TUESDAYS 10|9c
Season 5
PRIVATE PRACTICE - "Drifting Back" - When a patient's partner and father are heatedly divided on his health care, Pete makes a decision that impacts everyone, including himself; meanwhile, Jake offers strength and experience to Amelia when he suspects she's being tempted to substance abuse, Sheldon and Violet treat a family concerned about the father's new sexual appetite, and as baby Henry draws Addison and Sam closer, they struggle to define their relationship, on "Private Practice", TUESDAY, MAY 8 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/RANDY HOLMES)AMY BRENNEMAN, TIM DALY
Drifting Back
Season 5 | Episode 21 | Aired 05/8/12

Pete and Sam treat Troy, a man in heart failure who had told his partner, Roger, he didn't want to be kept alive by machines. Too bad the man's bigoted, headstrong father has the final say on such matters. He wants his son to be kept alive by any means necessary. Roger knows that Troy wouldn't want what's happening to him. He pleads his case to Pete, who legally can't do anything to help. That's why he secretly lets Roger say one final goodbye to his partner before taking Troy off the ventilator.

Violet wants to sell her house. Pete's cool with that. Actually, he's icy. At least, that would describe his distant demeanor anytime his wife tries to initiate a conversation. That's not going stop Violet from fighting for him and her family. She states this in a fairly eloquent rant to Cooper. Violet makes yet another attempt to talk to Pete. Their conversation is interrupted by Charlotte, who is livid that Pete took a patient off life support without consent. A few moments later, the police step into the room to place Pete under arrest for murder.

Episode Photos See all
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "Drifting Back" - When a patient's partner and father are heatedly divided on his health care, Pete makes a decision that impacts everyone, including himself; meanwhile, Jake offers strength and experience to Amelia when he suspects she's being tempted to substance abuse, Sheldon and Violet treat a family concerned about the father's new sexual appetite, and as baby Henry draws Addison and Sam closer, they struggle to define their relationship, on "Private Practice", TUESDAY, MAY 8 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/KAREN NEAL) CATERINA SCORSONE, BRIAN BENBEN, JEANNOT SZWARC (DIRECTOR)
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "Drifting Back" - When a patient's partner and father are heatedly divided on his health care, Pete makes a decision that impacts everyone, including himself; meanwhile, Jake offers strength and experience to Amelia when he suspects she's being tempted to substance abuse, Sheldon and Violet treat a family concerned about the father's new sexual appetite, and as baby Henry draws Addison and Sam closer, they struggle to define their relationship, on "Private Practice", TUESDAY, MAY 8 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/KAREN NEAL) BRIAN BENBEN
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "Drifting Back" - When a patient's partner and father are heatedly divided on his health care, Pete makes a decision that impacts everyone, including himself; meanwhile, Jake offers strength and experience to Amelia when he suspects she's being tempted to substance abuse, Sheldon and Violet treat a family concerned about the father's new sexual appetite, and as baby Henry draws Addison and Sam closer, they struggle to define their relationship, on "Private Practice", TUESDAY, MAY 8 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/KAREN NEAL) DAVID FURR, ANNE DUDEK, BRIAN BENBEN, JEANNOT SZWARC (DIRECTOR)
  • PRIVATE PRACTICE - "Drifting Back" - When a patient's partner and father are heatedly divided on his health care, Pete makes a decision that impacts everyone, including himself; meanwhile, Jake offers strength and experience to Amelia when he suspects she's being tempted to substance abuse, Sheldon and Violet treat a family concerned about the father's new sexual appetite, and as baby Henry draws Addison and Sam closer, they struggle to define their relationship, on "Private Practice", TUESDAY, MAY 8 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/KAREN NEAL) CATERINA SCORSONE, JEANNOT SZWARC (DIRECTOR)