From Krista Vernoff, writer of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"

Episode Airdate: 12/11/05

So here’s a funny thing: we were never going to do a “Holiday episode” of Grey’s Anatomy. Shonda, in particular, (though many of us agree) is not a big fan of Santa Claus in the E.R. and elves in the operating room and the kinds of things you most often see on medical show holiday episodes. So, the mandate was: we can have a tree, we can acknowledge the holiday, but we’re not doing a “holiday episode.”  And then Harry and Gab walked into the writer’s room and pitched this:  “A cranky, angry little boy needs a heart transplant because his heart is TWO SIZES TWO SMALL.”   

Come on. That’s brilliant. The Grinch boy? How do you not make a holiday episode now?  So that’s how this episode was born. We all sat around the writers’ room and watched the old animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (one of my favorite days at work yet) and talked about all the ways we could work subtle references to the Grinch into the episode.   Now, if you watched? You may have noticed that the whole “heart too sizes too small” thing fell out – and that the little boy who played Justin was not at all Grinch-like (he was, in my humble estimation, maybe the sweetest kid in the history of the world.)  Which is frankly, part of why the Grinch thing fell away – because we cast this kid – and he had these amazing eyes, and this amazing presence but when he said of Santa Claus “Tell the fat-ass to give it someone else, I don’t want it” – it still somehow managed to be sweet.  Add that to the fact that we were having trouble making the medicine work, and the whole original inspiration for the episode was gone. (Though you may have noticed a Cindy-Lou Who quality to Izzie’s enthusiasm in the opening scene, and a Grinch-like quality to Cristina’s stealing the Christmas tree from Justin’s room.)

I don’t know why I’m telling you all this… Maybe because I’m so often asked “How do you guys come up with this stuff?”   The answer is, we come up with it in a largely convoluted, fabulously meandering, highly collaborative way where bad ideas lead to good ones and good ideas lead to other ones and nothing is set in stone until about a week before you see it on TV. Which is why I love working in TV. 

Okay….so…after the way you brutalized Mark last week for the leech stuff (which I personally found fascinating), I know what it is y’all want to hear about – and it isn’t Grinch boy…

Yep, Derek told Addison he fell in love with Meredith.  Brutal, right? I know.  It felt brutal when I wrote it – actually made me feel a little nauseated (which is when you know it’s going well) because my God, do I love my husband and I cannot even begin to imagine hearing something like that from him.  Then again, I can’t imagine SLEEPING WITH HIS BEST FRIEND. And here’s the thing – I think that Derek coming clean to Addie could be the very best thing to bring about a healing of their marriage, because I don’t think a marriage can survive without honesty.  When we decided to get married, my husband and I made a deal that if we ever found ourselves with a crush on someone else– not a “hey, that guy/girl’s hot” crush, but a “I can’t get my mind off that guy/girl” crush, we would come home and tell on ourselves and go immediately into couples counseling. Because crushes like that don’t happen for no reason – they happen because something else in the marriage is seriously amiss.   And Addison didn’t sleep with Mark for no reason, she did it because something in the marriage was seriously amiss. And Derek didn’t turn around and get on a plane to Seattle and fall in love with someone else for no reason – he did it because the marriage was in bad shape WAY before he walked into that bedroom. So – yeah, I think his confession here is the most mature and potentially healing thing that either of them has done for a long time.  That said, I also think it could ultimately end them.  Because, seriously, how do you recover from that kind of information?

Man, relationships are complicated…

Anyway, here’s some things I loved watching last night’s episode: I loved the runner with the interns helping Alex study, culminating in Izzie having to embrace the true spirit of Christmas. I loved it because as snarky as they are, as cranky as they are, as exhausted as they are and as harsh as they can be, they are a family, these interns.  And when push comes to shove, they show up for each other -- because in the best of all worlds, that’s what family does.   

