"Crash Into Me, -- Part Two" - In the stunning conclusion of a two-part episode, Meredith furiously works to save the life of a paramedic trapped inside an ambulance, as her sister, Lexie, holds the life of a patient in her hands; Derek must rely on the help of a nurse to save a patient's life, as Bailey struggles to balance her personal life with her work, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6.
Seth Green ("Austin Powers," "Robot Chicken") Guest Stars as Nick.
Emmy-Nominee Elizabeth Reaser Returns as Ava.
"Crash Into Me -- Part Two" was written by Shonda Rhimes and Krista Vernoff and directed by Jessica Yu.

What a downer for Thanksgiving, huh? Not to mention it was one of those (dreaded) "To be continued..." episodes. Oh - and we have to wait TWO WEEKS to find out what happens next. (The 29th is a rerun, in case you didn't know.) Things like this really make me unhappy.
I'm sad about Miranda having trouble at home. I sort of wondered if that would be an issue. After all she did have a baby last season, and while we're supposed to believe they have the perfect, understanding marriage ... A Baby Changes Everything... as they say. Please, please, please let them figure it out.
Derek absolutely cannot leave Meredith. Cannot. Nope. I know we all want what's best for him and blah-blah-blah, but I just don't want him winding up with the nurse... no matter how appealing and sweet she might seem. Here's my prediction on that... He is going to start seeing her because he wants a real relationship. Maybe they even date a bit, do the nasty. But I think he'll eventually realize that in his heart of hearts, he really wants and needs Meredith. Despite being broken and needy and unable to commit, she completes him. And the nice-nice way of life with the nurse just won't cut it. But I think we're getting on the relationship roller coaster with McDreamy. Buckle up.
The whole paramedics injured thing was absolutely heart-wrenching, and once again, we saw Meredith and the chief having special moments. I love that dynamic. I love that he's "there" for her. He needs her, too.
Man... Alex is in trouble! For me, it's a no-brainer. As much as I LOVE Ava, he really could have a connection with Lexie. The two of them really have a lot in common and seem to "get" each other... not to mention neither of them are MARRIED. Ava/Rebecca (apparently) still is. That can make things a little sticky, right?
Izzie and George are so over... romantically anyway. Finally! But can they be friends? Most people think they can, but most aren't able to pull it off. It would be nice, though.
Touchy topic with the swastika-tattoo guy. It's hard to imagine that there really are people out there walking around like that, and there are real, well-educated doctors -- and other caregivers -- who have to treat them. I can't imagine what I would do in that situation. The Hippocratic Oath begins "First, do no harm..." but when you are facing someone eyeball to eyeball who has no regard for you... how do you put that away? I liked the way Bailey did it. Way to "rise above."

