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

[Isa]

Couldn't agree more with what Alicia said about Burke and Christina. In the end, they seem to be the "real" couple without all the dramatic factors like Der/Mer/Add or Alex/Izzy or even Geo/Olivia. Burke and Christina make compromises for their relationship in a very natural way by actually facing and dealing the challenges. All the relationships so far are loved by the audiences (yes, even Der/Add because they created different dynamics), but Burke/Christina deserve to have time to balance things out the most because they've been working at it ever since the beginning and have already achieved something so profound.

[Dan]

I don't know if you guys actually read these comments (probably not), but please: do not have Bailey get birth complications. If they operate on her, I feel like it would be almost identical to when they were operating on Joe at the beginning of the season, with everyone telling their "Joe story" -- "So, what's your Bailey story? Oh, she let me scream at the ulcer lady's parents... She taught me why we do everything we can for a patient that's already dead..." (Strangely enough, those are both George, and there were more I thought of with him. Special bond? Hmmmm?) It would also be too much like when Cristina had her extra-uterine pregnancy/burst filopian tube.

Of course, you guys are too clever to repeat or refurbish stories, so I know you won't... my prediction: the drama will come when the interns have to deal without their resident (but it can't be too much like when Webber was out of commission after his brain surgery).

Anyway... great show, great episode, good job.

(P.S. No episode next week?! OR the week after?!)

[Gerald]

I don't get it; 5 yrs ago I was an e.r. junky, and I was probably enraptured by it because of the characters. Now I'm hooked on GA. Alex/Izzy: I thought this relationship was completely superficial at first - the 2 prettiest people on the show dating each other. Never did I expect this to continue to develop, and it was very touching/cathartic when Izzy cried! Burke/Cristina: opposites attract. With completely different backgrounds, their relationship will last because they have sooo much to learn from each other. George/Mer: This is the relationship I secretly want to happen (go underdog!!), but I know if it does, the show will probably end and we'll all be in heaven. By the way, love this forum, can I suggest a threaded format to it?

[Allie]

I never really liked Derek until this episode, but now seeing how much he sincerely cherishes his vows, I finally like him. That said, yeah he fell in love with Meredith, but he'll come to his senses and realize that Addie's still the love of his life. ...right?!

[Ali]

Once again, this was such an amazing episode--perfectly written and perfectly acted; there wasn't a false word or moment during the whole show. Thank you for this show--seriously. :)

This is kind of a side note, but I love the fact that you all write this blog. I love the fact that you share your insights about episodes. And that you read the blog comments (as clearly shown in the fact that you think we brutalized Mark last week. *ahem*)

Anyway, the whole Justin storyline was so well done, especially in context with Cristina; I liked the fact that she could relate to Justin and that she had that talk with him. That was great. And I loved that Izzie was like Cindy Lou Who; she was adorable, in all her joyous holiday annoyance. Plus, I thought Cristina dragging the tree out of the room was priceless; she'd had just about enough to trees (especially after that tree-debacle with Burke, earlier that morning).

Moving on...the Derek and Addison scene was so wonderfully done. Your dialogue was fantastic; the acting was also, as always, superb. Derek had these glittering tears in his eyes and Addison just froze for a second there. (Meanwhile, I went, "Holy Hell--Did he just say what I think he said?" Which may have promptly been followed by a squeal of joy for Meredith and Derek.) I think that what you said about Derek and Addison's marriage certainly holds true; the events that happened (the sleeping with the best friend, him leaving) are just symptoms of a greater problem (though, goodness, I can't imagine what). I can't imagine being Addison in that position, hearing your husband say that he loves someone else (when he, himself hasn't said that he loves his wife, as long as we've known her, anyway). I don't know how I'd feel if I were Derek, either; to be in a relationship, when your heart is somewhere else. That kind of thing can kill ya, you know?

I totally agree with what you said about Cristina and her relationship with Burke. I'm pulling for those two, but I doubt it'll be a smooth road (what is?). Oh, and Bailey was awesome last night, from the milkshake to her conversation with George about the kicking, during surgery. Loved that. And I loved the fact that Bailey let George handle the ulcer patient's family; he did a good job telling them to take a hike. Anyway, I'm prattling on...so I think I'll stop. :)

[Jaadola]

When it comes to the shows couplings, many watch for Meredith and Derek; I watch for Cristina and Burke.

However, their taciturnity in their private moments is very troubling. Brings to mind Thomas Hardy's "Mayor Of Casterbridge". You know how tragic that ends.

