Grey's Anatomy
Starring Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Patrick DempseyAirs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC
Meredith slept with McDreamy! But what about Addison? And what about McVet? To some, this line of questioning might seem like complete lunacy, but to millions of "Grey's Anatomy" fans, it's all perfectly reasonable. The third season of ABC's hit show, even as it ties up fans' favorite storylines, promises to make this year as deliciously dramatic as the last at the Seattle Grace Hospital.
Called "Time Has Come Today," the first episode sets the stage with the day after the death of Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a heart transplant patient and Izzie's (Katherine Heigl) fianc?©. Consequently, the season premiere was rather quiet and subdued. Izzie lay motionless on the floor in a ball gown in response to Denny's death while her friends took turns sitting with her.
Finn "McVet" Dandridge (Chris O'Donnell), Meredith's veterinarian boyfriend, and longtime love interest Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), both visit Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), making it even harder for her to choose between them.
Derek tells Meredith that he loves her, and Finn also tells her he's in for the long haul, despite her infidelities with Derek last season. Addison (Kate Walsh), McDreamy's wife and a doctor at the hospital, tries to convince a 14-year-old girl who left her baby in a trash can to come forward and own up to her actions. Addison's facial expressions indicate some baby drama of her own this season.
Richard (James Pickens Jr.), the chief of surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital, is confronted by his wife Adele (Loretta Devine) when she demands more attention from him. Ultimately, Richard cannot abandon the hospital, so his frustrated wife declares she is leaving him.
All the characters experience flashbacks throughout the episode. Several characters recall the banquet where they first met. Addison remembers the tumultuous downfall of her marriage to Derek, and Meredith conjures up memories from her past concerning her mother's affair with Richard. This early example of infidelity proves just one of the reasons why Meredith is so ridiculously unable to sustain a healthy relationship.
If that wasn't enough, the season will only get better. There is the obvious, looming choice between Derek and Finn, but don't expect that to happen until later in the season. Though odds are Meredith will choose Finn, sexual tension will always rage between Meredith and Derek, forever complicating their relationships with others while they work together. Some episodes will probably involve Meredith making rash decisions, but something will always make her rethink them.
Will Izzie return to the hospital? Will she be written off the show altogether? Doctor Bailey (Chandra Wilson), the supervisor of the intern group, holds the answer.
Furthering the drama, don't forget Meredith's panties: the ones she misplaced after her wild escapades with McDreamy in the season two finale. Anticipate that to cause some problems between Meredith and Addison.
Cristina (Sandra Oh) is probably in for some heavy-duty drama, too. The perfectionist doctor meets her boyfriend Burke's (Isaiah Washington) parents in the most awkward of circumstances, meaning they will disapprove of the relationship and cause trouble for the young surgeons. Keep in mind that Burke's recently hurt hand will cause trouble. Expect Cristina to go through some changes as her ever-present thoughts about what it means to be in a relationship continue to plague her.
And let's not forget that this is a semi-medical show, so expect some medical miracles and trademark "Grey's" bizarre, often heart-wrenching, storylines.
