Private Practice Season Premiere Review: "God Laughs"
Welcome back, Private Practice fanatics! Addison and company returned this week for the fifth season premiere and I can finally say that my Thursday nights are feeling a bit more complete.
Picking up right where we left off last season, the scene with Cooper finding Pete on the living room floor was absolutely heartbreaking. I couldn't stop thinking: Poor Lucas! Luckily, Cooper saved the day and got Pete to the hospital in what appeared to be the nick of time. It's such a relief that Pete is going to be okay.
By the way, how great was Addison with Lucas?! She really is going to make such an incredible mommy someday.
I was overly thrilled to hear that Addie finally made an appointment with a fertility specialist. I loved how frazzled she became when she realized that would be Jake Reilly, her mystery man. Benjamin Bratt was quite charming, and it was clear that Addie thinks so, too. Although it appeared that Sam and Addie are back together, I can't help but wonder for how long because Jake and Addie sure do have chemistry.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the Cooper and Charlotte scenes. I honestly can't get enough of their banter sessions. Regardless of what's going on in every episode, it always seems like these two can escape the rest of the drama. I'm hoping we get to see more of their relationship as a married couple develop throughout this season.
While there was much that I liked about the premiere, I still didn't care too much for Violet. I strongly questioned if it were realistic that a complete stranger would really tell another person his or her darkest secret in a public place like the airport. Even in a moment of despair, it was incredibly strange to me that the lady at the airport was able to tell Violet about her troubled and failing marriage concerning her abusing husband.
I didn't believe it when Violet said that she didn't mean to eavesdrop. And I definitely appreciated when the woman told Violet: I appreciate your concern, but this is just none of your business. I know it's in Violet's nature to always want to help, but she tends to always be butting into people's business.
Thankfully, Cooper said everything I wanted to say to Violet. I was so glad that he yelled at her for trying to run away from her problems in regards to her license and a fight with Pete. This might sound a little harsh, but sometimes I don't think that she deserves Pete and Lucas. Maybe she'll finally come around this season.
Last season, I continuously questioned why Amelia didn't have her own storyline. Although I thought she was entirely unprofessional in performing surgery after clearly being intoxicated, I must admit, it was honestly nice to see a continuously developing arc for Amelia. Charlotte justly suspended Amelia's privileges... again. It needs to stick this time around.Â
Overall, I thought that "God Laughs" was a great way to kick off what appears to be an exciting year for our favorite doctors. I'm ecstatic about the developments for this season and especially for our girl, Addie.
What were your thoughts of the premiere? What would you like to see happen this season? Sound off now!
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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.
October 16th, 2011 11:45 AM
I agree with what you said about the episode, Christina, I only disagree on your finding it unrealistic that a complete stranger would really tell another person his or her darkest secret: I think it is often easier to tell your darkest secrets to a complete stranger than to a close friend or a relative... I guess because there is no image or no expectation you feel you have to live up to when you're in front of a stranger.
Rank: Guest Star
October 10th, 2011 11:48 AM
People really need to learn to spell Lucas' name properly, it's Lucas, not Lucus. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. It was intense, engaging with small dosages of funny and sweet mixed up in there. I felt I was really taken for a journey. People can say what they want about the euphoria scene, but I liked it, not because I bought into it, but because I recognized it exactly for what it was; Pete all loopy on hormones/drugs. It was a tension relief scene, and a very much needed one.
October 2nd, 2011 4:17 PM
Violet is probably one of the most annoying and selfish characters on TV
Rank: Regular Character
October 1st, 2011 12:55 PM
I thought this was a really good season premiere! All the characters had a substantial part to play in the entire episode and that was really good.
I wasn't too interested in the Sam and Addison reunion. I thought the only scene between them that was interesting to watch was when Charlotte called them out on being back together. Sam's scenes were good when he was a doctor for Pete because you really saw the passion and determination he had to save his friend. As for Addison, I thought her best scenes were those with Lucas. It was a good way to show how Addison can be as a parent and that lead to the scene between her and Jake. Now seeing them reunite again was really interesting. I can foresee a lot of great and consequently complicated storylines because of that reunion.
Amelia and Sheldon were also fun to watch just because Amelia has put herself in such a compromising position and Sheldon wasn't initially aware of that. I guess we can assume that Sheldon will be there for her
Rank: Regular Character
September 30th, 2011 5:37 PM
I'm a huge PP & GA fan, but the acting, the stories, the writing is so much better in Private Practice!
I love the whole Charlotte & Amelia fight! If someone gets Amelia its Charlotte and I see how Charlotte is afraid of Amelia making mistakes cause she did them!!
Addison was great with Lucas who would expect something other! She has so much love to give and Kate Walsh is showing it so well! the Jack scene really nice, we really could see them bounding, cause she trust him!
Amelia and her drug "problem" isn't really interesting for now! Hope she makes a mistake and it gets messy please!
Drugged Peter funny!
Violet great part! The airplane one on one nice, She is a great person bt she has to expand her view and accept the way other people live and their decissons!
I really missed Nai, don't know why but I miss her!
Great Episode! I loved the addison therapy session but I thought Sheldon was her shrink! ! 5 stars!
September 30th, 2011 3:47 PM
I'm sold on Addie and Jake's chemistry. They definitely have it and it sizzles!
I need one couple on this show to root for, so I hope Addie/Jake is given a chance.
And I'm looking forward to seeing Addie have her long-awaited baby (about time Shonda!!)
September 30th, 2011 12:38 PM
In general the ep was very well done, I hope the writers develop the Jake and Addie storyline, and don't put her back together with sam. Violet should really mind her own business, and remember what's really important in life. I felt so sorry for little Lucus, but addie was so good with him. She deserves a baby. Jake's line I'm gonna give you a baby was priceless. last night.
September 30th, 2011 12:26 PM
The crowning glory was not even mentioned...at the very end Violet is still in the hospital (with phone that remember does not work), holding Lucas, and receives a call from the woman in the airport and says, "No, go on..."like she's not busy, she can talk. Meanwhile, her husband has just beat back death! She is a very odd character.
Rank: Regular Character
September 30th, 2011 11:26 AM
Well, I haven't seen such an intense season opener for Private Practice since Violet got her stomach cut open! - which both my Mother and I enjoyed. As much as I dislike Violet, I will admit she's a decent therapist. I just hate when she puts her nose where it's not wanted, until she pushes people into letting her help. Side note: Why is the actress wearing a wig?
Anyway, back to the main plot; Pete's heart attack was insanely interesting. I knew that he'd be okay in the end, but it's the intensity of it that gets my blood boiling. The end result of him being happy on Euphoria won't last. It's drugs Violet! He's gonna hate you for a while once he comprehends everything around him. She deserves far worse by everyone else. I'm glad Cooper gave it to her!
Every scene Amelia and Sheldon were in together literally made me laugh. These two really are the comedic pair on the show. Every line is funny! I'm still kind of confused as to how Amelia was drunk one minute, then could stitch hersel
Rank: Guest Star
September 30th, 2011 11:19 AM
So impressed by last night's episode! It'll certainly be interesting to see how this season of PP plays out. Whatever happens, give Addison a baby!