Grey's Anatomy - Episodes 8.03 - Take the Lead - Review

First of all, my apologies if you’re a Jackson Avery fan. You will not like this post. Sorry. I just can’t ‘fake like’ him. Objectivity went right out the window this week.

I have really struggled to write a review this week. I’m not sure why but I suspect it has a lot to do with a combination of a. too much Jackson Avery and  b. boredom from the ‘back to intern’, ‘kids in a playground’ story arc. Although on the whole I was entertained by episode 3, Take the Lead, I was not overwhelmed by brilliance, and really not very motivated to watch for a second time in order that I can fill my review with useful nuggets, observations and opinions. You’re forgiven, if you stop reading now through your own boredom at my prose.

OK there’s a small lie there. I re-watched Arizona taking down Jackson several times. Indeed, I obtained an obscene amount of pleasure from watching it.

Take the Lead of the title refers to the promotion of our 5^th year residents to lead surgeon status, where surgery outcomes are logged and success stories take on a whole new level of surgical educational meaning beyond, ‘did the patient make it’. Our fabulous five could be found moaning and whinging at their chief resident for the menial tasks of teaching the interns and then flailing, failing and faking their surgeries. Was anyone else a little bored by the school kids routine? I actually don’t understand this story.  Whilst I ‘get’ that our residents have entered a critical phase of their learning, their blatant insubordination and immaturity has confused me.  All it’s proving is how right Owen was in his decision of April to be chief resident. Last week it was all cute. This week, not so much.

But I AM liking April more and more. Finally the writers have given her a story arc worthy of Sarah Drew’s talent. And it is her own story arc, independent of others. April has the unenviable task of organising the other residents, not as their boss, but still kind of like their boss. We’re discovering that underneath she is perceptive and giving, and yet still has her sense of humour and innocence. And let's not forget that she's actually a very good surgeon. Contrast this to the character of Jackson Avery. As far as I can see he’s a complete failure in surgery. He’s clearly out-shone by Cristina in cardio and by all accounts his plastics career is about to plummet. Besides his successful diagnosis of a mouse can anyone tell me what surgical success he’s actually ever had? On top of this, his new mentor, Mark, has no respect for him at all. All of these points could make for a good story – “Jackson, the underdog, comes good”. Yet the writers portray him as a smarmy, cocky, conceited, over-confident pretty boy. His arrogant pose, holding the x-ray up, with his back to Arizona, his significant superior, as she’s talking to him, praising him even, says it all in about 5 seconds. 

Yes, I did it, I added a picture of Jackson

His ‘fail’ in this surgery was about him, and not really about the child he was treating. He was arrogant enough to sign up for it, yet not capable of acknowledging his own limitations without him being psychologically stamped on by Arizona (ahh, yet another moment of joy for me). He’s in a relationship with Lexie, a universally liked character. Again, this in itself could be a good story arc, yet rather than developing the “friendship to romance” on screen that the writers, and even Chyler Leigh, try to convince us is there, his ‘romancing’ of her comes across as shallow and manipulative. Whilst it’s not necessary for me as a viewer to always like regular characters, there must be something about them that allows the viewer to root for them. What is Jackson’s raison d’être? I’m afraid he is utterly unlikable. And unfortunately an unlikable character is a fail.

One might have said that once about Alex. His Grey’s journey has been peppered with incidents that have made him deeply unlikable, and yet always the writers slap us in the face with his demons. So we understand, we forgive and we take him back. This episode was no different. Alex was so nervous of his solo surgery that he did not want to operate on a child. He knows his limitations, and although he came across as gunning for the ‘easy A’, April saw through him. 

Is this the Season 8 romance?

And so we saw through him, and forgave him his attitude because we know he cares about his kids. This distinction between Avery’s lack of self-discovery and Alex’s immense, although camouflaged, self awareness pulls these characters poles apart. One we simply don’t care enough about, the other we root for even when it seems hopeless.

We all knew that Meredith was going to totally ROCK her surgery. We know this because Meredith is a very good surgeon. Her ethics maybe questionable, her perspective often dark, but there has never been any doubt that she is surgically gifted. And we also know that Derek knows. Finally we hear from him. Finally he points to the post-it and gives us a great big clue about his internal conflict. I was expecting another week of McAss actually, but am grateful the writers took pity on us and reminded us that Derek himself remembers the post-it.

So Cristina and Teddy have finally found their grove. This is another story arc I don’t quite understand, but I’m willing to keep with it, grateful for the buoyant approach to their mentor/mentee relationship. 

I’m very sad that Richard is no longer chief. I shall miss his chiefly ways, and getting one up on the surgeons and residents. Moving forward he has given us Owen, about which I am currently ambivalent...or tired. There is a lot to come with Owen and Cristina, we have only scratched the surface. Him being chief just adds another layer of intrigue to it.

For the 5^th years, the attendings move to more of a mentoring role, which gives opportunity for new professional relationships, and deepening of existing ones. The collaboration between Arizona and Alex is being tested by his hesitancy. Callie, has yet to be given a mentee yet she provides a unique example for April to follow – “it will be ok, or it won’t”, ultimately all April can do is try. And Mark has yet to find redeeming qualities in his protégé. These three attendings continue to avoid the drama and yet I am enjoying the contribution all three characters are making to these early season episodes.

Watching Bailey however, makes me want to cry.

Great directing Chandra, but where is Bailey's story?

Overall Take the Lead was amusing, pushed the story forward and provided some further insight into the newer regulars. But all the way through I was thinking ... “I wonder what the all-boys episode will be like”

A few random highlights...and lowlights...

Most irritating line – Jackson: “YOU come on, every surgery we do this year could end up on the oral boards” (Oh Jackson, I can't tell you how much I don't care)

My favourite line this series will be from Arizona “did you want me to call sloan”. It will take a genius to top that.

YAY! Yes, please call Sloan! (If I had the time and ability I would make a caption bubble, even a gif)

Most satisfying moment - Derek pointing to the post-it.

Moment I loved which seems completely irrelevant to the story but completely is relevant - welcome back Arizona on heelies!

Moment I loved which IS completely irrelevant to the story - the ex-chief talking to his sandwich

Written by: Brouhaha aka @pipmaxine who is desperately asking for help: 

1. is there a “I find Jackson to be a slimey whiney” support group anywhere?

2. please can Jackson Avery fans write some comments supporting him. I promise to be nice when I reply. I am genuinely interested. 

3. if some very brave Jackson fans write comments please can the Jackson haters be nice when replying back

3. it's late, this is not proofed and so no doubt full of errors. Please forgive.

Thank you!