‘Private Practice’ returned on February 23rd with some shocking pregnancy news for Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and some definite sparks flying between Addison and Jake. In lieu of these events, some huge life-altering changes could be in store for the two Seaside Wellness former sister-in-laws.
Amelia’s Shocking News
Sheldon (Brian Benben) knocks on Amelia’s door and she quickly shoves something under the couch cushion. She snaps at him and gets rid of as quickly as possible with a stricken look on her face.
Sheldon returns to her office later, clearly agitated and asks her if she’s using again. He tells her he’ll drive her to rehab himself if he has to.
Amelia winces at the accusation, and then blurts out ‘I’m pregnant’. Sheldon is visibly shocked and asks her who the father is. She says ‘Ryan’ and then breaks down sobbing, telling him she doesn’t know what she’s going to do and that she misses Ryan so much.
Sheldon struggles with her pining over Ryan and surprises her by saying she should talk to Addison or Charlotte (KaDee Strickland) or anyone else but him about it. He leaves and she cries harder.
A bit later, Sheldon finds her again to apologize. He tells her when she talked about missing Ryan it brought up a lot of feelings that he didn’t want to deal with. Then he tells her he’ll be there however she needs, to build a crib, help with the baby, or be with her if she decides not to keep the baby, so that she’s not alone.
Over more tears, she tells him she still doesn’t know what she’s going to do.
This news comes as a huge shock to Sheldon and Amelia, who feels almost guilty because Addison has tried so hard to get pregnant and all of her attempts have failed. Now she is pregnant, without planning it, and feels totally torn because the child belongs to the man she loved, but being a mother is the last thing she wants or needs right now.
Benben and Scorsone have a very natural and easy chemistry. Sheldon’s fears over a possible drug relapse seem very real and sincere. Amelia’s reaction to Sheldon’s accusation and her own distress over the pregnancy also play in a very honest way.
Whether Amelia keeps the baby or not, her life is forever changed by the pregnancy and whatever decision she makes. How will Addison react to the news? Could Amelia possibly offer the baby to Addison? She has already offered once to be a surrogate for her. Or, will the fact that the baby is Ryan’s and he is now dead influence her to keep the baby and raise it?
If she chooses the latter, it could end up drawing her and Sheldon closer together. Or, would the stress of the pregnancy push Amelia into a relapse with her addiction. Or, maybe Sheldon and Amelia will fall in love and ultimately form a family with her baby…
Addison and Jake
In last week’s crossover event, Addison admitted to Jake that there is something more than physical attraction between them. This week, Addison seeks Jake out to ‘finish their conversation’ but he tells her he was done. Then he asks if she has something to add.
She chickens out and backs down. Later, Violet asks Jake for his thoughts on casual sex. He tells her being in his 40s, he is looking for something more ‘substantial’. She tells him this surprises her, given ‘Fiji’. He is shocked Addison told Violet about their near trip and later tells her as much.
Addison is frustrated by his comments and also his lack of explanation for why he wanted to know if there’s something more between them.
He finally admits (in the elevator, of course!) that he asked because he could fall in love with her, marry her, and give her a baby via test tube or other means. But, (and then he leans in really close and whispers in her ear) ‘You’re not ready.’
Addison is flushed and stunned and quickly says, ‘I can get ready’.
As actors, Benjamin Bratt and Kate Walsh have an incredible amount of chemistry. Addison and Jake have had a lot of physical ‘close encounters’ so the sexual tension between them is off the charts. Bratt plays Jake with just the right amount of ego balanced with compassion and charm that breathes one phrase: Incredibly sexy man.
How can Addison resist all that man in one eye-pleasing package?
But, Jake has lost someone he loved to addiction and Addison is still freshly out of her relationship with Sam (Taye Diggs). It seems like the lingering embers she carries for Sam are getting smaller. However, Addison has a bad history of jumping into the wrong situation at the wrong time with the wrong guy.
Is Jake just a rebound for Sam? Or, is he finally the one who can complete her? He justifiably wants to wait until she can be sure. But, will they both miss out on the love of their lives if they keep the space between them open much longer?
Overall, 'Andromeda' surprises us and sweeps us up into speculating about the potential changes these two very strong women, Amelia and Addison, are facing.
What do you think? Should Amelia keep the baby? Should Addison and Jake stop dancing around the flame and finally let it blaze? Could they be soul mates? I’d love to read your comments below.
‘Private Practice’ airs on Thursdays at 10 PM EST on ABC.
Comments