Cinerant

You're Going to Lose Your Audience

Within Act One circles it's been called "The Horse Whisperer" moment. It's the point in a story where something so horrendous happens that they audience doesn't want to go any further with the storyteller. They've been scarred by what's already come and they're not interested in what's coming ahead.

It's particularly dangerous when it's a character that engages in this kind of behavior. If he/she does something that is so appalling that you've lost the audience's empathy (or sympathy) for that character. While there are some stories that actually make this part of what is intriguing about the character, it's always a danger that people will just quit caring.

Sure, this is a subjective problem. Personally, I didn't have a problem with the scene of the horse being injured in The Horse Whisperer. I thought it was beautifully shot and edited and interesting. But then again, maybe I have a high tolerance for that kind of stuff. It takes a lot to lose me.

But after last night's Grey's Anatomy, I fear that the show might have lost me.

I love George. While Bailey is still my favorite character, I almost love George equally. T.R. Knight does a great job of playing his frustration, frailty, and yearning for a girl he can't get up the courage to tell her how he feels. He's not McDreamy or McSteamy, but he's McHusband material. So last night, when he finally got up the courage to tell Meredith how he felt about her and why he should be her McDreamy, in a moment of weakness, she pounced. She took complete advantage of him and used him to quash "the beast."

And I think she lost me.

Sure, it all happened as a great teaser for what's to come next week. For all I know, this might be the start of the next great couple of television, but I doubt it. She just doesn't seem to be into him and it was pretty clear from what happened in the course of last night's episode that she was in need of some kind of validation. And George was willing to give it. The writers have done such an effective job of making us care for George and his desire for the attainable that to have him used seems like a betrayal of the unwritten code.

If it were a character other than Meredith, we might be able to go there with them. She is the weakest of the characters. Partly because she's had a run of really bad luck since the program began, but partially because the other characters just seem to have more depth than her. Maybe this is the way for the writing team to really get into something with her and make us understand and care for her more. But if that's the attempt, it better happen quickly because the moment that George becomes my crushed, my newfound admiration for this show could deflate even faster.

So I'm waiting and nervous about next Sunday night.

posted by cinegod @ 2:12 AM