| My Review of 5.20 - "Sweet Surrender" |
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| Written by Admin |
| Saturday, 10 July 2010 15:42 |
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I hope everyone's doing well and staying somewhat sane during the break. Filming resumes next week, and we are almost halfway through the four months. As promised, I'm going back to do a couple of reviews on season 5 episodes, starting with Episode 20 - "Sweet Surrender". Read on for my full review.
I'm starting with "Sweet Surrender" because it is my favorite in season 5. It was after seeing this particular episode that I truly fell for Arizona as a character and for Callie and Arizona as a couple. It's as if the light switch was flipped on and I never looked back. I have to confess that the episodes between the Christmas break and this one, including Arizona's arrival, did not make a great impression on me upon initial viewing (yes, consider me a laggard). I can't really figure out why; perhaps I was still suffering from post-Hahn-debacle residual bitterness such that my mind was not yet open to the sudden "love interest replacement" for Callie, as Arizona was cynically suggested to be by some. Or maybe Arizona had not yet been given much focus until now, since she was mostly portrayed as this exceedingly perky doctor who butted heads with Bailey's on this important Peds case.
This was the first instance that I got a glimpse of the different layers of Arizona and the potential the character offers. It also marks the first episode since Callie and Arizona became involved with each other, after Arizona wisely decided to make an exception with regard to her dating exclusion list, despite Callie qualifying as a "newborn".
Plus, an episode with Arizona in the main storyline (with Bailey) plus a separate Callie/Arizona storyline almost seemed too good to be true.
And onwards with the recap...
It's the start of a brand new day for the surgeons at Seattle Grace. Mer is admiring her sparkly diamond ring in bed, Alex is sitting with Izzie amongst a group of cancer patients, and Callie has just arrived at the hospital and is sclimbing up the stairs. Arizona is bouncing down the same stairwell wearing a smile on her face as she spots Calliope. Either Callie is still half-asleep and doesn't notice AZ, or she is just playing coy and pretending not to see her because she's not yet comfortable with PDA with a girl. I'm leaning towards the latter. In any case, Callie keeps her head down and continues on with the stairs, intent on just passing by AZ. Arizona will have none of it, though, and does a giant side-step to the right on the step just above Callie's, blocking her way. Callie looks up and encounters the wide and radiant smile of Arizona, who pulls Callie in by her lapel and kisses her. Callie smiles and kisses her back.
That was sweet, casual, yet intimate at the same time. It was also slightly hot, the way Arizona pulled Callie in, like "Come here, you..." Arizona and her moves, heh. We should have known from back then that AZ would be calling all the shots in the relationship. How bittersweet that we wouldn't see them kiss legitimately on the lips until 6.12 (I cannot in my good conscience count that pathetically-staged peck in Holidaze as a kiss). Little moments like these go a long way towards consolidating the relationship in the viewers' minds. Knowing that they are a couple isn't enough; we need to witness it from time to time. I don't want to go back to a situation where if they don't get a story arc, we don't get to see these little intimate "couple-y" moments.
Later that morning, Mark and Arizona are walking along the hallway...
Mark: Is he here? Arizona: <in one breath> If you're talking about Calliope's dad, then the answer is 'I don't know', because I'm not going to meet him, because we just started dating and it's way too soon. Mark: And Torres is okay with that? Arizona: Yeah, her idea. The man's here for one day and then he's gone. No muss, no fuss.
The "no muss, no fuss" part proves to be short-lived, though. As if on cue, the elevator dings, and out comes a resigned-looking Callie followed by Mr. Torres. As Callie spots George dorkily and unwittingly coming down the hallway, her eyes grow wide with fear and emphatically tells George to "Run, run for your life." Rather than taking Callie's word for it, George (and his inopportune curiosity) stops and asks her back, "What do you mean, 'Run for my life'?" (If he were in the Safari, his head would have been bitten off by now.) As he barely finishes his question, a strong hand grabs his shoulder and he suddenly finds himself pinned against the wall and in danger of being choked to death by Mr. Torres, much to Callie's horror.
