Grey's Anatomy - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)

Information:
Genre: TV Drama/Comedy
Discs: 3
Language: English
Release Date: 10/07/06
Region: 2
Publisher: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Certificate: 15


First screened in America in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy re-flamed the interest into medical style TV series after the lacklustre repetitive attempts by the ER team and constant rhythmic efforts by Holby City over here in the UK. ...
...television series, Grey’s Anatomy is so noticeable for it great cast of characters that all portray their roles perfectly and that are too so realistic that anyone could associate themselves with them. The DVD comes across 3 discs with 14 episodes that make up the first series.

 (NOTE: Series 1 was later cut from 14 episodes to 9 but the latter 5 still appears on Series 1 DVD though used as the beginning of Series 2)
... more

Information:
Genre: TV Drama/Comedy
Discs: 3
Language: English
Release Date: 10/07/06
Region: 2
Publisher: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Certificate: 15

First screened in America in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy re-flamed the interest into medical style TV series after the lacklustre repetitive attempts by the ER team and constant rhythmic efforts by Holby City over here in the UK. Winner of the 2007 Golden Globe Award for the best television series, Grey’s Anatomy is so noticeable for it great cast of characters that all portray their roles perfectly and that are too so realistic that anyone could associate themselves with them. The DVD comes across 3 discs with 14 episodes that make up the first series.

 (NOTE: Series 1 was later cut from 14 episodes to 9 but the latter 5 still appears on Series 1 DVD though used as the beginning of Series 2)

The series follows a bunch of lively interns at Seattle Grace Hospital and continues to pursue their personal lives struggling with relationships, pressure at becoming a surgeon and just trying to survive in a competitive medical world. Each intern has their own secret or goal and the series although revolves around lead character Meredith Grey, never really splits away from the great supporting cast. Each character is never seen lesser than anyone else in terms of storyline but obviously the series cuts back to the personal agenda’s of Meredith Grey.

The series itself is fast paced and to be honest a breath of fresh air. It mixes the medical complexities of ER with story movement from shows such as Six Feet Under. Dialogue though simple at times is very well thought out providing comical moments throughout every single episode. Near enough from the very beginning you become attached to the newbie interns as they move around Seattle Grace learning everything they need to know from their superior work mates and their individual charm shines out instantly as well as their on screen chemistry. There is always a twist and turn as well obviously to keep viewers hooked and though sometimes predictable these turns always make fantastic viewing.

The acting is a cut above the rest, never over played and directed in such a way that every character has a chance at shining. Grey’s Anatomy will appeal to its 20’s – 40’s audience through many genres whether it’s the sexual relationships of the interns, the complicated friendships circles or the work they have to do.

Firstly there’s Dr. Meredith Grey who plays the lead as well as the narrative. Played by Ellen Pompeo (Guest Staring in Friends) Meredith is an unjudgeable character in terms of knowing what she wants. At first she seems very determined and very strong willed but as her relationship with Dr McDreamy progresses her judgement becomes cloudy and starts to waver, confusing herself. It all starts from a one night stand that makes her late for her first day as an intern where she discovers that her boss is the one night stand. The overall story running throughout the show is the progressing relationship between Meredith and Derek and it’s fantastic to see how it develops especially when things get complicated.

Her lines are quite comical at times with an element or cheekiness to it that other characters feed of from. Professionally she is extremely good at what she does excelling in all areas and comes across very confidently. From the very beginning it is made clear that she is a daughter of a famous pioneer in surgery history, but struggles to cope with her mother’s downfall of Alzheimer’s.

Ellen Pompeo is at most times a great choice for the part of Meredith Grey and although she isn’t a weak character, she isn’t very strong either. She carries off the episodes well without any sense of forcefulness but at times its not that she struggles with the emotional roles but there is something that niggles her – although not very noticeable. It must be said however that with such a great cast of characters Ellen Pompeo at times is over shadowed by more experienced actors.

Dr. Cristina Yang is possibly the most interesting of all characters as she is although eager is very blunt, not very diplomatic and appears at times cold. Played by Sandra Oh (Mulan II and American Dad) Cristina is very cynical and extremely sarcastic – and always aims herself very high professionally never wanting to miss out on any surgery. She pretty much instantly becomes like a ‘best friend’ to Meredith but also at times keeps away emotionally as she is a very level headed character. Relationship wise she hits it off with Dr Burke rather suddenly and falls pregnant, which is seen as a career hindrance to cristina but as the series progresses its really great to see a more emotional side to her and Sandra Oh plays these scenes well.

Korean origins work as an extremely well advantage for Sandra Oh as mostly her lines are sarcastic and her facial recognition and body language makes the lines feel even more realistic. Humorous at times, she tends to deviate from superiority and more often to do her own thing and go against what she has been told, so it’s great to see the consequences of every action she makes.

Dr. Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens is very much the beautiful emotional type character who although is passionate comes across as the more amicable of female characters. Her major storyline is told from the start of the series and follows throughout as she had to become a model and pose in fashion magazines to afford to put herself through any training as her background was poor. Growing up in a trailer park obviously insults her so she tries her best to leave the past behind and make something of herself for the future. Towards the end of series 1 a relationship prospect arises with Alex, but on the whole her closest relationship is with George and a more sisterly relationship at that.

