From Krista Vernoff, who wrote the teleplay for "Yesterday"

Original Airdate 2-19-06

So, apparently, some folks are getting a little antsy for this blog.   I know, because yesterday, Shonda emailed me and said “The fans are FREAKING OUT. You have to post your blog before they riot.”  This email came as a surprise to me, mostly because I thought yesterday was Sunday and I didn’t realize my episode had aired yet. Weird, yes, but this was a holiday weekend and I was in Palm Springs having a MUCH NEEDED holiday with my husband and I got confused from all the sleep. Sleep will do that to you.  I have the best husband. I am madly in love with him.  Weekends in Palm Springs, where we got married almost two years ago, are about my favorite thing in the world. Really. We are so in love that when we go to parties at Shonda’s house, she frequently YELLS at us from across the room, “STOP LOVING EACH OTHER SO DAMN MUCH.”  True story.  I am living the dream. And aren’t you already a little bit annoyed with me, like, one paragraph in? The point here is that while I love my marriage, it would not make for interesting television.  It really wouldn’t. The script would look something like this: 

Krista and Kevin are snuggling on the couch in front of the TV. 

      KRISTA: I totally want the bald guy with the two step kids to win this year.

      KEVIN: You don’t think Paris should win?

      KRISTA: Okay, yeah, maybe. But they should definitely be the final two!

And they snuggle some more as the wailing sounds of American Idol rise in the background.

Seriously.  Would you tune in next week?  I don’t think you would. The critics would call us “saccharine” the fans would call us “boring” and ABC would cancel us.

Now, if you cut back in time say, 10 to 15 years? My life then might have made for interesting TV. I could tell you tons of stories, but I’m gonna focus on one.  I had this friend. I will call him Jim because that doesn’t at all resemble his name. Jim and I went to college together but we had actually known each other since we were 16. And Jim had had an intense crush on me since we were 16.  And he was the nicest guy in the world and one of my closest friends. And I knew how he felt about me – because how could I not? And for this reason, I didn’t cross that line with him for a long, long time despite many drunken occasions when it would have been easy to do so. And then one night I did. Why? Because we had graduated from college and we were living in New York and I was in a constant state of “what am I going to do with my life” terror and he was there. And he was safe and familiar and so incredibly kind. And I wanted that kindness in my life very badly. I wanted to be a healthy woman who would choose the nice guy who loved me and stop chasing the sexy, unavailable guys who didn’t.  And so, even though I had high hopes in the moment that I crossed that line, it didn’t go very well in the long run. Because at 22, I wasn’t that healthy.  And I hurt a dear friend. And the friendship suffered for it.  But eventually, it was a good thing because he got over me and met and married a woman who loved him back.  And now we’re friends again. True story.

And despite all this life experience? I was, for a very, very long time, WILDLY OPPOSED to Meredith and George hooking up. Like, shouting matches in the writer’s room opposed. Like, storming down the hall to my office and eating vast quantities of Trader Joe’s dark chocolate opposed.  I was afraid people wouldn’t forgive Meredith. I wanted very much for Meredith to be healthier than she is. Because now, at 34, I’ve had several years of therapy and it’s hard for me to conceive of making the kinds of decisions that Meredith makes.  But Meredith isn’t me now – she’s more like me then.  Which, as I mentioned, makes for better television.  And even knowing all of that, I was still opposed. Until Shonda had the flash of inspiration that the Mer/George hook-up should come on the heels of Meredith going to see her father.  It was like the clouds parted. And suddenly, I completely got it. And I completely forgave Meredith.  Here’s why:

My Dad died five years ago today (2/21/01). It sucked ass in a way I find it difficult to describe. The whole month of February sucks for me and on 2/21 every year, it’s hard for me to get out of bed. The loss of a parent is a pain you can only fully understand when you lose a parent.  And Meredith has pretty much lost her mom to alzheimers. And here’s what I think about her Dad: I think that for 20 years, Meredith has, somewhere in the deepest part of her psyche, held on to the fantasy that her dad is out there, just waiting to love her. I think she thinks that when she finally makes the effort to know him, he will open his arms, and open his heart and apologize for leaving and just love her like crazy. The news of Ellis’ affair was the opportunity Meredith had needed to finally forgive him enough to approach him. She gathered what had to be a HUGE amount of courage to knock on his door…

And then the fantasy died.

