TV Recap: Grey's Anatomy - Didn't We Almost Have It All?

By Kelly West: 2007-05-17 23:11:47

Well then, after a season of ferry crashes, a visit to the great afterlife, romantic proposals and infidelity, we finally made it to the end of the third season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ The episode, titled “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” left me surprised and a little bit irritated. The irritation comes mainly from having that damned Whitney Houston song stuck in my head after reading the title. The surprise comes from the fact that while I thought this season had some major weak spots, the finale brought it all back together and the season ended strong.

Let’s get the rock-climbers story out of the way. As I suspected, the guy with the axe in his head got that way because one of his friends tried to kill him to put him out of his misery. After they fell, the guy was in so much pain that his friend tried to kill him to end it. Though they lied to the doctors and said the axe went in accidentally, Derek realizes it was intentional during the surgery. The axe was too far in and there was no tearing in the brain. Cops and lawyers were on the scene after that. The friend who axed the guy said he’d do it again if he had to. He’s a true friend. Honestly, had they left this story out of the episode, it wouldn’t have mattered and they could’ve gotten the show done within an hour (and I wouldn’t have had to waste the first paragraph of this recap on this story which would’ve been more interesting had it not been in the season finale).

As for the relevant matters in the episode:

Derek got the offer for Chief of Surgery. He turned it down, telling Weber that if he really wishes he could do it all over again, he should. So Weber’s not leaving. Or maybe he is. Adele miscarried her baby, which turned out to be Weber’s child. She realized she misjudged him and it looks as though these two might be ready to fall back in love with one another.

Speaking of babies, Callie wants to have a baby. She and George even tried to conceive one in the break room. Shortly after, Izzie confessed that she’s still in love with him just after saying she’d do everything to support his marriage with Callie. The two shared lots of eye-contact after that but nothing more. George has bigger problems though. He didn’t pass his intern exam. He didn’t tell anyone but Bailey obviously knew. She told him he could either walk away from being a doctor or repeat his intern year. George chose to walk away but just as he was cleaning out his locker, the newest crop of interns came in, taking a self-guided tour of the hospital. A beautiful girl stays behind to ask him for advice. She introduces herself as Lexie Grey. Who is Lexie Grey? (Thanks to the commenter below who explained that she's Meredith's half-sister!)

Bailey got passed over for the Chief Resident position. Callie got it instead. There was no explanation for this because unlike the Attendings, who each got to meet with Weber to get their rejection speech (which mainly included Weber pointing out all of their personal flaws), Bailey got no such meeting. Callie’s name was posted on a bulletin board and that was that. I don’t understand how Callie got the position over Bailey. Sure, she appears to be a great doctor but we’ve never seen her delegating or taking charge. So either Bailey lost it because of the Denny fiasco last year or else we can just chalk it up to hospital politics.

Ava/Rebecca’s husband came to reclaim his wife. Like Rebecca said, her husband is a nice guy. He even admits to Alex that he didn’t pay enough attention to her. He clearly loves her though and is ready to bring her and their baby home. Alex is visibly disappointed by this but when Rebecca tells him that he’s the only person who saw the real her and asks him to give her a reason to stay, he cant. It seemed like he was letting her go because he didn’t want to make her stay, only to disappoint her.

Derek told Meredith that he flirted with the girl in the bar. Later, when they have more time to talk, he tells Meredith that he loves her and will never leave her but that she keeps leaving him. She doesn’t leave her friends but with him, she comes and goes whenever it’s convenient for her. He basically tells her that if she’s not in it for the long haul, she needs to leave him for good. She gets teary and then says she needs to go to help Cristina. Just before the wedding, Derek tells Burke that he doesn’t think he and Meredith are going to make it. He also lies to Burke and says he got turned down for the Chief of Surgery job.