Played by Katherine Heigl (Roswell, The Ringer), Izzie is a subtle character to watch and although not as interesting as Cristina, is played excellently. Heigl obviously using her three season experience from Roswell shines really well in Grey’s Anatomy especially in the outbursts and emotional scenes. As you begin to discover her background you automatically get drawn into respecting her as she like many viewers have to scrape by to get where they want in life.

Dr. George O'Malley is the baby of the bunch. Naïve and childlike in terms of nerves is very much the most likable character and the friendliest at that. You are never made to have a bad feeling towards George and instantly chuckle away at his comic lines – “I AM NOT YOUR SISTER!!” His main role in uncertain at first but as the series elevates you begin to see that his role is very much as a shoulder to cry on, a nice guy who listens and although you know early on for his feeling towards Meredith he tends to keep a low profile and picks up the pieces as it were when her relationship with Dr McDreamy crumbles.

Played by T. R. Knight (Guest Star CSI and Frasier) George actually progresses the most throughout the series professionally starting from 007 to ‘flying solo’ and this a great achievement for him. Knight although pretty much inexperienced plays his role very well. George struggles throughout with his masculinity and often turns to Alex for help, and Knight portrays it with such fine detail you cannot help but find George a great character to watch.

Dr. Alex Karev is the usual Jock style character sleeping around with as many women he can and bragging as much as he can. He appears insensitive often blurting out comments uncalled for and is very much the character all people hate. His boyish nature is often over shadowed in some episodes trying to show a more sensitive side to him which works quite well in some areas but untimely ends with him going backwards especially when it comes to Izzie.

Played by Justin Chambers (Cold Case) Alex is a character you can forget actually which is quite bad to say. There is always a character just like him in many TV Series and although Chambers plays him exactly like he should it is quite unmemorable. Professionally Chambers is extremely talented and plays Alex very well but with such a broad range of characters Alex simply doesn’t rank very high.

** Other fantastic actors play wonderfully crafted characters throughout including Chandra Wilson as Dr Bailey, the loud mouthed no nonsense Resident in charge of her five interns. Isaiah Washington as Dr Burke, the high headed Surgeon with nothing to prove, Patrick Dempsey as Dr Shepherd the One night stand guy who struggles to choose between his wife and Meredith and Kate Walsh as Dr Shepherd the classy and inpatient wife of Dr McDreamy. **

The series itself presents itself very much like Desperate Housewives, with a narrative at the beginning and the end with a little story in the middle. Apart from individual storylines for each intern each episode solely represents a series not on a bigger scale. These singular episodes actually work well and act very much as a TV Show that isn’t tense, but still provides great viewing. The twists and turns happen fast and therefore hooks you in even deeper and its nice to see how each intern develops.

As for extra's only cast interviews and Outtakes fill the series which is a little disappointing, an in depth look on how sets and aesthetics could have been pleasing to watch but nonetheless the Series itself is entirely addictive.

The soundtrack throughout the series is very effective at picking the right emotion for each scene, but the songs themselves are unmemorable and not very popular or heard of over here.

All the props and Aesthetics work especially well at creating a great viewing series. Nothing ever looks 'fake' and neither do they over run the show with gore. A balance that works well and usually hard to find.

As for Price you can find this DVD for £22.99 on Play.com, £22.98 on Amazon.co.uk and £29.99 on Virgin

Episode List:
(**NOTE: THIS IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF EVENTS, I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY**)

1.1:

Meredith starts her first day as intern at Seattle Grace as well as 4 other eager interns in her group supervised by someone called ‘The Nazi’. Meredith hides the secret illness of her famous mother away from everyone at the hospital and she later finds out that her one night stand is her boss.

1.2:

Every Intern struggle to cope with the extremities of the job and Meredith puts her career on the line to save a new born baby.

1.3:

Unsure at what to do with her relationship with Dr Shepherd, Meredith also allows Izzie and George to move and finds that living with different people is a very difficult thing.

1.4:

Crisitina must learn to deal emotionally with patients, and Izzie has to deal with Alex using her modelling against her.

1.5:

Cristina and Dr Burke start a sexual relationship and Meredith worries that she has caused damage to someone’s heart when she accidentally falls asleep during surgery too tired from looking after her mother.

1.6:

Bailey discovers the truth about Dr Shepherd and Meredith and jeopardise their relationship and their job.

1.7:

Cristina discovers she is pregnant and Izzie and George secretly find out about Meredith and Dr Shepherd.

1.8:

Crisitina must deal with a pregnant mother who could die if the baby is born which hits her emotionally. Meredith becomes tired of not knowing anything about Derek’s life and demands to know some truths.

1.9:

A sexually transmitted disease spreads its way around the hospital and has bad consequences for George. Meredith and Derek finally start to find happiness when unexpectedly his Wife turns up.

**THE NEXT 5 EPISODES APPEAR ON SERIES 1 DVD BUT ALSO SCHEDULED FOR SEASON 2 RELEASE AS WELL **

1.10:

Alex starts to hit on Izzie and Meredith is forced to work with Dr Shepherd’s wife

1.11:

Christina and Meredith work together after both of their relationships have ended.

1.12:

Meredith’s mother is brought into the hospital and everyone discovers the truth. Christina faints during an operation and is taken for treatment.

1.13:

Christina has to cope with losing the baby and Dr Burke is distressed at not knowing the truth.

1.14:

After a storm hits the hospital, George and Alex must perform a vital heart surgery stuck in the lift all by themselves. 

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