Grey's Anatomy

The fifth season of Grey's Anatomy is premiering on ABC in just under two months, and to tell you the truth, I'm pretty excited. Oh, I talk a good game about how I'm too cool for Grey's Anatomy, about how I'm sick to death of the word “seriously,” about how self-involved all the characters are on the show, and on and on. But actually, I kind of miss it. Shh, don't tell anyone. Last season brought a much needed improvement to the melodramatic god-awfulness that was season 3 but, thanks to the WGA strike, the season had to be wrapped up quicker than usual. So, I'm hoping for a lot in season 5.

5. More success for Cristina

Ever since Preston “I am Preston Burke” Burke ditched her at the altar, Cristina (Sandra Oh) has been getting the shaft, and gosh darnit, I won't stand for this anymore. She spent all last year begging for attention from the new head honcho of cardiothoracic surgery, Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith), but enough of that! Anyway, Hahn will likely be saddled with her own personal problems, not the least of which is trying to convince Callie (Sara Ramirez) to go gay for her.

Cristina has unfailingly been one of my favorite characters on the show since the very beginning. She knows what she wants and goes after it. This woman has both an M.D. and a Ph.D – she's that good and she knows it. It's time for her to get rewarded for her hard work. It's time for her to succeed.

Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes hinted to Kristin from E!Online that Cristina might be getting a new McLove Interest, as well, in the form of Kevin McKidd (Journeyman) who'll be playing a military doctor who comes to Seattle Grace on leave.


4. Better mental health for Meredith

Shonda Rhimes told E!Online's Kristin that she's excited that she has finally gotten Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) to a place where she can accept Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and be together again as a couple. But now that they are a couple, there is going to be “a whole host of other storylines, drama and excitement” in store for these two. They'll be living together, for one thing. I'm curious to see how this plays out, on a personal level, because I've recently had quite a rollercoaster experience with living with a boy myself. OMG, did you see what I just did there? I made Grey's Anatomy all about me. Maybe I should be a doctor at Seattle Grace too!

OK back to the topic. Now that Meredith is slowly bringing herself out of the bad place and into a shinier, happier place, I'd like to see her put more emphasis on her friendships. We've seen Meredith and Cristina supporting each other, drinking and having impromptu dance parties, but it'd be nice for her and Izzie (Katherine Heigl) to have more scenes together. They live in the same house, but it seems like they haven't really spoken to each other in a long while. I also hope that she'll be more accepting of Lexie (Chyler Leigh) because you know what? Lexie rocks.


3. More backstory about Alex

I'm adamant about this one here. Alex (Justin Chambers) has been the lone wolf of original five interns. He works hard, drinks hard and doesn't really give a crap about anyone, except for maybe insane post-trauma ferry victims. The writers have hinted at his hardscrabble youth and the difficulties he had to endure at the hands of his abusive father, but I'd like to see them flesh the story out. Maybe have his father visit from Iowa during November sweeps. Ooh, let's cast Alan Thicke for the role. It'll be just the kind of meaty and dramatic role that Thicke needs in order to escape obscurity and maybe win him an Emmy along the way. Besides, more backstory about Alex almost certainly means more chances we have of seeing him in his black wifebeater.


2. More subdural hematomas

You all probably know that I have a fondness for medical situations involving subdural hematomas. They are ubiquitous in Grey's Anatomy. Even though I tend to be squeamish about needles and such, I have such a fascination whenever one of the characters has to drill a hole in someone's head to relieve the pressure from the built-up fluid inside.

In fact, I would like more improbable medical cases in general, even though I know for a fact that the outlandishness of the medical stuff on this show is a big pet peeve to those people who are actual medical professionals. True story: I was in the hospital last week discussing the merits of Grey's Anatomy with two anesthesiology residents who were prepping me for surgery. They were indignant on behalf of anesthesiologists everywhere over the negative portrayal that their specialty gets on the show because they are only ever mentioned on Grey's Anatomy when they royally screw up, like when they get drunk and fall asleep during surgery.


1. More fluff, less angst

I loved the first and second seasons of Grey's Anatomy because it was a nice respite from my stressful week when I could just sit back and lightly chuckle at the goings-on in the fictional world of Seattle Grace Hospital. The show is definitely at its worst when depression and melodramatics take over. Bring back the fun!



-Debbie Chang, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: E!Online
(Image courtesy of ABC)