A great season finale usually has a great cliffhanger. A major event happens or a major revelation is revealed at the end of a season that is meant to keep fans wanting to know what will happen next after the usual three-month summer break. The show that has probably done this the best in the last five years is Grey’s Anatomy. No matter how lackluster the rest of a season might be, viewers will always remember all of their great season finale cliffhanger episodes. The end of season five had a great one that involved the possible deaths of two core cast members. In season six, we not only find out what happens there, but once again we get another AWESOME cliffhanger that could change the show forever!
Grey’s Anatomy revolves around a group of surgical interns and the various physicians who serve as mentors to the interns in their professional and personal lives at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle. At first the central focus of the series was Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the daughter of the once-renowned surgeon Ellis Grey who becomes an intern at the Seattle Grace Hospital. She soon meets fellow interns Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Isobel “Izzie” Stevens (Katherine Heigl), George O’Malley (T.R. Knight), and unpopular fellow intern Alex Karev (Justin Chambers). They are closely monitored at first by Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson, nicknamed “The Nazi” due to her tough love demeanor. Also among the staff are/were renowned surgeons Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), Derek’s estranged wife, Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd (Kate Walsh), and Derek’s best friend turned enemy after sleeping with same estranged wife, Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), and George’s soon to be wife and possibly ex-wife, Dr. Callie Torres (Sarah Ramirez). In addition to all of that, the chief of surgery at the hospital is Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), who was once more than just friends with Meredith’s mother.
At the end of the fifth season the lives of George and Izzie were up in the air, and at the start of this season we learn that George really did die and Izzie somehow survived. So all of the doctors and new interns have to deal with George’s death early on. The next main storyline for this season gets introduced early on as Richard announces that due to the world-wide economic crisis, Seattle Grace Hospital has to merge with another nearby hospital, Mercy West. This leads to a bunch of new doctors from Mercy West coming in and competing for jobs with all of the doctors from Seattle Grace that we know and love. Another big storyline is the the inevitable departure of Izzie from the hospital and the show. Once Izzie recovers from crazy, she still goes crazy on her on-and-off boyfriend, Alex. Meanwhile, Meredith and Derek seem to be happy with each for the first time ever. But Derek has new issues to deal with after he takes over the job of “Chief of Surgery” from Richard, due to his alcoholic issues. In other relationship news, a love triangle begins between Cristina, Owen (Kevin McBride), and Owen’s fellow Iraqi War doctor, Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), who becomes the new cardiothoracic surgeon at Seattle Mercy Grace West Hospital. The relationships between Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and the Head of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), and Sloan and fellow doctor and Meredith’s sister, Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), continue as well.
The big theme of this season is change. Everyone pretty much knew that Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight wanted off of Grey’s Anatomy, and they both got their wishes during this season. They just didn’t get to leave when they exactly wanted to. In addition, Ellen Pompeo also had to leave the show for a bunch of episodes to go on maternity leave. So we get introduced to a bunch of new characters and actors including the aforementioned Kim Raver. Besides Raver there was also Jesse Williams, who plays Dr. Jackson Avery; Norah Zehetner, who plays Dr. Reed Adamson; Robert Baker, who plays Dr. Charles Percy; and Sarah Drew, who plays Dr. April Kepner. You immediately don’t like most of these new characters, because they are trying to take over the territory of the original Grey’s Anatomy characters. But by the end of the season, you start to care more for some of those characters and either begin to like some of them more or hate some of them more. The standout actor from this season from the original cast has to be Patrick Dempsey. He really carries this season until the end.
Season six of Grey’s Anatomy will probably be mostly remembered for the awesome season finale, which probably left viewers as tense while watching it as they have ever been for a television show. Nothing more will be said about that, but don’t forget about what came before that finale. The beginning of the season was solid and set up all of the changes perfectly. The season did start to dip a little bit towards the middle of the season, but overall season six was definitely one of the better ones from the last few years. Still not as great as the first few seasons, but still a solid season that is worth watching. If you have given up on Grey’s Anatomy, come back for season six and see if you still want to continue watching it into season seven.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – Good Mourning
The hospital staff are left to deal with the aftermath of George’s passing. Hitting them hard, they all find unique ways to get through the various stages of grief. George’s mom returns, faced with the difficult task of deciding what to do with his organs. Elsewhere, the Chief must deal with a shocking blow to his career, Derek receives an unexpected job offer, and Lexie is asked to befriend a young female patient with serious injuries and no support system at her side.
Episode 2 – Goodbye
Everyone is struggling after losing one of their own and are turning to any distraction they can find. Meredith and Derek seem to be consummating their marriage anywhere and everywhere, while Cristina and Owen have been instructed to abstain from sex by Dr. Wyatt. Izzie doesn’t understand why Alex is pulling away from her emotionally, and Lexie considers the next step in her relationship with Mark.
