A progressive three months jump that wasn't really believable, but still somewhat saved by Amber Benson's guest appearance.
7.5
"Good"
Although it is true that Private Practice episodes seldom ever really impresses me, I thought this one was particularly bad.
First, the 3 months jump? Could have been a neat idea when it comes to the cases they are working on, they needed some time jump for the little girl and for Violet's case, but it didn't work out so well. I didn't believe it, it doesn't seem at all like 3 months passed. First, they hair are all the same. I know it seems superficial, but in real life, and in normal tv life, girls hair changes in three months, especially when it's short, like Addison's, Charlotte's and Sonya's. Ok, so they could have went and got the same haircut again, but it being the exact same each month, it's just no believable. It shows a lack of attention to detail and made it fall flat for me.
Addison's storyline also fell flat for me. Even before it was revealed who he was, I had no excitement at all in Addison having a new love interest. There is just something broken, it doesn't work anymore. And then of course when it is revealed he's her patient's husband, that was the culmination. A dead end. Which, at least, it's what it's seemingly going to stay, which is good. For a moment there I thought Addison was going to become the mistress, and that would have been jumping the shark. So, kudos for not going there.
Naomi and Sam's storyline was of no interest whatsoever to me so I'm not even going to mention it.
Violet's personal storyline was so obvious to me. I mean, for weeks now I was wondering why the hell Pete and Sheldon didn't ask for a paternity test yet. And the fact that she is procrastinating to do it is so selfish, I don't understand how they don't get more mad. I personally would have went and at least try to get a court order. It's really not fair to them, leaving them in the dark like that. They have a right to know. I'm liking Violet less and less with each episode.
Cooper's case was interesting, as always when a child is dying. It's always sad. But I'm just getting tired of all those ethical dilemma, episode after episode. I know that is the basis for this show, and it was interesting at first, and it would be interesting from time to time, but every single episode, it's starting to take its toll. They are always so obviously presented too, I mean, every episode you can say "this is this week's dilemma".
Though I did thing the young girl was very good, very convincing and she made it easy to feel for her.
All that being said, there are still two highlights to this episode.
The first is Amber Benson's appearance. Her acting was flawless, as usual, and she really made us feel for her character. That last scene in the courtroom was absolutely perfect. Very powerful, she really delivered. (But then again, she always does. You can't go wrong with Amber Benson.)
The second is the last scene between Cooper and Charlotte. I find so many of the great emotional scenes are between those two. I am constantly impress by Kadee Strickland's skills. It was a very poignant scene, when she begged him to stop loving her. (Though I do think their storyline doesn't make much sense in that episode. It would have, if it was in a normal episode, but there is no way their relationship didn't evolve at all in 3 months before culminating in that scene. Cooper wouldn't have given up so easily.)moreless