Mr. Torres: Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now. Callie: Dad, stop it! Mr. Torres: You committed adultery. Callie: Who hasn't? I slept with him <pointing to Mark> before we were divorced, so technically, George isn't the only one who cheated. <Mr. Torres looks back at a red-faced George while Arizona looks on, a little stunned at the violent turn of events. Not to mention, it's also a bizarre way of finding out about the sexual past (if she doesn't already know) of someone she is newly dating>
Mr. Torres deliberates for a moment before loosening his grip on George, who scurries away like a nerd who just got bullied by a jock in school. Before Mark and Callie can take a breath in relief, Mr. Torres grabs Mark by his lab coat and throws him against the wall in an impressive display of might, as Callie and Arizona's jaws drop in shock at this continuing gratuitous violence.
Mr. Torres: Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now. Mark: <face now beet red> Mark Sloan. Pleasure to meet you. Callie: Dad, Mark is just a friend. I'm happy now. I'm dating someone now <AZ smiles>, and I'm happy... okay? Mark: <nods to reinforce Callie's words>
Mr. Torres relents and lets Mark go and brushes him off. Mark regains his ability to breath and walks off.
Mr. Torres: So you are dating again. <Callie looks uptight as she now realizes that she has babbled herself into a corner> Well, that's good..that's healthy. I'd like to meet this new gentleman suitor. Callie: <eyes bugger and starts stuttering> Yeah... <looks back at AZ, who immediately looks down at her chart> yeah, no, um..sh-they're pretty busy 'cos they're a doctor here, but um... you will love them. You will love them. 'Cos they're smart and funny and both...handsome and-and beautiful...and-and very supportive... Daddy... please be okay with this.
As we move down the dating chain and get ever closer to Arizona's turn (since Callie keeps deflecting one relationship with another), the idea of dating Calliope is beginning to pose a very real and mortal danger. If Arizona was contemplating slowly inching backwards and running straight for the hills, it is too late, as Callie decides that the best time to reveal to her dad that she is now dating a woman is right after he tried to throttle her ex-lover and sex friend. And for Arizona, this is certainly not the ideal circumstance in which to learn about the quirks (i.e. compulsive over-sharing) of someone you just started dating.
As soon as Callie finishes saying that, she turns around and walks toward the nurses' station, where Arizona has continued to look busy with her chart. Callie catches her by surprise when she grabs her from behind and starts maneuvering her towards her dad. Impressively, AZ's face is a picture of calm as she is propelled towards the fearsome Mr. Torres.
Callie: Dad... this is Arizona Robbins. <presents her as Mr. Torres looks on politely> This is who I'm dating now. Mr. Torres stares at Arizona dumbfoundedly. Arizona: <shoots out her hand with a sunny grin on her face> And I really hope you draw the line at throwing women against walls.
Oh, Arizona...I see that she is not above pulling out the gender card, even if she was just trying to be a smartass.
After that eventful (and slightly traumatic) encounter with Mr. Torres, Arizona and Bailey are walking alongside each other on the Peds floor. Arizona is obviously unaware of Bailey's cardinal rule, because she proceeds to share with Bailey her experience (in a "Valley-girl" voice, no less):
Arizona: Meeting Callie's dad was so not on the agenda for today. I mean, he seems like the kind of man who needs a little preparation before meeting his daughter's girlfriend. <chuckles> You should've seen the look on his face when I- Bailey: Okay, can you stop doing that thing? Arizona: What thing? Bailey: The 'telling-me-your-business' thing. This is my day off. I'm just here to watch you do the fundoplication. Arizona: You know what? I checked your schedule. You worked a 90-hour week. You should be at home - sleeping, or playing with your kid. Bailey: Okay, you can stop doing that thing, too. Arizona: It's just that Peds can be tough, and it can be hard on a family. Bailey: Not mine! Pfftth. My husband is very supportive. He.. can't wait for me to start my fellowship. Arizona: <shakes head> He doesn't know, does he? Bailey: No. Arizona: Why?
Just then, a patient's dad calls out to Arizona that her daughter, Jessica, cannot breathe. Jessica has Tay-Sachs and Arizona tells Bailey to get a mask on her. Arizona calms Jessica down until she stabilizes a bit.
