Private Practice – Recap & Review – To Change The Things I Can

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Private Practice
To Change The Things I Can

Original Air Date: May 19, 2011

Karen Belgrad – Associate Editor
karenbelgrad@
thetwocentscorp.com

Sometimes life is all about change. These changes can happen in an instant or take a long time to build. But at the end of it all, you can either run from change or embrace it. Because, as we all know, change is inevitable.

Yes, there was definitely a theme to this season finale. And if you’re not a fan of the word change, don’t worry, I’ll only use if thirty or forty more times in my review! So let’s take a look at all of the change that took place in this hour, and don’t forget to share your thoughts on the surprise/shocking last seconds of the season.

I’m going to cover each character individually, but safe the last moments of the show for their own section.

Addison: Addison is the leader of the change movement. During a therapy session with Not-Sheldon, she acknowledges that everything in her life is fine, but she feels disconnected, depressed, and misses Sam. Not-Sheldon suggests she embrace making a change in her life. So where’s the first place to go when you want to make a change in your life?

Apparently for Addison, it’s straight to the produce section of the grocery store. Kate Walsh looks disgustingly adorable in a sweatshirt and ponytail. I am so jealous. She sees a cute guy (Benjamin Bratt) and opts to flirt with him via pineapple. The flirting goes so well that they psychically know to meet the next night. From there they have a couple of dates that go well, a sweet and tender kiss, and he asks her to join him in Fiji. I know it’s rom-com heaven, but seriously, who would consider going out of the country without knowing the guy’s name?

Naomi: Naomi is saddened to have turned down Fife (twice), but feels it’s best for Betsey to have some foundation. She vents to Addison about always being the responsible one, but is clearly in need of a good girl breakdown. Addison offers to take over her responsible role, and Naomi cries about her lost opportunity into her best friend’s arms. And later, Sam tells Naomi that he regrets not being able to make it work with Addison, so if Naomi has a chance with Fife, she should take it.

Charlotte and Coop: Charlotte treats a rape patient who’s emotional and physical state is eerily similar to Charlotte’s last fall. The patient is defensive and refuses a rape kit. Charlotte is unsure how to share her personal information to bond with a patient. Meanwhile, Coop treats a young girl with a degenerative condition, and after surgery the girl is left in a permanent vegetative state. Her father (played by West Wing’s Joshua Malina) begs Coop to help him euthanize his daughter to end her suffering. Both empathize with each other’s situation, they realize they need to do what is in the best interest of their patients.

Charlotte emotionally tells her patient that she is a survivor, not a victim. The patient understands and she and Charlotte clasp hangs. Coop tells his patient’s father that he cannot euthanize to end the parents’ suffering. When the little girl eventually dies, Charlotte soothes him with AA’s Serenity Prayer.

Amelia: Amelia consistently blows off a suspicious Charlotte’s requests to attend a meeting together. She’s nervous before a surgery and leaves Charlotte a scattered voicemail, which arouse Charlotte’s interests. She greets her after surgery, and the spot-on boss asks to smell her breath. She suspends Amelia’s surgical privileges and demands they attend a meeting. Amelia responds with a “Screw you Charlotte” and goes to get her drink on.

Violet: Violet’s medical license is officially suspended, so she decides it’s a perfect time to go on a book tour. Pete is livid and the two have an epic fight when he calls her selfish for planning to run away from her problems. She, with surprising insight, promises that it’s not like last time, this isn’t the past. He angrily protests that this isn’t about her, it’s about the practice and everyone else. He states that he loves her, but right now, he’s done with her.

Oceanside Wellness: The practice is its own character this hour, as the medical board is now investigating the whole group in light of Violet’s suspension. Sam is adamant that they need to fight and stand up for what the practice represents to them. However, nobody else seems as convinced, not even their lawyers. Addison brings it all full circle, saying they need to change…. She suggests they disband the practice and, with her own money, she’ll put up the financing to begin a new practice and new start.

But first… we rewind… Addison goes to the airport to leave for Fiji, while there she runs into Violet who is leaving (alone) for her book tour and Naomi who is chasing after Fife. Naomi catches up with him at the gate. She tells him they’re not moving to D.C., but instead going to New York (where Maya is starting Colombia) and going to have a fresh start. He proposes (with a big diamond) and she accepts.

Addison starts heading to her gate, but has a change of heart. In fact, the change of heart quite powerful as Kate Walsh goes through a hundred facial expressions in a single camera shot. The change of heart leads her back to the practice (see above “new start”). It also leads her back into bed with Sam, where she firmly tells him that she is going to have a baby, it doesn’t have to be his, but he needs to decide if he can love her and her baby.

Pete and Lucas are home alone as Pete picks up some toys around the living room. Suddenly, he grabs his chest and collapses to the floor. He seemingly passes out before he can reach the phone…

So… wow! Although Pete was decidedly under the weather the entire hour, I did not see the collapse coming. He can’t die in the same living room Violet almost died in, can he? And if he lives, what do you think happens with him and Violet? Do you want Violet to even come back?

And how great was it that Addison finally was assertive with Sam. She wants it all and she deserves it all. But do you think we’ll see Benjamin Bratt again? And will we learn his name? And would you fly across the ocean without knowing someone’s name (or if they’re married or have a prison record)?

And lastly, what do you think the new practice should be called? Beachside Goodness? Docs in a Box? One-Stop-Doctor-Shoppe? Let’s hear your suggestions!

Well, those are my TwoCents! Share your TwoCents, comments, and opinions of the season and season finale below!