(S05E17) "Christian, I don't like men. I like you." - Liz

Christian and Liz?!? Can anyone honestly say that they ever saw this coming? Of course, the opposites attract argument exists - "butch lesbian anesthesiologist" and "slightly mysoginistic sex-crazed plastic surgeon" are just about as far apart as you can get. But I suppose it only makes sense that the guy who uses woman before he trusts them starts to fall for the woman he in theory shouldn't be able to have because, Christian put it best, "she's a lesbian!"

Despite all the pitfalls that this relationship certainly has (Christian is not a one woman guy - especially when that woman plays for the other team), at least it's something different. Once again, the "Sean still loves Julia" plot reared it's annoying head. We get it already. The proponents of this awkward courtship will argue that we don't know who Sean is without Julia and that's why he's always carried the torch. But that's just it - I don't know who Sean is without Julia either and it doesn't seem like Ryan Murphy and Co. plan on telling us.

At this point, with only only 24 episodes left in the series' run, just bring Sean and Julia back together. He'll still probably sleep around, she'll still be indignant about his flaws, the three kids will be around more, and things can return to a slightly normal state. If anything, it will at least get rid of plots like we saw in this episode. Besides, I'd like to assume they're going to end up together by the end anyway. So why not do it now and be done with the tension?

That's one way to look at. But I like this idea better:

Joely Richardson, as I recall, took one leave from the show already. Julia wasn't around all that much (it was when she was initially in New York) and it gave Sean an opportunity to shine; to find himself. Let's explore that again. Maybe a return to acting? I'm sure Hearts and Scalpels would take him back. At least with Olivia's death, it removes one roadblock from this entire situation, regardless of the direction it takes.

Anyway, on to the rest of the episode. How great is Jennifer Coolidge? Candy Richards, I mean "CoCo," is one of the funniest patients that McNamara/Troy has ever had and this appearance was no exception. Her video for "Yo Stink Bitch" was a riot. I loved the part when the three back-up dancers hopped out of the trash bin wearing gas masks.

As for Roxy? I thought her story was really well done. Although, it's tough to call it "her" story when it was really meant to just hold a mirror up to Christian. Masking your pain with more pain and weakness has never been his style, but the breast cancer has turned him into a much meeker person. It's arguably the impetus for why he even considered having sex with Liz and as he heals, it's likely that his new found feelings for her will wane.

A few more thoughts...

• That scene with Roxy and the electric carving knife was one of the most graphic things this show has ever had.
• Not that I would know anything about this, but why is it that no show on TV can ever depict a bong being used properly?
• I already made my point about this, but I really hope Julia still moves back to New York.
• I would imagine that having someones ashes thrown in your mouth would not taste good.

And speaking of Olivia's ashes, what was the deal with Eden? Her return didn't feel all that organic. Yeah her mother died, but had she not made an appearance, I wouldn't have thought once about it. It seemed as though her brief cameo was more about "what's she gonna say?" The whole bit about Olivia being the one that shot Julia? Does that even make sense? Is it possible? Or is she just taking advantage of Julia's arsenic-riddled memories?

I assumed Eden was out of the country because she was the one who shot Julia; not because she was hiding her mother's secret. The scene added an immense amount of shock value, but I'm not sure what else there was to it - other than killing any feelings Julia may still have for Olivia. And as I've already mentioned, I'm all for that.