Hehe, the way Bailey said "This is my day off. I'm just here to watch you do the fundoplication", it sounds like she only puts up with personal stuff when she gets paid for it. And I love the way she displayed her lack of interest in people's personals lives with eyeroll after Arizona said "meeting Callie's dad is so not on the agenda for the day".
It still irks me a little that Arizona is trying to caution Bailey about the demanding schedule in Peds and that it can be family and encourages Bailey to tell her husband. But noooo, Bailey is too scared to tell him until after she got the fellowship. And Arizona having invested so much time in mentoring Bailey only to be left with nobody.
By the way, I clearly remember the satisfaction upon hearing the word "girlfriend" uttered by Arizona in this exchange. Like aww... they are girlfriends. Only to realize that they weren't officially "girlfriends" until the end of 6.03 when AZ questions Callie whether they were "girlfriends". Again, I get that it's a function of trying to build up AZ's insecurities throughout season 6 to lead to the climactic finale, I suppose. Oh well.
Elsewhere in the hospital, Callie is treating a patient while her father looks on.
Callie: Just so you know, I wasn't looking for a relationship. <cracks the patient's leg> With anyone... he or she. But.. it just happened. <crack> And uh.. it feels good with her. Feels easy <Mr. Torres nods as if he understands> and uh... comfortable. <crack> I'm saying I'm happy. When have you ever heard me willingly admit that? Mr. Torres: When you lived at home with your mother and me. Callie: <rolls her eyes> Mr. Torres: You were happy then. Callie: Yeah, I was 12. It didn't take much.
Despite that, Mr. Torres doesn't seem to grasp the concept of age; Callie might as well still be 12 and eating her hair at the back of the class.
Mr. Torres: You'll fly home with me today. I'll talk to the Chief and explain the circumstances. Callie: What?? <receives a peck on the cheek from her dad> No! nono...Dad, no! I'm not moving back home. Mr. Torres: Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay. Callie: Everything is o- okay...
Satisfied that everything is settled with his directive, Mr. Torres turns to leave to take care of the administrative duties required to ship Callie back home for immediate de-gayification. The fact that Callie is vehemently protesting it does not seem to register, because tuning out is so much easier than dealing with change.
Callie can do nothing but look stunned at the alarming turn of events.
Unaware of the family drama brewing upstairs, Arizona and Bailey are looking through the window of Jessica's room. Arizona tells Bailey that Tay-Sachs is usually fatal in children by age 4 or 5, but Jessica is 6. Jessica's father, Matt, comes out of her room and starts telling them about this experimental stem cell treatment in Mexico that his friend told him about and that he'll have raised enough money in 2 weeks to take his daughter there. Arizona interrupts Matt and reminds him of the sobering fact that Jessica possibly only has a couple of hours to live. Empathetically, yet firmly, Arizona tells Matt that all of them have done everything that they can. Matt is in denial, however, and insists that all he needs is a little more time. In the process, he scatters all the paper in his hands onto the floor and Arizona and Bailey crouch down to help. Matt continues to be talk about needing more time and that Jessica can fight it, but Arizona cuts in, "Matt! She's not going to make it to Mexico. And I'm so sorry. But the best thing that you can do for her now, is to be here." Matt does not want to accept it and snaps at Arizona that he'll find a way to get her to Mexico tonight, and accuses AZ of giving up on his daughter before storming off. Arizona stands there with Bailey, a little taken aback.
Really loved Arizona's facial expressions in this scene, in that she's trying to be professional and level-headed but appears vulnerable at the same time when the parent is in denial and there's nothing she can do. JCap's talent is starting to shine through in this episode. I think it's the writing, which allows the character to be more three-dimensional and in turn increased the depth of Jessica's delivery. It just sort of all came together for me.
In the lounge, Arizona is subjected to Callie pacing back and forth, gesticulating wildly and speaking a mile a minute in Spanish; something about it being her life, interspersed with a few English words like "he's dragging me home" and "who I want to spend it with". The way she goes back and forth with her arms flailing about reminds me of the way Sims characters get flustered when they want to pee but I haven't installed a toilet in the house as yet. (People unfamiliar with The Sims can ignore that bizarre comment.) Arizona is at a loss for what to do aside from the obligatory nodding/agreeable noises and stating the obvious that Callie is very upset. Mark bursts through the door and asks if AZ paged. Sneaky little thing has called for backup. It's hard to blame her - Calliope on a rampage is too hot too handle, particularly in the "newly dating" stage that they are in. AZ practically runs to her rescuer and spews in desperation, "You're her best friend, and I'm at a giant loss right now. Not to mention the very sick children..." Mark tells her, "Go, I got this" and AZ promptly says, "Thank you!" and flees the scene. Something in AZ's expression tells me that it's not all about the sick children.
