Episode Title: "A Death in the Family"

Synopsis: In the season three premiere of ABC's "Private Practice," Addison and Naomi struggle in the ER to save Violet, whose baby is still missing, as is her attacker; flashbacks recall Pete and Violet's first meeting, which took place following the death of his wife.

Guest Star: Amanda Foreman

Discuss.

That was a harrowing hour of television. It was horrific to watch all that Violet went through there, even though I generally knew where the storyline was heading. Wow. Great direction there with the intercutting of Pete's first days at the practice dealing with his wife's death and Violet's surgeries. Tim Daly has come a long way from the beginning of the series until now. This was one of the best episodes the show's done yet and a very promising start to the rest of the season.

Grade for "A Death in the Family": A-

No one cries like Audra MacDonald. I want to give her an Emmy for that alone.

This was a very strong episode for the show. The flashbacks worked effectively in showing the breakdown and fear in the group as well as their coming together(in much the same way that TWW did in "In The Shadow of Two Gunmen"). Strong performances all around. Walsh handled the intensity of the situation beautifully, and played that pressure in a really great way.

Both Brenneman and Daly were great here and proved why they both have nominations and continue to deserve. These are strong tapes for both of them.

Grade: A-/B+

well that episode was just miles better than the horrible Grey's premiere.

Everybody did a nice job specially Tim Daly.

Kinda scared for a bit at the beginning, thought Violet had died since Pete, Naomi (with the awful hat) and Sam didn't look any different than they look today...

Strong episode. Amanda Foreman was pretty great too.

Grade: A-

Great fakeout set-up at the beginning, and yeah, really superb stuff throughout especially Daly's confession scene to Brenneman, and then Kate Walsh's AWESOME post-surgery scene. It gave me chills.

Watching this, I found it interesting how much this show has evolved. Remember when Addison and Pete were going to be a couple? I'm glad the writers abandon that cause they had zero chemistry. And remember when Naomi and Dell had a thing going on? Once again, zero chemistry (although Merrin Dungey had better chemistry with Chris Lowell). I still can't stand Dell on this show, although I read his role is being reduced this season (which they hinted at here).

A-

Episode Title: "The Way We Were"

Synopsis: Violet's still traumatized by her vicious attack, and no one can seem to help her recover; Addison and Naomi try to repair their relationship; Sam and Cooper treat a man who was stabbed by his wife after he allegedly attacked his family.

Guest Star: Kellie Martin.

Discuss.

Seeing the aftereffects of Violet's attack is tough to watch, but Amy Brenneman is doing some of her best work on the show now. Tough choice she had to make about Lucas, but it seemed like the right one. Hopefully the paternity issue will be resolved soon and they can finally move forward with Pete and Violet as a couple. Kellie Martin was really strong here, and it was nice to see her back on television again doing dramatic work. The twist about the daughter was pretty much given away in ABC's horrible promos, but the storyline was still generally effective. Naomi and Addison's growing riff is interesting, as is Coop and Charlotte's.

Grade for "The Way We Were": B

Episode Title: "Right Here, Right Now"

Synopsis: Miranda Bailey arrives with a kidney patient, and Addison isn't the only Oceanside doctor who's happy to see her; Addison begins to pay the price for her involvement with Noah; the identity of Violet's baby's father is revealed.

Guest Star: Chandra Wilson

Discuss.

That was a tough case with the two sisters -- one needing a kidney transplant, and the other one wanting to be a donor and is HIV-positive. Once they revealed that, I was like, "Seriously?" This was a strong episode for both Kate Walsh and Chandra Wilson. This should be the kind of material Chandra Wilson gets on "Grey's Anatomy." She had nice chemistry with Taye Diggs. This could have been a tape for her there. I was kind of hoping that Sheldon would be Lucas's father just to complicate Pete and Violet's relationship. It seemed too easy for Pete to be the father, but it's going to be a tough road for the both of them regardless with Violet's PTSD not going away any time soon.

Grade for "Right Here, Right Now": B/B+

I wonder if Chandra will receive a Guest Acting nod.

Chandra in no way deserves an Emmy nom. She didn't do anything special here. Walsh's guest spot on "Grey's" last season was way better.

Most of this was pretty boring. At least Pete was the father so Sheldon can go away.

Kate Walsh looking freakin beautiful in this episode.
C

Chandra Wilson was better here than she was in this week's episode of "Grey's Anatomy." If the show were on the Emmy radar, I'd support a guest actress nomination.

Hmm...I wonder if they will even submit Chandra Wilson in Guest Actress for this? Since PP has started I believe Kate Walsh has guest starred on Grey's every season since then, but I don't know if she is ever submitted in Guest Actress for Grey's. I am almost positive she wasn't submitted this past year.

Episode Title: "Pushing the Limits

Synopsis: After counseling a pregnant rape victim, Violet's emotional scars from her attack reemerge, and she continues to have trouble relating to her baby; Addison, Sam, and Cooper treat the child of a homeless teen they met while volunteering; Cooper has financial woes and can't afford to help buy Naomi's share of the practice.

Discuss.

I was hoping they would show what Tracie Thoms' character decided to do, though I guess it was leaning toward her character keeping her rapist's baby since she couldn't ever conceive with her husband, and Violet wrongly swayed her into having an abortion when she didn't want to. This show has been doing some very intense and sticky medical cases lately, more so than "Grey's Anatomy" has, so good for them. Amy Brenneman was excellent tonight. Her attack aftermath has been some of the strongest work she's ever done on the series, and confronting Katie next episode should be good. Now I'm hoping that they just make Brian Benben a regular cast member. "This is my turf!" LoL. He's good comic relief that can do drama too when necessary. The homeless teen with the sick child was another strong case, and it gave both Kate Walsh and Taye Diggs nice material to work with. Not sure I like Charlotte buying a share of the practice to work there and bailing Coop out. Sidelining Audra McDonald has been a glaring mistake so far this season, since she's one of the series' best assets (along with Kate Walsh). Pete working for Naomi could be good though, especially if it further compromises Naomi and Addison's friendship.

Grade for "Pushing the Limits": B+

Solid episode. Brenneman was fantastic here. It was totally an Emmy tape, should she somehow be a contender.
I can't stand the character of Charlotte nor the relationship between Cooper and Charlotte. It's completely one-note and annoying.
B

I'm really impressed with how this season is going.

I was ready to give up on it last season, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Next week looks like some good stuff for Brenneman.

I don't mind Charlotte so much, but I absolutely detest Dell. Such a pointless character.

Once again, Amy Brenneman proves she's being overlooked. She deserved a nom for season one(where she had plenty of winning tapes) and season 2. She deserves one again, and she'd be very competitive with this tape. She needs a big push from ABC/Touchstone. Her scenes are so realistic.

I forgot that this show still exists.

Better download episodes from this season.