Private Practice Review: "God Bless the Child"

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Talk about opening a can of worms – and right before the season finale no less. Last night’s "God Bless the Child" was excellent and brought back little Betsey, finally gave Amelia a storyline, and as always, put all of our Oceanside doctors at odds.

I am really glad that Private Practice revisited Betsey.

I always felt like her story was left unfinished. Poor Betsey, though. When she said she didn’t want to be in the hospital because that’s where her parents and everyone died, my heart nearly dropped. Hasn’t this child suffered enough?

Tough Spot For Addy

As I am not Violet’s biggest fan, I kind of enjoyed Betsey telling Violet that she did not want to see her after asking her why she never visited. Cooper was right in saying that Violet should not blame Pete for not previously adopting Betsey.

As always, Violet has a tendency to be self-absorbed.

It made sense when Sam brought up how all members of the practice made the decision not to help Betsey long ago. Everyone certainly struggled with this as they decided to launch an investigation into her new foster family.

However, I thought it was predictable that Betsey’s new brother, Marshall, was the one who was abusing her and not her foster parents.

I get why Betsey wouldn’t come clean at first about the abuse from Marshall. She probably knew she was more than likely to lose yet another family and home.

Let’s not forget that sadness is all she’s ever known. From losing her parents to being abandoned by her aunt, Betsey really couldn’t ever catch a break.

Fortunately, Betsey will finally have a home and family with Naomi. I couldn’t have imagined a better and more perfect happy ending for Betsey and for Naomi as she exits stage left. Yet, with Fife out of the picture and heading back to D.C., I wonder how Naomi will leave Private Practice.

Can we say FINALLY about the writers giving Amelia a storyline?!

Although we’ve only seen her as a rock star in the OR, a maid of honor, and an AddiSam supporter, it was different seeing her in a vulnerable state. I have a feeling this is going to just be the beginning for a very difficult journey for Amelia. I am definitely looking forward to seeing Amelia fight her demons.

Nevertheless, I’m a little confused about her struggling sobriety storyline.

When Amelia confessed to Charlotte that she accidentally took a sip of what she thought was ginger ale but actually wasn’t at the wedding, I couldn’t help but recall the numerous times we saw her drinking wine with Addison.

What’s up with that? Are we supposed to believe that the slip up at the wedding was the first time she’s had a drink since she became sober? Regardless, she’s got Charlotte on her side. I love the dynamic of both Charlotte and Amelia and how close they’ve gotten.

I appreciated that Addison stuck by her patient who wanted an abortion. Addison was willing to support her patient no matter what her decision was.

It was obviously not an easy task for Addison. Although I am glad that Addison and Naomi hashed it out, it was nice to see that Naomi was there for her best friend in the end when she needed her most. That’s what real friends are for, right?

One more thing, wasn’t it kind of funny when Sheldon was playing with Olivia and making those silly noises? I really like Sheldon. Now that Amelia has a storyline, I’m waiting for Sheldon to get his own storyline as well.

Overall, this was a strong installment of Private Practice. Get ready for next week’s season finale! What did you think of “God Bless the Child”?

Please share your thoughts below in the comments.

God Bless the Child Review

Editor Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
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Private Practice Season 4 Episode 21 Quotes

When it comes to abortion, everybody has an opinion. Everybody is going to want to tell you what to do. If this were 1972, it would have been a back alley and not my elevator that you collapsed in. Because back then, you didn't have a choice and now you do. But, it's still hard. And even after you make the most difficult, personal decision that there is, it's still unsafe. Because you have some fanatic who claims to value life who can walk into an abortion clinic and can blow it up. Pattie, you are the only who knows if you can have a child. Everyone else's opinion is just background noise. So, if you want to keep this baby, I'll support you. If you want to give up for an adoption, I'll help. If you want to have an abortion, I'll do it. I'm not here to judge you. I just need you to know any decision you make is for you. Not for me, not for Dr. Bennet... for you.

Addison

Charlotte: My mom always says God doesn't give with both hands. You're young, beautiful, brilliant. There has to be something you can't have.
Amelia: Some days I'd give that all up.
Charlotte: That's just the craving talking. The longer you go without a drink...
Amelia: I drank at your wedding. I thought it was ginger ale. I spit it out.
Charlotte: OK, since then?
Amelia: Nothing, but I can't stop thinking about it.
Charlotte: It was an accident. Don't let a slip turn into a fall. Get your butt to a meeting.