belt.  In looking at Carol Hannah’s some more, it reminds me of something previous contestant Uli has done–no one mentions that, of course, but the judges all like this one.  Michael thinks Nicolas got confused about Greece, commenting that he designed for Grease with John Travolta and not the country.  Gordana apologizes too much for her outfit and talks about spending all of her money on the necklace part of the dress; the judges, however, like everything about this piece.  We end with Logan who designed for Lindsey Lohan or Mary-Kate, but Nina doesn’t think there’s anything special with the styling; Heidi disagrees but Michael notes that he designed clothes, not fashion.  Ouch.

Of note during deliberations, Michael makes a few cracks at Nicolas’s selection of grey menswear fabric as inspired by Greece and Ms. Jovovich thinks Logan did a good job if the show is called “Project I Didn’t Mind It.”  Ha!  Anyway, Heidi calls everyone back in for the results.  Carol Hannah is in, and Irina wins for giving them so much on a limited budget. Gordana is also in and gets a comment about not being so apologetic on the runway (told you so).  This moves into an admonishment for the remaining guys to pump up the volume.  She sends Logan out, and in a surprising upset, Christopher is in and Nicolas is out.  And it looks like Ms. Jovovich is getting emotional, wondering how the judges do this every week.  Well, don’t worry, this season only Heidi’s doing it every week.

And since this is his last week, I’ve figured out what bothers me about Nicolas.  It’s his laugh that he throws out there to diffuse tension or in a “just kidding” after saying something that’s not really funny.  I’ve known a few people who’ve done this and I don’t like being around them either.  But they were bastard people.  My lawyers have advised me to be sure to note that I’m sure Nicolas is a wonderful, kind person in real life and we wish him all the best in the touring company for Xanadu.

For another take on this episode, read Greece is the Word by Jaimie Campos.

Listen to The J Factor with J.B. and Jaimie here or on iTunes.

Season 6, Episode 10: Around the World in Two Days (originally aired October 22, 2009)

For more on Project Runway, click here.

Thursdays at 10pm EST on Lifetime

Photographs courtesy of Lifetime

Dancing With the Stars: Surprising Elimination

And then there were ten.  Our celebrity bunch has been whittled down further, and each couple will dance twice this week: one solo (Argentine Tango or Paso Doble) and one group performance.

Natalie & Alec:  I like this pair and think they always give a very good performance, consistently well-choreographed and executed.  They have the Paso Doble, which is inspired by Natalie’s medal-winning turn at the last Olympics.  She’s wearing a red, white and blue get-up.  I thought it was good.  Len said everything she does is clean and precise but it lacked some aggression.  Bruno said “Wonder Woman” was wonder-less and it lacked conviction.  Carrie Ann said she’s a great student, but she needs to work on her movement. Carrie Ann complains about a lift.  What is her deal with the lifts?!  Carrie Ann: 7 Len: 8 Bruno: 7.

Aaron & Karina: I was surprised by Aaron’s near-dismissal last week and expect him to rebound nicely with the Argentine Tango.  He’s one of the most talented guys this season.  He gets into character wonderfully and I think it’s hot!  Their movements are precise, the choreography fits the music perfectly, and I think it’s a sexy dance.  Bruno said he switched on the magnetism and compares him to the Twilight dude. Carrie Ann starts by giving him a kiss and cheering.  Len even loved it, so you know it was good. Aww I like Aaron, with his soft ass self. Always crying like a baby.  He’s a cutie pie. 8s across the board.

Michael & Anna: They have the Paso Doble and it suits Michael, who is allowed to showcase his physical strength.  He’s still not much of a dancer in my book, but I’ll admit it’s probably his best dance yet.  He always puts forth effort, so I can’t knock him there.  Carrie Ann really enjoyed it and said it was her favorite dance so far.  Len also enjoyed it.  Bruno makes it three for three and there’s some nasty business about a coin Irvin had stuck in his rump. Don’t ask, you had to be there. 7s across the board.

Mya & Dmitry:  Mya gets to kill the Argentine Tango this week.  During rehearsal she keeps accidentally kneeing Dmitry in the nads LOL.  They also help build houses for Habitat 4 Humanity, which was random and nice.  She’s on a whole other level.  Their routine was hot, it was dramatic, complicated with difficult choreography.  Len liked it.  Bruno loved it and said that she is a great technician, but she has to keep in mind the emotion for future dances.  Carrie Ann agrees with Bruno.  9s across the board.

Mark & Lacey: She had a hard time getting him to tap into his masculinity during rehearsal.  Their Paso is pretty good.    Bruno enjoyed it, Carrie Ann said he was focused, and Len said he needed posture, passion, and performance and he had all three. Carrie Ann: 9 Len: 9 Bruno: 8.

Donny & Kym: They have the Argentine Tango.  It looks romantic and it’s pretty steamy too, I actually enjoyed it very much and you know I don’t want to like Donny.  Even Tom Bergeron is blown away.  Carrie Ann loves it.  Len says it’s his best dance and Bruno says he’s Donny Darko now.  Carrie Ann: 10 Len: 9 Bruno: 10.

