A reader review blog { of genre fiction }
Romance on TV: Grey’s Anatomy
I really loved the first season of Grey’s Anatomy. It had a racially diverse cast. It had a great storyline of seeing how these newly minted doctors survive their residency. Also, it was fun watching the attending humiliate them at every turn. However, there were the other subplots that were equally interesting. First, there is Dr. Meredith Grey’s mom who was a well respected surgeon who has Alzheimer’s disease. Secondly, there’s her relationship with a doctor that she slept with on a blind date and who she kicks out of her apartment to never to see again. Alas, before he can become a faded memory, she soon realizes that he is her attending: Dr. Derek Shepherd.
In a romance book, the relationship between Meredith and Derek I would have enjoyed along with the complications that would crop up later. Remember the end of season one? On TV, however, I can’t stand Meredith. I know she narrates the show. I know the show is named after her but I cannot stand Meredith. Her character is portrayed as someone who is arrogant and selfish. Everything seems to revolve only around her and Dr. Shepherd. I was initially put off by their relationship because it is unethical. In reality, I don’t think the other residents would have allowed it because he continued to favor her for the surgeries that others wanted just as badly. All of that is circumspect as I am not a medical doctor. Who knows, they may do this all the time.
As I was watching the finale last night—not the whole two hour event, just part of it, I was not surprised to see that it is Meredith who has her brush with death. There she was on table fighting for her life. Poor Dr. Shepherd was outside crying his head off. She had hypothermia. The other residents were understandably upset but optimistic. Miracles happen all the time. How about some common sense too? I mean Meredith is the show along with her counterpart, Dr. Shepherd. Did I waste time thinking that Meredith was going to really die? Did I buy into the suspense and the drama around her recovering from hypothermia? Did I even shed a tear for her friends and family who rallied around her and begged her not to give up? No, I did not. I am so glad I stopped at season one. I don’t think I can stand to look at Isaiah Washington. It just reminds me of his bigotry. Can’t stand looking at Patrick Dempsey and his making moon eyes all over Meredith. And the music throughout the show - gag me. The only doctor that I really liked on the show was Dr. Bailey and her “tough love” approach to her interns. I think that’s it. I know I am one of the 0.0009% of America that doesn’t watch nor love this show. I just happen to live in a household of people who do watch this show but don’t necessarily love it. This is TV romance at it’s best. Or so says America. I’d have to disagree. I’d rather watch American Idol.
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about 3 years ago
I’m like that (squeamish) with Nip/Tuck. Too graphic. Ugh.
about 3 years ago
Well, I started watching ER about 2 years ago because of my little crush on Goran Visnijic
, but now that they’ve added John Stamos, I’m watching because of him too. Never was a fan of his, really, but his character has grown on me and I’m finding him very interesting and sexy too. ah well…shallow, that’s me! Really…the romance between Luca (Visnjic) and Abby is very sweet. They now have a baby together and it appears they will stay together…at least in the near future. My daughter laughs at me when I watch. I hate the operating room scenes and the blood and guts. ER’s MO seems to be the more blood, the better the scene. I watch those scenes with a pillow in front of my face…so I miss quite a bit!
about 3 years ago
I like Christina (Sandra Oh) especially in the first season. I thought it silly too, that they would all ignore other patients just to take care of one of their own. The hospital was now shut down. I never watched ER (sorry Xina). I was loyal to Chicago Hope for years until they got ridiculous, too. Chicago Hope was more character driven. Sigh. Loved that show. I am waiting for it to be available on DVD. One day soon.
about 3 years ago
I thought it strange too that with a crisis in the hospital (weren’t they still treating people from the ferry crash?) that the doctors would have the time to sit around and wait for news on Meridith. Usually, they don’t have time to stand still. They would never have pulled that off on ER.…another hospital setting show I still watch.