Cristina and Burke didn’t get married. After Cristina freaked out because the vows she wrote on her hand got washed off, Burke came out to find her and decided that he knew she didn’t want to marry him. He gave her a speech that pretty much said just that. She tried to argue with him but both of them knew what he was saying was the truth. The two biggest signs that this marriage wasn’t meant to be were the vows and Cristina’s wedding attire.

While Burke had this beautiful set of self-written vows about how he was giving Cristina his heart, Cristina needed her friends to help her write hers. And though she can commit volumes of medical text and procedures to memory, she cant remember a short list of vows? Her hand isn’t that big so I can’t imagine she had all that much written on there. How did she plan to read the vows off her hand anyway?

The wedding attire was a beautiful mess. Her dress, while lovely seemed to cling to her narrow frame as though it was wearing her. Momma-Burke insisted that Cristina wear a jeweled choker that was a Burke-family heirloom. So if the dress wasn’t constricting enough, now she has a decorative collar to match it. The icing on the cake was when Preston’s mother tweezed Cristina’s eyebrows completely off. Cristina, whose eyebrows are the most expressive feature on her face, looked really weird without them. She had fake eyebrows drawn on when she did her make-up but still, the damage was done. The Cristina standing in the entrance of the church was not the Cristina that Burke wanted to marry. There is no Cristina Burke and never will be.

In the end, she goes back to their apartment to find that Burke is gone. Meredith asks her how she knows and Cristina points out that Burke’s trumpet, jazz collection, lucky scrub-cap and picture of his grandmother are all missing. She cries and then says she’s free. Anxiety washes over her and she suddenly needs to get out of the wedding dress. Meredith helps her get the choker off and literally cuts the back of the wedding dress to get Cristina out of it. Burke and Cristina are over. Burke is gone.

So George isn’t a doctor anymore. Callie could be pregnant. Izzie is in love with George but supports his marriage. Bailey got robbed of the promotion she deserved. Cristina’s single again. Meredith and Derek are on the rocks again. There’s a new intern whose last name is Grey. Addison is leaving (though that never actually officially happened, we’re assuming she is). Alex let Rebecca go and Weber and Adele are reconciling. Not a bad ending to an ok-season of ‘Greys.’

What did you think of the episode and the season in general?

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Cristina
September 28, 2007 at 03:40

I really don't like Lexi-I hope shekinda stays on the sidelines in season 4. I think that Meredith needs help, like Derek said today she's had it really rough, and It would be great to see them work things out....I think Lexi should stay out of the picture...

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C SAYS.......
June 12, 2007 at 12:27

This Season was great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS SO WERID to think that BURKE aka Isaiah Washington wont be on the show any more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol! I mean its sad to see him go but i mean he had it coming cuz of his anti gay slurs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean WTF WASHINGTON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!dont you think b4 u say !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And what bout Kate Walsh?! Shes leaving 2 I mean come on ABC you cant jus get rid of all the main characters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean next thing u no there gonna take MEREDITH GREY out of "GREYS ANATOMY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But even though im totally against the whole "spin off" Im still gonna hang I there for my gurl addie :) BUT STILL I CANT WAIT 4 SEASON 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME ON GREYS STICK IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

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Lee
June 10, 2007 at 17:50

Teresa's comment:
"In the recap above it said that Izzie and George share lots of eye contact and nothing more.
I just rewatched the finale (abc.com) and noticed something. After they received their test scores and George lied and said he passed.

He walked out of the locker room and the last thing he said to Izzie was "I'll talk to HER (meaning Callie, I presume) at the church." Izzie repied "OK""

Not that I assume this poster is going to come back after all this time, but I just felt like correcting: George said "We'll talk LATER." I think you misheard laTER for HER.

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Jeanette
June 6, 2007 at 22:58

My feelings:
EVERY single actor on this show is perfect for their parts.
Izzie and George should remain friends. It was awesome to see that kind of friendship that didn't involve sex. Writers blew that one.
Glad Yang and Burke didn't marry - will make for a lot of good shows.
Mereditha and Derek need to marry. The show needs this couple to be solid.
Don't like the characters all having sex together. New characters should be brought in for love interests - they can come and go at the writers will.
I'm like some of the others - I may not stay tuned for another season.

