Is Meredith the new Maude?

I will admit that I was late coming to the Grey’s Anatomy party. I just started watching at the end of last season during the Denny drama. I’m a convert who now watches it religiously. The writing is smart, quick and witty. The actors become their characters leaving little room for distraction or doubt.

The emphasis of the show is always the sexual chemistry between the characters. While McDreamy and McSteamy make me McHappy, I truly watch the show for the women. They are strong and direct. This is a women identified show. These women could be my friends.

Initially, I held off watching Grey’s because of the main character Meredith (Ellen Pompeo). On first glance, I found Meredith to be plain, boring and melodramatic. The entire set up for the show was like a bad Lifetime movie. You know where the women has a one-night stand and meets him the next day in some work-related capacity. Does this happen in real life? But wait, he’s also married. Give me a break.

It wasn’t until I watched a full episode last season that I realized, she’s not as dopey and annoying as she seems. This season has brought a more confident and bold Meredith. I salute her decision to date her paramours. Make them work for it. She sends a positive message to woman and girls. It’s okay to date and to be picky. You’re worth it. Her speech last night about being pursued was brilliant. Men no longer have to be chivalrous because women have become the aggressors. We do all the wooing trying to prove that we’re independent. Somewhere along the way, feminism took a nasty turn and amounted to women feeling that they don’t need to be cherished or sought after.

Christina (Saundra Oh) and Bailey (Chandra Wilson) put a new face on the wise-cracking minority sidekick. They’re no longer there for comic relief. These women of color break stereotypes and support the truth that not every top-rated TV show needs to be all white. Christina proves that women can be intelligent and get the man, smart and fine one at that. I’m not mad at her. It’s nice to see an interracial couple that doesn’t have to defend their relationship due to race. Bailey pushes you to the limit with her drive and demanding nature but redeems herself with her humanity.

Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Addison (Kate Walsh) are interesting tales. They both illustrate the masculine side of the female. Callie pursued George (T.R. Knight) like an man. She let it be know what she wanted and got it. Addison did the unthinkable or at least for a woman. She cheated on her thoughtful husband with his hot ass best friend. In other words, women can have the same tendencies that men have.

Izzie (Katherine Heigl) has been written splendidly this season. Her bout with grief isn’t filled with the usual episode of tears, screams and a miraculous recovery after one month. She’s shattered and can’t be put back together so easily. Just like in real life. She may never be the same again. The eccentric touches of her grieving process, the baking and standing outside the hospital, depict her as a complex women. This storyline could lead to an Emmy nod for Heigl. Though it would be hard to get past the amazing Oh.

What are your thoughts on Grey’s Anatomy?