Episode Report Card Lauren S: B- | 2 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Flying Solo
By Lauren S | Season 5 | Episode 10 | Aired on 12.04.2008
The Chief is finally talking to the residents himself, rather than sending a messenger, and tells them that the surgery will be a below-the-knee amputation taking place that evening. Denny has gathered along with the rest of them to hear it, and Cristina is listening from behind the Chief, rather than with the others. Mere is stunned it's not an appendectomy, but Alex is stoked for some "saw action." Richard goes on to tell them that the solo surgery isn't just about having the best skills, it's about who can be trusted with someone's life in the OR. I'd say that rules out most of these yahoos immediately. For the first time ever, the attendings voted unanimously, and their pick was Cristina. But since she's been taken out of the running, Richard explains that instead she'll pick which of her colleagues will do the surgery in her place. Again, she stays silent but looks like someone just dealt her another heavy blow. She will write the winner's name on the surgical board at 4pm, and that person will then be able to pick a fellow resident to scrub in since the interns still aren't allowed in the OR. After the others leave, Cristina gasps that this is torture, but Richard replies that he's not even done. Dr. Dixon is coming back that day and it will be Cristina's job to woo her and to convince her to be the next head of cardio -- and the Chief will hold her personally responsible if that doesn't happen.
Immediately, the other interns start in on her for why they should be picked. The first says she held a retractor with Cristina for 12 hours one time, and asks if Cristina remembers. She doesn't, and while the 12-hour-holding seems vaguely familiar, I don't remember this girl either. I guess I should be happy they're actually showing that there is another surgical resident besides our five. George hands her a coffee and reminds her he did heart surgery in an elevator. Alex retorts that George is 007. Seriously, are the only things these guys have to go on examples from like, 15 seasons ago? Denny tells Izzie it's her turn, so she snots that they know who Cristina will pick. Mere replies that she won't do that because Mere is her best friend, she'd do it because she is the best. Cough-deludedbullshit-cough! Honestly, the only one of these five that regularly acts like an actual doctor is Cristina (and maybe Alex). The others have all had moments, but nothing consistent. Cristina yells at everyone to stop and, defeated, tells them she'll think about it before sending them all away.