Grey's Anatomy - Song Beneath the Song, 7.08

In Defense of What Is Still the Highest-Rated Drama on Network TV, Thank You Very Much:

This should be one of the dumbest, corniest episodes of anything ever: surgeons Glee-ing it up to The Fray while performing surgery as the ghost/astral projection of the woman they're operating on watches from above. Those are some shark jumping shenanigans. But Grey's has always taken that route. It's never shied away from ferry boat near-drownings and bus crashes full of lovesick teenagers; Seattle Grace's high casualty rate is matched only by its high drama quotient.

My first thought about Song Beneath the Song was that it was ridiculous. But then, duh. Grey's heightens everything, that's why it's as popular as it is. It's exaggerated and emotional and that's how it gets to you.

My second thought, as Sara began to sing her second song, was that Grey's has truly earned this. Seven and a half seasons in, it may not be novel as it was, but it's still well-written and occasionally as evocative as its earlier seasons. It has some of the best actors on network television. Sandra and Kevin? They're some legit HBO material.

And there was Ellen's performance in the elevator this episode. Season 7's baby storyline kept her sidelined with Derek, who didn't seem to have much to do after he stepped down from Chief. But they're still the heart of the show. I don't want to do too many "remember when"s, but remember when she was dark and twisty and she drowned and then built a house in candles? That was excellent acting. That was fantastic television.

So this musical episode, then. Doing songs that are fun and also advance the story is tough. Buffy's the only show that's pulled that off successfully. Grey's didn't quite, but I think this episode was more of a mixtape than a vehicle for plot: Grey's has always been known for its use of licensed indie music. This episode was a tribute to that.

Hearing the cast in chorus singing The Fray's How to Save a Life was silly, but I was moved! That was the song. Grey's pretty much singlehandedly catapulted that record to immense popularity.

That was also true for Brandi Carlisle's The Story, one of my favorite songs to come out of Grey's. And Sara sang the hell out of it, dear god. She is so fantastic. She's so clearly a Broadway star. Out of all of Grey's leads, she's the one that really draws you in: her performances are unfailingly powerful and moving. Seeing her belt it out, crying, moving through the hospital halls is simultaneously ridiculous and ridiculously terrific.

Grey's earned its right to indulge both Shonda and its loyal audience. This episode wasn't perfect, but it was a great "remember when" that I thoroughly enjoyed.