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Karin
June 3, 2007 at 01:29

For Elizabeth and for Kurt
Chyler Leigh is the actress played Lexie Grey (uncredited) in the Testing 1-2-3 ep

She was in The Practice and also 7th Heaven

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elizabeth
June 1, 2007 at 14:22

Is it just me or was the girl who hit on Derek in the bar Lexie Grey?

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Laysia
May 26, 2007 at 19:00

I have to say I was really upset that Yang and Burke didn't get married, together they even eachother out. That was the downfall of the episode in my opinion. I dont know why Callie received the cheif of resident position either. I think George is a two timing dog that needs to be discovered by his wife so she can leave him. I am also glad Alex did not ask Ana/Rebecca to stay she should start a new life with her family so that was nice of him. I cant wait to the next season of Grey's to bring me on a emotional roller coaster. As far as Addison leaving Seattle I think she should stay, Private Practice is not going to be a great spinoff. I dont see it lasting more than one season from the episode they aired.

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Lisa
May 25, 2007 at 18:07

I was a little disappointed in the finale, but I am a huge Greys fan and will continue to clear my schedule to watch it.
I like Izzy and George together and did not like George and Callie together at ALL!!!! Callie does nothing for me!

Meredith needs to watch it or she is going to lose McDreamy. She put her emotions out there to get him back now she has him and she is going to screw it up! WHat is that!!

Very disappointed in Burke and Cristina not getting married. I love them together. Cristina is still herself with Burke but every now and then shows him a different side its great. I loved watching them! Them ending it was the most disappointed I have been in any season finale I have ever watched!

Adele does not deserve the Chief why did she come back in the picture!?

I think the Karav and Addison story could have went somewhere if they persued it but I did like him with Rebecca, it definately brought out a nicer side to him. BUT I did not care for her as an actress, but the story was there.

I will watch "Private Practice" I did not like it when Addison came to the show, I did not like her with Shephard but I do like her character now that they are no longer together and I am sad to see her go!

All in all I will be faithful to my show and even though I was disapoointed I will be ready for the season to start again.

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Lonesy
May 23, 2007 at 14:36

Did I miss something here? I thought Callie was already pregnant earlier in the season before she and George married. I faintly remember her telling this to George and that being a contributing factor to their getting married in the first place.

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Elaine
May 22, 2007 at 23:23

I'm angry at the writers. After getting viewers so invested in the characters, they toyed with our feelings and had nearly everything end unhappily. The exception, of course, is Adele and the Chief - Good for them!! But all the other plot lines ended unhappily for characters I have come to care for. Just left me feeling very sad. Yeah, I know it's just a TV show, but it still affects me that way.

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Tony
May 22, 2007 at 17:31

Bailey likely did not get CR because a residents job is to teach and one of her interns failed the exam.

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Jan
May 22, 2007 at 16:14

This season the show turned out to be too wishy-washy. Nothing ever seems to progress, or improve. Nearly everybody sleeps around but nobody can make a relationship work. The cast represents an intelligent group of people (interns, doctors, surgeons, etc.) living like idiots who don't know what they want out of life. Then we have Meredith's little narratives trying to justify the silliness of the characters. This season was absurd, and so was the finale.

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sharisse
May 21, 2007 at 16:10

i think grey's out did themselves this season, it was an excellant season, except, enough with meridith and derrick, let them and us be happy at least for a season. goerge should come back he's been the glue that hold them all together. let mc steamy end up with callie, let bailey, do what she does best, that's be Bailey, she's great. cristina, nice to see the emotion, this season.

