Lauren likes TV: George O’Malley 007

Grey’s Anatomy (Thursday, ABC, 9PM) ^[1] — I didn’t see it coming. I usually see it coming. Not this time. How did I not see it coming?! It’s so obvious now. But, I’m so glad I didn’t. That was the most shocking thing to happen on TV since JR got shot (yes, I remember that). But talk about a cliffhanger. We have to wait all summer to know if George and Izzie live or die. Certainly a “who shot JR? ^[2]” moment (or for those who pined throughout the summer of ’99 dying to know if Felicity chose Ben or Noel, you get my point). However the cliffhanger isn’t really what hit me hard. It was the moment we found out that John Doe was George O’Malley. As Meredith spoke the words 0-0-7 and received an affectionate squeeze of the hand from the patient, we knew. My heart sank into my toes. And her desperate holler of shock only confirmed it. I knew George’s nickname was 007, but I couldn’t really remember why. Apparently, he had been nicknamed that in the first season ^[3] for botching some surgeries and ending a few lives (shout out to my girl Ronnie, your memory is “fanominal”). But regardless of that, I had a pit in my stomach the entire next day. That’s good TV.

I had developed such disdain for O’Malley. He’s debilitated, fickle, and self-absorbed. I didn’t care if he stayed on or left the show, but somehow now, I miss O’Malley terribly. George didn’t deserve that, especially after being so kind and heroic towards a complete stranger, and I hope he lives. As for Izzie, while sad, I can take her or leave her. What does need to happen is for Justin Chambers ^[4] to win a statue for his performance as Alex this season which was nothing short of… “Golden.” When Izzie and George meet in the dreamy elevator sequence, one inside and one not, I took that as a message that one lives to see another day and the other doesn’t. We’ll see in about 4 torturous months.

Others Noteworthy

Lost — That episode was the bomb, pun intended. Thank goodness Juliet survived her death plummet long enough to detonate the jughead. Hopefully next season will start from scratch where everyone is back to the same year and our brains can focus on one time at a time. It will be the final season and we’ve been told that everything will come full circle. If they pull a Sopranos on us, I will personally hunt down Lindelof ^[5] and Cuse ^[6] and kill them for wasting over 5 full days of my life.

The Office — “Maybe I played a little in junior high. And in high school. Maybe a little in college. And went to volleyball camp most summuhs.” – Pam Beesly, soon-to-be wife and mom

Scrubs‘ is officially returning for it’s 9th season. Castle and Better Off Ted get a 2nd season as well (I don’t watch these, but it’s always nice to hear when new shows go on). Chuck and Bones were also confirmed by NBC for another season.

The Upfronts are here, the Upfronts are here! The major networks announce their fall lineups, including previews of their new shows on their websites. It has already been announced that Cougar Town, Courteney Cox’s new sitcom, has been picked up by ABC. Even after Dirt, I still love her. I’ll have a full run down of the announcements and my picks for next fall once the week is over.

Somewhere In The Middle

Gossip Girl — Chuck unrigged the rigged Prom Queen/King ballots to make Blair’s prom dreams come true (I saw that coming!). That night, she was truly the Queen B (Somewhere, Lil’ Kim ^[7] has her G-string in a bunch). What did you think of Lily? Is it me or is Brittany Snow ^[8] the 3rd Olsen Twin? If it gets picked up for fall, I’d probably watch, but only because Andrew McCarthy ^[9] is in it.

Desperate Housewives — A little too predictable. And it better be Susan under that veil come next season. Enough’s enough. They need to be together already. BTW, I love Bree and Karl. He is exactly what she needs… a man to push her around a little bit. We might see another side of Bree next year and if that side is anywhere near as strong as her other side, we are in for a treat.

Lowlights  

Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and Hilarie Burton (Peyton) will not return for the 7th season of One Tree Hill. I’m not sure how the show will go on without it’s two pivotal characters, but I’m 6 seasons in and won’t quit now.

What to Watch, Week of 5/18

Finales this week:

Gossip Girl — We’ll meet Lily and Rufus’ dead, but alive, secret off-spring. Nate and Blair? Blair and Chuck? Chuck and himself? I know, I know, you care…

One Tree Hill — It’s the final episode ever for the beloved Lucas and Peyton. Let’s hope they get their happy ending. 

24 — I wouldn’t mind if Tony were kept under lock and key at the expense of Kim Bauer, would you?

90210 — Here comes love, oh wait… no. Here comes marriage… umm, nope again. Here comes Adrianna with a baby carriage.

Glee — If you watch American Idol (go Kris Allen!) you have mos def seen the promos for Glee, a musical comedy about a comeback high-school glee club. Did you hear what I just said?! This could only be one thing… awesome. And I’ve been counting down the seconds until it airs. We’ll just get a preview this week… it’s a fall series with Tony buzz. OK not really, but lets hope I’m right and this is the next best thing to enter our lives.