The writers of"Grey's Anatomy"usually balance pathos with ample doses of humor. But in this week's decidedly downbeat episode, the comic moments were rare. (Spoiler alert: Stop reading now if you've saved the episode for later viewing.)

Even the all-boys camping trip, which seemed built for comedy, wasn't played for laughs. Derek, who'd expected that only Burke would join him in the wilderness, moped around lamenting the presence of the other campers.

His planned weekend of solitude became group therapy with fishing poles: Alex discussed his miserable childhood, Dr. Webber confessed his loneliness and George got shot down upon announcing he wants Callie back. (Alex gleefully told George that Callie slept with Mark Sloan and the conversation soon devolved into a fist fight.)

Joe the bartender and his boyfriend Walter tried to enjoy the trip, but their happiness only made the others more morose. And when Walter gouged his head on a rock, a still-shaky Burke was forced to stitch the wound in the presence of his colleagues.

He managed without tremors, but George (who had seen Burke's hand tremble earlier that day) watched him closely. He didn't question Burke, but Burke knows George suspects something.

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Meanwhile, it was equally grim at the hospital:

_ Addison was brought to tears by the death of an unborn baby. But she got support from Callie and the two later bonded over their regrettable liaisons with Mark.

_ Bailey confronted Cristina about erasing her name from the surgical board, vowing that Cristina can't perform surgery until she explains herself. Cristina didn't crack, but she's risking her career.

_ Meredith questioned her feelings about Derek after spending the day with Mark (not a very plausible plot twist, given Mark's predatory vibe and Meredith's recent determination that Derek is"the one"). But when Derek returned, they shared a kiss and agreed to start their relationship over.

_ Izzie tried to dodge her"peer counselor"Sydney (the same excessively perky doctor who took Bailey's place during her maternity leave), but finally admitted that she's still mourning Denny."I don't know if I can be a surgeon again,"she said.

And in the episode's closing moments, a new crisis erupted: George's dad has been admitted to the hospital. No word on his particular ailment. But judging by Callie's face, the prognosis for next week isn't good.

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