Grey’s Anatomy: If You Become Frightened Instead Become Inspired

Wow. This episode of Grey’s Anatomy was actually good. It was suspenseful, uplifting and momentarily made me consider applying to medical school. This is what happens when the series actually focuses on one of its most popular characters, Derek. Credit also goes to the director, Chandra Wilson. Is there anything Dr. Bailey can’t do?

Derek narrates that most surgeons pick the profession for the high but he was drawn to it for the quiet. If blogging had existed when he was in college, the world might have been deprived of a great neurosurgeon. The hospital’s x-ray tech, Isaac (the awesome Faran Tahir) has a huge tumor on his spinal cord. If he has surgery, he will end up paralyzed. He reveals took the job at Seattle Grace specifically to meet Derek. He insists that Derek should take the risk and do it. Isaac is okay with being paralyzed after surviving a war a refugee camp and the death of his family, using the phrase “I survive” so many times that it could be a drinking game.

The Chief tells Derek he can’t do it; it’s expensive and inoperable. He ends with, “It’s a tough job, Derek. You sure you still want it?” I yell at the chief that he can quit if he finds it so tedious. Derek schedules the surgery anyway. He sets up a manual dexterity test involving a paper clip, a pen, and a twenty dollar bill to determine which doctors get to assist. Wow. This feels like old school Grey’s. Jackson the hot resident makes the cut. Christina cannot believe she screwed up.

News spreads that Derek is going rogue. He has left the surgery off the schedule, thanks to the Chief’s new computerized scheduling software. Derek of course picks St. Lexie to tend to his needs during the surgery. I thought nurses were supposed to make sure the surgeon has water and takes breaks. Maybe the Chief fired them all. Lexie decides to be hardcore and wear an adult diaper so she will not have to take any bathroom breaks. That is both funny and disgusting.

The operation begins. The tumor turns out to be more complicated then it looks on the MRI. After 8 hours Derk still has not made an incision. The Chief finally figures out what is going on and demands Derek close up the incision and stop the surgery. Derek explains to Isaac that he could not find a way to operate. Isaac asks him to sleep on it and try again tomorrow.

Derek discusses it with Meredith, ending up drawing a diagram on their bedroom wall. It’s one of the sweetest scenes they have ever had, and made me understand why they love both each other and surgery so much. He tells the Chief he must cut the cord to save Isaac. The Chief signs off on the surgery as long as they do it in an hour. Once the Chief is gone he reveals that instead of cutting the cord he is just going to start at one place and improvise. Derek cuts one blood vessel at a time. At one point he pukes on the OR floor from stress. Lexie makes him drink water.

The Chief realizes what’s going on. Arizona blocks his attempt to enter the O.R. He backs down. After he goes, she starts to cry. Damn, she is almost as annoying as Lexie. After 21 hours, Jackson’s hand starts to cramp. Lexie gets to take over. Derek gets the tumor down to one big cut . He needs to choose between two spots. There is no way to tell which one is right. Derek finally just picks one. After the surgery, Isaac wakes up. He can moves his toes and mistakenly concludes that Derek didn’t do the surgery. Derek elated, tells him that the tumor is gone. Maybe I am a sap, but I liked that there was a happy ending to this story instead of the typical Grey’s twist.

Owen Actually Treats Christina Well; Hell Freezes Over

For once, Owen sympathizes with Christina’s frustration about not assisting in Derek’s surgery. He assigns her to a 12 hour surgery, which he then has to postpone because of Derek’s surgery. This is so much more pleasant to watch then him refusing to give her assignments she deserves because they are dating. He shows her how to pass Derek’s manual dexterity test.

Izzie Manages To Be Irritaing Even In Her Absence

Izzie has an IL2 treatment scheduled. Alex cannot reach her to find out if she will show up for her appointment. So he waits for her at the clinic. When she does not show, he breaks down in front of Reese.

Worst.Boss.Ever

After performing his surgical miracle. Derek tells the Chief it is time they make peace. The Chief turns around and fires him. Apparently, Seattle Grace has no need for a neurosurgeon who can operate on inoperable tumors. Derek echoes Isaac’s words to him: “Go home, Sleep on it.” He brings Meredith champagne but falls asleep before he can drink it.

Quotes

My diaper is awesome. My diaper is hardcore. -Lexie

Get the hell out of my hospital.- The Chief

If you become frightened, instead become inspired - Isaac

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