Episode 3 – I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watchin’ Me
Several weeks after her near-death experience, a recovering Izzie returns to work, and Alex is concerned that she’s pushing herself too much. Meanwhile, nervous that there will be layoffs in the hospital in the wake of an announcement from the Chief, the Seattle Grace residents compete to survive the cuts, including Cristina, who attempts to work alongside Arizona in pediatrics. Also, Bailey and Alex’s patient’s already complex case is further complicated by her schizophrenic son.
Episode 4 – Tainted Obligation
When Meredith and Lexie’s father, Thatcher, returns to the hospital with a failed liver, it’s up to Meredith to save his life. Meanwhile, Izzie empathizes with a patient riddled with tumors, as Mark, annoyed with Cristina’s competitive zeal, tricks her into assisting on an unusual surgery.
Disc Two:
Episode 5 – Invasion
The residents of Seattle Grace and Mercy West vie for surgeries and their careers as day one of the hospital merger begins. Still recovering from surgery, Meredith must count on her friends to keep her updated on everything that’s happening. Meanwhile, Arizona stands by an enraged Callie when her father returns to Seattle with a priest to convince his daughter to date men. Lexie clashes with a staff member from Mercy West, while the pressure to save her career takes its toll on Cristina. Lastly, Izzie experiences the brunt of her new surgical competition, especially when a major mistake threatens her job.
Episode 6 – I Saw What I Saw
After a burn victim unexpectedly dies in the midst of a chaotic ER, the Chief and board member Jennings interrogate the residents to find the culprit, as all the Mercy West and Seattle Grace resident defends their actions in an effort to save their jobs.
Episode 7 – Give Peace a Chance
When a lab technician from the hospital has an inoperable tumor wrapped around his spine, he asks Derek to do the impossible. Derek tests the Chief’s authority by moving forward with the risky surgery. Meanwhile, Alex continues to be tested emotionally over his situation with Izzie, and the rest of the doctors compete with each other to prove their talents.
Episode 8 – Invest In Love
A generous $25 million donation is offered to Seattle Grace by the parents of a 10-year-old cancer patient. This prompts the Chief to pressure Arizona into performing a risky operation on the child. Meanwhile, Arizona is upset that Callie is not contributing more to their relationship. Cristina tests her boundaries with Owen during a critical surgery. Alex is left with all of Izzie’s hospital bills to contend with, and as he immerses himself in his work at the hospital, Reed feels herself growing closer to him.
Disc Three:
Episode 9 – New History
Meredith finally returns to work for the first time since the hospital merger and is daunted by the competition that awaits her. Owen recruits Dr. Teddy Altman, an Iraqi veteran, as the new cardiothoracic surgeon, but Cristina is not happy about it. Meanwhile, Izzie finally returns with her high school mentor, who needs treatment for dementia, but she and Alex show very little interest in reconciling. Also, the Chief’s stressful responsibilities are taking a major toll on him.
Episode 10 – Holidaze
As Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s pass, Miranda gets a visit from her father, William who disapproves of her choices in life. Mark and Lexie cope with an arrival of a woman from his past. Thatcher questions the Chief’s recent behavior as Meredith comes to his defense.
Episode 11 – Blink
Addison returns to Seattle Grace to help Mark’s pregnant daughter, whose unborn baby faces life-threatening danger. Meanwhile, Owen questions Teddy’s intentions when she assigns Cristina a complicated surgery. Derek suspects something is wrong when the Chief assigns Meredith to assist him in a high-profile surgery. Also, Lexie doubts the future of her relationship with Mark, and with Izzie still absent from Seattle, Alex is tired of waiting around for her.
Episode 12 – I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked
Derek wants to inform the Board of Richard’s drinking problem, but Meredith urges him not to. Derek decides to try talking to Richard instead, but it becomes a moral issue when Richard shows poor judgment with a patient’s upcoming surgery. Meanwhile, Izzie finally returns, hoping to reconcile with Alex and find a new job. Tensions run high between Teddy, Cristina and Owen in the aftermath of her startling confession. Callie suffers a painful bout of chicken pox, and Lexie agonizes over her recent infidelities.
Disc Four:
Episode 13 – State of Love and Trust
Derek faces his first big challenge as interim chief when Meredith and Bailey’s patient awakens mid-surgery and the impending lawsuit threatens the hospital. Alex returns to Pediatrics, where he is tested by Arizona, while Teddy refuses to let Cristina on her service. Meanwhile, Mark continues to ignore a heartbroken Lexie.
Episode 14 – Valentine’s Day Massacre
Valentine’s Day hits Seattle Grace with a bang when the roof of a popular romantic restaurant collapses and the doctors have to deal with the fallout. Derek continues to struggle in his new position as his busy schedule takes its toll, while Meredith faces the pressure of being the chief’s wife. Mark and Callie try to convince Sloan to do the right thing for her baby.
Episode 15 – The Time Warp
Derek reinstates hospital lectures, leading the doctors to recount stories of their past – Bailey tells of her days as a timid young resident, Callie reflects on a polio case, and Richard recalls an AIDS patient he treated with Ellis.