SHARISSE

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agnes
May 21, 2007 at 10:50

Derek, the Chief, Christina, and Bailey are the shows outstanding characters as are the actors who play them. In accordance wtih that, the finale was excellent. Five scenes highlighted the show: Derek's scene with Meredith where he states she is the love of his life; Derek's scene with the Chief where he passes back the position to him; the Chiefs scene with his wife when she lost the baby; Christina's "I'm free" scene; and Bailey's scene where she quietly reacts to not getting the job. These actors to a truly incredilble job of making their roles believable. If the writers could lessen eveyone elses time in each episode and concentrate their efforts on these four characters, it would be an even better show.

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Teresa
May 21, 2007 at 01:46

In the recap above it said that Izzie and George share lots of eye contact and nothing more.
I just rewatched the finale (abc.com) and noticed something. After they received their test scores and George lied and said he passed.

He walked out of the locker room and the last thing he said to Izzie was "I'll talk to HER (meaning Callie, I presume) at the church." Izzie repied "OK"
Obviously George didn't go to the church, so he didnt talk to Callie there, but....

Did anyone else wonder, as Adele and Richard were looking at the twin babies, if maybe they'd adopt one and the bar owners adopt the other? Hey, stranger things have been known to happen!

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Jenn C
May 21, 2007 at 00:01

After the season finale, I am really disappointed in the direction that Grey's is turning to. It's becoming way too much like a soap opera with the intricate relationship and plot lines. I mean I understand that there has to be drama, but seriously, all the drama that the writers have created is excessive. The themes they are introducing are slowly becoming hard to relate to and basically so far fetched. If things don't improve by the next season, they are going to lose millions of viewers.

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patricia
May 20, 2007 at 21:10

Just a quick note after reading the comments. First of all, I do not think Burke is off the show. I really think that would be riduculous if Derek were to start something up with Merediths sister. The axe thing did ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING FOR ME. Have no idea where that came from. Sorry Shonda! It was actually ridiculous! The ONLY REASON George failed the test was because he was CONSUMED with Merediths behavior while trying to take it himself, so there has to be some way he will be able to retake it. I mean they let her retake it........ Izzie and George should get together. I think Izzie has lost enough with losing Denny, and I would never have thought that she and George would have the chemistry they have, but WOW, I do like them together. He has actually grown on me alot. Alex will probably run after Rebecca, Weber will go back with that annoying wife of his, although I hope he does NOT. How could you possibly complain about your husband being the Chief??? I mean that is his career. Give me a break. I am sure she enjoyed all of the fringe benfits that came along with being a Chiefs wife..... Bailey?? That is ridiculous!!!! Callie is a spoiled BRAT!!!! Quite frankly that moose annoys me. Ciao Addison!!! She is definitely moving on to the other show. And Unless I was using the bathroom, did George and Callie have sex in the breakroom???? Or was she BSing Izzie being she knows she is in love with George? Callie is a jealous thing you kow....I am not sure. DVR'd the show but it went off at ten, I didn't have it set for an extra 15 min. No Fri airing this time either. Last but not least Meredith. I dont know WHAT her deal is, but she is starting to piss me off with this act of hers. He is TOOO gorgeous for her anyway. She needs a good slap!!! Hoping for reruns in the summer again. Although I have all of them dvr'd with the exception of a few. Kristina is another one. Oh well, Burke is a hottie, and I hope he meets another and she will wake up! That's my take on the season.
Roll on summer to the fall....................................

