Private Practice – Recap & Review – Something Old, Something New

photo: abc

Private Practice
Something Old, Something New

Original Air Date: May 5, 2011

Karen Belgrad – Associate Editor
karenbelgrad@
thetwocentscorp.com

Earlier this season, the character of Charlotte King endured one of the most horrific attacks ever seen on network television. It was a harrowing experience with a slow, painful, and realistic recovery process that kept viewers completely immersed in her journey. And tonight we were invited to see her and Cooper cement their love with a beautiful outdoor wedding. We’ve embraced this couple through their relationship (and missteps), and as viewers, we’re more than happy to wish them well on their new life together.

The only hitch? Someone forgot to tell their parents and friends that a wedding is a happy occasion.

We quickly learn that Sam and Addison are officially broken up. Based on last week’s comments section, there are going to be some unhappy viewers over this decision. But the two agree to be friends and keep the break-up under wraps until after the wedding. Addison keeps the promise for about three seconds before telling a returned-from-Africa Naomi, hoping the news will repair the rift in their friendship. It doesn’t, but what it does do is drive a further wedge in Sam and Addison’s attempt being “just friends.” The two ridiculously compare who sacrificed more to be in the relationship in the first place. And, sorry Addison, Sam’s daughter/grandchild relationship trumps your sadness about your BFF being mad at you.

We only get one patient of the week, an elderly woman name Marion who is really depressed. Naomi, Sheldon, Amelia, and (the returning stalker) Fife argue over whether she should have therapy (Naomi, Sheldon) or an anterior cingulotomy (Amelia, Fife), which would be using a gamma ray to cut the sad out of her brain. Fife ends up visiting Marion and finding out she was grieving for her friend who died. It turns out her friend loved her, but out of obligation to her dead husband, she never told him she loved him back. This oh-so subtle message resonates with Naomi who kisses Fife.

Violet has a lawyer who probably has a name. But to me, it’s Jesse Vasquez (Mark Espinoza) from 90210 (original flavor) who impregnated Ahhhhndrea Zuckerman. So I’m calling him Jesse Vasquez from here on out, OK? He warns that this is serious business, but Violet doesn’t seem to really get it until the medical board starts investigating the whole practice for their habit of discussing cases over coffee. Violet still defends her book as a good therapeutic tool, but starts to doubt if she may have crossed the line. While the board reviews their findings, which include interviews with a protective Pete and an unsympathetic/cold Addison and seized practice records, Violet apologizes to the group, saying she’s just proud of her friends and colleagues and how they rely on each other.

I think I’m kind of over Violet at this point. Skipping Cooper’s rehearsal dinner to wallow in self-pity was pretty much the last straw. We know she’s been through a lot (as she constantly reminds us), but so has Charlotte and seeing their behaviors side by side does not do Violet any favors.

Coop and Charlotte’s parents come into town for the wedding and do not mesh well. Charlotte’s mom isn’t nearly as Southern Belle as I expected (her hair was pretty flat), but the dress thing was irrational. I don’t care if every bride in the family has worn it for 100 years, you do not ask your daughter to wear the same Laura Ingall-style dress to her second wedding that she wore at her first wedding!

Coop’s parents are too busy gushing over Violet and recalling every time he vented over Charlotte to take the time to get to know their son’s fiancé. At lunch at Canter’s Deli (I’ve been there!), they list all of her past transgressions that he told them. Even though he and Charlotte have worked it all out, they’re pretty stuck in their mindset. Charlotte is a bit horrified to realize Coop shares everything with his parents. But that horror is not match for when their parents corner them at the rehearsal dinner and say they think they’re too different to get married.

Well, our independent and fiery couple has had enough. Their friends are miserable , their parents are unsupportive, so they do the logical thing, bail on the fancy wedding, and send this text: “Gone to Vegas. Enjoy the food. Don’t wait up.” With Chrisette Michele’s “Love Is You” as a soundtrack for the moment, we get to see a blissful Coop and Charlotte elope and become Dr. and Dr. Freedman. Although I’d be willing to bet Charlotte keeps her own name.

So a few lingering questions… Was Amelia’s sip/spit-out of the champagne foreshadowing of a relapse/storyline, or just a random thing? Are you happy Naomi and Fife are together? Are you sick of Violet? And how do you feel about the end of AddiSam?

Those are my TwoCents! Share your TwoCents, comments, and feedback below!