Episode 16 – Perfect Little Accident
When Dr Harper Avery, the namesake of the Avery award, is rushed to the hospital, his unusual request for surgery heightens tension between Derek and Richard. The doctors are surprised to learn that Jackson is the medical legend’s grandson. Meanwhile, Callie and Arizona help Mark and Teddy move on from their rocky past relationships.
Disc Five:
Episode 17 – Push
A patient arrives at the hospital in need of a complex surgical procedure, and Richard is furious when Derek chooses Owen to do it over him. Meanwhile, Bailey nervously prepares for another date with Ben.
Episode 18 – Suicide is Painless
Teddy’s patient seeks to end treatment and her life, she turns to Owen for help but it triggers memories of him at war and relationship with her. Callie and Arizona have a difference in opinion on what their future holds. Richard tries to adjust to his role as a surgeon,
Episode 19 – Sympathy for the Parents
Alex asks Bailey to approve his younger brother Aaron’s hernia repair pro bono. When Aaron says that Alex hasn’t been home since he got to Seattle,
some of Alex’s past secrets are revealed.
Episode 20 – Hook, Line and Sinner
Mark, Teddy, Callie, and Arizona come together to help Sloan deliver her baby boy. From there, a dramatic battle ensues as Mark wants to help raise the infant, even though he knows Sloan is not mature enough to handle motherhood. Also, the doctors are faced with a the case of a crab boat captain who has been stabbed with a giant shark hook. Meanwhile, Teddy finds herself fighting to keep her job at Seattle Grace, and Lexie is forced to become more assertive with Alex. Callie is beginning to feel emotionally ready to adopt a child with Arizona, who does not feel the same way at all.
Disc Six:
Episode 21 – How Insensitive
Bailey preps the team with mandatory sensitivity training prior to admitting a 700-pound patient with compounded medical issues, and the case proves to be challenging in every sense of the word. Meanwhile, Derek has to come face-to-face with a former patient’s husband in a wrongful death deposition, and spending time with a heart patient’s daughter opens up some old wounds for Cristina. Also, Callie and Arizona must determine the future of their relationship.
Episode 22 – Shiny Happy People
An elderly patient admitted into the E.R. for a heart condition sees a familiar face, a long lost love who happens to be in the E.R. as well for a fractured arm, and the staff find themselves caught up in their love story. Meanwhile, Karev treats a troubled teenage patient Hayley (guest star Demi Lovato), whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia, and Meredith can’t help but tell Cristina about her suspicions of Owen — which inevitably messes with Cristina’s head.
Episode 23 – Sanctuary (Part 1)
In the first hour of the two-hour season six finale, Meredith receives life-changing news just as Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its history.br />
Episode 24 – Death and All His Friends (Part 2)
As Seattle Grace’s doctors fight to hold themselves together during a horrifying crisis, Cristina’s surgical skills are put to the ultimate test.
The video is given in anamorphic widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, which is enhanced for 16×9 TVs. The transfer is great with colors generally looking bright and vivid details everywhere. No major or minor problems at all here, and on par with previous seasons.
The audio included is in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English, Spanish, and French as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. No major problems here either, and the same good quality as previous seasons.
“Seattle Grace: On Call” Webisodes – There are 6 webisodes that run 5 minutes each, and originally aired on ABC.com. They featured the new Seattle Grace interns Steve, Megan, Ryan, Pierce and Graciella, along with a few new transfer residents, Reed and Charles. Dr. Owen Hunt also joins in on the fun. These all take place at Joe’s Bar. Not really that interesting, but still some entertaining moments worth checking out.
“The Making of Seattle Grace: On Call” Featurette – This runs 2 1/2 minutes and it’s a “behind-the-scenes” look at making all of the webisodes. Cast and crew get interviewed.
“Chandra Wilson: Anatomy of a Talent” Featurette – This runs 13 minutes and it’s all about Chandra Wilson (who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey) and the episodes she directed from this season. She is the first one of the cast to do so, so other cast and crew members talk about her directing as well.
“Dissecting Grey’s Anatomy” Unaired Scenes – There are 9 episodes that didn’t make the final cut of the season and they total 12 minutes. Nothing much to see here.
“In Stitches” Outtakes” – This is 2 minutes worth of the usual mistakes and gags from filming this season.
Extended Scenes – There are 2 scenes from a couple of episodes this season that get extended an extra couple of minutes. Nothing worth seeing here either, though.
ABC Starter Kit – This runs 5 minutes and it’s a quick recap of the series’ first five seasons to get you ready for season six.
Season six of Grey’s Anatomy was a solid, entertaining season. Not the best season, but still a good one nonetheless.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment presents Grey’s Anatomy: The Complete Sixth Season. Created by Shonda Rhimes. Starring Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Eric Dane, Justin Chambers, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Chyler Leigh, Jessica Capshaw, Kevin McBride, and Kim Raver. Running time: 1032 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: September 14, 2010.