I'm actually glad there'd be no new episodes the next coming weeks, I had some anxiety anticipating Cristina's faux pas in the OR. Then they return home and, all they had to talk about was medical, nothing personal, nothing about the holiday decorations in the living room.

Please give us a reason as to why these two are together. Nevertheless, I'll still take them over Mer and Der.

I actually, started out loving Mer and Der, but Mcdreamy lost his dreaminess by his ommission of his marital status.

Rooting for Addison, hopefully she's learned her lesson and can move on if Derek decides to go back to Meredith.

[Terri]

i would just like to add that i think its good that derek came clean to addison and mabey they can get better from here on. i think if der/mer were to get back together it would be an overused relationship and i think thats what TV shows usually do. you could also see tonight merediths face when derek called out to her was " oh what now" and for the first time tonight derek looked at addison with a smile unlike in previous episodes.

Awsome from beginning to end. I laughed my butt off, cried a little, and jumped up and down at the end. I will have ulsers by the time the new epi airs, waiting to see what happens. Great Episode!!!! Great Blog!!!!! Thanks!
Happy Holidays!!

[Carrie]

I LOVE Cristina and Burke together; they were so great in this episode. They had differences and disagreements but in the end, they love each other. Their last scene in this episode where she sees that he put up the menorah for her and she smiles -- SO wonderful -- and then bounding into bed with him and laying her head on his chest, perfection. They just seemed so in sync and comfortable together, despite their earlier disagreement at work about religion. Everytime I think one of them is going to blow a gasket because of something the other one said or did, the show ends with them together in close proximity and happy with each other. As Alicia H. so eloquently said here in an earlier post, please don't punish this amazing couple by breaking them up just because they're somewhat unconventional and different from the other couples on the show -- different is what makes them the pairing I love best. I love Cristina and Burke individually as characters but I love them more together as a couple.

[Liz]

Just wanted to comment. I loved the show.

The parallel between Christina, the boy and the Grinch was wonderful. Christina is very much her own person.

I love Meredith and Derek together. They seem like soulmates. Do not like all the gossip swirling about Meredith's new love interest. I guess I am missing their "HEAT" from Season 1. I am tired of the Addison/Meredith/Derek theme.

Bailey is probably my favorite character. Showing her soft side just makes her more special.

I have this thing for Izzy and Burk. They relate to each other on a different level. Very similar values.

Season 1 is still my favorite but you seem to be regaining your form.

I have hooked so many people on GA -- (I should work off commission) who never thought to watch the show and now love it.

Looking forward to many enjoyable years (but don't wait that long to put Meredith and Derek back together)

[Marie]

Sunday's episode was unbelievably honest. The Der/Mer/Add story was so true -I know because I've lived it. (I have to say the episode where Meredith says she can't be around people because she's so freaking miserable hit awfully close to home as well). Falling in love with someone else and missing them so completely that the holiday holds none of the "normal" happiness is a miserable feeling. Derek telling Addison was so powerful and having lived that exact feeling of falling in love with someone and staying in my marriage didn't automatically turn off the love either. Grief is a powerful emotion and losing someone you love through the ending of a relationship is similar to loosing someone through death - and Derek and Meredith are grieving...which is powerful to watch but like someone said earlier, I now go to bed feeling sad because of the show and there's only so much of that I can stand. But a marriage can survive after falling in love with someone -- with a lot of work.

I thought Kate Walsh was incredible in that scene. The pain on her face when Derek confirmed Addison's biggest fears and doubts was palpable. But I also thought that Patrick Dempsey did a great job. He sounded like it broke his heart to say those words out loud (and man, they're awfully hard to say)and to hurt Addison.

Yes, the revelation can either bring Addison and Derek closer together - it's a starting point to work on their marriage. Or it can end it - a self-assured, confident, successful woman like Addison would find it hard to know her husband loves someone else and that her affair with his best friend was responsible for him finding someone else. Though the affair was a result of a breakdown in their marriage and was both their fault.

I like Addison but I don't want her with Derek. I watch the show for the chemistry between Der/Mer and for the flirting and the fun. We don't want it to become 30-something (no offense, Peter Horton) - a show that I loved in college but coudn't watch in reruns as an adult because I didn't want to watch my own life - work, crazy kids, a house that needed to be cleaned/repaired...we want an escape from our real life with romance, heat, feelings of when we first dated/wooed our spouses.

The writing is so wonderful and it does seem like the writing team has a great time doing their job. Merry Christmas from me!

[Tabitha]

Very well written eppisode. Right on the mark. Marriage is hard ... and things happen that we don't like (even hate) but, are we willing to work throught it? Are you friends enough to truly be sorry ... to see the other persons pain ... to help them work through anything including love for a person they can't have.
Well is Addison that big of a person? She seems to be... she was going to speacial order a thicker skin. That's sounds like a wife that is also very loving friend.