Because Thatcher didn’t throw open his arms.  He didn’t apologize.  He didn’t invite her in. He didn’t have the right words, he didn’t have the right anything. And to Meredith, that had to feel like a death. 

And then she went to a bar and drank.

And then Mark made her hope again, if only briefly, that she could have the man she loves back.

And then she went home and stared out her window in a state that I can only imagine was tremendous pain and loss and grief. 

And then George came in. And poor George DID NOT KNOW ANY OF THIS. He was not there to take advantage of her when she was in a vulnerable state. All he knew was that he had spent the entire day working up his courage to finally, finally make her hear him. 
And, unwittingly, he said the world’s most perfect things.

He said he would never leave her (like her father did). He said he would never hurt her (like Derek did). He said he would never stop loving her.

And he was safe and familiar and so incredibly kind. And she wanted that kindness in her life very badly. She wanted to be a healthy woman who would choose the nice guy who loved her and stop chasing the sexy, unavailable guys who didn’t (or couldn’t).  And even though she had high hopes in the moment that she crossed that line, I’m guessing,   that it didn’t go very well in the long run.

I think that’s enough for now.  I will try to write again soon to address the other 41 minutes of last night’s episode.  Thank you for watching and for caring so much about these characters and these stories we tell. They do, as you may have noticed, come from our selves, from our psyches, from our lives. Putting that stuff on TV every week is sometimes not the easiest thing to do – and it means the world to us that you continue to care and continue to watch. 

Sincerely, Krista

Comments

[Jenna]

wow. thanks for clarifying where you came from with this. I know when I watched this, I was screaming at my tv, NO YOU DIDN'T!!! and I know deep down, it will work out for the best. But your words brought an intense amount of clarity, so thank you. And as much as I hate watching this past episode again and again, I have to, because as painful as it was, I realized it was beautiful kind of pain.

[lynn]

I was hoping that McSteamy and Meredith would hook up to add more tension between her, Derek and Addison but I'm sure it would've been too cliche to do it. (It still would've been good!)

[KAREN]

I just want to say before all the haters get to you that I truely love this episode. I think what you did with George and Mer was perfect. I hope this will heal Mer and help George understand that no matter how much you love someone sometimes they will never love you back in the same way.

[R*belle]

Wow. I have to say that the show is awesome, it has given new fodder to the sometimes (gasp) unstimulating conversation of Bunco clubs and supper clubs down South. My blog generally garners 9-10 comments a post, but the Greys posts (now garnering their own category) are generating almost 20. Thanks for writing such an amazing show!

[Kay]

We ( I am using this as the royal we as I am speaking for a group of 30 something women) appreciate all of your hard work. We really do. We understand that this is a TV show and that it is silly to get worked up about a relationship that is not even real. That said we waited for years for Doug and Carol on ER to hook back up. We watched while Dr. Ross ( Cloony) made all of the wrong moves and horrific decisions, screaming no at the TV while he again did something really stupid in his personally life that spilled over from time to time into his work. Since he was the "Damaged one" on the show we watched and waited for him to grow up. Since you have made Merideth the damaged one on this show. Incapable of making any right decisions we are watching and waiting for her to grow up. We get it. However, this is our fantasy try not to make us wait 3 or 4 years for her to clean up her life and get back with Derrick. We won't be waiting on Sunday nights forever. We will be watching re-runs of the first season of GA and the first 5 years of ER instead.

