I was always in the “No Cristina, he’s not cheating on you” camp. I just couldn’t fathom any logical or emotional justification for such a story leap. So when in 816 Cristina is hunting around searching for clues I was shouting at the screen – “no no no Cristina, you’re an intelligent woman, think about it”. Imagine my surprise and horror when it turns out that Owen has in fact cheated on Cristina. He is THAT man. And immediately I saw the Calsloana gate story for S8. You know the kind of story I mean. The one that makes impossible leaps with the characters that don’t make sense. Why Shonda, why? Where did that come from? I expect surprises in the stories. I expect the unexpected. But I hope for the realistic and mature. Instead Owen has cheated and we’re back to soap suds and melodrama. The best thing about this story, is, just like Calsloana gate the actress makes the scene. Sandra Oh can pull this off and whilst contemplating Cristina’s own wedded tragedy she delivers a heartbreaking performance to the husbands, a love story to the end.
Catherine Avery swept back in to Seattle Grace Mercy West with her usual robust energy and flirtatious ways. Dr Winkypants (thank you Dr Bailey for that one!) once again made her son look like the wet fish that Cristina caught back in S7 and charmed her way through the corridors of bladder control. She should not be flirting so outrageously with a married man but that flirting reminded Richard of where he needed to be. Oh dear. My heart is already clenched for an end of season Richard/Adele tragedy. Catherine brings with her a young puppy to woo the secrets from Jackson in a story arc straight out of the most boring book ever written. And he finally gets some nookie, much to Mark’s delight. The only upside to this snooze fest was when the young English puppy (who, by the way, tried to pull off a posh English accent but who gave away her midland roots – nout wrong with that, just be true to yourself girl) called Jackson a presumptious pig. Did you all hear my cheer?
Over in ICU Alex is bonding with Ava, oops I’m sorry Morgan. Yet again the writers have found a depressive dark love interest for the poor guy. Only Callie can see the gorilla in the room. My theory is that Sarah Drew’s pregnancy really mucked up the story telling for Alex this season. I felt sure that couple would be developed. If Justin Chambers stays, and on the basis of stories like Morgan I’m assuming he won’t, then my money is again on April/Alex in Season 9 – if there is a Season 9. Who am I kidding, of course there will be a Season 9.
Derek wants Meredith back in Neuro – why Derek? Surely Meredith deserves her own specialty not yours? And he finds out in the end that she does as again a once fruitful partnership ends in disaster as we see Meredith looking after Lexie and Derek doing his usual – I’m better than everyone else routine, I can’t possibly trust you in my OR. Poor Lexie. I’m glad they covered this story arc. It drew to a close all the will she won’t she go back to Neuro. No one can spend 24/7 with their partner and expect a happy home life. Go back to general Meredith. That’s where you should be. A nice addition to this showed us that the writers have remembered that Lexie is a fallible doctor and that she and Meredith are sisters. For most of Season 8 that seems to have been missing.
Whilst I found 817 to carry mediocre storylines I was impressed with the writing. For comedy impact the episode was full of one-liners and excellent speeches. The best coming from Cristina explaining to the husband that his husband is already dead. Some of the best of the rest:
“I like to think that everyone leads a full life once I’m done with them” – Catherine Avery.
“I’m ready with this new bladder if anybody’s interested” - Bailey
“Alex, no! Bad dog...she’s gonna fall for you, then she’s gonna go crazy then she’s gonna pee on my couch” - Meredith
“And I know Dr Winkypants knows it....” - Bailey
“Presumptuous pig” – the puppy doctor
Written by brouhaha aka @pipmaxine
Apologies again for the time lag in reviews. Life and all that!
i do declare u finally wrote the reviews yay!!!!!!11
ReplyDeleteI told u soo...I knew he was cheating, damn im good!
ReplyDeleteI love this twist while it was obvious for me i still enjoy it. I think it is an honest depiction of a real relationship. It is common for couples who are dealing w/ unbelievable stress and anger btwn each other that one might go astray. Its completely plausible that Owen cheats b/c he's hurt and confused. Not excusing his actions (i hate CHEATERS) but again not shocking to me this occurred.
On a lighter note- I love Momma Avery and her over the top flirtation. Unlike Owen, the real Chief (Webber) resisted temptation.