I also loved that Justin decided to live in the end and that when he did, his health took a turn for the better. I loved that while Cristina wasn’t interested in coming around to Burke’s spirituality, she was desperate to save Justin’s life.  And she was the right person to do it, because ultimately, she and Justin shared a belief-system, so she was the one who could say what he needed to hear. Which is another kind of family, isn’t it? It’s the “Tribe” thing I referenced in the end -- Cristina and Justin are in one another’s tribe.  Whether or not the same can be said of Burke and Cristina remains to be seen, because as relationships go, I think Cristina was right – it’s easy to differ in terms of cleanliness or age or experience and still have a relationship – but to differ on fundamental philosophical/spiritual beliefs is much, much harder.   I’m not saying they can’t overcome it, I’m just saying that when Cristina asked “What are we doing? I don’t know what we’re doing…” that was rooted in a real and valid fear. 

Finally, I loved, loved, loved watching Bailey have to deal with her growing family during one hellish day in the O.R.  I loved it because there isn’t a career-woman I know who doesn’t struggle with how and when to have kids: how do I be the kind of surgeon (writer, ad-executive, architect…) I want to be and have kids? How do I be the kind of Mom I want to be and have a career?  Bailey’s struggle is just beginning, but I just loved that she’s already communicating with her child in a way that makes me know she’s gonna be an amazing Mom. 

So I guess that’s it for now, except, well: Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas… May you find joy in some version of family this season – even if your own is making you a little nuts.   

Wishing Peace and Joy to You and Yours,

Krista

Comments

[Kelly]

We don't want an Addison/Derek reunion!! We want them to end and Mer/Der to begin again!!!

That said, this episode was awesome! A little nosier than most, but so much fun to watch them all try to help Alex and see Burke and Christina trying to work through more of their relationship. My favorite part was obviously the end when Derek finally told Addison the truth!!! Can she get on that plane now?

[laura]

hm. so they are not going to be any new episodes on? i loved that he came clean to addie. but i think that mer. and derek should be together. his face lights up whenever he is around her. and you can see it in his eyes. by the way. GREAT WRITING XD

[Nicole]

Honestly? Don't see how you're gonna make the whole Dr. McDreamy/Addy thing work...so using that as open/honesty in a healing of their marriage. No thanks. I don't think Addy, atleast the way Kate portrays her, would EVER want to be with a man who wasn't in lov with her. Der is still in live with Mer. GREY'S Anatomy...Meridenth Grey...ring a bell. Weren't Merideth GREY and Derek Shepherd set UP to the show's focal couple. Come on. They're meant to be one of those "you and I collide" things. And by collide I mean meant to be, made to be..

[MaryS]

I only set the DVR for one show every week and that is GA. I absolutely love it and have to say that last night's episode was one of the best ever. In fact, I plan to watch it again tonight.

As much as I love the actor's portrayals of their characters, it is obvious that the writers are what makes this show. The dialogue is fantastic and I often rewind to make sure I caught a particular point (that and the fact that the music sometimes overrides the dialogue)

Some moments I particularly enjoyed:
*Bailey letting Meredith skip surgery to go help Alex study
*All of the interns passing the torch, helping him. When Izzy came in and screamed "Because it is is WHAT JESUS WOULD DO!", I almost fell off the couch, laughing.
* When Christina came back to Burke's apt and there was both the Christmas tree and the Menorah...very touching.
*When Christina was frank about her beliefs to the little boy that had the heart transplant and he responded to her honesty.
*Derek telling his wife that Mer was not a fling, that he fell in love with her...I felt that one right in the gut!
*George telling off the family of the woman with the bleeding ulcers. It was great to see him step out of character like that and with Bailey's encouragement.
=================
Last week's show with the interns watching over the preemies was very good and this one even better. The show before that, where the preemies were in utero, I found kinda boring and draggy so these last two are a return to form for sure!

Thanks for a very enjoyable hour.

[Lisa]

I agree with almost everyone else merideth and Derek belong together. They both need each other!! You can so tell when they walk by each other they just want to be together. This show is so awesome I haven't missed one episode! But I do have one question is there going to be a first season D.V.D released? I have got to have it! Can't wait till the next show! hopefull addison will give up, and merideth and derek can be together!

