Grey's Anatomy

After last night's season 4 premiere of Grey's Anatomy, the most popular feud in all of television was rekindled: Gizzie, love them or hate them? For those few who don't know, Gizzie is the popular nickname attributed to the romantic pairing of George (T. R. Knight) and Izzie (Katherine Heigl) on the hit ABC series.

Seemingly out of the blue, they hooked up as part of a drunken mistake last season, which led to Izzie confessing her love for George. Well, Grey's Anatomy started its fourth season by reigniting that flame, ending with George professing his love for Izzie. For some viewers, this was a moment akin to the Jim-Pam kiss at the end of the second season of The Office. For others, it was as if Shonda Rhimes was flipping Gizzie haters the bird.

My reasons for hating Gizzie are quite sound and reasonable, though I doubt my opponents will see it that way. First, it's a slap in the face to the institution of marriage. I'm no prude, but George is married, and the longer Gizzie continues, the more Callie (Sara Ramirez) gets completely shamed by the whole ordeal. For once, it was refreshing to see a full-figured woman on TV, a woman with curves and attitude who doesn't conform to what the fashion magazines say is beautiful. And she even got the guy in the end, the cute, lovable sweetheart. Now, however, her husband is cheating on her with a skinny blonde model. It's cliché, it's embarrassing, and the fact that this show is written largely by women makes it kind of insulting.

Second, the relationship, even if believable, is not based on any real emotions. It's built on two very screwed up people who have made plenty of mistakes. George and Izzie first hooked up shortly after Meredith's near death experience. Izzie is clearly still shaken up by the death of Denny (the alleged love of her life, the perfect man who, by comparison, makes all others look totally worthless). George is still in a daze over his own father's death and is regretting his sudden marriage. Neither was thinking clearly when they got together. They're both so messed up when it comes to relationships that they have no concept of love any more.

I could go on, but already I can feel my skin begin to crawl. There reaches a point in the debate when I realize, “Wait, these aren't real people.” Sure, 'shipping can be fun, but it's a hobby, not a fetish. You or I may claim to understand these characters, but Shonda Rhimes is the only one who matters, and she seems hell-bent on keeping Gizzie at the forefront.

Besides, there are so many other worthy pairings to debate. On Lost, you're either a Jater or a Skater (as in, should Kate be with Jack or Sawyer). On Gilmore Girls, you were either a Luke or a Christopher, a Dean or a Jess (I proudly registered on the Chris/Dean ticket). Fans of Grey's Anatomy have countless options for such meaningless debates, as the characters are almost constantly falling into bed with one another. The Gizzie debate has reached a stalemate: you either love or hate it, there's no in between, and no one is likely to changes sides. In such cases, it's time to move on. Cralex, anyone?


-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image courtesy of ABC)