[NJSherry]

I love the show. The contrast in the different relationships make it great. The "soulmate" feelings of Meredith & McDreamy, the work & respect of differences in Cristina & Burke, the physical yet emotional ties of Izzie & Alex...
The development in the George & Bailey characters is wonderful to watch unfold, too. And Addison (or Satan's Whore, as Joe the bartender refers to her) is the woman we love to hate. As much as I don't want her & McDreamy to end up together, her presence adds so much to the storyline.
Let's face it ~ their marital problems have got to be a LOT bigger than the infidelity issue. They couldn't even hold hands in counseling.

And PLEASE... don't make up wait this long for Season 2 on DVD. "All I want for Christmans is GA on DVD!!"

[Kara]

I loved Sunday's episode!!! It was a nice to have a funny episode that kept me interested, laughing, and jawdropping again!! Everyone's parts were so well played. George standing up to that family was WONDERFUL - I love watching his character develop a more strong personality. Izzie was too funny - she has a great character, and "..What Jesus would do.." - awsome!!!! Christina and Burke still finding new things out about one another and overcoming - what a strong relationship this could be. All of the interns helping Alex and Bailey letting Mer out of surgery - and asking if the other project was covered was really great. Bailey asking Mer to go and find a milkshake for her during surgery and talking to the baby - wonderful!!! Also, the fact she was kinda left high and dry with all those surgeries, happens in everyone's job, easy to relate too. Addy trying to find the "sorry" gifts for Derek's family - very real and honest. And, of course the "punch" Derek made everyone feel when he said he loved Meredith. Wow, great writing!!! I have to give my two cents too: It seems so real and heartwrenching...but I can honestly say I have personally been through what this show is taking us through in this triangle, and you are portraying it very well. Admittly, I am on Mer's side, even though I was Addy in my relationship, just because as other people mentioned - we don't want to see ourselves. We want to believe in romance, fate and being/falling IN LOVE!!! What a wonderful feeling. Thanks for the show - all the small things are really what makes it GREAT! I am glad to see more of the interns and their interactions!!! Props for the "I can't hear you when his hand is on your boob" line too!!! GREAT GREAT GREAT!!! You all must have so much fun writing this stuff!! Heads up - since we are all talking about love so much - so some research on the "love molecule" that scientists are saying they have isolated and how the first year of "love" it is much higher, giving you all those wonderful butterflies and chest aches, and tapers off as time passes - maybe something could be done with it. It was a big story, internationally, in the news a few weeks ago.

[Michelle]

Ok, so I DVR the heck out of GA, I go back and watch them a couple more times. When I watched Sunday I guess I didn't hear exactly what Der said. When I watched again, I heard what he said, bout' fell outa my chair. The way Addi is portrayed ya'll are right that she wouldn't stay with someone who loved her, but what does she do, I think they will continue to struggle and hopefully she does get on that plane. Hey!!!!! what's up with the NO PREVIEW of the next episode. Ya'll are killing me here. Is there somewhere where we can see a preview I keep looking and don't see anything. Ya'll need to give us a preview. Come on now. You know Burke and Izzy have more in common than Yang and Burke, so what's up with that. It's obvious that you wanted us to see that, so what's gonna happen with that??

We need a preview, PLEASE!

(you know they purposely do this stuff) :)

Where is the Seasons on DVD??

[Lacey Lyons]

Let me just say that I am rooting for Christina and Burke. I love them as a couple precisely because it seems so impossible on the surface. I think it would be really cool if, in the long term, they became the solid, grounded couple, the one all the other couples go to for relationship advice. They can say, "People thought it would never work, and look, we made it." Coming from them, that would be saying something.

[S. Grace]

Although we all claim to want Der and Mer back, to do so easily would probably be huge disappointment. So she's beautiful and smart and are we to believe that he is the only person in all of Washington that she could love? Give her a love interest to make him crazy for a while, and turn that story around to where she has to decide who to love and how to love. We want her back with Der so much b/c we like her and want the pain to stop....so stop the pain and it will be interesting if we still want them together so much. As for him, we'll begin to feel sorry for him, but if star-crossed love is what you had in mind, working it out that way will prove much more satisfying. Great writing...hurry back. I'm curious to see how you handle a surgeon's life with children....nanny? day care? dad stays home?

[Lauren]

I've always wanted to be a writer and it's largely through such wonderful writing to observe that I learn. Kudos, I'm addicted to GA.

