Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Second Season

When this sassy medical drama displaced the top-rated Boston Legal in the spring of 2005, nobody realized just how big a success it would become. Ostensibly starring Ellen Pompeo as surgical intern Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy quickly established itself as an ensemble show, and a darned good one at that. Meredith's affair with married doctor Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), which formed the backbone of most of the first season, receded during the 27 episodes of the show's second year to allow more screen time for other characters. The principal subplot—which emerged late in the 2005-06 season as the most compelling reason to stay tuned—involved the ill-advised and star-crossed relationship between intern Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) and desperately ill heart-transplant candidate Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan in an unusually effective recurring role). Another high point is a two-parter in which guest star Christina Ricci brilliantly essayed the role of a terrified paramedic trying to prevent a human bomb from exploding inside the hospital. Grey's Anatomy is not only a ratings powerhouse, it's also a terrific series. DVD extras include four extended episodes, deleted scenes, cast interviews, and a set tour. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)