If The Brakeman Turns My Way

Last night was the big "spin-off" episode of Grey's Anatomy. While I feel that it is still too early to be shaking up the cast and spinning off characters I went into last night's 2 hour event with a very open mind. I was willing to give the new show, new characters, and new soapy stories a chance. And amazingly, I wasn't disappointed at all. It was actually kinda good.

First, the set-up. I loved it. The show is tentatively titled Private Practice. So a wellness center makes the perfect setting for tons of drama and plenty of misconduct. I like the idea of a one-stop shop for all of your sexual, reproductive, psychological, and new age healing needs. It really felt like a place that I would go if I needed help in any of these areas. Plus, being in L.A. will allow the introduction of a few "stars" who come in needing some help.

Next the cast: Wow. What an amazing group of people assembled for the show. Merrin Dungey as Naomi was the perfecting casting coup. She is probably the least known of the main characters, having spent some time on Alias as Sydney Bristow's best friend and later being reduced to a cheap laugh on The King of Queens. But, she has acting chops, she's incredibly likable, and good lookin' to boot.

Taye Diggs character is a little more mysterious and I think there may be more to him than meets the eye. I can see some funny stuff coming up between him and some obsessed Dr. Feelgood fans. Diggs seems to be a good fit so far.

Tim Daly is always great and hopefully this show sticks around long enough for us to see him spread his wings. His chemistry with Addison was spot on and certainly will hold the center of focus for at least the first half of the show's rookie season.

Paul Addelstein, who is from Prison Break, played Cooper. Cooper was probably the only character I didn't immediately like. He grew on my by the end, but really, do we need another Mark Sloane (McSteamy).

Amy Brenneman is the entire reason I was excited about the spin-off. Judge Amy Gray has become a shrink with a few head problems of her own. She doubts her profession, she has a sucky love life, and she can't fight off her own tears. Thank God she is about to be back on TV regularly.

And lastly, you can't forget Chris Lowell who plays Dell. Best known as the lovable Pizz from Veronica Mars, this front-desk surfer boy is going to bring the funny. I couldn't quite pin-point why the ladies were so excited that it was 5 minutes until 1. Then I saw the reason and knew that every chic watching was going to be hooked from that point on. The Naomi/Dell match-up is a bit of an odd romance...a cat and mouse game if you will...but on some level the Mrs. Robinson angle works and I for one want to see Dell score.

The story lines were interesting, but not nearly as gripping as the ones back in Seattle. I did love seeing David Anders playing a possible father in the "baby's daddy triangle." For those of you not familiar with David Anders, he played Sark on Alias. I'm sure Merrin Dungey hooked him up with the gig. Too bad he won't be back. Of course, it wasn't the same without the faux Brit accent. I am hoping that the medical mysteries were a bit light so that we could spend plenty of time getting to know the characters. Hopefully they will become as engaging at the ones on Grey's.

Overall the show worked on many levels. The fact that it has a built in fan base is a big advantage. The key to the success of Private Practice is going to be creating story lines that the audience can invest in. Just like Izzy with Denny, George with Merideth, and Addison with McDreamy and McSteamy, we have to care about what happens to these characters. I for one have faith that Shonda Rhimes knows what she is doing and that having two babies to raise won't make both of them weaker than they could be.

I also hope that they eventually introduce a character like Dr. Bailey who has some sass and fire. The show seemed to lack some zing without that Grey's Anatomy trademark.

What did you guys think of the show? Will you watch it?

OUT!