Naomi Bennett

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Naomi Bennett
In Which We Say Goodbye" 6x13 (as guest)
Created byShonda Rhimes
Portrayed byMerrin Dungey (backdoor pilot)
Audra McDonald
In-universe information
NicknameNai
TitleDirector at Pacific Wellcare Center (former)
Director at Oceanside Wellness Group (former)
M.D.
F.A.C.O.G.
OccupationPhysician at Pacific Wellcare Center (former)
Physician at Oceanside Wellness Group (former)
FamilyPhilmore "Dink" Davis (son-in-law via Maya)
Olivia Davis (grand-daughter via Maya)
SpouseSam Bennett
(remarried)
Significant other
William White (deceased)
Dr. Gabriel Fife (ex-fiancé)
ChildrenMaya Davis (née Bennett; daughter with Sam)
Betsey Parker (adoptive daughter)
Unnamed child (with Sam)

Dr. Naomi Bennett is a fictional character on the

fourth season
but returned for the series finale.

Storylines

Naomi is a founding partner of the Oceanside Wellness Center in

gynecology. She attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.[1] She works alongside her ex-husband Sam (Taye Diggs), from who she divorced prior to the beginning of the series. Together they have a teenage daughter named Maya (Geffri Maya Hightower), whose godmother is Naomi's best friend from medical school, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh
). Naomi offers Addison a position at the Oceanside Wellness Group, which she accepts, prompting her move to Los Angeles.

Initially, Naomi's relationship with Sam is relatively amicable but often strained. The reasons for their divorce are unclear, with Sam saying he was "unhappy" but that he had "no good reason" for asking for a divorce and Naomi seemingly resentful of this. However, the two have sex after Sam is involved in a hostage situation. Naomi later calls this incident a "slip-up," but the two end up having sex again.

The office receptionist Dell has a crush on Naomi, showing it by getting her coffee, bringing her home-baked chocolate cake, and frequently complimenting her. Naomi doesn't take his crush too seriously, calling him a "child". Both Sam and Dell ultimately tell Naomi their intentions to fight for her, leaving Naomi confused about her own emotions. Dell's romantic interest in Naomi is not addressed following the Season 1 finale.

The practice's extreme financial troubles due to Naomi's mismanagement eventually emerges. Naomi reveals to Addison that they are in danger of losing the practice because of their debt. However, Naomi's inaction on the matter leads Addison to reveal the practice's financial distress to Sam. Naomi is extremely upset by what she sees as Addison's betrayal of trust. Addison and Sam launch a takeover of the practice, ultimately leaving Addison in charge. Despite their conflict over the practice, Naomi and Sam continue to have a sexual relationship. Once their daughter Maya learns of their rekindled relationship, Naomi and Sam decide to end their relationship for good. Eventually, Naomi is able to forgive Addison for her betrayal, and Naomi takes the lapse in her administrative control of the practice as an opportunity to focus on her work. For a short time, she dates Addison's brother, Archer Montgomery (Grant Show).

Naomi and Sam's teenage daughter Maya discloses that she is pregnant. Naomi is unable to deal with her daughter's unexpected pregnancy and walks out on her daughter, leaving Sam to deal with it. Later, Naomi returns and gets upset with Maya, going as far as to slap her, when she refuses to have an abortion. Violet and Addison are worried about Naomi, as she has previously been firmly against abortion, but Maya finally agrees to termination. When Addison is about to perform the abortion, however, Maya changes her mind, further upsetting Naomi. When Maya and her boyfriend Dink get engaged, Naomi remains removed from the wedding planning process.

The owner of Pacific Wellcare Center William White (

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
, which he does not disclose to Naomi. When Fife tells Naomi about William's ALS diagnosis, she leaves for Switzerland to be with him. As his condition rapidly declines, William returns to Los Angeles to see his daughter one last time before his death.

Following William's death, Naomi inherits significant money from him. She decides to merge Oceanside Wellness Group and Pacific Wellcare Center and begins traveling as part of her work with the William White Foundation. Fife continues to romantically pursue her. During a heated argument with Sam, Addison, and Fife, Naomi states that the practice is not the same as when she started it and that she doesn't want to stay a part of it anymore, shocking them. When Betsey's foster parents abandon her at the hospital, Naomi decides to adopt her. Fife proposes to Naomi, and Fife, Naomi, and Betsey decide to move to New York City so they can be close to Maya, who was recently accepted into Columbia University. Season 4 is Naomi's final season as a series regular in the show.

Naomi returns for Addison's wedding in the Season 6 finale "In Which We Say Goodbye," where she has sex with Sam. Naomi returns pregnant with Sam's baby for an ultrasound with Addison. Naomi reveals that she and Fife have separated, but Naomi is hesitant to tell Sam about the pregnancy, as she believes Sam doesn't want another child. Naomi returns to New York without telling Sam about the pregnancy. Addison doesn't reveal Naomi's pregnancy, but tells Sam that Naomi still loves him. Sam travels to New York and professes his love for her, and finds out about the pregnancy.

Development

Naomi was created by

backdoor pilot episode "The Other Side of This Life", but was replaced by Audra McDonald prior to the show's first season.[3] Rhimes explained that the production team "wanted to put an edge on Naomi that we could define more clearly." McDonald assessed that Dungey's dismissal was hard as a result of its having been so public, but commented that she herself had once been similarly replaced, having played Bill Cosby's daughter in the pilot episode of Cosby, only to be replaced thereafter.[4]

Reception

Discussing the first episode of the show following the pilot,

A Family Thing", observing: "Toward the end of the episode, there is a brief scene in which she, beleaguered and on her last leg, utterly melts into Sam. In those 15 seconds, McDonald's genius as an actress is clear, communicating with just a few facial movements and shading of the eyes a world of hurt and letdown. [...] And later in the episode, when she thinks things are falling back into place, her soft, knowing, warm smile is one of the show's greatest victories, even though it comes just before everything goes wrong once again."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Dr. Naomi Bennett". ABC.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  2. Gannett Company
    . April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  3. ^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (June 29, 2007). "Private Practice' Recast: Merrin Dungey out, Audra McDonald in, on the 'Grey's Anatomy' spinoff". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  4. Gannett Company
    . Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  5. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original
    on March 4, 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  6. Reed Business Information
    . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  7. ^ a b c Caramancia, Jon (September 28, 2008). "Private Practice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-07-22.

External links

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