[Carla]

I am hopelessly addicted to this show, and have to say that the writing, acting and music selection, as well as the rest of the cast/crew are the best on television! Everything flows and blends so perfectly! I also have to say that the last scene of this episode, under the tree, watching the lights was priceless to me. I used to do that when I was small....

[Betty Lou]

DISTRAUGHT IN DETROIT - We missed the 12/11 eipisode because of the darn Lions. It was on at midnight following the game but who knew!

[Cheryl Parks]

Hi Krista,
I LOVED the show, okay, I am a fan, and I don't think there is a show I haven't loved because I can relate to it. I remember telling the twins 'you can't come yet, it is too early' and they listened, they put me on bed rest for 2 months but they were the second biggest set of twins on the floor. There was a case where the lady was so big she didn't know she was having twins and the doctors didn't know it either until the other one crowned instead of the placenta (run with it).
Anyway, I think you all are doing a great job with the show and you are right about Burke and Christina, when belief systems are different there are some major problems in the foundation of the relationship. Burke loves Christina and her mental well being and helplessness is going to concern him. She is lucky to have found that and to realize that believing in something helps you do the job better will help her become a better doctor but I am not sure if it is enough to help her and Burke survive. I really like them together, almost as much as I liked Derek and Meredith.
I wanted him to pick her so badly I cried for her when he didn't. I cried when her mother told her in the faux sense of clarity that he (the chief not Derek) would never leave his wife. But as my friend tells me on the regular: what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I think she is better off without him but I am not sure if she is ready to move on. I think she is healing better than when she was having sex with everyone that was not a doctor. What if one of the many men she slept with come up with AIDS or some other sexually transmitted disease? Choices and consequences. Speaking of which, when do we get to see Mark? He should surface in the next few seasons or so, how about one Valentines Day (smile)?
I like that the tribe is forming and circling the wagons the dirty uncle joke was good and disturbingly true, every family has one. And Izzie Lou and gang looking up the tree at the lights, I thought I was the only one that did that.

Have a Happy, a Merry and all that jazz!
Cheryl

[Baylink]

WWJFD?

Well, what he'd *get* would be conditioned a lot by what he *expected*, which was one of this episode's running themes.

Another theme I spotted running over the river and through the woods was that spankings are usually merely tactical; over-reacting to them... not so good.

I *also* noticed, having watched Ellen get Punk'd this week, that that old-New-York-lady accent... is strangely close to how she actually talks.

And you got to say "vibrator" *and* "vagina" in one week. Isn't it fun to be highly-enough rated that S&P gives you a walk? And "I can't hear you... when his hand is on your boob"? Classic, classic stuff. The music of dialogue.

More fun from Izzie. :-) Thanks. (I had as much fun watching her have fun as she was having having it, I think. -- Second parenthetical: that interview I was talking about a couple episodes back, wherein Katherine was laying the groundwork for Izzie being so convincing in telling us how she's on-fire hot in bed? FHM. Not Maxim. Sorry. November 04, I think.)

I want one...

Now, moving along...

I was very proud of you: the anvils didn't hit me this week until Cristina sidled up to Justin in his room to tell him to live, 40 minutes in. And, BTW: that's the doc I want -- she tells patients to get better, and they do. Which leads us back to "you tend to get what you expect". But did she *really* not get what Burke was trying to intimate to her at the end? (Double-entendre *entirely* intentional...)

I'm liking where Cristina's been going lately; she seems to be slowly learning how to deal with everyone not hating her, a lesson I hope takes on Alex pretty soon, too.

I wasn't sure where the Alex and Izzie scene was going... and I don't think I know yet; one of those things that's too big to let drop -- I hope we revisit that directly in the next episode. But at least Alex was *trying*.

Derek and Meredith, walking away in opposite directions. No 30, there.

Derek and Addison -- and, incidentally, spank the sound recordist and looping editor; that scene was *critical*... and miserable to understand; we had to slow it down 20% on the Myth box to get the dialog -- now it's Addy's turn to step up to the plate. Can she cope?

