I agree, am also glad they did "the jump", that last episode was so HARD to watch, doing things this way made it lighter again, though still difficult for the characters.
I also liked this opener. The only thing bugging me is that every time Derek has a problem, he deals with it in the same crazy way. I hope he doesn't take the same route again this time. And, yes, Meredith is probably not ready for surgery yet, but neither are any of the other crazies!!!