TV is the New Reading

Appointment television returns to the grid

I am so fired up about Thursday night this week I’m barely verbal.

Yes, new episode of "Lost," of course, and even a new episode of "Ugly Betty," which is usually adorable.

But the main course is on at 8 p.m. With the first new episode of "Grey's Anatomy" in months, appointment television has returned to the dial.

I’m addicted to “Grey’s.” I never know what new thing is going to happen to keep the show fresh from one episode to the next, but four seasons in they’ve rarely disappointed.

The writers have an exquisite handle on subtext as well as context in developing these characters so nearly everything can be understood from about eight or nine different points of view. Some of them are hidden really, really well so when they’re finally revealed they change everything you thought you knew.

Also, the characters are written so deeply and with such beautifully constructed backstories that it feels like the writing staff must have had so much in mind from so long ago – even things they couldn’t possibly plan for like Isaiah Washington’s outlandish comments that forced him off the show and the rockiness that followed.

One suspects Sandra Oh’s breakdown as Cristina in the wake of Burke’s disappearance on the eve of the wedding is as brilliant a story arc as married life would’ve been.

Meanwhile, George and Callie’s marriage is so rocky and over that it’s possible a few lines were retained and repurposed for their mess – not to mention the appearance of Diahann Carroll as Mother Burke to provide a depth-charge or two in Preston’s absence.

Characters

Meanwhile, four characters that have resisted exploration are Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, Richard Webber, Alex Karev and Nurse Olivia.

We got a lot of insight as to who everyone else is through their relationships, but Chief Webber’s personal life is lived largely off camera and when it takes center stage it’s limited.

For instance, we know he had an affair with Meredith Grey’s mother and we know his marriage is on the rocks, but while he seems touchingly incapable of looking after himself, we haven’t gotten much insight as to what makes him tick.

Sloan has been one single note over and over and over again. If the script calls for any of the women on the show to have a meaningless one-night stand, Sloan’s dance card is always open. He’s a walking punchline, but maybe he’s sufficient eye-candy to pull it off.

Alex, however, is a character we need to start exploring pretty soon. He’s a man of deep convictions and feels things passionately, but only rarely expresses it. He’s a complicated ball of scar-tissue from what can only be inferred as an endless set of bad situations growing up as a foster kid, making him a commitment-phobe on levels unfathomed.

But that’s the point – I for one think it’s about time we start fathoming them.
As for Nurse Olivia – well, just as one viewer’s opinion, she’s impossibly cute and needs more screen time – as much as they can give her.

Izzie and George and Meredith and Cristina and Lexi are only going to provide so much more interest for so much longer. It’s time to get Alex and Nurse Olivia in the mix.

Features Editor Terry J. Aman compiles the Best Bets for The Minot Daily News.

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