Grey’s Anatomy Review: I Will Survive

On ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy the Seattle Grace gang has always been a competitive bunch.  We remember these guys vying for attention as lowly interns, many seasons ago.  Look how far they’ve come.  One of these doctors will be Chief Resident, and it may not be who you would have predicted then.

Back then, Cristina would have been at the forefront; she has since shown that she’s mortal and, more importantly, may lack the maturity required to lead.  The stakes are very high, and Meredith has painted herself into a corner with her rogue actions a few weeks ago.  Avery hasn’t really had the opportunity to showcase his surgical skills, but he has proven instrumental in Webber’s trial involving the mice.  When he drops out of the trial, it looks like he’s shooting himself in the foot.  He tells Webber that he would rather focus on gaining surgical experience.  During the individual interviews for Chief, Owen tells Avery that at times he seems like a quitter and that he’s making a mistake.  Avery respectfully disagrees.  It’s not until much later in the episode that we learn that Avery withdrew because he doesn’t want to ride his grandfather’s famous coattails to an Avery award.  Owen figured it out even though Avery never said anything.  He’s a really stand up guy and I respect that.

Here’s who I don’t respect: Lucy.  She has an opportunity to take a position at Baylor (in Texas) and is casually trying to gauge whether or not Alex wants her to go or stick around.  Meanwhile, Arizona broaches the possibility of Alex taking her place at the clinic in Africa and continuing what he’s started.  When Alex doesn’t reject the position outright, Lucy feels a little insecure and unsure of the nature of their relationship.  I don’t think Alex realizes what’s going on until Cristina points it out to him and Arizona tells him to consider his feelings for Lucy before taking the position in Africa.  Once he “gets it,” he turns the job in Africa down and tells Lucy that she is a factor to consider and that he wants her to stick around.  By this time she’s taken an earlier page from his book and announces that she is actually going to take his position in Africa. What?!  You know what, that really pissed me off.

This is why Alex Karev is a misunderstood guy and why he comes off like an a-hole sometimes, when he’s really not.  Every time he sticks his neck out there, someone tries to chop it off.  What a bitchy move by Lucy.  How was Alex supposed to know the nature of their relationship?  She made a point of dissing the hell out of him initially, and it certainly seemed to me that their relationship was more physical than anything else.  She had to be convinced that he was actually a good guy, if you recall.  So it’s understandable to me that he wouldn’t exactly know where they stood.  Alex said that he better win Chief Resident now, and I think that he will.

Let’s eliminate people who won’t win Chief Resident: April, Cristina and Meredith.  April killed someone, remember? I didn’t forget about her negligence that resulted in a woman’s death in her first season on the show.  Colossal error that was ultimately forgiven – but she was fired. No endorsement from Starks or newfound attention to protocol is going to change that. Cristina is married to Owen and has burned her bridge with Teddy, so she’s out.  He told her in as many words in the past episode that she is better suited for surgery as opposed to the duties of a Chief Resident.  I agree.  Now as for Meredith, she’s an excellent doctor – but at the very end of the episode Alex blurts out to Owen that Meredith screwed with the Alzheimer’s trial!  Alex, I’m very disappointed in you, you snitched!

Quick recap of everyone else:  Lexie still pines away for Mark, who has that baby glow that women adore.  He brought Baby Sophia to work and Lexie’s heart melted.  I think she should stick with Avery, but I understand Mark’s appeal.  Derek and Meredith are one step closer to adopting Zola, but it looks like her actions may put that in jeopardy.  Only one episode left! I’m excited and sad at the same time!  Still one of the best shows on TV.

Season 7, Episode 21: “I Will Survive” (original airdate May 12, 2011)

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

Images courtesy of Adam Taylor and The CW.