Part of the genius of the classic Sitcom, Barney Miller, is its ability to take complex societal issues and handle them in a mature way. The key word here being "complex." Barney Miller tackled everything from nuclear energy and Soviet relations to domestic violence and homelessness. Although a comedy, they still tackled decidedly unfunny issues with a laughter. They did this by presenting interesting characters to represent different sides of the issues at hand. We were introduced to the true complexity of the situation without losing the show. We were allowed to draw our own conclusions (if any were possible). Grey's Anatomy has not been able to get out of its own way over the last few seasons.
The show has resorted to writing a one-sided speech on an issue of the day into every episode. It's as if the characters look at the camera with a critical eye to make sure we "get" the point. In this episode, it's guns. Now, no matter how you feel about the balance between individual rights and public safety, you are not allowed to think that deeply. A Scotsman's son is accidentally shot during a parade and gets to make a speech chastising US laws and its constitution. No one is allowed to dissent.
Of course, there is no way they would ever have an American on the show criticize the culture or laws of another nation, but they allowed this Scotsman free reign to damn US law and culture. There are legitimate concerns in this area, but the topic is more complex than the writers allow. This has been the standard operating (pun intended) procedure for Grey's for about three seasons now. We get speeches about the issue of the day and anyone who holds even the slightest difference of opinion is either absent or presented as a buffoon. It's tiresome.
The interesting medical stories get lost again, unfortunately. The kid who was shot requires Karev, Hunt, and Avery to pool their skills to give him a shot at life. Maggie's old nemesis, a bully from med school, comes to her with a seemingly impossible cardiac condition; a condition that requires Maggie and Grey to team up in the OR. This allows not only medical drama, but human drama. A woman with neuro issues she has ignored, which the doctors almost miss, leads to another balanced medical/personal situation. Good stories overshadowed by the lesson of the day.
Grey's Anatomy's strength was always its two, parallel roads. The medical stories on one road and their personal lives on the other. That balance worked for over a decade. Then they decided to preach to the audience. Pick an issue of the day, and, sooner or later, somebody will make a one-sided speech about it as everyone bow's his or her head. Life is far more complex. Maybe the writers got lazy or they just want to impress their friends at the expense of their audience. Either way, the show has suffered.
The show has resorted to writing a one-sided speech on an issue of the day into every episode. It's as if the characters look at the camera with a critical eye to make sure we "get" the point. In this episode, it's guns. Now, no matter how you feel about the balance between individual rights and public safety, you are not allowed to think that deeply. A Scotsman's son is accidentally shot during a parade and gets to make a speech chastising US laws and its constitution. No one is allowed to dissent.
Of course, there is no way they would ever have an American on the show criticize the culture or laws of another nation, but they allowed this Scotsman free reign to damn US law and culture. There are legitimate concerns in this area, but the topic is more complex than the writers allow. This has been the standard operating (pun intended) procedure for Grey's for about three seasons now. We get speeches about the issue of the day and anyone who holds even the slightest difference of opinion is either absent or presented as a buffoon. It's tiresome.
The interesting medical stories get lost again, unfortunately. The kid who was shot requires Karev, Hunt, and Avery to pool their skills to give him a shot at life. Maggie's old nemesis, a bully from med school, comes to her with a seemingly impossible cardiac condition; a condition that requires Maggie and Grey to team up in the OR. This allows not only medical drama, but human drama. A woman with neuro issues she has ignored, which the doctors almost miss, leads to another balanced medical/personal situation. Good stories overshadowed by the lesson of the day.
Grey's Anatomy's strength was always its two, parallel roads. The medical stories on one road and their personal lives on the other. That balance worked for over a decade. Then they decided to preach to the audience. Pick an issue of the day, and, sooner or later, somebody will make a one-sided speech about it as everyone bow's his or her head. Life is far more complex. Maybe the writers got lazy or they just want to impress their friends at the expense of their audience. Either way, the show has suffered.
