‘Grey’s’ spinoff shows familiar potential

Back in Seattle, Christina and Burke struggled over wedding plans; George, Izzie and Callie negotiated the awkwardness between them; and Meredith’s stepmother died unexpectedly. As it unfolded and came to life between these moments, “Private Practice” seemed at once desperate to differentiate itself and convince viewers that it is just like “Grey’s.”

Upon meeting Tim Daly’s character, Pete, in an elevator, Addison said, “Where I come from, elevators tend to be this kind of aphrodisiac, you know? People get on them and just get all horny. ... It’s a relief to be on a not-horny elevator.” Of course, instead of rejecting her old show’s conventions, Addison later made out with him in a stairwell, directly plagiarizing from “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Pilots that find life as the spawn of existing TV shows are strange creatures. They’re often episodes fans look back at and wonder why anyone thought certain choices lasted for even that one episode. If “Private Practice” gets picked up, cast members might be added or subtracted, sets may be rebuilt or reconfigured, and details could change. The final show may look substantially different than the one introduced in this two-hour episode.

Perhaps as an acknowledgment of that fact, characters on both shows regularly appeared to break down the fourth wall by speaking to each other and, indirectly, to viewers, reminding them to just ignore the awkwardness that this pilot and episode combination brought with it. “Now is not the time to give up on me, okay? That’s what I’m saying,” Meredith said at one point, practically begging viewers to stay tuned.

On her half of the show, Addison told another character who was questioning her, “Can we just let this go? I’ve been having some rough times lately.” In other words, don’t question how she got to Los Angeles; just go with it.

As the episode concluded, and Addison headed back to Seattle Grace (where she’ll wait to see if ABC picks up the new show), she again found herself in the elevator with Pete. He asked her, “Get what you came for?”

“I honestly don’t know,” she said. That truthful answer also offered insight into the new series. “Private Practice” doesn’t yet have what Addison left behind on “Grey’s Anatomy.” With time, though, it just might.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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