Great Expectations

Season 3, Episode 13, Aired
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Episode Summary

George has become a sex machine. Dr. Bailey has the idea of opening a free clinic. A doctor at Seattle Grace gets proposed to. Addison is avoiding Alex. The Chief officially announces his intention to retire to the administration of Seattle Grace and to Adele. Rumors of Richard's retirement spread throughout the hospital. Two best friends are left with a difficult decision due to an advanced illness. Derek yells at Meredith.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (36)

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  • 'Great Expectations' was the BEST episode of Grey's Anatomy I have ever seen. (I think I have seen every episode.) Every main character was actively involved in this episode. All interactions were believable and true to each character's development.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By franksmama, Jan 21, 2012 Report Abuse
    Every second of this episode was exciting to watch - every word spoken and every movement was important to the show. None of the characters were ever static - they were constantly maturing. Of course, everyone anticipates the love story between Meredith and Derek. In this episode, their relationship moved to the next level. Meredith is not very experienced with 'real' relationships (not understanding Derek yelling at her). Her childhood seems to have stunted her in many ways. Derek is a loving man who has seen his share of failed relationships so his experience may help guide their love journey. I also love watching the love story of Christina and Burke. It gives me hope when I see Christina, the number 1 type A personality in America, warming up and trying to get in touch with feelings other than those associated with competition. Burke has the patience of Job; he must love Christina tremendously or be extremely tolerant. I love the best friend interactions between Izzy and George. I wish Izzy would give some slack to Callie - Callie is a great romantic match for George. The most moving part of the episode was when the chief's wife closed the door in his face. I know she thought he deserved it and she deserved to move on with her life. I really like the chief and felt really sad for him. Some men just take a long time to sort out what is really important in life. In the chief's case, it was too long. Hopefully, this poignant scene will wake up others before it is too late.moreless

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  • Something strange happened here: no tension, no ER filled with blood and corpses; but it was emotional, well written and really strong anyway.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By g_anatomy, Dec 05, 2007 Report Abuse
    It's great to see how an aparent ordinary episode with no great deal can make me so good. I liked the religious issues between the girls and to watch that kind of rebelion and determination of the two ladies. I liked Izzie gettin' again emotional as she is, and George "coping" was kinda funny. Callie and Cristina could be friends, they're both strong and determined and I would like them to share a little more. The race for cheaf didn't catch my eye, really. And it's a relief to see the ending of the silent war between Burke and Cristina. Bailey's idea was excellent, but I hated how the attendings refuse and discourage her nice idea. Bad things: the chief retiring, was kinda late, and now he's terribly alone! I saw it coming from miles away and also Derek shouting at Mer fot no good reason at all.
    But it is one of the best of season 3.moreless

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  • Addison avoids Alex until he confronts her about their kiss. George substitutes sex for grieving for his father. Grey and Derek have a fight. Burke and Yang start talking. Mark decides not to leave. Bailey wants to start a free clinic.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By breezy2281, Nov 23, 2007 Report Abuse
    So Grey let it slip to Mark that the cheif was stepping down. Derek gets mad at Meredith because now she's given Mark a reason to stay. A race between Derek, Burke, Addison and Mark is set in motion for who will become the next chief. Bailey found out the cheif was stepping down, and finds out that he things she would be a great chief one day. She sets in motion the first step towards her free clinic. Izzie wants to use some of her money to help bailey fund the clinic, and wants to name it in memory of Denny. George is not dealing well with his father's death. He even freaked out a bit during a surgery involving removing a large cervical tumor of a girl who was apparently amish before she left home with her best friend. Her friend was shunned from the community when she was younger so the girls left together and made a pact, "cradle to grave." Rachel finally tells Jilly to go back home to her family to die, even if it means to shun her. This made me angry that the family and community couldn't even stop shunning Rachel so she could at least be with her best friend while she died. Jilly's mother speaks to Rachel towards the end, and tells her she'll tell her family that Rachel is ok and is happy, and has grown into a fine young woman. George is usuing sex as a way to grieve for his father, and Callie can't take anymore. I thought it was hilarious when she told Izzie they would be having a funeral for her vagina I also thought it was funny when she'd see George and act all scared and everything. George asks Callie to marry him. Callie and Yang had to cut the swollen legs of a marathon runner while he was still awake. That was...disturbing. I couldn't imagine that. Alex confronts Addison about their kiss and basically tells her that not every man on the planet wants her, and that he doesn't want to be just another intern that sleeps with his boss, though i think he really does like her. Yang gives in and starts talking to Burke finally. Burke winds up asking Cristina to marry him also.moreless

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  • Two proposals!

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By javnah, Nov 06, 2007 Report Abuse
    The twists and endings of the Grey's Anatomy episodes continues to surprise me. The episode contains as usual a lot of drama and arguments. I feel for the chief that decided to retire to get time with his wife, and she has already moved on with another man in his/their house. That's to bad. I am really curious about who's taking over his job too, which of the four surgeons will it be. But Izzy paying for the free clinic was so obvious I could cry. But I totally didn't see the two proposals coming! So now I wonder if they are going to accept or not? Hmmm!moreless