All in all, for all the raves you got about last week's episode... I think this one was head and shoulders above it. Very possibly the best one I've seen yet; certainly tied with Thanksgiving; and certainly top-5 so far.

Oh, yeah: First Post! (Or, at least, it was last night when I wrote it, well before you guys pulled the trigger on this entry.)

[Brynn]

All of you (writers), I must say, are freakin' brilliant.

"Dirty Uncle Sal" is my favorite part.

[Sarah]

The writing on GA in general and your episode in particular, is, in my opinion, the very best TV has to offer. The plot lines don't always go the way I wold like them to, but I'll keep watching for a long time! That said, I too am truly committed to my marriage and I am so happy and thankful that we have never been tested in this way - BUT, the Derek and Addy thing has gone on long enough. They have now been "together" for more episodes than Derek and Meredith; - and I guess it's a testament to the great writing that the main relationship and thread for me is still Derek and Meredith. I love all the characters, but I watch the show for them. Ellen and Patrick are masterful in portraying these two and they leave me wanting more every Sunday. The sad part is that I used to go to bed feeling goodm abd happy and hopeful, and now I most often go to bed feeling profoundly sad. Please, please use the winter break to do some of your magical brainstorming and bring back the fun, sexy thoughtful (and sometimes not so thoughtful - Chrsitina and Burke are wearing me out!)story lines from Season 1.

However you all go with this - it's still the best thing going! Thanks!!!

[Margaret]

Ok that Add/Der scene killed me! I literally had to pause the TV, go into the other room, and sit in front of a garbage can for a few minutes. My stomach had dropped into a whole other part of my body. I get that honesty was what Derek was going for and he didn't want to hurt her. But OMG the look on her face makes me want to cry. I love Addie, regardless of anyone else's opinion, and never want to see that face again!

[Vicky]

First of all, let me just say: Good job!!!!!! awesome writing men! I can't even imagine how good and proud you must feel to be able to come up with these storylines.... you are the best.
And can I just say that all the actors on the show are incredible (as well as the writers of course!)
The last 15mins of the show was just heart moving and gut wrenching, I felt it everywhere... especially when Derek told Addison that he fell in love with meredith! I couldn't believe it! I loved it soooooo much! I'm so glad the writers decided to have that out there in the open. And I agree with you that he needed to come clean to bring about the healing process... that said, please don't keep us waiting too long for the Mer/Der reunion. we love them and cant wait for them to get back together.
Once again, great job! and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

[Megan]

I absolutely loved this episode and the title is just too cute. I am a huge Meredith and Derek fan and was so happy that Derek finally admitted that he loves (fell in love with...same thing) Meredith . The only part that seems off to me is that, if Derek is in love with Meredith, why isn't he leaving Addison for her. I have undying hope that Meredith and Derek will find their way back to one another.

Before Meredith takes him back, I can safely speak for all Mer/Der fans that we would all love to see him chase and win her back again like in the first season. I particularily liked Derek's witty remarks during his chase of Meredith "Kissing. I'm all for the kissing. More kissing I say." That is just too cute.

Hopefully as the show progresses we will continue to see Meredith and Derek's relationship build. I just adore the way he looks at her and get so excited everytime he does the 'McDreamy Look'(thats what it's called on the message boards)

Thank you for an awesome Sunday night. I can not wait until these three weeks pass for a new episode of Grey's Anatomy.
This is one of the best shows I've seen in years!(and would be better when...not if... Meredith and Derek get back together *wink*wink*)

[Beth]

I loved the show last night. I have replayed Derek talking to Addison a dozen times. Its time for Meredith and Derek to get back together and Addison to fly off on her broom.
The chemistry between Meredith and Derek is just too magnetic to keep apart.

I really loved Christina talking to the boy, relating in such an awesome manner. Everyone has their own spirituality.

"Because that's what Freaking Jesus would do" is my favorite line.

I do find it interesting that Derek has been with Addison in more episode than with Meredith.

I think the show is headed back in the right direction. You were a little off path for awhile.
I am glad you found your way during the Holidays.

Great Job. Can't wait until January.

