Grey's Anatomy Round Table: "An Honest Mistake"

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While fans gather in our An Honest Mistake" Round Table include the Derek-Mark throwdown, Izzie's interminable illness, Arizona's reversal and Bailey recommendation letters ...

1. What was your favorite Grey's Anatomy quote from the episode?

McCritic: Lexie's comparison of herself to Anne Frank and her desire to take Mark downstairs and show those Germans who's boss! I love historical humor.

missingBurke: For whatever reason I liked this honest, humorous exchange: Alex: Admit it, her being around your guy bugs. Meredith: Okay. It bugs a little.

iheartizzie: Miranda (reacting to the weak sauce recommendation letter, which we'll discuss more in a little bit): "I am Dr. Bailey. I'm better than fine!"

Derek Observes Mark and Lexie

He didn't expect Derek Shepherd to react positively to news of his dating Lexie Grey, but McDreamy's reaction was a bit more extreme than Mark Sloan probably expected.

2. Bigger overreaction: Derek being called a murderer, or Derek punching Mark over Lexie?

iheartizzie: The murderer comment. Unless your doctor is visibly drunk or wielding a chainsaw, you don't say that. Like all doctors, even the best, Derek makes mistakes, but he will never be accused of not trying his absolute hardest.

McCritic: See, Derek didn't punch Mark over Lexie. Don't you understand?!? He had this awful day and almost anything would have sent him over the edge.

missingBurke: Both were unreasonable, but spurred by bigger things - the man just lost his wife, who knows what he'd say? As for Derek, well, we know that wasn't about Lexie. Back in the day, Mark slept with someone else that Derek wasn't exactly thrilled about, remember?

3. Was Cristina in the right?

missingBurke: Yes and no. Cristina was correct, but that definitely wasn't her place. I have to say on a side note that Sandra Oh is an incredible actress, capable of stealing every scene week after week, regardless of what story line her character is involved in.

McCritic: It's not about right and wrong. Cristina is a great surgeon because she's so confident. Perhaps she could have stood up to that ancient doctor in a more tasteful manner, but Cristina's cocky attitude will save lives down the line. Isn't that all that matters?

iheartizzie: A classic situation in which there's no black-and-white answer, but an intertwining yin and Yang (pun not intended). Cristina's a brutally honest hard-ass, plain and simple. It's how she got where she is. There will be some collateral damage along the way, but asking her to tone it down is like telling Denny to stay dead. Not happening, peeps!

4. Will Arizona come to her girl-on-girl senses, or will a new love interest (male or female) soon be cast for Callie?

McCritic: Callie has to chill. She isn't celibate, nor is she especially desperate or lonely. Dr. Hahn left like two months ago. You're just single, Callie. Calm down and remember that the reason Erica dumped you was because you weren't a real lesbian.

iheartizzie: I found Arizona's 180 a little silly. She was the one coming onto Callie so strongly, now she's turned off completely? Maybe the revelation that she's only Callie's second female smooch would give her pause, but she'd still be into her.

missingBurke: Am I the only one still pulling for a Callie-Mark reunion? I don't mind Lexie (or Arizona), but this, along with the Sadie flirting before it, seems a bit forced.

5. Are you getting sick of the Izzie plot line?

iheartizzie: My biggest complaint is that we basically knew from Grey's Anatomy spoilers that Izzie was going to be misdiagnosed. Say what you will about Denny, that was ... unique. The misfiled test results are just prolonging the conclusion of this plot line, whatever it may be.

missingBurke: I don't know if I'd say I'm sick of it, but let's get on with it, already! I hope Katherine Heigl does not leave the show, but it is looking more and more likely.

McCritic: Not one bit. If Shonda hadn't ridiculously resuscitated Denny, then proceeded to draw out Izzie's sickness even more, I'd have been crushed when she died. Now, at least I can save myself the tears and celebrate when this previously-beloved character kicks the bucket. Hard, hopefully.

The Plight of Dr. Bailey

BONUS QUESTION: What would your recommendation letter for Bailey say?

missingBurke: Dear Head of Pediatric Surgery: Miranda Bailey is the most dedicated, hard-nosed surgeon at Seattle Grace, and would be the best possible addition to your field. She can be a bit of a Nazi, but I mean that in the best possible way.

McCritic: Please ignore Dr. Bailey's awful new hairstyle. It does not reflect her skills as a surgeon.

iheartizzie: Come on, Chief. You could have at least tried to make your generic recommendation letter sound realistic. There's a form letter generator on the Internet that does a better job than you! Case in point, I just used it to craft this ...

To Whom it May Concern:

It is a genuine pleasure and honor for me to recommend Miranda Bailey. Miranda worked for me Seattle Grace for 10 years. She began here as a surgical intern, and after several promotions, ended her service as Chief Resident.

During Miranda's service with us I admired her for her many valuable qualities, and regarded her with evermore respect. Very goal oriented, Miranda was always punctual. She was dedicated to her work and the job at hand.

Miranda demonstrated from early in her tenure that she understood what business is all about. She thrived under adversity. She was quite aware of the bottom line, and had a knack for recognizing and eliminating waste.

Miranda is available for new challenges only because of her desire to learn and grow further. We would have loved to see her stay, but certainly understand her need to advance beyond the positions we have available.

In closing, let me say I have no hesitation in recommending Miranda Bailey for the position of pediatric surgeon. I feel confident she would be an asset to your organization.

Sincerely,
Richard Webber

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.

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Grey's Anatomy Season 5 Episode 16 Quotes

There's this thing that happens when people find out you're a doctor. They stop seeing you as a person and begin to see you something bigger than you are. They have to see us that way, as gods, otherwise we're just like everyone else, unsure, flawed, normal. So we act strong, we remain stoic. We hide the fact that we're all too human.

Meredith (narrating)

Patients see us as gods or they see us as monsters. But the fact is, we're just people. We screw up, we lose our way. Even the best of us, have our off days. Still we move forward. We don't rest on all the rules or celebrate the lives we've saved in the past. Because there's always some other patient that needs our help. So we force ourselves to keep trying, to keep learning. In the hope that, maybe someday we'll just come a little bit closer to the gods our patients need us to be.

Meredith (narrating)

Grey's Anatomy Season 5 Episode 16 Music

  Song Artist
Song Turn The Page Matt Hires
Song Error Error Dash And Will
Song Twice Little Dragon iTunes