Something's Gotta Give

"The human body is a highly pressurized system. The blood pressure measures the force of blood, pulsating through the arteries. It's important to keep this pressure regulated. Low or inadequate pressure can cause weakness or failure. It's when the pressure gets too high... that problems really occur. If the pressure continues to increase, a closer examination is called for... Because it's the best indicator that something is going terribly wrong. Every pressurized system needs a relief valve. There has to be a way to reduce the stress, the tension, before it becomes too much to bear. There has to be a way to find relief, because if the pressure doesn't find a way out... it'll make one. It will explode. It's the pressure we put on ourselves... that's the hardest to bear. The pressure to be better than we are. The pressure to be better than we think we can be. It never ever lets up. It just builds and builds and builds."

- Meredith Grey

 is the eighth episode of the seventh season and the 134th overall episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Short Summary
Top security measures go into place as a team of doctors, led by the Chief, try to save the life of a major political figure from the Middle East. Meanwhile Cristina decides to finally decorate her new place and throw a housewarming party, and Alex shows up late from a weekend getaway to his first day of rounds with the new Pediatrics Attending, Dr. Robert Stark.

Full Summary
Episode in detail.

Main Cast

 * Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
 * Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
 * Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
 * Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
 * James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
 * Sara Ramírez as Dr. Callie Torres
 * Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
 * Chyler Leigh as Dr. Lexie Grey
 * Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt
 * Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins (credit only)
 * Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman
 * Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner
 * Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery
 * Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd

Guest Stars

 * Peter MacNicol as Dr. Robert Stark
 * Allan Louis as Ronald Lace
 * Omid Abtahi as Aasif

Co-Starring

 * Bridget Sienna as Mrs. Cortez
 * Philip Shahbaz as Arab Translator
 * Bob Rumnock as ND Doctor
 * Terrell Lee as Diplomatic Security Guard
 * Dalila Ali Rajah as Leanne
 * Michael Medico as Martin
 * Anthony Batarse as Emir's Aid 1
 * Ammar Daraiseh as Aide
 * Mike Kersey as Sales Clerk
 * Maz Siam as Emir's Chief of Staff
 * Sabin Rich as Hairstylist
 * Teresa Huang as VIP Nurse
 * Rachel Anderson as Peds Nurse
 * Michael Brouillet as Secret Service Agent
 * Miles Elliot as Boy

Notes and Trivia

 * This episode's title originated from the song Something's Gotta Give, originally sung by Sammy Davis, Jr..
 * This episode scored 11.13 million viewers.
 * This is the first episode not to feature Jessica Capshaw since she was made a series regular at the start of Season 6.

Quotes

 * Meredith: (to Alex) You smell like you're sweating booze, where have you been?
 * Jackson: I want the weekend you had.
 * Alex: Well, what happens in Vegas, you know? Hey, who's Stark? I'm supposed to be on Stark's service today.
 * April: Oh, me, too. He's the new peds attending. Since Robbins left.
 * Alex: Crap. I can't handle a bunch of sick kids today, I can't do it.


 * April: (about Jackson) He thinks no one wants to work with him.
 * Lexie: Are they saying that or are you saying that?
 * Jackson: (to April) Who are you with again?
 * April: Karev. Uh... I mean, Stark.
 * Jackson: No, you meant Karev. And, you don't wanna go there.
 * April: You don't know where I'm going.
 * Lexie: He's right. You don't wanna go there.
 * April: I'm.. I'm not going anywhere.
 * Lexie: He's not the guy for you, okay? Trust me. And don't be paranoid, trust me on that, too.
 * (walks off; Jackson watches her go)
 * April: Ooh, but it's okay for you to go there.
 * Jackson: I'm a guy. I live there.


 * Robert Stark: (to Alex) So, you must be Dr. Karev. You missed my rounds today.
 * Alex: Uh, sorry. I had car trouble.
 * Robert Stark: Ah, well, there's a classic. So, what you're here just kinda yell at my patients and...
 * Alex: I'm sorry. Look, uh, Dr. Stark, I'm feeling very sick today so I think that since you know, you have Kepner...
 * Robert Stark: Well, let's see here. No fever, you don't seem to be vomiting, you retaining control of your bowels?
 * April: Ew.
 * Alex: Yes.
 * Robert Stark: Well, since hangovers are not contagious, I'd say you're working.


 * Meredith: The last thing that Cristina wants is to talk to me. We just have to give her some space.
 * Owen: We don't have time to give her space. She'll be locked out of this program, and I do not believe that is what she wants. I mean, you think that's what she wants? (Meredith is silent) I'm asking you, Grey.