I know Owen and Cristina/Owen like to pretend Owen isn't the type of man who would cheat and this storyline is sooo unrealistic and out of characters but, fact is, it isn't. Owen has cheated before. We found that out in season 5. When he made out with Cristina in the season 5 premiere he had a fiancée (Beth). And when he returned from Iraq and started working at SGH whilst developing somewhat of a relationship with Cristina he hadn't even told his fiancée he was back. He let his fiancée and his own mother worry and fear for his life thinking he was in a warzone when in reality he was chilling in Seattle. He then brings to SGH his cardiogod BFF as a gift to his current girlfriend and when he finds out that his BFF is in love with him and, oh yeah, he used to be in love with her too when he was engaged to Beth (that's two women poor Beth took a backseat to) and things get complicated because he might have feelings for his BFF, he goes behind Teddy and Cristina's back and tries to get Teddy fired! Sorry, but Owen is shady. He's the shadiest of the bunch and there's absolutely nothing noble about him. There's nothing surprising about him cheating and Owen and Cristina have no business being together. I don't say that because of the infidelity, I say that because of the baby issue. That's a dealbreaker and there's no compromise to make about having children.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the Alex and April storyline, I say there is still a chance in the next few episodes like the images posted for episode 8x21. I really want to see them together.
ReplyDeleteI've replied in detail in the 819 review to the cheating issue.
ReplyDeleteMomma Avery - I love Momma Avery! I just hope Webber can resist her charms in the upcoming episode that features her...
Absolutely agree with everything you've said. In fact I shall add to it that he is also a violent man as illustrated in his unprovoked attack on the patient in "What is it about men". His first attack on the patient could be explained away (objectively), but his further threats on that patient are despicable for a doctor, let alone a chief.
ReplyDeleteI've responded to the cheating story line in comments on 819 if you're interested ;)
http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/04/greys-anatomy-episode-819-support_19.html
Yes, I really think Sarah Drew's pregnancy was a shot in the foot for her career in Grey's. I hope they can recover her character late S8 and S9 as I think she has a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteI know. I know. I'm up to date for another 24 hours!
ReplyDeleteThing ist that we don't know anything about Owen&Beth. Could be that their relationship was not exactly perfect when Owen decided to go to Iraq. Also it was quite clear why he did not tell Beth or his mum that he was back. Iraq changed him. Just watch the epi again with Beth and her father. He was scared. Regarding Teddy, I don't think that he was ever sure what he felt for her but he was always sure what he felt for Cristina. He made that quite clear. Also Cristina was willing to trade him and offered him to Teddy AND he found out that she doesn't want kids. So again: scared. I don't think he really is a violent (don't think he can really control that part (PTSD?)) or "shady" man. He's just really scared and broken and thanks to the abortion and Cristinas (and also Teddy's "I want you dead") behaviour even more so. He's such a sad character, he wants to do things perfectly and be the perfect guy for Cristina and also realise his dreams but he never seems get there. It's like he's trying to climb a mountain but falls down to the bottom over and over again and he blames (and hates) himself everytime.
ReplyDeleteif i recall some spoilers i dont believe he resists much longer :(
ReplyDeleteyay im so excited!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDidn't much like this episode. I'm disappointed they went down the Owen cheating route, the Alex/Morgan storyline is repetitive and boring and I could have done without Derek's high and mighty routine once again! The only things to be glad of was a slightly different storyline for Lexie (rather than pining after Mark/supporting relatives) and Catherine Avery coming back.
ReplyDeleteOwen and Beth were in a relationship, engaged in fact, and we don't need to know more about them. Owen shouldn't be making out with strangers.
ReplyDeleteI understand Owen had PTSD when he returned from Iraq and didn't want to see Beth or his mother but it's completely selfish the way he only thought about himself. He could've easily told them he wasn't in Iraq anymore but was at some military base so he wouldn't have to seen them. Beth told him she and Owen's mom were worried sick and praying for his safety all those months thinking he's in a warzone. That's absolutely awful. He should've given them some peace of mind. And if Beth hadn't shown up at the hospital that day, who knows how long Owen would have kept them thinking he's in Iraq.
Owen knew that Cristina didn't want kids and he still married her. And now that she remains true to herself, he's trying to call foul because "all women want kids"? Give me a break. He even told Cristina that she would want kids when she "grew up". That is so completely insulting. What makes this even more insulting is Shonda keeping Owen and Cristina together.
Owen's problem is he wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants the things he wants and will manipulate whatever and whomever it takes. He wants Cristina but he wants a baby and so he's been trying to guilt trip her into having one. He wants Teddy to leave Seattle and so he tells Derek (who was Chief at the time) that he shouldn't offer her the permanent position at SGH. He then tells Cristina he recommended Teddy for the job just to get on Cristina's good side and stay friends with Teddy. He tried to screw over both Cristina and Teddy that time. Shady jerk.