When we last left our self-absorbed heroes of Seattle Grace Hospital, all but George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) had become full-time residents. Dr. Christna Yang (Sandra Oh, Blindness) had been left high-and-dry at the altar by Dr. Burke and one of the new interns just so happens to be Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) younger half-sister, Lexie (Chyler Leigh).

In my review of Grey’s Anatomy’s third season, I referred to that season as “transitional” and that’s particularly due to the casting changes. While I certainly meant that at the time, perhaps I spoke just too soon, because it was really this season that suffered the writer’s strike and this season that suffered the lack of Isaiah Washington (forced out of the series for questionable comments) and Kate Walsh (who went to the spin-off series Private Practice, although she does appear as a guest star in one episode in this season of Grey’s.)

This season starts out well enough as we get quick introductions to the returning cast, now residents, bossing their interns around much in the same way as they themselves were at the start of the series. Dr. Yang, who has always been seen as the most driven of all the interns, is at least acting like she’s still herself and has pulled it all together following the last minute cancellation of her wedding to Dr. Burke. Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is still really bitter over the Chief’s decision to make Dr. Torres (Sara Ramirez) her Chief Resident. Most of the archetypes and relationship drama that Grey’s Anatomy has become known for remains in tact for the fourth season. However, most of the stupidity that it has been accused of is still back in full force.

This stupidity becomes noticeable in the very first episode where Dr. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl, 27 Dresses) agrees to perform medicine on a deer in front of her new interns. The way the sequence plays out isn’t so much out-of-character as it is completely unprofessional. In this sequence one of her residents openly mocks what she’s doing in front of the people who brought the deer in. No discussion, no talking to, nothing. This is the first of several times this season where I couldn’t tell if I was watching Grey’s or watching Scrubs.

Everything else follows in this 50/50 pattern. The series primary romance between Dr. Grey and Dr. Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey, Enchanted) is still very on again, off again. It’s become a bit of a chore, in that Ross/Rachel kind of way that has lost all drive. The only thing I can say is welcome about it is that it was put more into the backseat of the show, focusing more on the other plotlines and other love interests for Shepherd. The return of Eva (Elizabeth Reaser, Twilight), the Jane Doe of the last season and love interest to Dr. Karev was fine at first, but after she keeps popping up out of nowhere – in places she shouldn’t be able to get in – keeping the character just smacks of bad writing and she’s become my personally most hated thing about Grey’s Anatomy. She is no longer an interesting character people. Drop her ass. Drop it like it’s hot.

Now before I sound like I didn’t enjoy this season, I want to make it clear that simply isn’t the case. I probably care more about this show than any straight twenty-something has any right, and I just want it to be the best drama it can be. So I am pleased to say that in this series darkest season, there are still quite a few bright lights. Chyler Leigh has been a fantastic addition to the cast, much needed following the departure of two of the most popular characters. She’s cute, funny, naïve, etc. and she makes stupid mistakes to be sure as a newbie. More importantly though, she brings out different attributes in other characters. She befriends Dr. O’Malley and (at least at first) is the only intern to know that he failed his residency exams. She also helps to make Meredith look like the asshole that she really is and causes her to more seriously self-reflect on herself. I’m all for that! I also think that the best friend’s relationship between Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Sloan (Eric Dane) has become better developed since Addison went to Private Practice. The casual “guyness” of how the two interact adds some much needed testosterone to the estrogen fueled program, and extra insight on the female cast. Dr. Sloan himself has some entertaining moments, such as a later season episode where most of the nursing staff file sexual harassment accusations on him simply in an attempt for him to be less of a dog. Dr. Bailey also shines as usual, and is clearly the best written character. First for the subplot of Dr. Torres becoming Chief Resident, but even more excellently for the role-reversal relationship with her husband where she works all day and he stays at home with baby George. Many times she has to reevaluate what’s important in her life, and her decisions toward the end of the season actually make sense.

If you’ve been following Grey’s Anatomy on DVD alone (as opposed to on TV exclusively) and have been waiting for the fourth season to hit DVD to see it, then picking it up won’t be a bad idea. This is definitely the most mundane the series has become though, so don’t expect to be wowed out of your seat. Hell, even the end of the season didn’t really have much of a cliffhanger like it did in year’s past – not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. I’m still looking forward to the fifth season, because I’m invested in these characters for better or for worse. I can only hope that it does indeed get better, because Grey’s is a series that could use a little something to kick it into full gear.