[Nadia]

You summed up the Derek/Addie scene beautifully. I guess that's why you are a successful writer working on a very hot tv show.

As a married woman (with a marriage twice as long as theirs), I totally agree with Krista that there is something drastically important missing in their marriage. I can't imagine my husband or I saying that (what Derek said to Addison about Meredith) to each other nor can I imagine either of us sleeping with each other's best friend. That is an act of anger and/or betrayal and you just don't decide to do that on a whim unless you are just a complete a**hole which neither of them seems to be.

I deeply respect Derek's brutal honesty.I know I couldn't imagine a future with my husband if I heard those words from his mouth. But that's from my paradigm; other women might see this very differently. But from my vantage point if Addison truly loves him, although she would be angry and hurt at first, she should be true to herself and let him go because ..."if you love someone, let them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were."

It will be interesting to see how this complicated triangle pans out. Think of all the possibilities. Please keep up the awesome writing..it makes fans like me want to tune in every week.

[Robyn]

Okay...so my first post (three episodes ago) I told a white lie. I said I was signing off until Mer & Der are reunited. I could not stay away -- the show is too brilliant. That said, please get Add out of there soon!

The depth of each character is amazing -- seeing you peel their individual layers off, like an onion, is just amazing to watch. Thank you!!!

[TLee]

AWESOME!!!!! Everyone is talking about Add and Der! I was shocked...I didn't think he would tell her that...and personally I loved the look on her face and hope to see it more often. They are just not right together. That being said...no one has commented on the scene where Izzy was crying and using it as a symptom when really she just finally broke down from everything...I was crying. There she was helping Alex and I think he finally got it. I think he finally realizes how much she cared for him and I am anxious to see what he does next (after passing of course thanks to his Grace family). Izzy just let everything out. The look on Alex's face was truely upset and concerned and surprised all at once. It was great. Keep up the awesome work!

[annie]

i loved the episode! a job well done. The addison/derik thing did come as a surprise because i was just getting used to the idea of those two getting together. Great way to end for the holidays, but i am pretty disappointed that there won't be a new episode next week. =[ o wells... a little anticipation's always good right?

[Marie]

Where can I get the last line of the script from this Sunday's show?

[Sarah]

I too loved the Derek/Addie scene at the end. It tore me all up inside because he dropped the bombshell that he's still in love with Meredith AND said he didn't want to leave Addison. I would like to see more of the internal struggle going on in Derek about the two women in his life. I personally think it would be a refreshing change and incredibly romantic to see a couple stick it out through the hard times. I hope that scene was the first baby step towards real honesty in the Addison/Derek relationship.

[Alicia H.]

Ms. Vernoff, first off, I LOVED this episode. It was funny and cranky and lovely and edgy without being too Christmasy and overly sentimental. However, in reading your comments here, I am deeply disappointed in your obvious doubts about Burke and Cristina's future together. I think they are the best of many good things about your show and I can't bear the thought of their very touching relationship potentially coming to an end. They are the most intriguing and interesting couple you have -- they aren't ooey-gooey, sweetsy-cutesy, melodrama every minute like your other couples but yet there's an obvious and definite connection between them, a connection you should pursue and allow to evolve. Cristina's character development since she has been in Burke's loving circle has been a wonder to witness and, although she's still maddeningly stubborn, sarcastic, abrupt and fast-forward all the time, there now exists a fascinating glimmer of tenderness in her whenever she's around him that is a joy to behold. The fact that a woman so ambitious, tough and brilliant -- and yes, sometimes even so infuriating -- can actually allow herself to FEEL that spark and kinship for a man who obviously loves her for who she really is, without any hidden agenda, is something many of us want to see more of. You've shown us that she does not believe in God, per se, but I suspect something "spiritual" in the most universal sense of the word may exist in her even if she doesn't realize it herself. As Burke said, "spiritual" is different from "religious" --I myself feel the very same way. Why must you have us finally come to where we love this couple and feel invested in them only to say they're too different to stay together? Why can't you have them work that much harder to BE together DESPITE the differences, to love each other enough to be willing to compromise and respect their differences? That would be certainly be more challenging and interesting a turn than going with the cliche that philosophical differences are too difficult to overcome so let's just go the easy way and give it up. Why can't they be the couple that ACTUALLY DOES OVERCOME the obstacles? I like them going against the odds and coming out the other side as winners. Many of us love that Cristina is a take-no-prisoners type but we also like that there's maybe one person in her universe (Burke) that she can feel totally secure with and totally loved by. Please don't let this relationship die simply because it would be easier to do so. The challenge of Burke and Yang is what makes many of us tune in --their chemistry is amazing and it would be a foolish waste to ignore that, while putting all of your romantic concentration on the "easy", "obvious" and "typical" couples, like Meredith and Derek or Izzie and Alex. Sometimes the best pairings are ultimately the ones that require the most effort and nurturing, like Burke and Cristina. Don't give up on them now, especially since you've made so many of us care about them. Let theirs be the relationship that -- despite all the difficulties, fundamental differences, trials and tribulations -- ultimately succeeds because the necessary and prolonged effort was put forth by Burke and Cristina to make it succeed. Otherwise, what now appears to be a genuine and hopeful relationship for them will, in retrospect, only be perceived as a trite and frivolous and unfair plot device to occupy our attention until you can get the "normal" couples together. I think you writers are all better than that.