Mark approaches Callie and cuts her off mid-rant. Callie tells Mark that her dad is taking her home and making her quit her relationship. Mark is shocked and tells Callie to let her father know that he's crazy. Callie says he doesn't understand because there isn't anything that her dad hasn't done for her. He has supported her her whole life, including paying for her education and setting up a trust fund for her. Mark tells Callie that supporting someone and respecting someone are different things and Callie appears to mull over his words. Ah, such a lovely concept in theory. While it's a good thing that Callie is very respectful of her dad and grateful for what he has given her, it shouldn't dictate whether she has to give up her right to live independently as she pleases.
After Arizona returns to the refuge of Peds, she and Matt enter Jessica's room to find Bailey holding her close to comfort her. Bailey says that she has been asking for her father, but instead of spending the precious little time left by her side, Matt continues to be in denial and is still intent on getting her to Mexico and runs off again. Arizona asks Bailey if she wanted to watch her do the fundoplication as that's what she was at the hospital for and that a nurse could watch Jessica. Bailey complies and tries to leave but Jessica is grabbing into her scrub top with her little hand. Oh, how they toy with our emotions. Sigh.
In the Chief's office, Mr. Torres offers to write a cheque to the hospital to compensate for Callie's training and the Chief's help in getting her transferred to a hospital in Miami. The Chief declines his offer and says that Callie is a grown woman. Mr. Torres brushes that off and says that she's his child, and proceeds to give an impassioned yet misguided speech about the need to protect them from everything, even from themselves, and that he fights for his children and never surrenders. Right. And who's going to protect Callie from homophobic parents? I suppose that his love for his daughter is admirable, but it's quite patronizing when he acts like Callie, despite her age, doesn't know what is good for herself. And that's the irony, isn't it? When parents think that they are doing the best for their children going by their own standards, which can be quite disconnected from what is actually in their children's best interest. Two things need to happen before Mr. Torres and Callie can reconcile - one is that Mr. Torres needs to understand what is truly good for Callie may differ from what he envisions, and that he needs to respect Callie as a grown person who knows what she wants out of life and will choose the right path for herself.
Arizona is looking through the glass window intently in an effort to decipher the argument in Spanish between Callie and her father from their body language. It's not difficult to see that things have gone south quickly as Mr. Torres storms out of the room. Arizona quietly enters the room and asks a tear-brimmed Callie what happened.
Callie: He uh..gave me an ultimatum. Said if I didn't come home, he'd take away my trust fund...cut me off. <Arizona takes it in quietly> So I cut him off. I mean, if he can't accept me for who I am... I cut him off <frowns, as she fully realizes the implications of what she has done> Arizona: Are you okay? <takes a step towards Callie and looks at her with concern> Callie: No.... I mean, yeah... <AZ looks at her sympathetically as Callie is about to break down> Arizona hugs Callie tightly as she starts sobbing.
As far as grand sweeping romantic gestures go, this ranks right up there. For the newly dating, some give flowers, some gives chocolates. Callie gives up her trust fund. Arizona should just marry her right there. In all seriousness, though, I see it as Callie asserting her independence to her father and standing up for who she is rather than be whom he wants her to be. It's something that she did for herself. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of courage this woman possesses.
Callie and her dad truly are alike in their fiery temperament. It's no wonder that their arguments escalate so rapidly. In the heat of the moment, her dad lashes out by threatening to cut her off, and never one to back down, she decides to cut him off. I'm sure they will both live to regret that later. But such are their personalities.
At the end of the day, Arizona is sitting alone in her office, elbows on her knees, contemplating the day's events. Bailey approaches and asks if she needed anything. AZ shakes her head and replies, "No". As Bailey turns to leave, AZ asks if she wants to sit a while.
