Is Dr. Burke Human?

We’ve all seen the handsome and talented Dr. Preston Burke in action. As an elite surgeon, a true gentleman and kind individual (not to mention a great cook), he’s pretty much perfect. Perhaps too much so to even be considered one of us. Is Dr. Burke even a human being?

YES

Those stating that Dr. Preston Burke isn’t human must believe that this is a robot, the creation of intelligence far superior than his own. Do you see the problem in this logic? Can you see how the argument falls apart before it ever gains momentum? Who, loyal readers, would possess greater acumen than this good - nay, great! - doctor? He’s simply an incision above the rest.

The genius of this hero is that he has flaws, like all human beings. Unlike other mere mortals, however, these imperfections inspire and support those around him. Let’s take the infamous towel incident. During an attention lapse, Burke leaves it inside a patient. Years later, he’s man enough - yes, MAN enough - to admit his mistake, saving Meredith’s job in the process.

A robot sets no such example. It doesn’t know when to speak up versus when to hold its tongue. Folks, it doesn’t even have a tongue. Moreover, it would dismiss Cristina as an evil woman, a paradigm of selfish human behavior. Not Burke. He saw beneath that scowling, competitive veneer and into the heart of passionate, caring mate, one that adores Chinese food.

The cynicism of this question sickens me. Is our faith in human nature so distorted by perverse examples, such as Saddam Hussein and Terrell Owens, that we automatically question whether blood runs through the veins of our true homo sapien role models? Just because someone can master trumpet playing, pancake cooking, life saving and love making doesn’t make him a different species. It just makes him special.

To dismiss the notion of Dr. Burke as a human being is an enema to the face of mankind. What’s next? Are other archetypes of awesomeness written off, as well? Is Tiger Woods a cyborg? George Clooney an alien? We need to draw a line and acknowledge those mortals that are simply superior to everyone else. Let Dr. Burke do it with his steady hand. But hurry up. He has to set out on his morning jog soon.

– McCritic

NO

The man (if you accept him as such) never cracks under pressure.

No one dies on Preston Burke’s watch. Ever. He’s like 843-0 in the cardio-thoracic surgeon league. In the O.R., he is as calm and collected as he is talented. If scientists could clone Dr. Burke, all hospitals in the United States would become obsolete. This may happen before too long, but we’ll get to that a little later. What I am driving at is one simple fact:

Humans have flaws. Dr. Burke does not.

Stellar surgical skills aside, have you ever seen Dr. Burke cross the line? Treat anyone with less than the utmost respect? Fail to lend a hand to a friend or colleague in need? Lose his temper? A human being could not function this way in an environment such as Seattle Grace, much less tolerate Cristina Yang in his home. There are good people in this world, and then there is Dr. Burke.

Just look at his counterparts. Derek Shepherd is caring and brilliant. Yet he neglected his wife, then lied to and wronged an innocent intern. Their boss, Dr. Webber? Also an upstanding individual… and one who broke up another woman’s marriage. Meredith Grey? She just wants to love and be loved. No one would call her a bad person, but look what she did to poor George.

There is also the question of Preston’s energy level. In addition to the rigorous work schedule required of an elite surgeon, he somehow finds time for his many outside interests. We’re not talking crosswords, either. Dr. Burke is a gourmet chef, a jogger, and a freaking trumpet player. Ah, yes. The things mere mortals would be able to accomplish if we did not require sleep.

Which he doesn’t. You see, Dr. Burke is a cyborg.

There is no other explanation for this perfection, only the question of who is behind it. Cross the U.S. government off the list, for it would only use such an ability for war. Perhaps an independent group of geneticists from around the world created him in a top-secret lab. Or something even more unthinkable. Could Dr. Burke’s restaurant-owning mother in Alabama have been a virgin?

He is a healer, after all. Think about it.

– iheartizzie