My apologies. All I can say is Thank Goodness that the shows are online. I have to rant a minute. I have this unbelievably expensive HD-DVR so I can capture my favorite shows ("Grey's Anatomy") in HD and watch it whenever I want to, right? Watch as many times as I want to, right?. But network shows started doing these (stupid) Super-Sized episodes and the blasted DVRs aren't smart enough to figure out what's going on. So - my show got nuked. See me shaking my fist at the DVR? See me?
Okay. Sorry. I feel better now. Sort of.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming...
THAT'S SO HIGH SCHOOL
There's a little High School left in all of us. No matter how grown up or how successful and happily-ever-after we become, there's always that little twinge of who we were. If you think about it, it makes sense. High school is such a rite of passage. Forget the three-R's, the ACT, the SAT and AEIOU. It was about expressing ourselves. Chasing dreams. Wishing and hoping for the fairy tale to come true. Our emotions weren't tempered. Not one bit. We felt everything at full tilt. Love. Lust. Hope. Disappointment. Elation. Competitiveness.
We wanted desperately to be part of the pack. Usually the popular pack. Most of us weren't. But that didn't stop us from standing on the outside looking in. And sometimes, just sometimes, we would get included for a second. And it was glorious. But not really. It was all an unreal world. Except it wasn't, at least for the Chosen Few. And it's all part of our modern-day fabric no matter how hard we deny it. Maybe it's just a thread by now, but it's an important part of the pattern.
It's just not fair, really.
There are people in this world that we still allow to make us feel worthless... no matter how successful we are.
Bad hair-dos, braces, band uniforms... in my case, French Club (Yes. Seriously.)... those definitions follow us. But what's wrong with that? We found a place to belong somewhere, right?
It still never helps when the Object of Our Desire happens to be one of the Cool Kids. In high school, most of us were willing to do anything to feel that ray of sunshine upon our faces. And it doesn't really go away once we grow up, does it? There are still the cliques and the Cool Kids.
But what's so true in "Forever Young" is that you can't judge a book by its cover. Derek was a saxophone-playing band geek with acne and frizzy hair. Bailey (aka Mandy) was an oboe-playing band geek with coke bottle glasses and and no self-esteem. Stunningly beautiful Izzie was the pregnant girl from the trailer park who was shunned. That's a long way from Homecoming Queen.
High school never leaves us. We may overcome it. We may put it away, but it's always there. Isn't it? What would you do if the one person you wanted to impress, love or be-loved-by from high school walked back into your life? How would you behave?
Yes. So much of that time was not real life. People were superficial. Still are. But eventually we find our way. Even if we have to pretend, sometimes, that we're not affected by the Popular Ones.
The thing is, though, sometimes pretending is the best medicine.
Someone told me not to worry about what other people think of me because they're probably more worried about what I think of them. I think all of us - no matter how far up the ladder we go in our respective lives, jobs, careers - worry that someone will see through our facade and catch a glimpse of that bad hair-do and braces.
But even if people do see that... who cares? There's an awkward teen inside them, too.
MEREDITH & LEXIE
We all have expectations and assumptions. And yet, there are still people in this world we can't face truthfully.
Thatcher Grey couldn't face Meredith truthfully. He couldn't let her know he is really a drunk with no control over himself or his life. He had to concoct a story about it being Susan's birthday.
Didn't Meredith assume Lexie's life was perfect with their dad? That he was the loving, wonderful father that (damn it!) she didn't get to know. Reality check. I so love, though, how Richard really steps in as a father figure for Meredith. She needs him. I think he needs her, too. I was glad she let him in.
By now we know that Lexie is broken, too. The Grey girls really have more in common than they'd like to believe. I wonder what they'll do with that knowledge. I hope they find a way to get closer.
I see something percolating between Lexie and Alex. He really understands her. He's walked a mile in her shoes. He knows her pain, and while he's able to be a shoulder to lean on ... he's also stripping away some of his hardened layers. He almost seemed wounded when he told Lexie about having to start cleaning up after his dad when he was only seven years old.

A SCHOOLBUS CRASH FLOODS SEATTLE GRACE WITH TEENAGERS, DEREK GOES OUT ON A DATE WITH A FELLOW DOCTOR, AND MEREDITH SEES HER FATHER FOR
THE FIRST TIME SINCE HER STEPMOTHER'S DEATH, ON ABC'S "GREY'S ANATOMY"

Jeff Perry Returns as Thatcher Grey, Kali Rocha Returns as Sydney Heron
"Forever Young" - The ER is filled with teenagers after a schoolbus crash, Bailey treats a patient who was her high school crush, Derek goes out on a date with a fellow doctor, and Thatcher enters the ER looking for Meredith, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 (8:00-9:02 p.m., CT) on the ABC Television Network.
Guest Starring Jeff Perry as Thatcher, Kali Rocha as Sydney, D.B. Woodside as Marcus, Lauren Stamile as Rose, Madeline Zima as Marissa, Brooke Nevin as Tricia and Stephen Sowan as Danny.
"Forever Young" was written by Mark Wilding and directed by Rob Corn.

AP - The cast of the top-rated medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" joined striking Hollywood writers on a picket line Wednesday.
Stars Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, Katherine Heigl and Sandra Oh spent their lunch breaks outside the Prospect Studios, where "Grey's" is filmed.
"This matter is way too important not only for our writers but ultimately everyone who makes movies, everyone who makes entertainment here in this town and again for the rest of the world," said Oh, who plays Dr. Cristina Yang.
Other cast members included Justin Chambers, James Pickens Jr., Sara Ramirez, Eric Dane and Heigl, who portrays Dr. Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens.
"You've got to have a story," Heigl said. "You've got to have a story in order to perform anything, to have any ideas on where to go and what to do, and where the character, story lines, arcs, everything. They're everything. We can't do it without them."
The strike began Monday after negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to produce a deal on how much writers are paid when shows are offered on the Internet.
"It's really a big tragedy to be out here striking at all," said Dempsey, who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd. "I think there are going to be a lot of people affected by this, that have families, that live paycheck to paycheck, that upsets me profoundly. But at the same time, I do feel that the writers deserve a better break on the deals they have been getting."
The "Grey's" cast said it was shooting scenes for its last scripted episode.
"We're supposed to be going until the end of May and right now our last shooting day will be Tuesday or Wednesday," said T.R. Knight, or Dr. George O'Malley on the show. "As actors, we're paid a different way than the writers, but there's also the crew to keep in mind. They are out of work as of next Wednesday."
----
Not surprisingly, it sounds like the main sticking point between writers and producers is money. Writers want to get payments from DVDs and shows offered on the Internet.
So tell us... What do you think about the writers' strike?
I just don't want "Grey's Anatomy" to run out of new episodes too soon!
SLIDESHOW: "Grey's" actors walk picket line with writers

“Chemistry. Either you have it or you don’t.”
* Fade to black *
Isn’t that the truth!
I felt like everyone this week wanted something they didn’t or couldn’t have. Everyone had a need to fulfill, and it just wasn’t happening for one reason or another.
I’m predicting doom for Izzie and George. Eww. There’s nothing worse than feeling fond of someone – even loving them – but having zero chemistry with them. It’s just … well, ick. And there’s a lesson here, isn’t there?
If Confucius didn’t say it -- he should have. Maybe it’s on a fortune cookie somewhere!

