From Mimi Schmir, writer of "Let it Be"

Episode Airdate: 11/13/05

So I was at this party on Saturday night. Nothing fancy, house in the Hills, friend turning …gasp…forty. And this dude comes up to me and says how much he loves the show (which is cool…I mean, how often does that happen) and then he tells me it’s moving and funny and sexy and topical (all good, I’m thinking) but he’s wondering…(okay, here it comes, I’m sure)…he’s wondering if sometimes we’re a little…”wacky.”

Hmm. “Wacky,” I think.  (And where’s that pomegranite martini I left on the picnic table, I’m thinking about that too. That, and the fact that men in velvet jackets are apparently “in” again…what’s up with THAT?) So I’m mulling over my episode and I’m thinking, not so wacky. Woman with a cancer gene that could seal her fate in a moment. Old couple who are destined to be together forever…through life and death. Guy who has a heart attack at just the right time.

Man who tries to commit suicide and whose life is saved…by a pigeon.

Okay. First of all, the pigeon story is real. Kind of. It’s loosely based on something we heard about a man who fell out of a window and landed on a rat. Somehow, through a strange combination of luck and physics and…fate…the rat saved his life. True story. We like to believe.

Because what we’re really talking about here is fate. What fate has in store for us and how we can take fate into our own hands. You know what I’m talking about. It’s that boy you knew in high school who you walked away from but secretly still love. It’s that friend you fought with who you still think about all the time. It’s the job you didn’t take, or did. It’s the road less traveled, the opportunity won or lost. It’s what you were born with or without or walked away from or towards. It’s the choice you did or didn’t make – to go to that party, pick up that phone, tell that person you love them, take that shot in the dark. It’s about talking your life in your own hands. About whether we even have the choice and chance to do that.

So. If you had the opportunity to test for a gene that could tell you you might die, would you do it? And if you took the test, then what? Would you do surgery that could change your body forever, but save your life at the same time? If the parts of your body that needed to be removed were what defined you sexually as a man or a woman…how would you react? (And really, what defines us as men and women?) What would you do? What would society expect you to do?

Not easy questions, right? (You want that martini now, huh? Either that or the Lemon Drop. Or tequila, if you’re Meredith Grey.) And this wasn’t an easy episode to write. Many people had many opinions. Which happens. And some of it was based on medicine, and some on emotion and some on personal experience. At the end of the day, raising a controversial issue on a television show can be a weighty thing. Because there is responsibility involved. The fact that millions of people are watching is something that you forget…and then suddenly remember. But the fate of it…how you deal with determining your own fate…or not…that’s what we were thinking here. The rest of it, that’s for the audience to take as it will.

Fate. It’s part of our lives. Marfan dude’s fate was sealed by the fact that he collapsed in front of Burke and Cristina on their date. Esme and Jed took each other’s hands and walked towards Venice and that gondola.  They are fated to be together for eternity. Meredith and McDreamy want to inhale each other, to inhabit each other.  But are they fated to be together? We’re not telling…

We’re talking about fate here. Which is complicated and poignant and scary and funny all at the same time.  That’s what this episode is really about. It’s about self-determination and chance, about how true love transcends time and even life itself. It’s about how fate and love are often one and the same.

So, here’s the thing, party dude. (And, by the way, he wasn’t the one in the velvet jacket. Even though he did have a pomegranite martini in his hand.) Maybe we are a little wacky sometimes. Life can be wacky. And fate…fate is the wackiest thing of all.

Comments

[Erin]

They better end up together! But seriously, I love love LOVE the writing on this show. I have not been this excited about a show since that "other" fabulous show on that three -lettered-cable network ended it's 6 year run. I finally have something else to watch on Sunday nights! This show better be around for 5 more years - at least!

[Dan]

I love the show. I love the characters, I love the comedy, I love the medicine, I love trying to figure out what's going to happen, I love that feeling at the end of every show that everything tied together to form a single, coherent, universal message.