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  • Kept me hooked right up until the end - I didn't even make go make a drink during the breaks! So much to say....damn, this review is gonna be loooong LOLmoreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Sellyina, Aug 17, 2007 Report Abuse
    Even though I always enjoy Grey's and I consider it a very high quality show there are always those select episodes which really remind you that Grey's is pure quality, such as this one!
    So, this episode was fantastic - as Derek said - the Nazi is back!
    Bailey is one of my fave characters, but then I love all of the characters in one way or another. Bailey is just so funny though. I love the way she speaks and how you sometimes get to see her soft side - not that she likes people knowing she has a soft side lol. It's nice that she got a more prominant role in this episode - and the look on her face when she was told she would be chief in a few years - priceless!
    I think this episode shows just how much everyone respects her, including her fellow attendings. She knows them all too well for their own good and that gives her power - something I absolutely love! And one more thing about Bailey in this episode, (trust me, I will get to the others lol) the free clinic - awwww - she was so sweet and it shows yet another dimension to her character - and it means she likes Izzie even more now too since Izzy is going to fund it...YAY!
    So...to the rest. Alex not being interested in Addison made me feel pretty sorry for her and I was quite surprised when he said it, but it cleared things up and showed that he doesn't just sleep with everyone, he also showed respect for Addison so I was impressed in a sort of 'I feel sorry for her but it's a good thing' way lol.
    Even though this episode sort of had something for every one of the main characters I don't think it focused so much of Meredith and Derek as it did the others, but still, it had enough to show that their relatioship is still going great and now Meredith knows that Derek will always come back - aww! I don't think he shoulda yelled at her though lol!
    I'm assuming they're starting to let Izzy off of the hook now that she's cashed the cheque - she's getting to talk and stuff now! YAY! I like how she is there for George but she's always sorta been there for him just as he has for her and it's really cute. When they hugged I just thought it was sweet.
    I guess George reacted in a weird way after his dad died, but everyone reacts differently I guess lol. His relationship with Callie is sort of unpredictable though, it's always hard trying to work her out because she reacts so unpredictably so I can't wait to find out if she accepts George's proposal...I can't see her saying yes somehow.
    Christina and Burke always make me laugh but the man needs to show more emotion dammit! I love the way Christina is because you know she'll give you a straight answer and doesn't give a damn what you think...but Burke is different. He was more emotional at the beginning of their relationship and it was just a bit weird when he proposed to Christina. I wasn't surprised as such...I just kinda wondered why he couldn't get off of his ass and get down on one knee - just because it would have been funny LOL.
    I can't believe the Chief's wife has met someone else already! Okay, I know it took him a little while to actually get around to retiring but he did it for her and it was a huge deal for him!! :( Poor Chief :(
    Sloan is still a bit of a jerk but I can't help but like him...he's so cute! I know that sounds shallow - but it's true! LOL.
    I want Bailey to be chief NOW - it'd be great!!!
    :Dmoreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • In all reality, Jilly would have been shunned from her community like Rachel as soon as her parents arrived and learned what the surgery was for. The Amish see any surgery involving the reproductive system (this includes life threating cases and even necessary C-Sections) as sacrilegious and is guaranteed an automatic shunning from the community. Edit

  • Notes

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    • International Titles: Czech Republic: Velká očekávání (Great Expectations) Germany: Hohe Erwartungen (Great Expectations) Edit
    • This episode was previously titled as Always Something There to Remind Me. Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: The Netherlands: April 2, 2007 on Net 5 Italy: April 30, 2007 on Foxlife New Zealand: May 3rd, 2007 on TV2 Australia: May 27th, 2007 on Channel 7 Switzerland: June 4, 2007 on SF 2 Israel: June 4, 2007 on Yes Stars 1 Great Britain: August 9, 2007 on Livingtv Germany: September 5th, 2007 on Pro7 Ireland: September 11th, 2007 on RTÉ Two Norway: November 6, 2007 on TV2 Finland: November 21, 2007 on Nelonen Croatia: December 3, 2007 on NOVA TV Romania: April 15, 2008 on TVR1 Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Izzie: You called your parents. Jilly: I didn't know what else to do. Izzie: And you sent them away because...? Jilly: Rachel's my best friend, and after she was baptized, she decided to leave the community, which means she's shunned. I couldn't just let her go out into the world by herself. Izzie: So you're shunned, too? Jilly: No, because I hadn't been baptized yet, so I could still go back. But Rachel would never... Izzie: Do you want to go back? Jilly (pauses): I think about it. If I'm dying, I want an Amish funeral. I want to be buried in the white dress, and I want everybody to be there. Izzie: It's your home. Jilly (nods): But I made a promise to Rachel. Cradle to grave. Edit
    • Izzie: Over the next few months, Jilly is going to go through a lot. Radiation, chemo. It's likely that her condition is going to get worse-- a lot worse-- and she's going to need a lot of help. Rachel: Okay, well, um, can you give me the names of some doctors and medications? I want to be ready. I want to know everything so I can do this. Izzie: Rachel... you can't be everything. It's too hard. Jilly has parents who love her. They love her, and they're still here, and she wants to go home. Rachel: No, she doesn't. Izzie: She called them, not me. Rachel: Jilly? Izzie (nods): Jilly's dying. Rachel: But I promised her! Cradle to grave. She's Jilly. I love her. Izzie: It's possible that the very best thing you can do for her, if you love her, is let her go. Edit
    • Rachel: Go home. Jilly: Rach..... Rachel: They're your parents, and you love them, and they're still here. You know what a big deal it is for them to get on a plane. Go home, Jilly. Jilly: I can't just leave you here. Rachel: Yes, you can. Jilly: Rachel. Rachel: You can go back home, and put on your bonnet. And you can get in the buggy and go to church, and get baptized. You can die Amish. Jilly: No, I can't do that. Rachel: Why? Because you'll have to shun me? Don't worry about me. I'll be living it up here with your curling iron, and your cable TV, and your entire DVD collection. I'll be okay here in the 21st century. Jilly (near tears): I can't shun you. Rachel: You can, and you will, and I won't take no for an answer. (they hug) Edit

  • Allusions

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    • Former Episode Title: Always Something There To Remind Me This is a 1960s song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Among others performed by Lou Johnson and Sandie Shaw. Edit
    • Episode Title: Great Expectations This is the title of a book by Charles Dickens about an orphan. This is also the title of a song by KISS. Edit

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