Shonda Rhimes’s Grey’s Anatomy and The Fixer return and the politics of work and life continue to monopolise the lives of Dr Meredith Grey and Olivia Pope, writes Debashine Thangevelo
DR MEREDITH GREY (Ellen Pompeo)
Why we love her: Well, she’s Wonderwoman. Despite losing husband Derek Shepherd in a car accident last season, she continues to do it all: have a career and be a mom to three demanding kids while maintaining her friendships and family life with her half-sibling and sister-in-law. Yes, she gets lost in her thoughts when her imagination gets the better of her, but she always bounces back with an optimistic outlook that the haters find nauseating.
Why we hate her: This one is a no-brainer. She just doesn’t stop. She’s like a Duracell bunny with verbal diarrhoea.
Her trials and tribulations: Talk about weathering storms. Meredith has been through her fair share of them. In fact, you almost wish Shonda Rhimes would give her a break. On the family front, she has deep-rooted Mummy issues. That was compounded by the arrival of half-sisters Lexie (who later died in the plane crash) and Maggie Pierce. Her relationships have hit a few snags, but Derek and she always managed to keep the spark alive. However, work issues often created a rift between them. Especially with Meredith feeling like her ambitions were often sacrificed in order for Derek’s career to flourish. His death, while devastating, helped her realise more about herself. In a way, she discovered Meredith Grey.
Looking ahead: I think the grieving process is over; Meredith is focused on the future and being the best that she can be in all she does. In many ways, the serial nurturer in her is going to be much-needed this season; more so, with April and Jackson’s marriage on the rocks and Callie and Arizona moving on with new loves. Of course, Richard is going to need all the help he can get being married to Catherine. By the way, Martin Henderson joins the cast. And Joey Lauren Adams ( Chasing Amy) will be making a guest star appearance and giving Dr Bailey a bit of tit-for-tat. That should be entertaining. After all, no one messes with Bailey.
Favourite quote: In the last season, Meredith reflected on her past while Derek and her were having some issues. She said: “ There’s this thing I used to do when I was a kid to my mom’s VCR. I’d take it apart piece by piece, then put it back together again. But inevitably, there was always a piece or two left over. Something I didn’t quite know what to do with. So, what do you do with that piece? Do you try to fit it back in? Do you try to make it work? Or do you decide you can live without that missing piece?”
It proved quite a poignant and bittersweet quote; especially when he died in a tragic car accident shortly thereafter.
OLIVIA POPE (Kerry Washington)
Why we love her: “ Impossible” isn’t a word in her vocabulary. She’s tenacious, quite the ball-buster and refuses to be bullied by the political heavyweights in her league. Oh, and she has that most amazing wardrobe. Talk about oozing sophistication. She is always beautifully groomed. I think she is the only person who could be kept prisoner for months and still be graceful about it, despite her circumstances.
Why we hate her: Aside from her Daddy hang-ups, she can never seem to make up her mind about who she wants and so wallows in a pit of woe-is-me while all these hot men run around trying to please her – sometimes at the cost of the country. No woman should have that much power – should they?
Her trials and tribulations: She spent most of her life resenting Daddy and missing her mother. Well, that was until she learnt that Mummy Dearest is a deadly hired gun. It doesn’t help that her dad Rowan runs a covert secret organisation that is a law unto itself. Oh, and he just so happens to hate her boyfriend (well, one of them) – President Fitzgerald “Fitz” Thomas Grant III. Amid all of this, she also tries to juggle her friendships and maintain the alliances that have stayed true to her. But her circle of trust is often penetrated by betrayal… yet she soldiers on with her “white hat”.
Looking ahead: After that fairy tale ending with Olivia and Fitz last season, it will be interesting to see the dominos fall this season. And Rhimes has a few tricks up her dramatic sleeve. Portia De Rossi has been promoted to a series regular this season, as has Marcus Cornelius Smith jr. Oh, and there is a new gladiator joining Olivia Pope & Associates.
Favourite quote: There are several brilliant lines that remain etched in the minds of fans. These are some favourites: “I am very good at what I do. I am better at it than anyone else. And that is not arrogance, that is a fact.”
“I am not the girl the guy gets at the end of the movie. I am not a fantasy. If you want me, earn me.”
l Grey’s Anatomy and The Fixer, tonight on M-Net (DStv channel 101) at 7.30pm and 8.30pm, respectively.