Grey’s Anatomy needs Addison Montgomery

by Jennifer Squires Biller

After watching the Private Practice-Grey’s Anatomy crossover, one thing is clear. Seattle Grace needs Addison Montgomery.

When she left the show for the Private Practice spin-off, I was sorely disappointed. She was one of my favorite characters on Grey’s, until she down spiraled and slept with Alex. But I digress.

Grey’s Anatomy has suffered without Addison. This season, we’ve watched tortured Izzie have a fling with a ghost, Callie trying out life as a lesbian, and Bailey turning into a softer surgeon with an eye on pediatrics. George, who used to be a highlight, has had about five minutes of screen time, Cristina is the same as always, except angrier, and Meredith, well, she’s still Meredith, treating her sister like dirt, wallowing in her depression, and looking forward to a life with McDreamy.

Grey’s lost its punch after Addison departed. Maybe it’s all the behind-the-scenes drama having an effect, with rumors swirling daily that Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight both want out of the show. I’m not sure. But I know the show had its sparkle back for those two brief crossover episodes.

Kate Walsh has off-the-charts chemistry with Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane, is a valued pal for Dr. Bailey, and breathes excitement into every scene. I didn’t realize how much I missed her as part of the ensemble, until she was back walking the halls of Seattle Grace.

I loved the little details the Grey’s writers gave us about Derek and Addison’s past, during the crossover. He wrote her a song for their wedding! (Admittedly, that little ditty was stuck in my head for a couple days, after Taye Diggs and the gang broke out in song, “Addison Montgomery, I met her in the summer. She…” Hilarious.) I'm sorry to all the Mer-Der fans out there, but Addison and Derek have a long history that is compelling and needs to be further explored.

Please, Addison, come back to Grey’s Anatomy. We need you.