Presentation
Sadly, I was not sent the Blu-ray version of Grey’s Anatomy – Season Four (the debut of the series in HD on home video) which makes reviewing this presentation a little bit odd for me. I watched every episode as it aired in HD, and this DVD set is a noticeable step down from that broadcast. However, I rewatched the last episode of the third season on that DVD set and I didn’t notice much different. So I’ve probably been spoiled. Nevertheless, I highly recommend you pick up the Blu-ray, and I’m recommending this without having even seen the Blu. The 5.1 audio mix is serviceable. Nothing to tax your speakers with, but you’ll be happy it’s there. If you need them, you’ll find subtitles in English, French and Spanish. Overall, the DVD set isn’t bad. Though, much like this season, I imagine it could have been far better.

Extras
I guess the first thing that should be noted is two extended episodes, “Forever Young” and “The Becoming.” To be honest, I didn’t notice anything added to these episodes.

Audio Commentaries –
Three episodes have audio commentaries. “A Change is Gonna Come” has Chyler Leigh and Associate Producer Karin Gleason. “Forever Young” has Lauren Stamile and Director/Producer Rob Corn. Finally, Sandra Oh and Director Julie Anne Robinson team up on “The Becoming.” I only listened to one of them (Chyler’s) for scientific reasons (she’s fucking hot) and I wasn’t at all impressed. Definitely less engaging when compared to last year’s.

New Docs on the Block – (8:07) 
So here we get introduced to the actors playing Dr. Hahn (Brooke Smith) who became a regular character this year, Dr. Lexie Grey and Nurse Rose (Lauren Stamile). It’s a nice enough intro. Easily forgettable.

On Set with Patrick and Eric – (5:38) 
As I mentioned earlier in this review, one of the best relationships is the friendly style of camaraderie and “bromance” between McDreamy and McSteamy. This featurette examines how they interact with each other and the comedic balance.

Good Medicine: Favorite Scenes – (13:49) 
This feature was also on the last season, and its a pretty fluffy feature to be sure. I did find myself having a good time while listening to the cast members point out what scenes they thought were among the best from this season. It’s great to listen to the cast recant why they like the humor or drama, or simply why they enjoyed performing certain parts. It works kind of like a highlight reel. Fans will want to check this out. Extra props for Chyler giving nod to Seth Green’s guest appearance, which was a great character and I neglected him from my review, myself.

Dissecting Grey’s Anatomy: Unaired Scenes – (11:53) 
Sixteen deleted scenes are included from seven different episodes. For the most part, none of them are very long and most likely they were cut for time. There is one fun alternate scene that has the patient Nearly Dead Guy talking to the docs about how he heard everything they were saying when he was comatose.
  
In Stitches: Season 4 Outtakes – (4:32) 
Never in the history of the “outtakes” feature has there been a single one that makes a substantial contribution to the DVD, but they are great diversions and often entertaining. This brief collection is no exception.

One Quick Cut – (4:19) 
Somehow, and quite humorously, in under five minutes a narrator recaps the entire first three seasons of Grey’s. If you’re going to be brave enough to start watching with season 4, this recap just might be a good primer to start off with.

Trailer Gallery 
Rounding out the set is some trailers for other Buena Vista television DVDs that are either released, or soon will be. Wall-E, Brothers and Sisters – Second Season, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Also in this gallery is a preview of the fifth season of Grey’s Anatomy and second season of Private Practice which are spoiler free, no more than a few seconds long and relatively pointless.

Bonus Disc 
I’m assuming this will be limited to the first print run, but my screener copy of Grey’s Anatomy Season 4 came with a disc called the “Wednesday Night ABC Starter Kit” which has the debut episodes of Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money. Nice way to cross promote!

The packaging is in the slipcase style that TV-on-DVD consumers are no doubt familiar with. I’m not a fan of having the discs overlap, and I always worry about the digipak style packaging because it’s irreplaceable if broken and because I’m OCD. I prefer the slim-case style myself, but the packaging pairs up nicely with the last two season’s packaging. A nice set of liner notes called “Series Anatomy” which makes a valiant attempt at creating a timeline of events for all four seasons (so don’t look at season four until you’ve watched this set.) I do miss the minor synopsis of each episode from last year’s set though.

The Bottom Line
Yeah, Grey’s is still a guilty pleasure of mine. It’s comfort television. The DVD set is fine if you’re already a fan and haven’t gone HD yet.  If you’re not a fan, nothing here will change your mind.