GREYS ANATOMY - Into You Like A Train

Izzy: Well, for what it's worth, I take issue with her salmon colored scrubs. What self respecting surgeon wears salmon colored scrubs?
Meredith: This is what I'm saying.

Okay, I know this is a repeat but I want to talk about it anyway because its one of the best episodes of Grey's EVER and it was refreshing considering all the crap their putting us through lately.
I mean its devastating because he chooses Addison, but we're pretty much over that by now, so whatever, but after watching it again, I really get the feeling that at the beginning he had the intention of choosing her and he changed his mind by the end. I know that's not true because Addison tells Izzy that she's staying at the end so she already knew, but his behavior is erratic through the whole thing. Back to that in a minute.

Watching this episode made me realize a few things...first, how much I do hate Alex and what a shitty job the writers do with the continuity of his character. He's nice, he's mean, he's nice, he's mean, he's nice, he's mean. COME ON. Second, how much I used to like Izzy. Her comment about the salmon scrubs is priceless, and her concern for Mer when she realizes Derek chose Addison is great. And third, how much they actually have ruined George's character. All the way back to the beginning of this season he is supportive and not a complete dummy around Meredith and on top of the fact that they have just trashed his character...its completely unrealistic that all of a sudden he'd just go back to being a blubbering idiot in love. I absolutely love his interaction with Meredith in this ep. Oh yeah, Meredith drunk is hilarious.

But my favorite scene of the whole show is when Derek and Bailey are in the elevator and Derek is about to fall apart and Bailey stops the elevator for him. Oh my gosh...every time I watch that episode...right at that moment, I'm right on the edge of tears and that scene just pushes me over.
So here's my only problem with 'Into You Like A Train'. I don't claim to be an expert, but I'm pretty sure Meredith's comment, "How do you decide who gets to live," is supposed to be a paradigm for the whole episode and the two people on the pole are symbolic of Derek choosing between Meredith and Addison. Okay, so that's a given...here's what I don't get. I feel like they really messed up on this because if this is the big episode analogy, he should have chosen Meredith. Especially with the way they've played out the rest of the season. Let's face it, Addison fan or not (I'm or not, just by the way) that marriage is on life support, and it was when he picked her, which is more likened to the girl who had more extensive injuries and less chance of survival. Until Addison came back, Meredith and Derek had a great relationship, he was rejuvenated, and they were on a good path. Even when Addison came back, they hit a bump, but it was minor and could be saved, which was more like the man's injuries that were able to be repaired. So ultimately, the doctors had to pick the case that they could actually have a chance at saving which is what Derek should have done. And all the writers have done the rest of the season is play out that theory. They have proven that this marriage is beyond help and what Derek should have done is just what the surgeons did...pick the person with the best chance of survival.
The other symbolic statement is the one at the end when Derek is talking to the boyfriend of the girl and says, "if love were enough she'd still be here with you." That, in my mind, can apply to both, but more to Addison. If he says it to Meredith it means, I love you, but its not enough reason to leave my wife. But, if he says it to Addison, it means...I'll always love you, but this marriage is too far gone to save and love isn't always enough. Which is much more logical. The only reason this statement is logical in favor of him picking Addison is because its painful for Derek because he still wants to be with Meredith, but "can't", just like the boyfriend can't be with the girl. So they are both in pain.
All in all...great episode, reminds me of the good old times of GA.