Louis & Chelsea: They have the Argentine Tango.  Dude is too short, I can’t really take him seriously this week.  Bizarro Scott Caan, totally.  He actually isn’t that bad, now that I pay attention.  His footwork looks like it has improved.  Len said he wasn’t expecting a lot, but he was pleasantly surprised.  Bruno said it was great storytelling but he has to keep working.  Carrie Ann said he needs to stay in dancer mode, but it was good. Carrie Ann: 7 Len: 8 Bruno: 7.

Melissa & Mark:  They have the Argentine Tango. Mark was getting sick during their training and had to wear a mask.  He eventually brought Anna in to teach Melissa in his place until he feels better so she doesn’t miss a beat.  He’s wearing red spats, which I think is pretty cool.  It’s a good dance but her Tango is not as good as the ones we saw earlier.  Bruno said that she lost her steps and looked more grumpy than sexy.  Carrie Ann said she definitely maintained the character, despite a few stumbles.  Len said it did lack the seduction but she coped with all that difficult choreography and it was well-done. I missed the judges’ individual scores, but they combined for a score of 23.

Kelly & Louie: This guy really likes wearing eye makeup. That’s all I have to say.  During rehearsal Kelly has trouble staying focused, she keeps laughing spontaneously.  They’re going to dance to one of her father’s songs, “Crazy Train.”  It’s a decent Paso, but I’m not blown away.  It ends with nice dramatic flair but I’m not sold.  Carrie Ann loved it.  Len said it was really good and well-done.  Bruno basically told her she has all the tools to do well in this competition. 8s across the board.

Joanna & Maks: Derek gets the flu, so Maks has to fill in.  I think their Argentine Tango is sexy and very well-done, right up until she screws up and nearly makes him fall. Yikes. Bruno said it was fabulous up until that point.  Len said she did well under the circumstances and Carrie Ann agrees.  8s across the board,  in spite of her obvious error.

Mark’s dad Corky is a world-champion dancer in his own right and does the choreography for the group dance, a 70’s inspired Hustle, complete with ridiculous costumes aplenty.  They all did ok, but there were some near-falls too LOL.  The contestants were allowed to do lifts, at their own peril.  Melissa in particular looked like she almost bit it.

Elimination

Norah Jones performs one of my favorites, “Come Away With Me,” a lovely song.  They replay the highlights from last night’s episode and we see a slow-mo shot of Joanna screwing up her dance with a stumble that sent Maks flailing.  The judges want to see an encore performance of Donny & Kym’s seductive Tango, and it looks even better the second time around.  There’s no way these two will be in the bottom.  We find out quickly that Mark, Donny, and Mya are safe.  Once again Michael Irvin escapes the bottom two.  I’ll admit he had a solid week, but when viewing the field as a whole, he doesn’t measure up.  The pro dancers do a tribute to Michael Jackson, which is only fitting.  Melissa and Joanna find out they are safe. I’m starting to feel bad for our stars. Natalie and Aaron are in the bottom two and it doesn’t seem fair.  Aaron is one of the best and Natalie has great potential.  Len says it’s one thing to vote for the underdog, but justice must prevail and neither couple should be in the bottom two. Natalie gets voted off and she takes it kinda hard. All of the stars look sad and/or nauseous. The band plays “Aint That A Shame?” Seems kinda harsh LOL.  This week’s elimination was a shocker.  Maybe next week will play out less dramatically, but you never know.  The best insurance the stars have against elimination is to dance well, but this week showed that even that may not be enough.

Season 9, Week 5: Episodes 10&11 (originally aired October 19 and 20, 2009)

For more on Dancing with the Stars, click here.

Competition Mondays at 8/7C, ABC

Elimination Tuesdays at 9/8C, ABC

Photographs courtesy of ABC, Adam Larkey

SUNDAY, 25th (Week of Oct 25 – 31)

BROTHERS & SISTERS: Two words- Giles Marini. Does the name not ring a bell? Okay, how about naked guy from Sex and the City: The Movie? Yeah, that’s what I thought. (10pm/ABC)

MONDAY, 26th

GOSSIP GIRL: Chuck Bass opens his own club, doesn’t invite Blair, and it’s Halloween. Drama all around! Where’s my invite to Chuck’s club? (9pm/CW)

TUESDAY, 27th

SCREAM AWARDS 2009: Sci-fi geeks, rejoice! It’s your very own awards show! (10pm/Spike)

WEDNESDAY, 28th

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: New characters and new drama is introduced in the fourth season premiere. ‘Drama’ is a character all on its own, actually. (9pm/DirecTV)

THURSDAY, 29th

30 ROCK: 30 Rock continues to pull in an array of impressive guest stars, the latest being the legendary Betty White. Now if only it could pull in more viewers… (9:30pm/NBC)

FRIDAY, 30th

MTV ULALUME: HOWLING AT NEW MOON: Notable bands such as Paramore and AFI perform at the Ulalume Music Festival in Columbia, Maryland. There’s also something about a guy called Robert Pattinson showing up to promote some teen flick. (9pm/MTV)

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