The outing of Preston Burke

Last night was the conclusion to Grey's annual mid-season two-parter, but all that anyone can talk about is cast member Isaiah Washington and whether or not he's a homophobe. Well, John Mayer, of all people, has a treatment that just might solve everything: Why not have Washington's character come out to his colleagues as a gay man? (via Pop On The Top)

It's not a bad idea, when you think about it. If Washington is guilty of homophobia, this is sure to make him squirm through the remainder of his contract. Meanwhile, if he's completely innocent, then it'd be the kind of challenging role that could help his career. Mayer even contributed his own script ideas, to get the ball rolling:

INT: NIGHT, ON LOCATION

(THE RAMROD, A large rock club is packed to the rafters with energetic, bold looking twenty-somethings. On stage, an almost impossibly flamboyant group of performers are rocking out to a psychedelic beat that has the crowd whipped up into a primal frenzy.)

(CHRISTINA leans into the ear of PRESTON, struggling to be heard over the music)

CHRISTINA: I think it's really cool that you wanted to take us to a SCISSOR SISTERS concert, Burke! I gotta say, I never pegged you for the type. You're always talking about how much you love Ultimate Fighting Championships and Adult Video Award shows.
(CHRISTINA's eyes skitter from left to right, enlightened.)

Pretty much all the time, come to think of it.

BURKE: (cautiously) A friend of mine gave me their CD for Christmas. I figured I'd give it a listen. Turns out they weren't bad. They have a pleasant enough sound. Besides, I figured it would be nice to show you guys a fun time for once.

CUT TO:STAGE (The band plays the final exciting beats of "Kiss You Off". Jake Shears, The SCISSOR SISTERS lead singer [himself] takes the mic.)

JAKE: Thank you very muuuuuuch Seattle!!! This next song is called "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" and tonight, we want to send this song off to a very special man in the crowd, Preston Burke, webmaster of the biggest SISTERS fan site, idontfeellikedancing.com! Thanks Preston! The tea cookies you left backstage were deeelish!

(CROWD APPLAUDS WILDLY WHILE THE BAND LAUNCHES INTO THEIR HIT SINGLE. PRESTON, now downright sheepish, grabs his coat and small pleather DKNY bag, fumbling towards the exit.)

BURKE: I think I left a scalpel in that mime today. See ya!!!

And.... scene. Mayer even has a poison pill script idea to make sure Washington stays on board with the character change. Well played, Mr. Mayer... well played indeed.

Meanwhile, since it was a two-parter, I combined the two lists for convenience sake. Of note were the songs from Travis ("Love Will Come Through," which finished out last week's episode,) Regina Spektor ("Fidelity,") and for the ultimate tear-jerk scene Susanna & The Magical Orchestra covered Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

Grey's Anatomy - Episodes 11 & 12 (click for songs/listings)

Previously: Siamese Dream (Episode 3.10)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, isaiah washington, john mayer, son volt, travis, joy division, regina spektor