“Don’t blow up your whole life over drunken sex with someone unless you’re really, really, really, really sure!”

And weren’t Izzie and George the best of friends? hope it isn’t ruined. The friendship, I mean.
Then again, NOTHING could have been ickier than the drunken, desperate sex between Meredith and George, right? And how absolutely funny was it that both Izzie and George were talking to Meredith about how awful their sex was.
I’ll admit, though, I was curious to know what was in the “box of fun” Izzie had. And what exactly what was the fantasy that resulted in a rubber ducky, a bathtub and a chipped tooth? Okay… no. No! Sorry. No. Don’t. Want. To. Know.
Major breakthroughs this week, huh? Meredith is starting to thaw. I mean, she stayed longer after whoopie with Derek (maybe even overnight!) even after the chief had walked in on them the night before. That’s progress! And she seems like she’s trying to let Lexie into her life, even if she told her to butt out of it. (Did you notice Meredith called her “Lex” during the code? Shortening someone’s name is a form of endearment, right?) And she did ask Alex to take her “sister” home. You know, the one that plays the trombone or whatever.
Baby steps.
Speaking of Alex, I think I’m in love (Okay – lust) with Alex. (Again.) He is back to the bad boy hottie who can’t help himself. He’s the Original ManHo (move over Mark), and I love it! But I wonder… did we see a glimpse of care… dare we say… affection… toward Lexie? Although, I’m still not quite sure what is going on in with him. Where does Rebecca/Ava play into this? We know he’s hung up on her, but of course, she IS back with her husband so I guess it is sort of a dead end, there.
I think I’d love Alex and Lexie to start something. We might get to find out a little bit more about Alex’s tortured background. He knows the drill. We saw it with the confrontation with Lexie’s (and Meredith’s) drunk of a dad.
Hurrah for Bailey!
Who cried?
Who cried!
I know you at least teared up.
Didn’tcha?
How could you NOT?
Finally! She gets the recognition and job she deserves. She is The Nazi. The fantastic, beautiful-inside-and-out, tough-as-nails, cut-you-to-the-quick but love-you-fiercely Bailey. Great call, Chief. And I’m with her. About damned time!
Poor Cristina and Callie. (Although, Callie did deserve to get fired from the Chief Resident’s job.) Their personal and professional lives are in shambles. Does anyone really think Cristina could possibly look at another specialty? Naw. No way! She has to find a way to get in with Dr. Hahn. But my theory is that Hahn is tearing down Cristina to eventually build her back up. To me, Hahn seems like she wants to be a good teacher. I’m not sure what’s to become of Callie on the show. What’s next for her character? Any guesses?
As for Dr. Hahn, did she put Mark in his place or what? Derek is so right, and so was she, about him. Mark’s only interested in her because she’s not interested in him. I just WISH we’d been able to see what Mark did after she put him in his place! I mean, did he slink away to lick his wounded ego? Did he develop a think skin and hang out with her and play darts? Do we really think she’ll resist him in the long run?
Can’t wait for next week. The preview looked great. But I really do want to hear your predictions, so send ‘em on!

Have you seen the previews for the next episode?
Yeah.
Here's the general gist: Sex, sex and more sex!
The preview clip is below if you haven't seen it already.
So who's rolling in the proverbial hay?
Alex and Lexie... more sex. (What is WITH that...by the way? What happened to the love of his life, Rebecca? It's just a booty call, right? Even so...!)
Derek and Meredith... caught naked after sex by the person who may as WELL be her dad. The Chief.
Izzie and George... something weird during having sex. Maybe it's not going to be all peace, love and mushrooms, after all?
Oh.. it seems Dr. Mark Sloan - the original male slut - is going to develop a crush on someone. We're not telling who... but you can probably figure it out. It's always the ones who play hard-to-get, isn't it?




Here's a little more about Episode 7:

"Physical Attraction... Chemical Reaction" - George and Izzie's romantic chemistry is put to the test, as Derek asks for more than a physical connection from Meredith; much to his own surprise, Mark develops a crush on a fellow surgeon, and Callie's role as Chief Resident is placed in jeopardy after she delegates much of her job to Bailey, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 on the ABC Television Network.

