Mary McDonnell Talks Grey's Anatomy
Battlestar Galactica star Mary McDonnell graced Seattle with her presence last night, even if she didn't quite fit in with the socially charged gang.
Her character, Dr. Virginia Dixon, has Asperger's syndrome, which means she's got the intellectual skills for the gig, but isn't exactly a social butterfly.
Plus, after Dr. Burke and Dr. Hahn, she is the show's third heart surgeon in five seasons. Will Virginia Dixon survive the cardiac character curse?
Mary McDonnell spoke to E! Online a little about that ...
Why Seattle Grace Wants Her: Although Virginia's a little socially awkward compared to the rest of the raucous bunch, Mary said, "Dixon's a crackerjack surgeon, and to me that's what is thrilling about the role—to be able to support the brilliance of Asperger people, because quite often they are extremely brilliant in one area, and we, as a society, need their contributions."
Why Seattle Grace Doubts Her: The doctors are a little unsure of the new heart doc. So how do they take to her? "They're forewarned when she's coming that she is a little off, but they don't really know exactly what that means until she's there," said Mary.
Why Seattle Grace Needs Her: The hospital has fallen in the national rankings this season, and the Chief has desperately been trying to fix the place up, hence Dr. Dixon's entrance. Mary said, "She has supposedly the second-lowest death rate in her surgeries in the country, so this woman is really good at what she does, and they need her. The question is, does she need them enough to make the move?"
Why She Needs Seattle Grace: Mary wondered why it is, really, that Virginia comes to SGH: "What would motivate this woman, and why would she need the money? If it's money, why? What's her backstory? Does she have family? I have this sensation that she needs the job, she needs to move."
Is this just a thoughtful actress meditating on her own character's personal history, or will we learn there is more to Dixon than we know so far? Stay tuned.
November 14th, 2008 3:58 PM
she looks crapy there, OMFG! but i do love that Sadie chick! that's the best thing that has happened to the show in a long time, but i hate the die and deth thing! shonda has gone a little too far there. but i hate Dr.Dixon, she is a little too crazy.
November 14th, 2008 6:51 PM
She's not crazy... she's playing a person with a syndrome, which the writers are portraying as very true to life. Keep her in it and maybe fuckwits like McSeriously Obsested will think before running their mouth off and label her 'crazy'. Just because you can't see a syndrome doesn't mean its not there... clearly you've learnt nothing from watching the show.
November 14th, 2008 10:54 PM
In this fan"s personail. Opinion I thought. Mary Mcdonnell should"nt have been on grey"s anatomy at all.I thought she was the wrong person for the role.This fan will alway"s watch grey"s anatomy because it has a brillant cast.
Your number fan Paul Birch
November 14th, 2008 11:09 PM
I knew right away that the visiting doctor had Asberger’s. (Anyone who watches “Boston Legal” would have known it, and that’s even on your network!) AND, it should have been very obvious to any doctor. I can’t believe that the chief of surgery at a great teaching hospital would describe this woman as “a little off” and not used the correct medical terminology. Plus, if she’s as famous as they said, it should have been common knowledge anyway. Very disappointed in the writing of this part of the storyline.
November 15th, 2008 9:50 PM
I think a doctor with Asberger’s syndrome is exactly what the show needs. And we shouldn't judge her and say "oh I hate her" cause we have only seen her on one episode.. Give the woman some time?
November 16th, 2008 3:38 AM
I'm sorry but I'm thinking "they dropped Hahn for this??".
November 16th, 2008 6:28 AM
Hi Everybody,
First, I'd like to say how impressed I am that the writers of Grey's Anatomy are attempting to incorporate a person with Asperger's Syndrome into the show. However, I'd just like to express my concern Dr. Dixon is heading toward becoming a stereotypical example of a person with Asperger's Syndrome, and a misrepresentation.
Long story short and I hope not oversimplified:
People are saying the portrayal of Asperger's Syndrome in Dr. Dixon is "true to life", but please note that young boys experience this disorder quite differently from grown women. In people with Asperger's Syndrome, rather than classic autism, the day-to-day impact their disability has on their social interactions lessens over time, as they learn appropriate social behaviours and practices. (Women especially tend to gain, over the course of their lives, a greater grasp of social skills than men - a fact that goes largely unnoticed given the relative lack of research done on this group of the ASD community.) Although it is not always the case, usually by adulthood, people with Asperger's Syndrome can, in many social situations, seem completely normal at first impression (their disability presenting itself in subtler, more complex ways).
Although I understand that the writer's of Grey's Anatomy are probably opting to portray Dr. Dixon with quite obvious and stereotypical effects of Asperger's Syndrome in order to create drama (see "rules are rules and laws are laws"), I would like to see some scenes where Dr. Dixon's social impairment is less noticable and less likely to attract the "she's crazy" criticism.
Traditionally, the Asperger's/Non-Asperger's divide has been overshadowed by the media's focus on the Autism/Asperger's divide. And as a person with Asperger's Syndrome myself, I would like Grey's Anatomy to take this oppurtunity (with a grown woman who is a successful cardiac surgeon) to present an Asperger's character people can relate to and respect.
Thank you for allowing me to say my piece,
Dango.
PS: To clarify, I am impressed with the way Grey's Anatomy (and Mary McDonnell) have handled this issue (Asperger's Syndrome) so far. I'd just like not every scene involving Dr. Dixon to highlight her disabilty.
December 6th, 2008 5:44 PM
As someone with the condition, I've noticed Ms McDonnell's performance does tend to stray into the stereotypical. I was not diagnosed with Asperger's until much later in life and did learn to show some emotions in social situations.
I find it difficult to believe that her character did not learn how to behave in difficult circumstances such as with the girl in the coma. I also find it difficult to believe that all the people she would be coming into contact with (at least at the hospital) would not be told about her condition beforehand.
Having said that, at least the show is talking about it and will continue to do so from time to time.
December 7th, 2008 6:23 PM
Greys anatomy is a poorly written show with mediocre actors and two valley girl producers who should be waitresses. Mary McDonnell should have done ER. I like that woman but I am so annoyed with the complaints from you greys fans with your bad taste and lack of understanding as to how a really good show with really good actors should be. This is not that kind of show. Its a soap opera. Its crap.