Grey's Anatomy - TV-14
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: ABC Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh
Genre: Drama
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this addictive primetime drama is meant for an adult audience and has many adult themes, including sexual relationships among most of the show's characters. For adults who like medical soap operas, it's an excellent choice; just make sure the kids are asleep first.
Parents who watch with older teens can discuss relationships that take place in workplace (or in high school or college classes). Is this type of relationship a good idea? Could it be a distraction? If so, to what degree? What kind of trouble could you get into?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Elisabeth Chaney
ABC's best and most recent answer to competitor NBC's long-running hit drama ER is GREY'S ANATOMY, a hospital-set "dramedy" that follows the lives of five interns as they adjust to their new surroundings at Seattle Grace Hospital.
Due to the series' mature themes, it's meant for adults only. For example, the series' opening scene takes place during the awkward morning after a one-night stand between the show's namesake, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), and, it turns out, a neurosurgeon who also works at the hospital. This initial sexual overtone has since been outdone: interns sleep with interns, another intern moves in with a tenured doctor, and sometimes interns even cavort with patients (in a romantic manner, not sexually ... yet).
Aside from the show's sexual nature, what has so many people hooked are its complex characters. Meredith is beautiful and smart but also remarkably flawed (see the one-night stand mentioned above). Her friend Cristina (Sandra Oh) provides most of the comic relief through hilarious expressions, cunning wit, and side-splitting dialogue.
The other interns include the reserved, rather dorky George (T.R. Knight), who has an interminable crush on Meredith, and Alex (Justin Chambers) and Izzie (Katherine Heigl), who are now involved with one another. The cast is rounded out by hospital staffers including Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd (played by Patrick Dempsey, he's the neurosurgeon with whom Grey had the rendezvous during the series opener); Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), the surgeon with whom Cristina is now shacked up; Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), the surgical resident in charge of the interns; and Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), who heads the hospital.
The show's timeslot works in its favor. Grey's Anatomy airs on Sunday nights, just after ABC's other megahit, Desperate Housewives.
If you like Grey's Anatomy, you may want to check out ER, Scrubs and, for a younger audience, Doogie Howser, M.D., now out on DVD.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentEach of the main characters is involved with another; much bed-hopping takes place. |
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ViolenceNot as graphic as other medical dramas, but for some it could be considered gory. |
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LanguageSome mild language of the "ass" and "damn" variety. |
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Social BehaviorLots of sex, and some patients' issues delve into stickier topics like drugs and sexism. Good diversity amongst the cast. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSome alcohol, but very few drugs. |
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