As I mentioned in my review of Grey's Anatomy: Season Four, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) (notice the name change to show her divorce from Derek (Patrick Dempsey)) leaves Grey's Anatomy for her own series, Private Practice. Some people felt that it was probably a little early to have a spinoff of a show that had really only had 2½ seasons at the time of the spinoff, especially for a character that had only been on the show 2 seasons, but I think that it worked out well. Addison was a good choice since all her major ties to the characters in Grey's Anatomy were severed after her divorce to Derek was final. Yes, she had made some friends, but it really was time for her to move on. Private Practice caters to a very slightly older demographic than Grey's, but they still have the same drama!

Addison decides to move to California to join the practice of some of her college friends, Naomi (Audra McDonald) and Sam Bennett (Taye Diggs). Naomi and Sam have just gotten divorced when the series starts, but since they run the practice together, they have to remain friends to stay in business. They have several doctors working at the clinic, and they are all quite the characters! Their psychiatrist is Dr. Violet Turner (Amy Brenneman). I have been a big fan of Amy's for years, especially in Judging Amy. Violet is a very different character than Amy was, though. She has a lot less self confidence and even more psychological problems of her own to deal with. I guess that's typical for a shrink.

Pete Wilder (Tim Daly) specializes in "alternative medicine". He isn't a traditional doctor. Pete is the playboy of the group, which Addison really doesn't want to have to deal with again. She just left McDreamy and McSteamy behind, so she definitely doesn't need another player to have to deal with. Pete has his own reasons for being like that, however. He's a much deeper character than he appears to be at first.

Dr. Cooper Freedman (Paul Adelstein) is their pediatrician. He also has a very big problem with meeting women online and losing lots of money to them. Cooper and Violet are close friends, potentially something more if they could figure it out, at least.

There's one other person at the clinic, the secretary, Dell (Chris Lowell). He's quite a bit younger than the rest of the staff and very attractive. The women there can't help but to stare when he comes in wearing only the bottom half of a wet suit and carrying his surf board. Even given the age difference, Dell is in love with Naomi. He would do anything to make her happy. You can imagine that Naomi doesn't know exactly how to handle it, and even though they're divorced, Sam isn't happy about it!

So as you can see, Private Practice is stuffed full of interesting characters just begging for lots of drama to unfold. There are nine episodes in the first season, and the DVD has quite a bit of extra bonus features to entertain you with. If you haven't seen it, you should go buy it now. Even if you did see it on TV, you should still go buy it to watch all the extras and rewatch the season to get ready for Season Two!