So, call me a loser for checking twice a day starting Sunday night for the updated writer's blog. I just love knowing where these ideas come from, and how the writers themselves thought of the themes they write into the plot.

(Also: I don't want Meredith and Derek together. Go George! But not too fast... that'd take the fun out of it.)

[bethp]

You just dont know how many forum pages was wasted on that Hello Kitty band aid on Meredith's forehead.You see how powerful your show is? More power and thank you for bringing Grey's Anatomy on television.

[MJ]

Ok. I'm trying to be open about the whole Addison thing. But why in the world must she be so smug when ever Meredith is around. Oh and what's up with Derek and Meredith in the elevator...he was all sniffing her and what was suppose to be I want you so bad looked more like whoa thats that smell...but I still want you. lol.

[Carole]

My girlfriends and I live in D.C. and are hooked on the show BUT if this bs continues with Meredith and McDreamy we have sworn to give it up. No man would stay with a woman who slept with his best friend no matter how committed he was, especilly when he has a Meredith waiting for him. Come on its time to give up the charade. It has startd to taint the whole show. We hate it. Get them back together and egt on with it.

[Betty]

I did not care for this episode. I think what made this show so popular was that is was fun, sexy and lighthearted. It was escapism at its best. That has been missing this season. Reading your comments gave me a better understanding of what you were trying to convey. It just didn't work for me

[Kendel]

I think that is the most beautiful blog I have ever read. I LOVE this show. Everything that happens has about 15 meanings which means me and my frjends have to obsess about it all week (ok it's mostly me doing the obsessing).

And just for the record, we like Addison and Derek together better. and we are suddenly feeling that Meredith and George need to be together, or Meredith and the tall lanky nurse (he's cute).

[Liz]

I love this concept; in an English course I am taking this topic has been discussed numerous times, and always fascinates me.
Oh, and I love George.

[Grey]

Please put Meredith and Derek back together!!! SOON!!!!

[no name]

I LOVE this show.. ever sunday i just wait tell it comes on! GET MERIDETH AND DERK TOGTHER!

[marrissa]

i absolutely love this show, nothing could ruin it, except mereidth not with mcdreamy, i mean come on. or it might just be that i think all girls should get the guy, and addison is the devil. thought the girl who plays her is amazing. and i love the writing, all the writers should have a huge party for being so great, then they shopuld write at least 2 more years of episodes.

[Ashley]

I love this show; you writers are amazing! Just wanted to thank you for letting me apply my newfound Genetics class knowledge: I called Marfan's guy! My brother now thinks I'm a nutcase, but when they showed his hand and said he was at least 6'4" I started screaming, "It's an aortic dissection!! Get him on the table!!". So, thanks again for making me look smart! lol

[Leslie]

I Love this show. All the writing is amazing I have never had a show pull me in so many ways. Keep it up!

[sophia]

I absolutely love this show! I look forward to sunday every week. I WANT MERIDETH AND MCDREAMY BACK TOGETHER. I like Addison but not with him. Its just not there for them anymore. He cant even stand to touch her. I understand he is trying to do the right thing but come on, please dont leave him with her. Great show! Please dont get rid of it. EVER!!!!!!

[A fan]

It is obvious you love all this arguing, and taking advantage of the fact that most women are in love with love. We all want to see Dereck and Meredith together, or at least Meredith with somebody (not George, he is like a brother), no I mean somebody hot and rich (obsessed with her, like an exboyfriend or something) to come in the picture. Dereck became to much of a "good" husband this season (should have been thinking of that last season.. Sorry I can't ...smell you , but I sure can sleep with you........) I guess you are just making sure that we get the guy has good moral values and he is a good man .. .. No just cut it off.. we want to see Meredith looking good again.. she is looking pretty bad the last couple of episodes.. we get it..she is suffering.... and on top of that she gets a huge pimple.. come on poor woman, you are being cruel enough with her and she's being doing everything right so far.. and we love her.. she is such a good actress.. Well I am just a fan but a lot of us are kind of disapointed... and honestly... I am not watching the show this weekend............Pretty boring.............Turkey Hunting...............

