Wedding Vows

I've never been a Burke fan, but his wedding vows, as recited on 'Grey's Anatomy' last night, were the best I have ever heard. In my life. I may use something similar to them when/if I ever marry. Seriously! Such incredible writing!

Burke is a heart surgeon on the show. And he was about to marry Cristina Yang, the Ultimate Emotionally Void Woman. But, we love Cristina. She's the Miranda of this show (if you watched 'Sex and the City'); smart, ambitious, more into career than relationships. But when she's in a relationship, she hates all of the shmaltzy, gushy, relationshippy crap. Don't give her roses. Don't expect her to be dying to get in that white dress and get married.

Unfortunately for Cristina, she ceased to be herself in this relationship, and thus, it ended. Also, Isaiah Washington (Burke) made some very ignorant remarks. TWICE. So I knew he was leaving the show, and they'd have to end the relationship. But before the end, there were these wonderful wedding vows.

He starts out by saying: (and I'm paraphrasing because I could not find the whole transcript)

Most people say, "I will honor and cherish you, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. But I won't say that. People who say that are optimistic. People who say that are full of hope. But I won't say that."

(Here's the part I could find, from the script):


Burke: "I am not optimistic, I am not full of hope. I am sure. I am steady. And I know that I'm a heart man. I take them apart, I put them back together, I hold them in my hands. I am a heart man. So of this, I am sure. You are my partner, my lover, my very best friend. My heart beats for you. And on this day, the day of our wedding, I promise you this: I promise you to lay my heart in the palm of your hands. I promise you me."

It was one of my favorite TV moments, ever. When he finished, you actually felt like your heart might stop.

That's how I'd like vows to be. I used to be very traditional, and used to think I'd only have the traditional vows. But you know what? I think I could write some that mean a bit more. Because "Till death do us part" has been blasphemed against so many times (60, 70% divorce rate?), and really, I don't believe we part at death. Honoring and cherishing are givens. But again, so many don't do that.

So I'd like to write new vows, ones that I'd follow, 100%. I guess I have plenty of time to think on that. :)

But Thanks, Grey's, for an incredible third season. This show restored my faith in television storytelling. And, it inspired a few ideas, too. This is what great writing does, yes?

Have a great weekend, All.