A line from one of the closing scenes sums it up for me:
"Something stinks in here."
That came from one of the new interns entering the lockerroom once inhabited by my formerly favorite people, but the words mean something entirely different for me... A dejected fan.
There were a few bright spots, sure.
There were a few interesting plot lines introduced that will be carried over until the next season.
(Who the heck is Lexi Grey?)
But I'm sad.
And mad.
And Shonda Rimes, yes... I'm one who is shaking my fist at the heavens.
But we all really knew the outcome couldn't be good, didn't we?
I mean the title was a dead giveaway: "Didn't we almost have it all..."

"Put me out of my misery."
I had so much hope at the beginning of this show when I realized the previews had edited Derek's comment to Meredith about meeting a woman... That his rant was more of a pleading. A "snap out of it" slap in her face. I didn't wonder any longer about what he wanted. He wanted Meredith.
Finally, Derek told Meredith she was the love of his life. But she kept leaving him behind. Not her friends. Him. He needed her to put him out of his misery. And well, she did.
Dammit!

"I don't feel like myself."
Cristina tried and tried to be what Burke and the moms wanted her to be. I applauded her for that. But the choker's double meaning made me cringe. I really thought she might go through with it... for him. For Burke. For all the wrong reasons. While I'm a sucker for a "happily ever after," I was on Cristina's side when she said, "He's gone. I'M FREE!" and relief and sadness spilled out from her all at once. It was sort of sad to hear how "proud" her mother was to see Cristina in her wedding gown. But NO. She's not "emotionally stunted." She was being true to herself. Being Cristina. I'm sad to see Burke go. And boy did he clear out and go! But I'm glad something, someone stayed true to form.

"Give me a reason to stay."
Alex tried to do the right thing and send Ava/Rebecca back to her "good guy" husband. I wanted him to take her in his arms and give himself over to the love they obviously had for each other. But he didn't until it was too late. There's not much else to say.

"Married's married."
Yeah. Whatever. Izzie said that to Alex about Ava, but what has SHE been doing to George and Callie? Her speech to George before the wedding seemed strangely reminiscent of the "pick me, choose me" speech Meredith gave Derek oh so long ago. And we know how that turned out. And having a baby? Please! Callie was just named Chief Resident, but her hormones are kicking up so ... HEY, let's just get knocked up and make this rocky marriage even rockier? I'm really, REALLY sick of all that Gizzie junk. I LOVE George. I hate that he's (apparently) leaving. But what a mess that all turned out to be. I never could stop thinking about Izzie losing Denny. And then she falls hopelessly for George? I will say that no matter what happens with George... the scene in the church with Izzie alone in a pew and Callie lurking, stalking almost, behind her laid the groundwork for hell-to-pay next season.

"He's a better man than I thought."
My favorite part of the whole show was the Adele and Richard storyline. Hallelujah. They found each other, again. I nearly cried when we found out Richard was the father of the son they lost.

"Do it over."
What in the world? Derek turned DOWN the job as chief? Why would throw it back to Richard? Isn't it what he wanted professionally? Isn't that why he came to Seattle in the first place? Unbelievable. Was he giving it up for Richard or for Meredith? Will he go back and say, "Uh, nevermind... I'll take it." And isn't the demanding role as chief what destroyed Richard and Adele? But I suppose, poor little broken, sad Meredith needs her father figure. (Sorry to rag on Meredith... but honestly! Enough with the dark and twisty! She had a good thing!) Maybe Richard CAN do it over. The Right Way. Maybe that's why Bailey wasn't chosen Chief Resident, too. I'm just guessing Richard made that call. Maybe he saw she was headed down a dangerous road that could cost her her family. He certainly made it clear to Addison that she needed to get a life.

SIDEBAR HERE...
Wait! Was that a promo for "Private Practice" already? The body's not even cold! But then again... that road is looking more enticing since my favorite show is feeling like a complete train wreck. (Well.. not completely...but almost!)

OKAY... I'M BACK...

So many disappointments.
So many unhappy endings:
George.
George and Izzie.
George and Callie.
Cristina and Burke.
Ava (aka: Rebecca) and Alex.
Addison.
Bailey... Poor Bailey!
And... *sigh*...
Derek and Meredith.
AAAAAAAAAAH.

(Do you see me shaking my fist? Do you?)

"It's over."
I have to say I watch this show as an escape from reality. George (and the writers) made it clear, though, that they want us to know... Life Happens.
And when Life Happens, the song playing in the background at the end of the show is so true: All we can do is keep breathing...

Well, I'm certainly not going to hold my breath until next season.
I'm not sure I'll be back.
The previews better be pretty darn good to get me back.

As for my favorite line... "Did you sniff too much glue as a child?"
Well... did ya?