Grey's Anatomy Back After the Writer's Strike

After a months long absence of new episodes, thanks in part to the 2007-2008 Writers' Strike, Grey's Anatomy finally returned to primetime on April 24, 2008. Now no doubt the absence may have made you think Grey's Anatawhat? Oh yeah, I forgot that show even existed. I know that held true for me. I was once a die-hard Grey's fan, but unfortunately even before the Writer's Strike, the fourth season of the fan favorite seemed to be... *gulp* jumping the shark. So did the return of Grey's prove to be worth the wait? Here's a brief recap (including spoilers, beware!), with some commentary and opinions, of the Grey's Anatomy April 24, 2008 episode entitled Where the Wild Things Are.

Well, let me say flat out, that I did NOT expect much from this episode. I was however, pleasantly surprised. I feel reacquainted with my Grey's characters after this long absence. Here's a summary of what happened:

We left Seattle Grace in January, with a newly broken up George & Izzie, a newly broken up Derek & Meredith, and a potentially broken up Bailey & her husband. George, having moved out of the house with Izzie and Meredith, found himself needing a new place to stay. He is renting an apartment with fellow intern, Lexie, a.k.a. Meredith's half-sister. Lexie recently left home because of her father's alcoholism. We find George & Lexie in their new digs, which, due to the nasty furniture and cockroaches, is now fondly dubbed the crapartment. Back at work, the ladies of Grey's, Cristina, Izzy, and Meredith, along with Alex, are having a contest. At first, we don't find out what it is for exactly, but we see that Cristina, not surprisingly, is in the lead. The girls race each other down the hall, with Izzy getting knocked down, so they can get first dibs on the trauma patients. Izzy takes a gentleman, played by Cheech Marin, who fell and sprained his ankle. Izzie remarks that she hopes he has a mystery illness so that she can win 80 points for discovering it (later on we learn that he is fine, but has had to undergo over $100 in pointless medical procedures, including a spinal tap, to satisy Izzie's curiosity). The other residents take care of two brothers and one's newlywed wife, who have just been attacked by a bear while camping in the woods. The elder brother, the one who is not married, ends up dying. The other brother, who provoked the bear, survives, but Meredith discovers he has an inoperable brain tumor. She scores herself 80 points for discovering the mystery diagnosis, and wins the contest. Bailey gives her a glittery pager.

Later on, George returns to the crapartment and finds that Lexie has stolen tons of things, like sheets, bedpans, and signs, from the hospital and has decorated their pad to make it more welcoming. Well, to me, it actually seemed more creepy than anything, but hey, to each is own. I do have a feeling that some sparks will fly between Lexie & George before the end of the season.

Otherwise, the only other thing worth noting out of this episode is that Derek & Rose are still together. Meredith overheard Rose confessing that she's in love with Derek, but Sloan told Meredith not to worry; they won't last. Of course they won't. Meredith & McDreamy are meant to be together. Eventually.

Right after the episode ended, came the previews for next week. Let me tell you, next week looks EXCELLENT! Ava, also known as Rebecca, formerly known as Jane Doe, returns with a shocker... She's pregnant. Which, wait a minute... she just had her baby! So she's pregnant again... Does this mean it's Alex's kid, her husband's, or another guy's? I'm rooting that it's Alex's, because you can tell he totally loves Ava. Also, Justin Chambers has 5 kids in real life, and if you look up pictures of him with them... It is soooo adorable. Alex with a little kid would be so precious. But is his character really ready to settle down? I don't think so.

Also, Addison comes back! Among other things, she remarks on the newly blossomed Callie/Erica Hahn "friendship"... Is it something more than just a friendship? Well they have never touched on Erica and any loves of her life... Is she a lesbian? We know Callie has been with men before, but I could see her as bisexual. She is very sexual in nature, having danced in her panties before and also having walked around nude when she lived with George. I think it might be a neat twist to the storyline. Or, maybe Erica will make a move on Callie...

I'm glad Grey's is back!! I can't wait till next week.