[Lia]

My friends and I LOVE your show. You have an amazing cast of actors and all of them have come to own their roles. Now I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the interns, attendings, and resident -- they all deserve at least an ensemble award. One major request: although the emphasis is heavily on Meredith and Derek, a LOT of us out here are dying for more scenes between Cristina and Burke -- they are so HOT together!

[Alex]

I live in Australia and our season ends on monday night :( This really is one of the best shows I have ever seen. Keep up the awsome writing. We love it over here.

[David Thomas]

I'm a huge fan of your show. You guys rock. Your writing is excellent and inspirational. Any tips/advice for young writers like myself?

btvsbt@yahoo.com

[Erin]

I think this show is wonderful! The cast, the writing, and the storylines, are just perfect:)

[Grace]

Are you kidding me? Getting Meredith and Derek together will get rid of all the sexual tension between them. It's the forbidden love, the wanting what you can't have that keeps us viewers watching. They will become as boring as Rachel and Ross if they do get together. Good writing. I loved the elevator scene. Meredith now knows that Derek wants her desperately...that will keep the interactions between them interesting for a long time.

[Coco]

LOVE the sexual tension between Derek and Meredith! Addison kinda grows on you but hopefully, Derek will get free from her. Would be pretty interesting to see Derek juggle both women even though he doesn't want Addison. Izzy and Alex possible romance is interesting, too! Keep up the good writing!

[Ali]

The writing on this show is absolutely fantastic. I find myself quoting from this show more often than I'd care to admit. The color salmon never fails to make me giggle, now--and I'll never look at a pigeon the same way again!

Also, I've gotta say I love Cristina and Bailey's "one-liners." They never fail to disappoint. I think it might be interesting to give Cristina and Addison a little verbal exchange. Somehow, I think Cristina would come out on top--she's got quite a sharp tongue.

Lastly--great job with the Meredith/Derek tension. Needless to say, after the "Let It Be" elevator scene, I screamed at my TV. That being said, I can't wait for Sunday's episode.

Any thoughts/plans on bringing Mark to Seattle Grace?

[Vicky]

Great job guys! Please guys, whatever you do, keep george and meredith apart! they just don't work for me as a couple. And please have McDreamy apologize to meredith for stringing her along like this. He obviously never intended to divorce Addison (or he would have filed for a divorce himself)So he should have kept his royal cuteness and sweet talk to himself!

[Kristina]

Absolutely, the best shows in years. Fast paced throughout the whole episode every week! Continuous story lines abound from all the talented characters. Never a boring moment. Intriging, dramatic, runs the gammet of the proverbial emotional roller coaster.

The chemistry Derek and Meredith have had from day one has been what Dirty Dancing did for us back then. The pursuit of true love...Derek searching for someone he can trust and love....Meredith opening herself up to risk letting someone in her heart. What could be better!!!

Totally wrong approach on bringing in Addison...I say have Addison cheat on him again....and let Derek be done with her. Or better yet, if the unkind fates, see Addison meeting her early demise in a car accident and dying...who will console Derek. Or how about, heaven forbid something medical should happen to Meredith...and Dr. McDreamy would be forced to fess up his true feelings and wants to be with Meredith...alas should Addison overhear his professions of love to Meredith. That would get those walking papers pretty quick!

Lets face it...these actors are all a tremendous lift in chemistry..however, the meat of the show is Meredith and Derek...get it back where it belongs..

Im sure you writers can create enough emotional drama to keep viewers happy...dont want us to tune out do you???!!

[Jen]

Love the show-- and I hope they end up together. Just because Derek's wife moved back to Seattle doesn't mean it will work out. Does it? :)