It is interesting how all love Cristina. Among the people I know, I am the only one who enjoys her character as much.
about 3 years ago
Hey Keishon
I’ve just started watching Grey’s Anatomy — yeah, I’m always this late on tv shows. So far, I’ve sen about 6 eps. in total of the whole show… I have to say that I like Christina, but as I watched the three eps. arc, I’m like, this is totally unacceptable ethically. Everything. Seriously, Meredith should have been declared dead and how come all her friends were outside waiting — hello, it’s crisis time, major accident and everyone’s there?!? Don’t you have anything else to do. Just didn’t make sense as doctors.
about 3 years ago
I hate Mer but I do like her friendship with Christina. Love Bailey. Love Addison.
about 3 years ago
ah…I love Grey’s and never miss the show. Not a big fan of Meridith either, but I figure the show has to have some bad behavior, unlikable personalities from time to time, otherwise it would be one big LIFETIME movie. As for Washington, I can put aside his off camera behavior for now. Hopefully, he won’t continue mouthing off his intolerant opinions in his RL. And I love most of the music in Grey’s…I have discovered a few very good artists off of the show. Also, love Sandra Oh…ever since I saw SIDEWAYS. Her character is so flawed, yet she works through it in her own way.
The show I have stopped watching is LOST. Sure, Sawyer and Jack are cute, but that’s not enough for me to keep watching.
about 3 years ago
Count me as another who watches the show despite Meredith. I always want to tell her to pull her hair back, blow her nose, and stop whinging. Loved the first season, but since then, not so much. I haven’t seen the last episode yet, but will probably watch it online (love ABC’s episode site). I’m thinking it’ll be pretty predictable. Imaginary death scene, her in “heaven”, some sort of emotional epiphany, blah, blah, blah. Then she’ll “come back” totally normal — no brain damage or anything despite the hypothermia.
Why I keep watching: Christina and Alex. I love that Christina is driven and ambitious and not always nice. And I like that Alex has soft spots, despite the @ssholish exterior.
about 3 years ago
The biggest detractor for me is Meredith. I liked season one despite her but as the season continued on I just couldn’t stand her character anymore. I can’t stand looking her. Then as Rachel said, the show started to get predictable. Her having to choose between Dr. Shepherd and another doctor — of course who did she choose? I mean come on, enough already.
about 3 years ago
I watch the show despite Gray — like you say she’s not a likable character and I don’t find her facial expressions all the uh, expressive. I’m also not liking how all the rules in real life got shot to hell in this series. I watch because I do enjoy the funny stuff when it’s around and well, I sobbed over Denny last year.
I was thinking maybe she would come back and not remember anyone — at least then we would have more stuff to expect — so this was the season finale? I thought it was just a three part story arc.
CindyS
about 3 years ago
I tried watching the first season of Grey’s on DVD and couldn’t get into it at all. Don’t know why. Probably because I have no patience for soaps at this time in my life. Dempsey is pretty attractive, though. He’s aged well and now looks sort of like the Signet Regency guy who was on so many covers in the 80’s.
about 3 years ago
I am not a big fan of Grey’s Anatomy. Never really have been. I did watch part of the Season Finale, and I just found it annoying. Like they are going to kill the main character. So stupid. And of course she was not going to have brain damage, she was going to fully recover. bah. I don’t know what people love that show so much.
about 3 years ago
Hey, Jen, I am reading it next - I picked up an old favorite, Alinor by Roberta Gellis. I wanted something complex to read after the Turner book. Thanks for the heads up.
about 3 years ago
I’m with you on this, Keishon. Grey’s Anatomy has become predictable. I watched most of “30 Rock” last night with a little jumping over to Grey’s. What I saw of Grey’s just made me cringe. You’re also right about the music, it’s so depressing.
BTW, I just finished Ariana Franklin’s “City of Shadows” and would highly recommend it. It just may be my favorite by her. There is an intense suspense plot, a nice romance and a fascinating look at pre-WWII Germany. I think Franklin holds it all together nicely.