Grey's Anatomy Falls, Private Practice Rises
By Luke Kerr on October 16, 2009
It’s a common Friday morning routine. Regan and I discuss Thursday’s episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Since their season premieres, Regan has been bored by Grey’s Anatomy, while I’m enjoying it. Regan loves Private Practice this season and thinks it’s better than Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve been enjoying Private Practice, but until last night I was still enjoying Grey’s Anatomy more. Until last night.
Grey’s Anatomy
The Seattle Grace and Mercy West merger brought a new element of intensity to Grey’s Anatomy, but even the addition of characters we’re supposed to loathe couldn’t help some of the episode’s failings. There isn’t enough Bailey, for starters, and The Chief has become one note. Meredith stuck in a bed seems to be a retread of Izzie’s time spent in bed last season, with even less emotional punch. Izzie and Alex are the new go nowhere couple. I understand they needed to explain Katherine Heigl’s absence, but how can someone who donated over eight million dollars be fired?
The jury is still out on the transplants from Mercy West. Conflict is good for any show, but a couple of the characters seem to be clones of current characters. Do the writers really expect us to believe that they will last? I predict at least two of the four primary new characters will be gone by the end of the season.
Finally, Cristina, without a sense of purpose and unable to learn her specialty, seems to be a flailing thread. If this were daytime, I’d expect her to lose it at any moment and go running through the hospital like a crazy woman threatening to cut people open if they didn’t give her an opportunity to learn. The mention of Burke was a nice touch. Disregarding the real-life controversy surrounding Isaiah Washington, I couldn’t help but wonder if the return of Burke might provide more organic conflict and a sustained ratings boost than bringing in so many new characters all at once.
Private Practice
If you stopped watching Private Practice during its second season, you need to add it back to your DVR. This show is on fire. One of the things that Grey’s Anatomy used to do so well was balance the romantic entanglements of its characters with the medical storylines. Where Grey’s Anatomy is now failing, Private Practice is stepping up. Private Practice isn’t dominated by the relationships, but the ones it is focusing on are doing well.
Addison’s attempt to do the right thing, and the recriminations, are playing out well. The Pete and Violet storyline continues to build and I’m looking forward to watching how it plays out. Cooper having his “manly” moment, whisking Charlotte off her feet to take her to their home, was great. Charlotte may like being in control, but it’s about time Cooper stepped up. Sam telling Bailey he was going to kiss her was fantastic, especially after she stopped him just before it happened.
I’ve noticed a significant increase in focus on its medical storylines and surgeries. Having Sam return to surgery makes his character more intense and less of a window dressing. Now Naomi is Private Practice’s weakest link.
Ratings
According to The Live Feed, the addition of Mercy West doctors didn’t help Grey’s Anatomy. It dropped nine percent from the previous week. Bailey’s crossover to Private Practice boosted its ratings by eight percent from last week.
Tags:
- Login or register to post comments
-
- Email this page
Comments
4 August 2008
26 weeks 4 days
Luke ITA in regards to Private Practice. It has been really good since the end of last year continuing into the the new season.
Grey's has not done it for me this year. I miss George and I find it hard to believe that Izzie is in remission. Bailey is the best character they have and you are right she is not on enough. BTW- She was great on Private Practice. For whatever reason Grey's just does not seem the same anymore.
1 July 2009
3 days 11 hours
I quit investing in Private Practice last season with the whole Addison/Noah thing. Having Addison involved in an emotional (almost physical) affair with the husband of her patient was just wrong. This season has been good so far. Addison dealing with the fallout from the Noah situation was good: The wife confronting Addison, Bailey's talk with Addison. The Violet and Pete drama has been well done.
Grey's needs something, don't know what but it does. I love Izzie and Alex but they need a new story. Christina seems to be loafing without a purpose. And more Bailey is needed. They can bring back Burke, George is gone and it would give some good conflict with Christina.
14 December 2008
7 hours 18 min
Im with you guys. I hate GA now and am starting to love PP. I'm glad that the whole Addison/Noah thing is over though. I hated that and hope it doesn't start up again. I hope we get a Violet/Coop hookup too.
3 July 2008
2 weeks 3 days
Loved last nights "Private Practice". Didn't care much for "Grey's". With the storyline that people from Mercy West come over and are all much more confident than the people at SGH and rule this thing in an hour ... it was just getting annoying after some time.
But over at "Private Practice" Baily rocked. Loved every scene between her and Addison. I really miss their dynamic and friendship on a weekly basis. And I really enjoyed Baily with Sam. Their is some hot chemistry going on. Baily should do double duty every week.
16 August 2007
1 hour 25 min
Chandra Wilson needs her own show. lol
27 December 2007
3 days 25 min
I absolutely love Private Practice. I watch it before Greys now. The new guy from Mercy who is supposed to be like George was such a bore. Christina and Miranda are the best and they are woefully underused. Loved Miranda on Private Practice. Would not mind at all if she was on both shows every week. Meredith in the bed was so funny because Ellen's baby bump CAN NOT be hidden. The show feels so scattered right now. Our main interns rarely share scenes together anymore and I miss the ensemble together.