About the Addie vs Meredith thing, I agree with what she said in an earlier episode when she said he had to work it out and that's what she loves about him. I'm one of those people thinking that Derek has to work it out and fail before we'll see him with Meredith again.

I want to see Izzie forgive Alex... well, after he redeems himself of course. I love hoe she loves the family and holidays stuff.

Of course, we need more of the dog. I like how realistic a lot of this is. Since they always seem to be working at the same time, he never gets in trouble? He never goes hingry over their long shifts? Is he in love with Izzie since she needs him most?

REally, I wish I knew a George in real life but now I'm really rambling.

[PamelaJaye]

For those who were asking, the Season 1 DVDs, which are, I believe, thru episode 9, only, are due out on Valentine's Day
here's a URL for details

http://tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=4519

as for previews -- since there's no new ep next week (Holidays, darn it!) we have reruns. I think. For as many as three weeks. I have yet to look it up.

Thanks to Krista for noticing our comments and writing great "behind the making of" (as well as an awesome up -- yes, I was near tears at the end, and would have been moreso, if I hadn't been interrupted by Baylink *slowing down* the playback so he could hear what Derek was mumbling (as my heart hit the floor with a really loud thud and I nearly stopped breathing)).

TV writers are *so* my heroes...

anyone knowing where someone has posted Meredith's voice-overs (I've lost them again) let me know? I'd love to quote them. Especially the part about "tribe."

[kristin <3s MCDREAMY!]

well lets just say this was an amazing episode!! i love this show so much!! it's like my weekly stress reliever!! i was so happy when derek told addison he loved meredith! the look on her face was priceless!! PLEASE put meredith & derek back together!! i can't go through another ross and rachel tug of war!! i took them 10 years and then the show ended!! it was awesome show... but keeping addison is annoying i HATE HER!! & i'm so glad that IZZY is igonring her now!! actually though after Der/Mer get back together you should keep Addison there for a little while... you can have meredith turn sympathetic and look like the awesome person she is!!& show derek why he loves her SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! i loved the dirty uncle sal lines!! & bc it's what jesus would freakin do!! i laughed SOOO HARD!!! funniest thing ever!!! keep up the awesome work! i love it... but i would love it more if derek and meredith were TOGETHER!!! i LOVE MCDREAMY TO PIECES!! best hair i have ever seen on a guy!!

[Erin]

Congrats on your Golden Globe noms!! Great episode as always!!

[Joey]

It was so great to read about the "behind the writing of an episode". Thank you Krista for your sensitivity to the fans.

I just need to say that I tape the show weekly then watch it twice or three times during the week. This, I think, is quite amazing considering it's a crazy time with the holidays quickly approaching and two little tykes running around.

That aside... I love the tension between Addison, Derek, & Meredith. I love not knowing which way the relationships are going. I feel for each of them and clearly there are no winners when it comes to each of their relationships.

I'm looking forward to getting the box set!

[Cass]

I was surprised to read this commentary on the episode. I didn't really see it that way. I feel, as many others do, that Derek and Meredith are obviously meant to end up together, but I also think that the journey there will add depth to the show and solidify their relationship. I don't think that him coming clean to Addison will help their marraige. Because earlier in the season, didn't Addison say something along the lines of she wouldn't wait around for a man who didn't want her? I think so. I did appreciate the occasional Grinch reference, and I thought that you added a little something to Bailey. Good job. And let me just say, I can't believe that I have to wait THREE whole weeks until a new one comes on. I almost cried when I found that out. But thanks!

[EM]

This was an awesome episode.
Intense, funny, sad, and heart warming.
I loved how the interns rallied to help Alex; how we finally got to see some of the real Bailey, she will make an amazing mom; the ending with Christina and Preston, and how he opened his arm for her to snuggle with him, then started stroking her hair while she snuggles and he read; and the ending with everyone at Maridith's (even Doc the dog) lying under the tree looking up at the lights.

I sincerely hope that Christina and Preston work things out. I think that they can be very good for each other, and if McDreamy wants to get back with Meridith, I hope she really makes him work for it. And last but not least, George. We all love him.

Will we be seening more into Dr Webber's private life? We know that his wife is really pissed at him right now.

Congrats on such a fabulous show, and on the Golden Globe nominations.

[Cristina]

I cannot begin to show how much I love this show. I love how there is much more depth in this show then most shows out there. Your explanation about the complexity of Addison and Derek's relationship is so meaningful because I am seriously going through something much similar to this and it helps to get some more insight into that relationship because it helps me analyze my relationship. I have so much appreciation to this show.