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linda
May 20, 2007 at 19:36

Here we go denny needs to come back as some twin no one new about that willl straighted Izzie out. then George may have the delema that Callie and Izzie are pregnant. I do know Burk will be back. I will stop watching the show however if Meredith and Derek do not remain together they both have issues maybe we DR. Phil to come on the show and say HOWS ALL THIS WORKING FOR YOU ?? I know its just a show but I somehow believe in Derek and Meredith she is the love of his life and he cried when he thought she died.They go together if not then im so out of watching. The medical cases are real 3 happened in Houston Texas and it it rather neet thing to know and watch . ( now I need therapy )

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Linda
May 20, 2007 at 19:36

I honestly cannot take this anymore. I can deal with everything on the show but Izzie and George (please say it isn't so ) I think Calie is wrong for George but oh well. I thought they might bring Denny back as a twin no-one knew about that would be cool especially is he is a DR. That would sure straighten out Izzie. Now Derek and Meredith they both need to get their act together, he does not know she does not know, but when he said Meredith was the love of his life and he cried when they saved her well I was like YES YES YES, a marriage is needed here, if derek and meredith do not marry after all of this I will quit watching the show. I know it is only a show but I believe in their relationship it some how seems real. I enjoy everything else about the show since it is based on actual medical cases, 3 that happened in Houston texas, but my deal breaker here is if these 2 dont come together.(now i need therapy )

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Melissa
May 20, 2007 at 12:06

After the pre-view of a spin off, I am glad to see all Grey's.

George- I feel he did not pass his intern exam because because he needed an out.
Lizzie- is just a girl who wants what she can not have...frist Alex, then Denny, and now George...please get that girl someone who is not locked up with an ego, health issues, or...a WIFE!
Derrick and Merideth -will always have problems, the poor girl has been dumped by everyone one in her life....what do we expect.
Christine and Burke -are to driven to give to each other...plus are the producers maybe looking for a way to out him or George??

With actors coming and going and the new interns...maybe the all of the old cast will go and it will be a new Grey's...we may not notice...the show has lied of misslead us before.

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traci15
May 20, 2007 at 01:09

I agree with the the whole Merideth/Derek thing. They need to stay together or apart for a while. It's to back and forth and quite annoying. Personally I liked the first season when they weren't really sure of each other and they did the flirt bantering. Or I think they should give each one a new love interest for a while (McVet).

As for Izzy, I really liked it when she was showing interest in Kerev. I would also like to see more on both of thier backgrouds. Kerev is so seceritive and Izzy with the child.

As for george, I lost interest in his character. I really hope they don't bring him back next season with Izzy.

As for Christina/Burke, I won't be sorry to see him go if he does. I liked her better when she was the smartbutt who didn't care about anyones feelings.

I do agree with the Tony, that they had to write the show with easy openings for some of the actors to leave if need be.

And I hope Baily gets chief of surgery, I think she is the best one.

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Lee Ping
May 19, 2007 at 23:59

I agree with everybody in everyway. Although I am sad to see Cristina and Burke not get married, Im glad that he is gone because he was totally changing Cristina. The season finale was just confusing however but yet still good. I hope next season does not leave viewers in awe of whats going to happen. Meridith's half sister should be an interesting twist to the new seasen. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

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Kathleen
May 19, 2007 at 22:06

I was very disappointed in this finale. Too many improbable happenings, too depressing. Izzy is madly in love with Denny and months later is in love with George who is already married? George gave no inclination that he would be unable to pass the test; bad test taker? Too worried about Meredith? And how could he suddenly be in love with Izzy when he was so hung up on Meredith?
Bailey could not be chief of staff she is a resident which is why she was up for chief resident! IMO they were all too young; every chief of staff I ever worked with was much older. All in all, I am considering not watching next season. I may be a prude, but all the adultery or wanna be adulterous is too much. Just my opinion.

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Mack Rawden
May 19, 2007 at 20:54

You guys don't get it.

George failed his intern exam because he was so worried about Meredith not filling out hers.

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Becca
May 19, 2007 at 17:40

I dont really quite know what to think about this episode. It felt so unfinished and can you think of one happy thing that happened the entire episode? All of the characters had some sort of travesty happen to them. There was no humor in it. It just kind of made me depressed. And what is up with callie getting chief resident. She never even seemed like she wanted it very much. It was always supposed to be baily. That was dumb and dissapointing

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