'Grey's Anatomy' Chops Off Big Names

Producers sent viewers on a wild goose chase on the ninth season premiere of Grey’s Anatomy. Although fans may have expected some resolution in the storyline, peace would not come so soon. No mercy was shown to the residents of Seattle Grace-Mercy West Hospital, as some of the most well-known and beloved characters to date were axed off mercilessly. Yet, viewers should weep not, for creator and producer Shonda Rhimes always foreshadows a promise of more, producing replacements of new characters to fall in love with as we lose the old ones. Tessa Ferrer plays a new intern, and seems to be one of the more permanent of the fresh faces. It’s advisable to keep a close watch on her character development. My, how endless is the cycle of good television drama!

Despite the flashforward approach to the first episode, the tangled web of emotional distress inflicted upon the attendants doesn’t lose its momentum. It’s understood, but also questionable, why the producers introduced the season this way. Surely viewers were confused and might at first wonder if something was missed, but as future episode listings suggest, there will be some fill-ins to look forward to. For now, we are only given the premise of the residual effects of loss due to the horrific crash, leaving different personalities to deal with it the best way they know how.

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) summons up her inner Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and becomes the new “Nazi” in order to cope with the death of Lexie (Chyler Leigh). She eventually earns herself a “Medusa” moniker, given to her by the new residents. Bailey, meanwhile, is so wrapped up in her own whirlwind love affair that she doesn’t realize until much later that her “Nazi” title has been changed to “BCB” (Booty Call Bailey), which offers one of the much-needed lighthearted moments among a sea of despondency. Dr.Yang (Sandra Oh) ends up practicing at a Minnesota hospital that ironically doesn’t stimulate her aggressive drive for medical greatness. Although a weird web cam relationship develops as an alternative between well known besties Grey and Yang, the relationship between Yang and her estranged husband Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) remains yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, Meridith’s own husband Derek (Patrick Dempsey) is struggling with his recovering hand — the very hand needed to operate on his own best friend, Mark, who dies later on. With this, poor Callie (Sara Ramirez) is left to deal with not only the death of the father of her child but also with the guilt of making Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) an amputee. Viewers were led to believe during the entire episode that Arizona also met her demise, and dead or alive Karev (Justin Chambers) takes the downfall of his mentor as a huge blow. This pushes him to head over to Johns Hopkins Hospital, but he changes his mind at the last minute, ending up at the airport bar with Meredith instead.

Everyone is affected by the devastation, with fear and grief as the standard shared sentiments. Alas, we must bid adieu to Dr. McSteamy, but Shonda Rhimes, who is well known for being unpredictably reckless with her characters, gives in return a proper soul-satisfying resolution that allows you to forget about the journey and appreciate the destination. She spoon-feeds her characters by giving you tiny morsels of information to gnaw upon, and just enough drama and suspense to keep us asking for more. The preview of next Thursday's second episode promises to keep us glued to our chairs.