SO thankful the baby isn't Sheldon's. Charlotte and Coop have amazing chemistry and I love their banter, arguments, friendship everything about them is fun to watch. Lastly did Kate Walsh not have the most GORGEOUS skin on the episode. All the close ups were goregous with her eyes and hair hot hot hot.
30 March 2009
2 hours 21 min
Chandra Wilson is what keeps me watching Grey's Anatomy. The show hasn't been the same since Isiah Washington's character left. They need to bring him back.
I have always like Private Practice. I haven't watched last night's episode but I know it will be good with Chandra Wilson being on there. She is one of the best actresses in primetime and she needs an Emmy.
3 August 2008
6 days 23 hours
I guess I'm in the minority because I can't stand Chandra Wilson. Oh well...
I do agree about Grey's, though. I'm so annoyed with that show, right now.
4 August 2008
3 hours 55 min
I never watched PP.
love Greys. cant beleive they fired izzie. Hurry on back Izzie!!!!
6 January 2008
11 min 12 sec
I agree with other post. Yeah Isiah Washington was wrong but they need Burke badly. Burke bought a maturity to the show. The Chief, Derek, Mark and even Rambo act like stupid teens if their women do. Lexie doesn't help. Who would want a doctor who acts 12 working for them? Why is she still there? I thought they would explore Alex's childhood, like she is mom or dad, but that hasn't happened.
Also it is stupid to fire Izzie since she owns that Denny medical center. Well she donated the money but it's still hers. That's like GH firing Liz Webber or even better Nik Cassadine. It doesn't make any sense.
I love LOVE Private Practice. I don't know if anyone notice though but they have new producers this season. I think that's also why it's better. I freakin loved Noah and Addison. They had so much chemistry but it also made me feel bad to want them together when he's married with a pregnant wife. I like the fallout from that and Addison admitted to Nia why she's been treating her like that. I really love Violet's storyline and how she dropped that baby off to holier than thou Pete. I still hate Cooper being with that tranny but I'll get over it. I don't miss the other holier than thou Dell.
23 July 2008
1 hour 56 min
I just finished watching all of this season's episodes of Grey's back to back and I'm liking the show. I also realized half way through that I don't hate Izzie. Color me surprised. But her leaving Alex like that may make me reconsider. I know she was hurting and probably felt betrayed by Alex but Alex stood by her through so much. He didn't deserve that. The only character I could really do without is Lexie.
2 April 2008
10 weeks 3 days
Well Luke i hate to break to you but Regan is watching the best show PP has been rocking since beginning of the season.
5 November 2007
1 hour 15 min
Chandra Wilson needs her own show. lol
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I came over here to say the same thing Luke! Either her own show or be on both. I can't get enough of Bailey!
Yes, Grey's was lacking and PP was on fire last night. Love both shows. I hope soon Violet will love and accept her child.
23 July 2008
4 weeks 5 days
I am really enjoying both actually!
I love me some Grey's, as it has always been my favorite of the two, but Private Practice is outstanding! Hallelujah for Pete being the father! Sheldon is oh so annoying. And I am enjoying this fallout drama of the Violet thing, but I really miss the old Violet. I loved the old Violet, and I really hope she'll return to her former self soon!
And I REALLY REALLY do not like these snotty little Mercy West doctors. Especially that googley-eyed bitch that is Alex's partner! They had better not write them falling into a relationship together :/ But, are the MW-ers supposed to become permanent characters, or what? I mean do they even have names? Lol. And also, I really enjoyed the Christina break down. I get tired of the same ole one-note bitchy Christina all the time, and it was nice to realize that she is a real person too. And I think I have a crush on Lexie Gray (: lol.
Chandra Wilson is just the ultimate. She is the peanut butter to television's jelly, and the sock to Grey's shoe. Really, she is one of the best actresses on television, no lie. I just wish Bailey would get back to her old opinianated, caring self, instead of this hard-nosed former version. She was more of herself on PP this week than she has been on Grey's all year.
Ahh, kudos to both of these shows. I love me some GA & some PP, (:
16 August 2007
1 hour 25 min
Question about Bailey and Sam...did anyone else catch what his specialty is? For some reason I think it was mentioned that it is the specialty Cristina is pursuing. Does anyone else think we might see Sam cross over to Grey's for a surgery which would give him and Bailey a chance to explore what happened on PP. It could also give Cristina's s/l some much needed guidence.
27 November 2008
45 weeks 5 days
I gotta disagree about Grey's and agree on PP. The latter has been on fire so far this season.
Grey's, IMO, has been so good, with Thursday having it all. I laughed, gasped and was ready to throw something at my TV due to the Mercy West folk and I think that was the point. We're not supposed to like them, yet.
I thought the Callie stuff was amazing.
23 July 2008
1 hour 56 min
It was nice to see a gay s/l involving parents and their children that didn't involve pregnant women falling down stairs or homophobic military dads turning homicidal.
17 January 2008
3 weeks 17 hours
I love PP and I like GA. Last year it was the complete opposite.