Guest Cast: Jeff Perry as Thatcher, Rockmond Dunbar as Sean, Stephanie March as Jane, Vicki Lewis as Harriet, David Burke as Don, Kurt Fuller as Jerry and Enuka Okuma as Teresa.

"Physical Attraction... Chemical Reaction" was written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and directed by Jeff Melman.

Part of being in love is not fighting love.
It's like being in an ocean's current. The more you swim against it, the more it wears you down. But if you relax and let it carry you along, the experience can be lovely, even relaxing... and much, much safer.
Why can't Meredith figure that out?
I mean, she gets it, right? She gave the guy who fell 12,000 feet advice on love.
She told him she got "one last chance" and that the feeling you can do anything goes away. She told him to own up to his feelings and tell his instructor he loves her. Good grief! Why can't she do it?
We know why Derek feels like he has to "take care of her," but he told Cristina that Meredith won't let him. And Cristina said she is taking care of Meredith. I hope we're getting a glimpse that Meredith is due a reality check.
"Being aware of your crap and actually overcoming your crap are two very different things," said Cristina.
Is that not the truth!
But for some reason, Meredith chooses not to help herself.
I know it's easy for a (semi) sane person to ask those questions. Meredith isn't whole. We know this. We know that's why she needs fixing. Saving. And we know that no one can do that for her. She knows she's going to lose Derek if she doesn't get it together. I'm worried, too. That's a whole other current, and Derek is getting worn out.
Did it seem to anyone else, though, that Meredith might be turning a corner?
When she was talking to Derek (after more break-up sex) about what it was like when he pulled her out of the water and how the experience sort of "washed everything clean," I thought maybe she's opening her eyes -- and her heart -- to commitment.
It's all about expectations.
Meredith has an expectation of what love should be. I think she thinks it's supposed to be easy. And we know it isn't. And she's fighting it.
The bloodied wedding dress personified the struggle with great expectations. There was the expectation of being a winner... at any cost. Of being a beautiful bride. Of having the perfect wedding. Of being the perfect daughter, girlfriend or wife.
(On a side note, I would've smacked the girl whose shoulder was pulled out of socket, but that's just me.)
I reluctantly admit that Izzie and George seem to have figured out real love. (Did I really just say that?) Poor Izzie's breakdown over their NOT-SO "perfect night of hot sex" rings truer to me than the constant tug-of-war going on inside Meredith. I loved Izzie's expectation of how things would be for their first time together as a real couple. I also knew that there was no way in hell it would be perfect, so settling for a spooning session with SLEEP first on the agenda was so believable and sweet. Isn't that how real couples in love are? And who couldn't help but laugh at Izzie managing to shave only one leg in her exhaustion!
We're uncomfortable with Izzie & George. So is everyone else on "Grey's", but they really seem to have love. Real love. Tangible love. Long-term love. And like it or not... they've walked through the fire, and they're still holding on to each other.
And then there's Meredith & Derek.
We're rooting for them to give in to their fears (mainly Meredith) and fall deeply, madly in love, get married, have a family... the whole nine yards. We're invested in their turmoil. We know they've hurt each other badly, but we want them to be together ... and be happy... somehow.
Then again... how much of a real relationship do we want for them? Remember the whole snoring thing? MerDer drama is like a drug. If they wind up living "happily ever after," where will we get our fix?

TITLE: Raindrops From The Sun
PERFORMER: Imani Coppola
LABEL: Ipecac

TITLE: Don't Try To Fool Me
PERFORMER: Miss Li
LABEL: National

TITLE: Say A Lot
PERFORMER: Buddy
LABEL: Stove Punchin'

TITLE: Cheer Me Up Thank You
PERFORMER: New Buffalo
LABEL: Arts & Crafts

TITLE: Let Somebody In
PERFORMER: Magic Numbers
LABEL: Heavenly/EMI

TITLE: Merry Happy
PERFORMER: Kate Nash
LABEL: Polydor

TITLE: Listen Up!
PERFORMER: The Gossip
LABEL: Kill Rock Stars

TITLE: Fools Gold
PERFORMER: Katie Herzig
LABEL: None

TITLE: Come Out Of The Shade
PERFORMER: The Perishers
LABEL: Nettwerk

TITLE: Polite Dance Song
PERFORMER: The Bird & The Bee
LABEL: Blue Note

TITLE: Get Well
PERFORMER: The Perishers
LABEL: Nettwerk

TITLE: I Will Show You Love
PERFORMER: Kendall Payne
LABEL: None

SLIDESHOW: "Kung Fu Fighting" Photos

More to come...