[Barb]

Another brilliant show. My hat is off to you and your writers. I just loved this episode. I have watched and re-watched since last night. Families are complicated, no matter what. The women with the ulcer, and her crazy family, the man who fell with his family, and the interns with their family. I can honestly say that I have never been more moved by a show, then this one. I don't usually post comments, but this is my second one for GA. George showed us a sign that maybe he is liking nurse Olivia, especially when he defended her to Izzy. Nice. Krista did not say the Burke and Christina were not going to make it a couple, just that it would be work. Who doesn't have to work on a relationship. So, too, does Derek and Addison. (just not to get back together), but he is being honest. Now he just needs to tell Meredith how he feels about her.
I just love this show, and am grateful that I have been saving them on my DVR. I did have to mute it and replay it a few time to see just what Derek said at the end "I feel in love with her. That doesn't go away because I decided to stay with you" AWESOME!!!
I wish you and your families all the best during this holiday season. And may you continue to succeed with your writings. Can't wait for the next new episode.

[Mindy]

Totally loved all the relationship stuff this week. After watching the epsiode I felt satisfied that all my couples ahd their moments.

Christina and Burke- It is so wonderful to watch these to deal with real relationship issues. Their conflict comes from within their personalities, not from exes.

Derek and Meredith- Even though they didn't have many scenes together, watching Derek mull things over in his mind was great. My heart broke when he told Addison that he had fallen in love with Meredith. I liked it because it is not like he ran back to Meredith and showed up at her door or anything. That would be cheesey. Instead he told Addison to be honest, which he hasn't been in their counseling. I am not sure if I am rooting for Addison and Derek to give it a try, or for it all to end. I just feel that Meredith and Derek shouldn't be together quite yet.

Izzy and Alex- Her pain is still on the surface, yet she was willing to still try and help him. It just shows that love doesn't just go away. Not that they were in love yet, but she had opened her heart up to him. He squashed it without even thinking. I don't think ALex is the type of guy who cares about anyone in his life. Yet you can tell, that Izzy is different. Not that he treated her differently, but that he feels differently know. It is clear that this relationship is just beginning, but they have plenty to overcome already. It seems to parallel Derek and Addison's relationship, but with different possibilities.

Overall, a wonderful episode. Not too Christmassy, but in the spirit of the holiday.

[Jackie]

Excellent episode!! I can't wait until January though for more!! I thought Derek was so completely honest with Addison. It will be interesting to see where this goes now. We need to know more of how their relationship was before Derek moved. I was confused when he said he would see her at "home" though. Is that the trailer or the hotel room? I hope they don't have a place together. Finally, it was Christmas and I had hoped there would have been a little spirit, small gift, longing look, a kiss with Derek and Meredith!
Please keep up the great work! GA is the best show in years!!!!
Happy Holidays!