With a crossover two part episode, and a season premiere; last night had the possibility to be a pretty exciting night of television. While I missed Smallville and Supernatural, their absences actually made last night’s list of shows at least bearable (unlike pretty much every other Thursday with way too much programming) . Overall last night was a night of surprises, met expectations, and one pretty big dud.
#1 Grey’s Anatomy S5.E15 Before and After 
, Private Practice S2.E16 Ex-Life
While I didn’t think as highly of the crossover episode as some fans, you can’t deny that ABC was smart in their timing of the crossover. After a pretty big growth in viewers last week, with the crossover this week Private Practice really took advantage of the extra viewership. If Private Practice can keep the audience from the last two weeks, it would really start establishing itself as a good performer for ABC.
When I first heard of the crossover I thought it would be a cheesy crossover where one of two characters from each show just showed up on the other show. I was actually a little surprised how the crossover worked. It turns out that the crossover essentially just made the two episodes into a two hour Grey’s Anatomy episode. I think this worked in the crossovers favor.
I thought it was an interesting dynamic with Derek, Sloane, Addison, Naomi, Sam and Archer all reuniting after so many years. While they are all quite different know, I could buy them all being friends in college.
The two main cases this week were solid. Both were a little drawn out in my opinion. I really think both shows could have benefited from another storyline being added so less time had to be focused on Archer and the pregnant woman.
As far as the three minor storylines, I can’ say that I was that impressed with any of them. Of the three I would have to say the depressed mother storyline on Private Practice was the best. Izzie’s contest and Sam’s asthma cases were almost too hard to watch though. Sam’s storyline felt like filler and Izzie’s storyline really showed why Katherine Heigl should be given her wish and let out of her contract. If this is the best that Grey’s Anatomy can come up for her there really is no need to keep her. She hasn’t had a good storyline since the season two storyline with Denny (pre-ghost/hallucination).
After this episode I also can’t blame for T.R. Knight wanting out of his contract. I personally wish he wouldn’t leave the show (since he is the best character in my opinion) but I can honestly understand why he wants to leave. This week he might have had a whopping 5 lines. The sad thing is that was several times more than he has gotten recently. I don’t know why Grey’s Anatomy has decided to pretty much just write George out. I can’t blame an actor for wanting to act which doesn’t appear to be a possibility on Grey’s Anatomy for T.R. Knight.
#2 Burn Notice S2.E13 Bad Breaks
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While this week’s episode of Burn Notice was kind of a disappointment, even a disappointing episode of Burn Notice is still a good episode.
Something was missing from this week’s episode. Maybe it was because Michael’s plan wasn’t as elaborate as it usually is. Maybe it was because Michael really didn’t have a client that he was trying to help. Maybe it was because the episode lacked the interaction between Michael, Sam and Fiona. I don’t know exactly what disappointed me about the episode. I’m not to worried though. Every show is allowed a couple off episodes every season.
Even though it was a disappointment, the episode still had it’s moments. Michael’s sabotaging was pretty good even though his “creativity” wasn’t as entertaining as it has been in other episodes this season. What might have stood out more though was Sam and Fiona’s bickering about who Michael liked more. Sam and Fiona’s dynamic almost always brings out the laughs.
#3 Ugly Betty S3.E14 The Courtship of Betty’s Father
Another solid episode of Ugly Betty. One thing I like but also don’t like about Ugly Betty is it’s consistency. Ugly Betty rarely ever has bad episodes but it never really has truly great episodes either. This week’s episode was just another case of that in my opinion.
I do have to say that I am happy that Ignacio is finally getting a storyline. He has always been one of those characters that are pretty much a role player. They really don’t get their own storylines but if they left the show it would make a huge difference. I am also happy for Ignacio. After being alone for so long, it’s good to see him finally move on so he might finally not be so lonely.
Otherwise the Daniel-Molly-Wilhelmina-Connor love triangle is getting a little old. I don’t mind the relationships but I don’t know why the show has to keep coming back to the past regarding Molly and Connor. At least Wilhelmina is starting to move along in his relationship. On the other hand, Daniel’s relationship is moving way too slowly. While I could possibly see Wilhelmina and Connor’s relationship possibly lasting, I don’t think Molly and Daniel will last much longer. It’s just a gut feeling.
#4 The Office S5.E15 Lecture Circuit Part 2
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The picture actually does a pretty good job explaining the best part of the episode. While it was a pretty minor storyline, Angela’s “obsession” with her cats was the best part of the episode. I know there are plenty of cat lovers out there but Angela takes things a little too far especially when she cleans off her cats by licking them.
Other than Angela’s cat storyline, this episode contained many of the same problems that Lecture Circuit Part 1 had. First I thought the Jim-Dwight party planning storyline was pretty lame. Meanwhile I am getting kind of sick of mopey Michael. While I liked Michael and Holly together, the show either needs to bring her back or let Michael get over her. A depressed Michael is a boring Michael.
#5 Survivor Tocantins S18.E1 Let’s Get Rid of the Weak Players Before We Even Start
Last night the eigthteenth season of Survivor kicked off and I was quite disappointed. At this point none of the contestants really interest me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like any of the contestants, but really none of them stand out. I really don’t have any favorites. This doesn’t bode well for a good season in my opinion. If the past has shown us anything, seasons with just a bunch of average contestants, and no standouts either way, are usually the most boring. Hopefully it was just because it was the first episode. Otherwise this could be a pretty boring season in my opinion.
One thing that kept me puzzled though was Sandy. After you get almost kicked off by your tribe, I would think you would try to change people’s opinion of you. While she did redeem herself a little in the challenge and did end up not being kicked off (thanks to Carolina not knowing how to shut up), if she wants to last more than a couple more days she needs to realize quickly that she needs to start getting along with her tribe. You might hate everyone in your tribe but if you don’t pretend to like them and talk with them you have no chance whatsoever to win the game. Being the outsider of your tribe is never a good thing. Maybe Sandy will quickly realize this fact and can actually last more than a couple days. If the first episode is any indication though I wouldn’t bet on it.
Your Take: What were your thoughts on last night’s episodes? Did you like the Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice crossover? Did you think Survivor and Burn Notice were disappointing like I did?