[Lisa]

So, after spending the past 2 days trying to figure out the how? why? and seriously?! that has been filtering in and out of my head, it all makes sense. And I'm near tears just reading this.
Until now, I didn't know what to think. Was Meredith taken advantage of? Was George? And, above all, what about McDreamy!!! I didn't want what happened between George and Meredith to change that love. And maybe it will, and maybe it won't, but at least it's all clear. At least we know why Meredith did what she did.
You writers are incredible. And this blog is the next best thing to the show. I love that you love this show as much as we do. I love that you respect your relationship with the viewers. And I appreciate the fact that your words back up the actions your characters make and that your emotions can justify those words and those actions.
Thank you. Thank you.
This will get me through until Sunday :)
And, much love and peace on this day. Today is my niece's 5th birthday. I guess 2/21/01 means a lot to both of us for vastly different reasons. After struggling with open heart surgery and years of sickness, she's blossomed into a wonderful, sparkling little girl. For me, each 2/21/01 is a celebration of her life. May today be a celebration of your dad's life, too. Let us hug our families and hold them tight.

[Ale]

I'm sorry that you had similar experiences, but frankly, as a writer, I am not buying any of this explanation. And as a viewer, I am buying it even less.

This is a TV show and having Meredith behave like you suggested does NOT make for better television. It makes for more soap-operish television. This Meredith-George move was a cheap publicity stunt on your side, with both you and Shonda telling everyone to watch the last two minutes and you guys kicking in this scene between them which was A)totally uncalled for in the economy of the show and B)also sick, given the so far relationship between George and Meredith.

I am tired of reading POOR GEORGE... George is NOT poor George, George is a 12-year-old who pretends he is an adult, and thinks he can get away with anything he does because everyone tells him "Poor George" all the time. And it is the writers' fault, because you made his character so ridiculous with this pathetic teenage crush on someone who is supposed to be near thirty and not near twenty, that he just looks like the most one-dimensional character on the show. He does nothing wrong, because POOR GEORGE he is always justified. Well he is not, and he screwed up big time. And George may not know about Meredith's dad but he sure knows she has been going through hell and holding a bomb in her hands not later than two weeks before. So that alone could make him use BRAINS for once. And think that he should not put on emotional stress on her! And stop being a selfish 12-year-old who goes around the hospital whining that "I saw her first". What on earth was that?? Is this how an adult person is supposed to behave, even if they're in love? Character-wise, this was just ridiculous. And life-wise, we all have crushes, but after teenage years, WE GET OVER IT when someone clearly does not want us!

The worst thing about it, is that you ruined a potentially fantastic episode to have that last utterly uncalled for, sick scene between George and Meredith.

I really was happy about the episode, until that. We had McSteamy (McSafin, since he looks like Marat Safin) which was a terrific addition to the show. Finally someone who speaks like a normal person and makes some sense. And very easy on the eye, which is always good.

But that last scene. It made a for the rest fantastic episode a total turn-off. That really was as "melrose place" as this show can get.. and it is there for everyone to see. That is not writing better television. That is sensationalism at its best. Frankly, it really disappointed me especially from the writing point of view. Because it was a bad scene, it wasn't felt, it wasn't natural, it had nothing right. It was just sensational. And I really am glad you noticed people are revolting, and that should tell you that your first feeling about it was right. Most of the world is not SO messed up to go to such lenghts as George and Meredith did. And you cannot always portray extremes in a TV show. Instead, it is what you have been doing this season, dragging on a marriage which makes the people in it look completely stupid and putting Meredith in such a number of pathetic storylines that she looks like a mental person.

You should learn from this, and not try and justify what is evidently and clearly a bad move from both the writing and the "common sense" point of view.

I rehiterate.. this was possibly the best GA episode I've seen so far. Until that last scene. That ruined everything. And you should know, because we should be here talking about the major news Mark broke and the major disappointment Meredith had from her mother. Instead, we are here talking about a pointless scene. A cheap publicity stunt.

[Stephanie]

Just because you did something like this personally did not make it right for George and Meredith.

Their relationship was not long term. They barely know each other.

This was creepy and GROSS

I can only think you did this for shock value.

