The Seattle Safari?

It's episode 5x13, you're Meredith Grey. You exit the prison facility with swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks, the gate slams shut behind you and across the street you spy the love of your life. Derek Shepherd embodies perfection. His hair is pushed back away from his beautiful blue eyes, which crinkle at the corners as he smiles at you reassuringly. He may not understand you, you say, but you wanted to show compassion.

It's sweet, it really is, Mer. Emmy Worthy. But for me, the scene was completely and utterly distracting. Why?

Derek Shepherd's massive vehicle. And no, that is not porny in the least.

For those of you who watch the show regularly, you know that Derek Shepherd is a man's man. He loves fishing, living in a trailer in the woods, chopping down trees and dressing in flannel. Okay, well maybe he doesn't chop down trees but let us feed the lumberjack fantasy! He is so manly and into the outdoors that he even owns a Safari Jeep. Before we go into the details, let's travel back in time to season 3, episode 7- Where The Boys Are.


It is completely and understandable to own a Jeep in Seattle, Washington. You live in the mountains, the terrain is rough, and it rains. Well, yes, you may need a large vehicle for such conditions. But I wasn't aware that living in Seattle gave you the right to a vehicle suited for the rugged terrain of an African Safari.

But then you need to ask yourself the who, what, when, where, and why? It isn't as if you just show up at your local car dealership to find a car like that. It is aged. So definitely through a collector of fine cars. But I still have further questions. For instance, did Derek buy this car when he was living in New York? Because I don't see anyone driving that down the streets of Manhattan, despite it's jungle like qualities, or parking it outside their million dollar brownstone. So I'm assuming it was a Seattle purchase. But what interest do you have in a car like that when you're living in a city? When you're living in a town free of wildlife.

It's not like you drive down the street, 'Oh, hey if you look out the window to the right you'll see the Space Needle... and to the left? A wild pack of hyenas devouring a young gazelle.'

So D-Rack, why the crazy wheels? Do they suit your uber crazy lifestyle? Do you drive across the wilderness and hunt lion in your spare time? I see no practical use for such a car. If they were trying to add to his outdoors-y appeal, why not just provide the man with a simple 4x4 of some assortment? An SUV would do. But this is taking it too far. It takes him from Derek Shepherd; fisherman to Derek Shepherd: Crocodile Hunter.

They always say don't sweat the small stuff, but I can't help but be distracted by such a out of place car. I wonder if Meredith has ever questioned his choice in automobile. Maybe they use it in some sort of roleplay, something with Jumanji. Maybe he dresses up as that creepy guy with the long mustache and chases her around the house. I mean, some people are into some freaky shit. There is no practical use for the car. Unless there is a Safari somewhere in the North Western United States. In which case, I will feel like a colossal idiot.

Safari in Seattle anyone?




[oh hey elephant]