This week's Grey Anatomy episode reminded me why I fell in love with this show in the first place. I laughed, I cried, and I didn't want the episode to end! When we return to Seattle Grace the doctors are still treating Jackson (the boy waiting for organs) and the serial killer just days away from execution. Jackson is fading fast, and the serial killer has banged his head against his hospital bed, causing his brain to bleed, and pushing him closer and closer to death in the hospital, instead of in prison.
Meredith has encouraged the serial killer to die in the hospital, because he is a match for Jackson as an organ donor. Meredith reveals this to Bailey, but begs her not to tell Shepard.
Meanwhile Lexi and Sloan have escaped to the "on call" room for a little afternoon delight. The interns arrive at the door to the room looking for a place to sleep, only to find the door locked. As they jiggle the handle, trying to break in, they begin to hear screaming from the other side of the door.
Cut to Sloan naked on the bed, screaming in pain, and begging Lexi, "Little Grey, go away. Please. I don't want you to see me like this". Lexi runs to find Callie, and explains Sloan has "broken a bone". Callie brings in Dr. Hunt for a consultation and he diagnoses Sloan with a penile fracture. Ouch.
All the interns are a buzz with who "broke" Mark Sloan. Sadie takes the fall for Lexi, helping to keep her relationship secret, and cementing herself as an ally.
Across the building Izzie is trying to insert a catheter but her visions of Denny distract her and she has to leave the room. Through out the episode she fights with Denny, begging him to go away and keeps saying "I can't, I'm here for you".
Izzie can't seem to figure out what that means, until the end of the hour, when she realizes, Denny has come to get her, to bring her to "the other side". Izzie says "I'm sick. You are here for me. How could you not tell me?". We are left to assume that Izzie has some kind of illness that will eventually take her life. Heavy.
Meanwhile Dr. Hunt begs Christina for forgiveness, apologizing for their first date disaster. She responds "You have problems, BIG problems". He nods his head and says "Yes, I do. I'd still like a second chance". Silence. "Ok" Christina decides. YES! Christina hasn't been happy since before Dr. Burke's hand started shaking. The woman deserves a little action!
Back in Jackson's room it seems his health is fading fast, and Bailey tells his mother, its time to say goodbye. Meanwhile, the Chief is downstairs trying to convince a recent widow, to donate her husband's organs.
Down the hall Christina asks about the progress of the serial killer, and Meredith responds "its under control". Christina takes this to mean, Meredith has taken matters into her own hands and is helping the man to die. She runs down the hall, sees he is crashing, and calls in Shepard. Shepard and Christina are furious with Meredith, and speedily race to bring him to the O.R.
Faced with losing Jackson, Bailey rushes into Shepard's O.R. and pleads with him to let the man die so that she can use his organs to save Jackson. Shepard is horrified and says "You decide. Do you want me to be executioner or surgeon?". This bold question snaps Bailey back to reality, and she apologizes and retreats.
In a last minute miracle, the widow decides to allow the Chief to harvest her husband's organs to save Jackson. The doctors rush to perform both surgeries, and several hours later, Jackson has new organs, and opens his eyes to ask for a glass of water. His mother and Bailey burst into tears. And I'm crying.
Meanwhile, Shepard has saved the serial killer, and Meredith is left to sign him out. He tells her he played her all along, he wanted to ruin her relationship with Shepard. He then says, "if you can forgive me for messing with you, it would be nice to have a friendly face in the crowd at my execution, I'd like for you to come".
While Meredith ponders a trip to prison, Lexi checks on Sloan, post surgery. He begs her to go away, but she explains "I have a good friend watching the door. No one will see us. I am going to climb into bed with you, and stroke your hair, because that's what I like, when I don't feel well". He allows her to baby him, and the camera cuts to show Sadie watching the door. I see the sexual chemistry between Lexi and Sloan, but I don't buy it as an exclusive relationship. Sloan can't be tamed.
The episode ends on execution day for the serial killer. As the killer is walked to his gurney, the camera pans across all the spectators, who are likely families of the women he killed. There at the back of the room is Meredith. He locks eyes with her, and keeps his gaze intently on Meredith as he receives his injection, and drifts out of consciousness.
Meredith leaves the prison and Derek is outside the walls waiting for her. She says "He asked me to come. I wanted to show him some compassion. It was horrible" and she bursts into tears. The tears keep coming, and Derek doesn't know what to do. He drives to Christina's and begs "She won't stop crying. She needs you. There must be something you would like to freak out about to her. Please".
Christina climbs into the car with Meredith. Meredith mouths something to her we can't hear (drat!) and we begin to hope for a reconciliation.
In the previews for next week, Addison returns to Seattle Grace for help treating her brother. Rumor has it Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice will tape cross over episodes for February sweeps.
Next week we can look forward to Meredith and Christina speaking again, a possible proposal from Derek, Lexi and Sloan - monogamy edition, Christina and Dr. Hunt - take two, and Izzie's quest to discover what is ailing her. Thursday can't come soon enough!
