Grey's Anatomy Season 4 Premier

After leaving off last season with pretty much every member of the Grey's Anatomy team going through some brand of heartbreak I was left wondering if the most screwed up emotional wrecks in television character history could possibly continue in their havoc-wrought emotional turmoil. The new season's opener leaves no doubt that they can indeed continue in disfuntion.

Rumor has been that this season would be lighter, sexier, and less dour. I don't know if this season's premier accomplishes that, except for the deer-saving bit, which was 'lite' if unbelievable in the extreme. I mean what hospital administrator in this country is going to let a doctor haul medical equipment into the parking lot to work on a deer? Somehow I just don't think that's plausible. On other fronts things look to be as blustery as ever.

Meredith's previously unknown sister, Lexi, arrives as a intern and long intense looks are exchanged. Poor Meredith's mother didn't want her, after all, now here's her sister who she must imagine stole the parental affection that should have been hers. Meanwhile she continues to ignore McDreamy, culminating in their break up by the end of the episode, which is followed by "break-up sex." Apparently that relationship still has some potential for grief and weirdness.

George is back as an intern, and isn't talking to Izzy. And Callie starts her first day as chief resident, at which she kind of flops. She's also still trying to conceive, a matter that is bound to get ugly as the end of the episode sees George knocking on the door in the middle of the night to declare his love for Izzy. The looming tide of vitriol is palpable.

Christine Yang is back, and missing Burke who ostensibly handed in his resignation. And still an emotional cripple, as is Alex who also threw away his chance at a real relationship. It seems the emoting is staying on just about the same course as last season. But, who knows? Maybe some new plot dynamics will arise. Let's hope.