Drowning on Dry Land

It occurs to me that I've never written a review here (or anywhere, I don't think) for one of my favorite films, The Piano. I'll have to get that in here sometime soon. Which means I'll have to watch that film again soon. Yay! I mention that film, because the Feb. 15th episode of Grey's Anatomy, the BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION, included some imagery which was reminiscent of the famous underwater scene from that film. Which is always a good thing.

Water is my favorite metaphor, and underwater is my favorite storytelling motif. Just to review:

In The Piano, Holly Hunter's character Ada McGrath tips the piano (her lifeline) overboard on the tiny boat she's in and goes down in the water with it. While she's there, trapped underwater by the piano which is tied to her foot, she makes a choice: Life. It's either Life or Death, after all, and she chooses Life.

Meredith Grey, my favorite character on television, has recently had an altercation with her mother, who has Alzheimer's. Her mother had a few lucid days, and proceeded to break down Meredith's self-esteem even more, which was already at a dangerously dark and twisty low. I've read complaints that Meredith is 'whiny' by detractors of the show. If you had Ellis Grey for a mother, you'd whine once in a while too! Ellis Grey is hyper critical, overbearing, and Type A. And then some. And, sadly, she regrets the day that Meredith was ever born, because Meredith represents a union in which she was never happy.

So Meredith has spent her whole life trying to just do something right. For Mom. And she never can. In a truly great dramatic moment, Meredith finally told her mother why she is the way she is. It's all because of YOU, mother, Meredith said. Except she really let her have it. I really would love transcripts of this show as the writing is out of this world. (That's why this is the best show on TV. The writing.) But, as life is, Ellis had relapsed out of her lucid state, and didn't even know who Meredith was. The sadness in that scene just kills me.

Ever since this altercation, Meredith hasn't been herself. She's not sharing anything with, well, anyone. Not even Derek, (aka Dr. McDreamy) who tries very hard to be sweet and supportive. While bathing, she goes underwater for a few minutes, contemplating. Derek sees this, Meredith underwater in the tub, and pulls her up. He thinks she's trying to drown herself. And he wants to be her 'knight in shining whatever.' But he's not. I think we'll find that she has to save herself, just as we all have to save ourselves. Metaphorical knights don't really exist. Han Solo ain't comin'. ;)

There's an emergency on a ferry, which exploded, leaving lots of wounded. The interns must all assist, and Meredith, trying to help a man with a huge gash in his leg, gets knocked overboard into the ocean as the man thrashes about. She has her 'Piano' moment, but I think Meredith is more likely to choose Death. Which is radical and gutsy for a TV show! Indeed, the last thing we see in this episode is Meredith, looking lucid, sitting between Denny and The Bomb Squad Guy (who both died last season).

Of course, this is Meredith, the show's center, so we all know she won't die. She'll come back. But near-death experiences are always a great plot device. I thought I cried a lot when Denny died. Imagine how much I cried when Meredith died! I'm not sure if it's just hormones or what (they've been out of control lately; damned womanhood!), but I lost it. What made me lose it?

Derek, breaking down, and trying so hard to save Meredith.
Mark Sloane, The Traitor, putting his hand on Derek in a comforting way.
Christina, Meredith's best friend, who never cracks, looking as if she might break.
George, the guy who's in love with Meredith but she'll never love him back, crying.
Izzie, telling them all that Meredith will be okay, that she still believes in The Good, and that Denny (her fiance who died last season) is with her every day.
The look on Bailey's face as she works to save Meredith, one of her interns, and like one of her children.

But the one that really got me?

Addison, Derek's ex-wife, the woman who had battled to win Derek back, the woman who had started out as an adversary to Meredith, but who became a friend to everyone there, played by Kate Walsh (brilliantly!), who sees Meredith on the table and immediately comes in to assist with options to save her life.

It was like, nearly every main character on the show came together to support Meredith, and nearly every main character was emotional about her, and the situation.

So Meredith, don't think you're not loved!!!
Your mother might not love you, but DAMN, these people do!

Next week, Meredith will make her choice.
Of course she'll come back, whether she chooses Life or not.
Our Meredith, I think she's likely to choose Death.
Just because, it's enough already.

In a nice bit of foreshadowing, Derek told Burke it was "like I'm living with a ghost."

Maybe Meredith needs to see The Other Side to have her own epiphany.
Maybe she just needs a break.

Whatever the outcome, I am hooked. Completely.

Thank You, Writers on Grey's Anatomy.
Entertainers of the Year, YES.
Golden Globe winners for Best Drama. YES.
Let's hope more Emmys follow.