I have watched this show since the beginning because of the writing. Not because of stupid stunts.

The episode was good except for the last 2 minutes.

Hope Meredith and McSteamy are the next couple. The two evil mistresses had great chemistry and Derek doesn't have the balls to leave his wife.

You really screwed up!!!

This was so wrong

DEAD WRONG

[haydee]

I am not as much a fan of what happened with Meredith and George..but I loved how finally McDreamy had the guts to tell Addison that he hasn't forgiven her yet. So it is this moment that we've all been waiting for..I can see Mer/Der being together again :-)

[Krissy]

I was Upset about George and Meredith. But thank you for the blog.

[Baylink]

...even if we bitch about how we think you've screwed up, right? :-)

Comment on your actual posting to follow shortly (that takes more thinking), but, herewith, Snap Reactions:

GA 2/19 -- If you can identify each of the scenes these comments refer to, you get dinner, on me. Nice steakhouse. (You do have to collect in person... ;-)

These clips? Seriously?

Burke cuts *loose*. Woo, and likewise hoo.

Ruh roh. He Knows.

Just don't say who it is...

And *just* when George sees his chance...

"My mommy's a filthy whore"?

Shyeah, right, Izz...

So, are we playing that Whose Line game where everyone has to ask another question?

Well, now, that was an open. Which is good, cause it was all we get. :-)

Ah, Derek has a job title. And a nice salary.

You go, Chief.

Surgeon macho. I love it.

McSexy. Hee.

Katie bites her lower lip. Ok; I'd better quit now.

The things you'll say when you're dying. :-)

Oh, *ghod*; we're not going to put Mark to work, too...

No, *that's* not a seizure disorder...

Izzie's *way* out on the edge.

No George, it's not something you want to cure.

It's *amazing* the things people can agree to ignore.

Wow. This guy's gonna recover just from getting all the hate out.

She doesn't care if you're jailbait...

Chief does a good aw shit look.

Doctor chicken.

4 inch heels? Addy'd never get hired by House.

Denile is just a river in Egypt.

What she said, George. More lip gloss.

Did you hire Christophe Beck to do the incidental music?

Izzie learns a lesson.

I hear the anvils falling, this week.

Coochy-coo surgery; I love it.

They talked Sloan into it? The parents? Seriously??

Aw, come *on* Meredith.

Oh.

*Oh*.

Ooof.

And baby makes three.

Ok, Addy; *now* do you believe Mark?

"I'm going to the bar across the street. If you choose me, come on over." Yeah.

That's the way we do it...
He looks like Jon Bon Jovi, is what he looks like.

Chinese food. How amusing.

I overreact a lot.

But, aw....

You can tell by Izzie's hair, can't you George?

Shiny happy Izzie.

Oh, Mere; *no*.

Joe gonna save her.

Well, *this* is gonna be a train wreck. No, wait.

Yeah; train wreck. George...

That is *not* the look you wanna see on her face...

This can't end well. It can't.

Seriously.

And next week's all about conflict and bad timing.

[LJ]

Thank you Krista. I understood Meredith completely when she made that choice and I understand the repurcussions (sp?) of what's to come. I'm just happy you guys are taking risks and creating a deeper, more involved story. Honestly, this show makes me cry every week. And after seeing Meredith get rejected by her father and then with Derik, I just felt for her so much when she finally let George have what he wanted. It was beautiful and tragic and needed. Thank you for sharing with us!

[Crystal ~ Central, AL]

That is exactly what I was thinking when George walked into her room. I was actually standing up, haha, I really get into the show. Anyway I was standing and talking out loud saying OMG they are so gonna have sex OMG what about George he is so in the wrong place at the wrong time, OMG. HAHA I was aggravated but I just kept thinking what the heck would I have done if that had been my dad and then this sensitive sweet guy walks in...I think it was great writing, but I gotta say it so does not convert me from being a mer/mcdreamy Fan!

Also I loved loved LOVED the added mcsteamy! And my favorite line that was awesome hear from george was...."shes mchot, mcyea she is" hahahahah genius.

