Tonight "Private Practice" takes its final bow after six seasons of jaw dropping moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Although the ratings of the series have decreased over the past couple of year, the show had a great run and provided heart wrenching moments that fans have come to expect from anything created by Shonda Rhimes.
Here are five of the most unforgettable moments from the past six seasons of the hit ABC drama:
5. Amelia gives birth to baby without a brain--After a rough year, Amelia Shepherd spent much of season five on a dangerous downward spiral complete with an addiction, intervention and ultimately the birth and death of her first child. Although the pregnancy was written into the script to accommodate actress Caterina Scorsone's real pregnancy, the storyline gave life to Amelia's character who had pretty much spent her time on the show up to that point in the background. In addition, the decision to donate her baby's organ's was the one event that brought the members of the Practice together for the first time in a long time. During Season five, the characters seemed to go in different directions. Amelia's crisis brought everyone together and was beautifully acted by Scorsone.
4. Dell's death--In the season 3 finale, "Private Practice" lost its first principle cast member when Chris Lowell's character Dell Parker died after a car accident. The death was especially shocking considering Dell had just lost his wife earlier in the season when she blew up their house trying to make crystal meth and his young daughter found it hard to cope. It seemed cruel that Dell's daughter lost both of her parents in a six month span before ultimately going to live with Naomi Bennett. What made the episode even more sad was Dell's realization that his time was limited and asking to his daughter before the surgery he knew he would not wake up from.
3. Addison finally gets her baby--One of the central themes throughout the show has been Addison's struggle with fertility. The decision and desire to have a baby is ultimately what ended her relationship with Sam and drove Addison to try every fertility option available to have a child. Addison finally became a mom when a patient she was helping picked Addison to be the adoptive parent for her son Henry. What has followed since has been nothing but cute and lovable scenes between Addison, Jake and Henry as they head down the road to finally being a family.
2. Violet's attack--In the season 2 finale, Violet is attacked by her patient who paralyzes her with a drug and delivers her unborn son while Violet is still conscious. She ends up fighting for her life while the rest of the team frantically looks for her child. Violet pulls through but not without severe emotional and physical scars that followed her through the duration of the series. Pete was revealed as being the father of Violet's son Lucas and has to care for him when Violet abandons him to get over the trauma she has suffered.
1. The rape of Charlotte King--Although Addison is the central character on the show, the top moment in the "Private Practice" run belongs to Dr. Charlotte King. Prior to the fourth season, tough talking brash Charlotte King was probably one of the least likeable characters on the series. However, her rape during midseason 4 not only brought the characters together but turned her character completely around. Charlotte became vulnerable, sensitive, human and the episodes dealing with the aftermath of her rape showcased the talent of the seasoned cast. Fans particularly praised KaDee Strickland's performance and hoped she would be nominated for an Emmy for her extraordinary performance. The scene where a tearful and bruised Charlotte asks Amelia to got to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with her still sends chills up my spine.
Tonight's episode titled "In Which we Say Goodbye" is bound to offer up more moments and is rumored to feature the happy ending for Addison as she marries Jake Reilly.
What are some of your favorite or memorable "Private Practice" moments?
"Private Practice" series finale airs tonight at 9pm on ABC, Cox Cable channel 5.
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