GET TO KNOW

She divorced McDreamy, broke up with McSteamy and traded sunless Seattle for Southern California rays in Private Practice.

If only our own troubles were as easily solved—by a television spin-off. In this case, Dr. Addison  Montgomery (Kate Walsh) spun from Grey’s Anatomy into the world of Private Practice. Oceanside Wellness Center in Santa Monica, California, is filled with so many hookups, breakups, make-ups and moral dilemmas, it’s enough to give anyone a migraine—except that the issues are so darn juicy and the characters are simply smokin’ hot. Just think high school, but with lab coats, swanky offices and a bit more baggage.

The doctors at Oceanside are constantly dancing on the edge ethical decency, and split-second decisions over tough patient cases are only half of the moral equation: It’s dealing with a coworker the day after you’ve made out, cut the cord or cheated that adds to the ever-present office tension.

At Oceanside, Addison has reunited with her friends from med school, doctors Naomi (Audra McDonald) and Sam Bennett (Taye Diggs), joining them at their chic new age co-op. Walk in to Oceanside with, say, a scorching case of the hiccups, and your treatment could range anywhere from acupuncture needles to full blown therapy sessions. Here’s the breakdown: Health guru Dr. ‘Feel Good’ Sam Bennett is the man with the dietary plan. Eastern Medicine specialist Dr. Pete Wilder (Tim Daly) takes a holistic approach. In-house shrink Dr. Violet Turner (Amy Brenneman) will get to the root of your problem—that is, if it’s all in your head. Mix in fertility specialist Naomi Bennett, renowned surgeon and OB/GYN Addison and pediatrician Dr. Cooper Freedman (Paul Adelstein)—and you’ve got a full service practice with built-in contradictions!