Speaking of mcdreamy and george I and a friend had this conversation. Hope its ok to share here I just thought it was funny and at least someone that is apart of the show would get a smile out of it....

Self: "...even thought mer/derek are my new rachel/ross, george does remind me of ross more than derek, lol.."

Friend: "George is SO much more Ross than Derek. Derek is like.... Barry."

Self: "...no no nooooo derek is like joey and ross in one...the total package..."

Friend: "Dream on woman."

Self: "seeeee now your getting it, dreaming of mcdreamy"

HAHA I just thought it would be fun to share. And by the way I loved reading about you and your husband. I don't dream of dempsey although he is very attractive. I have the type relationship with my husband that you were describing. We literally make people sick! Its bad, hehe.

Thanks for a wonderful show I hope this isn't too long and I can't wait to read your other blogs, esp about other parts of the show! I would love to hear anything about the new secret that Addison stayed with Mark. Man I was so starting to like her, but I was mad, lol.

100000% great job!

[Kristina Miller]

I think it's so brave of you guys to include your own personal stories into the show. They're the kind of things that you never want to talk about, but you guys do so and present them in the best way possible (even if it's the worst memory of your life.) I couldn't even think of hating Meredith for what she did, because she wants something that most people desire.

Anyways, episode was awesome and I can't wait for you next post and also the next episode!

[Maggie]

Its hard to boil Grey's down to a favorite episode, but this one has to be in my top 5. One of my favorite things about the way this show is written is that the writers are willing to write storylines that viewers may not expect or necessarily want to see. But when they do happen....WOW. That's all I can say. WOW.

[Kim K]

Great writing. You're right, people who make wrong goofy choices ALWAYS make for better television. Us old married broads like to relish in our wisdom. See the great thing about Greys Anatomy is, me and my girlfriends gossip about the characters on the show as opposed to actual people we know. So you are providing a great service that allows us to dog on 'pretend' people as opposed to eachother.
This show is like a really good book that never ends. I LOVE the read and rarely watch t.v. but this show is so great. Keep up the good work.

[anonymous]

Wow, great episode. I think a lot of people have George's in their lives and there's nothing like a little ego stroking now and again, especially when you're at a low point in your life.

I also have a soft spot in my heart for people that have lost a parent. I lost my dad almost nine years ago and I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have such an incredible mom. I guess that's why I couldn't be upset with Meredith for showing up after 20 years to at least tell her dad that she finally knew the reason why he left, but why couldn't he have tried harder!?

Also, I feel I must bestow kudos to whoever it was that played Joshua Radin's "Closer"!

[Cindy]

Krista,

Well, I'll be damned. Those shouting matches you had in the writer's room? I was having one in my living room Sunday night. (Though, as the television wasn't shouting back, I suppose that "match" might be overstating it.)

In the cool light of day, however, I have to concede that Meredith's psyche was certainly on tilt at the time... her general oblivion to George's ministrations is another subject, but in that one moment, drenched in despair and looking for refuge, I guess I can see how she'd make a bad choice.

Oh, and as for Cristina's perfect two-second rebuttal to Burke's Great Speech - aces, really. Nicely played.

[Michelle]

First of all, my sympathies for your loss. I cannot even imagine losing a parent, as I'm only 16, but I truly appreciate your courage at opening your personal experiences to the entire country. (Literally!)

I am in complete agreement with you about poor George. As I said in my previous comment, he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I just hope that the friendship between Meredith and George is not ruined after this...

Eagerly awaiting Post-Part-Two!!!

[Sarah in Mpls.]

OK, so I understand where you're coming from - but for those of us without your insight, without the view of the future of these characters, you can understand the shock that was created! Meredith needs to rebound and fast! I know that everyone says that they've never been involved in a show like this before, and they've never written to a show's writers before, so it sounds cliche, but it's true for me as well. I've gotten so many others hooked as well, so kudos to you all. There are just so many of us who fell in love with the show largely due (to the fabulous writing but also due) to McDreamy and Meredith's chemistry/relationship - so we wait, and wait, and wait for them to reunite. All of the other characters are great as well, but forgive me, I do want the fairy tale - I've got real life all on my own! So keep up the great work and know that, for now, we will be there for you week after week - but we do get inpatient!!! And thanks for reading our comments!!!