Bailey: No, I do not want to sit. I've been sitting..and lying down all day. <sigh> Arizona: Dr. Bailey... Bailey: ...Holding a child.. <shakes head> If I wanted to spend the day holding a child, I would have stayed home to hold my own child. I didn't do a single medical...thing... today. I didn't even put a band-aid on a patient. I'm just tired...<inhales> I'm done. <turns around and walks away> Arizona: Are you going to tell your husband? Bailey: What...what would I tell him? Arizona: That it's more than just cutting. Peds is more than just cutting. And what you did today was heroic... And you..know it. Bailey: <ponders for a moment> Okay. Arizona: <nods in encouragement> Bailey: Maybe I'll tell him that. <slowly turns and leaves AZ's office>
This scene remains one of, if not my most, favorite Arizona moment. There is something heroic about trying to inspire and mentor someone when she is not feeling the best herself, no doubt affected by the patient as well and dealing with Callie's conflict with her father. She does it with this quiet strength that she possesses. And maybe it's the flattering lighting, maybe it's her dreamy demeanor, but Arizona has an ethereal quality about her in this scene.
The way Arizona was portrayed in the patient storyline with Bailey, being strong, level-headed, encouraging, and the way she comforted Callie, she had all of a sudden elevated to "hero" status in my mind. I fell in love with the idealized version of her character that was presented to us at the time and inspired by all of her wonderful qualities.
At the end of season 5, Arizona was portrayed as almost perfect in every way. It has been quite a journey from the end of last season to the end of season 6. It's not so much a personality transformation as seeing the whole of her. Through witnessing Arizona's weaknesses, she has become three-dimensional and more human, and in the process more relatable. And I love her just the same. Kudos to the writers for developing her character with such care.
Random thoughts:
I know it is out of our control; in fact, so out of our control that I shouldn't even bring it up, but I really miss Arizona's season 5 hair. The shorter style gives her a fresher feel. The past-shoulder length just weighs the character down a little bit, in my humble opinion.
They got me with that heart-wrenching storyline with Jessica (who was perfectly cast, btw). She looked cute and frail in that purple toque and the same time so pitiful with those giant sad puppy-dog eyes. Re-watching season 5 eps reminds me of how much I miss the AZ/Bailey interaction. I think the only time in season 6 was the V-Day ep where AZ bugged the hell out of Bailey (and me) with her persistent matchmaking. I just want a couple seconds of normal interaction between AZ and Bailey, like what they are trying to do with AZ and Teddy. I mean, can't AZ have more than one friend at a time? They let Callie interact with both Mark and Bailey. I know a lot of this has to do with plot devices, but I'm just sayin'.
Interesting that there are two fathers fighting hard for their respective daughters, not wanting to give up. I particularly liked the juxtaposition after Mr. Torres told him the Chief that he would never surrender, and then they show Jessica's dad rushing into the hospital room still talking about taking her to Mexico.
Izzie's high jinx with the staged crashing really irked me. How shallow is this girl? The only thing worthwhile that came out of it was Cristina's unimpressed looks.
Next review: Episode 22 - "What a Difference a Day Makes"
Comments (37)
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May I got preoccupied with shopping for other stuff? 
but Hahn didn't do it for me 
on the actresses and now we see major chemistry between Jess and Sara and they make sense 
Great job, it was like reading my own thoughts (again)! Loved the George-on-safari line!
This ep was impressive in so many ways. You mentioned most of it, but I just have to name one more: the actor who played Jessica's father. Damned was he good! Don't remember who made me cry more, Jessica (great casting indeed!) of her dad. That's something.
About the hair: so cool that you mention that. I've been kind of upset with JCap's hair for this entire season (except for - I think - ep 6.03), because it was... different. Not so much Arizona anymore. No curls, no ponytail.
And to make it worse, they gave her these... how do you call it?! You know, these things Heidi (from Peter, and the Alps) has. Yikes.
BUT... these last couple of eps, I think since 6.20 there has been another change, which made it all good again. Cause OMG how stunning did Jessica look these last couple of weeks?! You're totally right, it does make her different; I guess I just like her serious side more than her perky side.
Enough with the rambling (
) , thanx again 'nd till next time... 