Episode Report Card Lauren S: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT How the West Was Won
By Lauren S | Season 5 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.15.2008
In a colder and darker part of the hospital, George finds Duncan's mom sitting on the floor outside his room. She's freaking out because Duncan is packing to leave, refusing to have surgery, and there's nothing she can do. Well, she can overpower him, but I know that's too literal an answer and not what she means. She sounds exhausted and tells George she doesn't even sleep any more, since she listens to Duncan breathe all night to make sure his heart hasn't stopped. George kindly tells her that there isn't a manual for being a parent to a child with heart failure. "We just need to up our game a little bit." He asks if he can try, and she tells him to go for it.
Alex and Derek have delivered the news of his tumor to Arnie, who's in a bit of shock that he's got something the size of a baseball in his head. Derek explains that's why he was lethargic, and Arnie gets a good dig in, clarifying that is also why he slept through his and his wife's vacation, not because he's boring and uninterested in other cultures. She's both sad and defensive, demanding to know how she was supposed to know. Arnie, sad and clearly freaked out, yells back that she should have given her husband the benefit of the doubt and not resorted to throwing remotes. Derek tells them to talk it over but Arnie snarks that he's sure his wife is fine with the risk, and declares he wants the surgery, and that he has nothing left to lose. Derek and Alex head out where Izzie is waiting in the hallway, whining about him possibly needing a second resident. Derek doesn't want to mediate this argument and tells her as much while Alex smirks. As Alex walks away, Izzie demands he stops and then throws some sort of plastic medical thingy (that's the technical term) at his head. He turns around with a thunderous look, but then relaxes back to a smile and leaves. A nurse has seen it all and glares at Izzie -- even better, she just continues to glare as Izzie whines about her problems. Realizing she doesn't have a sympathetic audience, she pouts that she'll go pick up what she threw. This really is like watching a toddler have a fit; it's ridiculous no matter how jerky Alex was to steal her patient.
Mere and Cristina are relaxing in the magical dermatology wing, while Mere practices stitching on some grapes in anticipation of the heart surgery later. Cristina is asking her about the journal, and offers to read it first and cross out the scary parts. Despite the nice gesture, Mere maintains that no one is reading it. Izzie then busts in yelling about both Alex stealing her patient and Derek not giving a crap (his words, in fact). I have to agree. I don't give a crap either. Cristina answers by pointing out one of the doctors in front of them, who is dragging from getting too much sleep the night before. Izzie is confused at this crazy notion and Cristina delightedly adds, "It's like watching a living freakshow!" She has taken one shoe off and pulls her sock-clad foot up on the sofa to get more comfortable while Izzie sits with them.