TV Fanatic Mid-Season Report Card: Private Practice
With our favorite prime time shows on hiatus, TVF is taking a look back at some buzzed-about programs and grading their performance this fall, with a look toward 2011.
Our first mid-season report card recipient: Private Practice.
Best episode: The aptly-titled "Did You Hear What Happened to Charlotte King?" Taking place in the immediate aftermath of her brutal attack, with the focus on each character's emotional response, the pacing was appropriate and the acting brilliant.
Best character: Charlotte would be an easy call after the way KaDee Strickland has carried the season's defining storyline. So would Addison, the always-conflicted but likable lead. But we're going with Sam. Do we really need to explain why, ladies?
Worst character: Naomi. This isn't to say that we dislike the character per se, nor is it meant to disparage Audra McDonald's performance. It just seems like there's been less of a place for her this season and it's hard to see how she fits in going forward.
Best relationship: Sam and Addison. We were happy when Pete and Violet made it official, but it's the former medical school friends who really heat up the screen.
Best storyline: The assault on Charlotte. It's hard to call a drawn-out plot line in which a major character gets raped the "best" anything, but the way it was handled right away and in the following handful of episodes made for compelling television.
No one knows quite what to make of it. That includes the victim, her fiance, their co-workers, and even some fans. How would you move past this? Or live through it?
This, Dell's death and the theft of Violet's baby have all been landmark stories for the Grey's Anatomy spinoff, but the striking realism makes this one the best of all.
Hopes for 2011: Charlotte and Cooper continuing to work through the attack. Sam and Addison getting pregnant ... or maybe, given her fertility situation, adopting.
Pete coming to grips with the demons from his past. Amelia and Sheldon getting together ... or at least getting more screen time. Another Mark Sloan visit. Please?
Overall grade: B+.
Do you agree with TV Fanatic's take? Disagree? Care to expound on anything in particular? What do you hope to see more of next year? Share your comments below!
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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Charlotte: I am shocked by just how much I genuinely love him. I want to take the pain away, and I know I can't and it just kills me.
February 26th, 2011 3:42 AM
Thank you so much bekki because now I don't feel like the odd one out. The moment I saw 4x05 I instantaneously fell in love with an Amelia/Sheldon pairing and so far I've only found people who hate it so thank you.
January 6th, 2011 1:42 PM
Kate Walsh and Taye Diggs love working together it shows onscreen, it's so nice to see them in and out of the PrP set.
PCA's AddiSam sketch was Hilarious and hot. Addisam are the IT couple of Private Practice there is no doubts. Shonda did it again. Love them
January 6th, 2011 12:12 AM
Kate Walsh and Taye Diggs were adorable on the PCA's tonight. The AddiSam make out clip with Queen Latifa was so funny. I do love AddiSam on PrP. They have such AMAZING chemistry!
Rank: Regular Character
January 5th, 2011 4:09 AM
The crossovers can be entertaining but they're simply a result from lackluster storylines. I really think they should pursue this season without any Grey's crossover because they're capable of doing that. They don't need any interference from an SGH doctor to boost ratings because they can survive without them.
January 4th, 2011 6:45 PM
I love AddiSam and want them to get a baby.. Also I agree the Geys/PrP crossovers are dumb and ridiculous the Derek/Addison/Mark thing is just awful and makes addison no favors. also I hope she remains faithful to Sam. Enough with addison the cheater.
January 4th, 2011 5:00 PM
uhm..that was a lengthy post there below, but I have to agree. I'm beginning to loathe the grey's/practice crossovers. i watch both shows, but on grey's in particular, there's already way too many characters, so when addison comes back, it gives the ones i watch on grey's even less time than they already have. no offense to kate walsh, but she left grey's to star in her own show, so why keep coming back? it makes no sense. no more on the crossovers. char/coop are my fave couple on pp, followed by addisam. rooting for both of them.
January 4th, 2011 2:38 PM
To whoever say's "Let's face it, the crossovers are fun" I beg to differ and I know many who agree. They've gotten old. Let's see..Addison shows up and the entire hospital slows to a crawl as virtually EVERY surgeon stops what they are doing to dote on her. I LOVE Addison, but the more they do this silliness, the less I like it. I love Addy far more on PP now and though I loved Mark and Addison (Maddison), I agree with Patrick Dempsey who for a long time has said he has no understanding of how Derek would even remain friends with Addison after what she did to him with his childhood best friend Mark. Dempsey did not even promote the S5 addek centric FA/PP crossovers and refused interviews for it, and to be honest, I'm not surprised. For goodness sakes, how can I believe that Addison truly has moved on when she constantly comes back to Seattle for the lamest of reasons? Derek is married, Mark has also moved on. Deane so far, has had no plans to leave GA, and Dempsey who's one of the
January 3rd, 2011 12:02 PM
I'm Total Team AddiSam. Also Sam is definitely hottie material.
January 3rd, 2011 10:05 AM
I agree about AddiSam. I love their relationship and sooner rather than later Sam is going to agree about the baby thing. His resistance is making all the storyline more interesting. him just agreeing is all Blah. he should question his ability to be a good parent after the Maya mess.
Worst Character: Naomi and Pete.
Best Charaters: Charlote, Addison, Sheldon, Sam, Amelia
Best storyline: Addisam/baby drama
Hopes for 2011
More Addisam
I'm ok with a Mark visit just to see Addison happy and pregnant with Sam's baby.
January 3rd, 2011 9:29 AM
Best episode: "Did You Hear What Happened to Charlotte King?"
Best character: Sam Bennett, Amelia, Charlotte
Worst character: Pete
Best relationship: I Love Addison and Sam for the obvious reasons and Glad I'm not the only one.
Best storyline: Addisam/baby drama
Hopes for 2011
AddiSam/baby storyline
I dont care at all about Mark either, he kinda sucks.
Addison/Mark/Derek? In what world are people living that's so OVER and was so painful to watch... what the fesh hell...lol