I've found that I love this show because it isn't cheap, stupid, or meaningless . . . you have done an incredible job at creating something that is truly worthwhile at a time when very little on television is. I implore you to not let this show fall by the wayside and become like every other show out there . . . those things that right now it is not. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

[Danielle]

I wasn't opposed to the Meredith/George hook up. I'm just sad that George is going to get hurt when Meredith wakes/sobers up and says "Holy Geez, what the he** did I do?"

Been there and got the t-shirt to prove it. Only bad things can happen when sex occurs at a moment of weakness. You can never put the genie back in the bottle.

Anyone know the names of the songs/artists that played during the show?

[Tcheese]

Thanks for explaining it! While I find it kinda icky, I completely understand why it had to happen, especially in order to further George's eventual need to move on. I still heart Kyle Chandler.

[D in Texas]

I appreciate your post, but I still just don't get it.

My Sunday nights are pretty cookie cutter - I put my son down around 9 p.m. and I wait to watch my favorite show - Grey's Anatomy. I watch the show, wipe away my tears (as I have cried during every episode), turn off the t.v. and cuddle up next to my hubby. I always feel content after watching the show and I can't wait until the next week. But not this time. As it became clear Meredith and George were getting ready to hook up, I looked at my husband and said "Don't do it Meredith," like she could hear me. As it became clear that she was indeed going to "do it" with George, I just cringed and got disturbed. Not in like an "ugh" way - it was more like "are you serious right now?" I understand that Meredith was vulnerable and all in that very moment, but taking it there was just not cool. She could have thanked George for his thoughts and kindness in so many other ways - why on earth did she have to sleep with him?

To address the issue about Meredith's father - I thought his reaction was natural. His daughter, who he hasn't seen in 20 years, show up at his door out of nowhere and starts asking about an affair. He was in shock. What on earth would you expect him to say? Would anyone have the right words in that situation? Sure he could have apologized for not being there for her, but shouldn't she have apologized to him or at least expressed an understanding why he left?

My dad died 20 years ago this past September. And, like you, every year when the month of his death rolls around, it gets a little tough. I might cry, I may have a few extra beers, and I understand that loss that Meredith must have felt over the years. But maybe she could've relished in the fact that her dad was still alive and that if she so wanted, she could have a relationship with him? That whole scene was very, very weird. I hope you guys pursue it further to try to make some sense out of it.

Finally, I'll say this. I woke up Monday morning and still had that feeling of disbelief about what I'd seen the night before. I've grown attached to Meredith - I can appreciate some of the things she's struggled with and can relate to some of them as well. Because Meredith was so relate-able made me watch the show. But to think that she slept with someone who is kinda like her brother is just nasty. Disappointing. I see where you guys were going with this, but I don't think it worked. No one I've talked to, not one person, thinks its a good story line.

D in Texas

P.S. Bring McSteamy back - he gives McDreamy a run for his money. And the Burke/Christina thing is awesome.

[agog]

THANK YOU! Really. Thank you for pointing out that Mer is damaged and hurt. I get so tired of people saying sh'es a "predator" or "a slut". It's like they don't remember or have never had a time in their lives when they wanted desperately to be healthy and make the right decision, or what they thought should be the right decision. Sometimes you do the wrong things for what you think are the right reasons. And it doesn't work out, and it sucks. Bad. But it happens. Meredith is not a slut. She's been all but abandoned by her parents. Her mom chased her dad off and then chose a career and affair over her(and it doesn't seem as if she was overly loving/giving to begin with). The guy she thought she could love turned out to be married, and then chose his wife over her. How can she have a healthy view about anything at this point?