by HelpMeBeFree

Created on: May 19, 2008

Grey's Anatomy started as an intelligent, clever show with some medical drama thrown in. It's now become a clich filled soap opera that would be better off showing to a daytime audience. The first two seasons I actually watched live' - commercials and all. Now I DVR it and watch it only if I have time. Some of Season 1's spunk returned after the writers' strike, but not enough. This past season should not have happened. It was awful. If the show isn't completely reworked over the summer break, Season 4 may be its last. Here's some suggestions.

Bring back Burke. I'm not apologizing for believing that. His absence is palpable. He and Christina had great chemistry and stability as a couple. Their relationship was the only mature one, lending a steady story thread to balance out the rest of the chaotic couplings. Burke was a great sounding board for Dr. Derek Shepherd and Chief Webber. And since Burke left, Christina has been reduced to a moping kid begging for attention from Dr. Hahn and it's unsatisfying as a viewer.

McSteamy needs to fall in love. Dr. Sloan tries to be a complete jerk, but he can not hide his tender side completely. It peaks through every now and again and I want to see more of it. There is nothing more compelling than watching a proud declared bachelor fall for someone. Nurse Rose would be ideal, but McSteamy has a habit of taking Dr. Shepherd's leftovers. Bring in someone new. Someone funny and strong.

Meredith and Derek. Together. Forever. I want that. But their on-again-off-again teases are a great part of the show's undercurrent. Do not let this tension disappear.

Izzie. George. Alex. Boring. Boring. Boring. Their characters have become so predictable, wimpy and whiny that I can't even muster up enough interest to discuss them.

Too much medical drama! Yes, it's a show set in a hospital. However, I don't want to know every detail of Meredith's clinical trial or watch another show with the doctors trying to figure out how to remove another manmade object from someone's head. ER went too medical in its middle seasons and lost millions of viewers. For good reason: after a long day, I want romance and witty conversation. I don't want to be reminded of how many ways a person can die.

Speaking of death, quit killing off the interesting characters! Meredith's mom and stepmom added angst to Meredith's life. Why are the writers and producers working so hard to remove all of Meredith's demons? She's almost out of reasons not to be happy. And losing George's dad was a great loss to him and the audience. He was funny and down-to-earth.

Some great patients have come through the hospital and been killed off. Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was mesmerizing and should have been kept around at least another season. Shane (Gale Harold), who was the guest Nazi, could have turned into Izzie's new flame (instead of poor George!) and given birth to an entire season of clashes and make-ups with many of the cast members.

Still, at it's worst, Grey's is better than most shows out there. I'm going to watch the first few new episodes in the fall, but if I don't get a laugh or my heart strings aren't tugged a little during any episode, that will be the last one I watch.

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