From Stacy McKee, writer of "What Have I Done To Deserve This?"

Original Airdate: 2-26-06

Ok, yeah. I’ll admit it. I’m with you.

I’M STILL FREAKING OUT THAT  I JUST WATCHED GEORGE AND MEREDITH HAVING SEX!!   

My blog was hard to tackle this week. Not just because you guys gave Krista such a hard time last week... And not just because I thought, instead, it might be easier to… you know. Shut the door to my office, crawl under my desk and – well – maybe HIDE. But mostly because—

HOLY CRAP I’M REALLY FREAKING OUT THAT GEORGE AND MEREDITH JUST HAD SEX.

I mean it. I am freaking out. I’ve been freaking out for months. I’ve been freaking out and I haven’t been able to talk about it with ANYONE except all of the other writers on the show, who – Guess what?  Are also freaking out.

I freaked out when Shonda told us all (in the writers’ room) not to worry about the “George & Meredith Sex”– because, although it would be, perhaps, one of the most painful things we’ve put our characters through so far…in the end, she insisted, “it would be GREAT.”

Shonda always says that.  I usually love it when Shonda says that, because – let’s face it. She’s pretty much always right. Until I realized she was saying it -- about this episode – my episode. The previous episode was going to have ONE SCENE with the sex. But this would be… an entire episode devoted to it… The episode in which we deal with, talk about, actually SEE, and inevitably freak out about the fact that –

HOLY CRAP WE JUST WATCHED GEORGE AND MEREDITH HAVING SEX.

Yeah. I’ve been hiding under my desk a lot lately.

But if this show has taught me anything – it’s to trust Shonda’s vision. And to work my very hardest to do it justice.  Yes, the sex was painful. Yes, the sex was upsetting. Clearly, we’re going to have to talk about the sex… but let’s save that for last.

This is an episode about karma.

It was an amazing (and challenging) episode because – in so many ways – it ties up all sorts of threads that have been put into place since the very beginning of the series… Karma catches up to all of these characters and – throws them into a tailspin.

So we have George, who is having – without question – the most terrible horrible no good very bad day in the world. He finally gets busy with the woman of his dreams – only to have it back fire on him in the most horrible way – he’s humiliated – he gets hurt – he finds himself homeless by the end of the episode… how much worse can it get?

And yet – think about it. All of these things coming together all at once? They’re leading him toward an amazing – and long overdue – upswing. Suddenly, he’s not just “Poor George” anymore – he’s George with a backbone. He’s George who has FINALLY gone after what he wants (Meredith) – and taken a stand for what he is or isn’t willing to accept. Old George would be irrevocably devastated by all of this – but New George? He’s not devastated, exactly-- he’s just DONE. He’s had enough. He’s moving out – moving on. It’s a new beginning for him. One that will change him forever. One we’ve all been waiting to see… That’s how karma works. Trust in the karma. (I mean, if none of this had happened, George wouldn’t have encountered the uber saucy bone-crunching orthopedic surgeon Dr. Callie Torres! Hello? Good karma, anyone?)

But everyone – not just George - is dealing with karma this week.  Look at Alex… Alex treated Izzie like crap (remember when he plastered her centerfold all over the locker room? When he cheated on her with Olivia?) – and now he gets to watch her dote on the undeniably handsome – and totally charming - Denny Duquette.  Just as Alex is starting to really realize his own feelings for Izzie, in comes Denny. Karma at its best.

Cristina – who prides herself on few things MORE than the fact that she’s not a nice person - suddenly finds herself filling the shoes usually filled by Izzie (or Meredith). Cristina spends her day with “custody” of George – basically, her worst nightmare… She has no tolerance for George’s pouting. She doesn’t WANT to listen to him talk about his problems, and yet… what’s great about it – is that Cristina still winds up giving George the best possible advice. The advice he really takes to heart: to stop taking crap and demand something more. Which he does. And which ultimately brings him right back to Cristina... Home to sleep on her couch, saddling her (semi-permanently) with custody of George all over again. What comes around, goes around. Karma.

And Meredith – She’s managed to turn all of her friends against her – at a moment when she (clearly) needs them most… (hello - she just spoke to her father for the first time in 20 years – after finding out that he left because her mother was unfaithful…) Yet – it opens up the door to a friendship she hadn’t believed truly possible – If her other friends weren’t dropping like flies, do you think Meredith would be as willing to give a friendship with McDreamy a real chance?  It’s not like McDreamy and Meredith were “friends first.” No! She picked him up in a bar – she didn’t even know his name… so – them being “just friends??” This is uncharted territory, people. Interesting karma, right? Lose one friend, gain another?

Then, of course, we can’t forget Addison – she slept with her husband’s best friend – the friend who just came to town last episode – so what’s her karma? Poison oak on the vah-jay-jay, of course! The part of this story I love, though (almost as much as Bailey tending to Addison in stirrups for an entire episode) is that – what is so truly painful and horrifying – the poison oak -- actually winds up bringing Derek and Addison closer together. At the end, they share this wonderful moment of laughter – they’ve let down their guard with each other – and, for the first time (pretty much ever) we see them genuinely enjoying a moment with each other. Strange as it seems, the poison oak is almost as good as it is bad karma…

And that brings us right back to – HOLY CRAP WE’RE FREAKING OUT THAT GEORGE AND MEREDITH JUST HAD SEX!!!

Ok, yes. It’s just so WRONG. On so many levels – they were friends. Now they’ll never be able to go back. It’s like messing with a really good thing in a way it just DIDN’T need to be messed with. It feels wrong. It feels awful. It feels… icky.

DUH. That’s the point. OF COURSE it’s icky. Of course it’s awful. You’re feeling exactly the way you’re supposed to be feeling. You’re feeling exactly the way these characters are feeling. You’re feeling kinda like, the only thing left to do is… crawl under your desk and pretend it never happened.

Only it did. Because – really – it had to.

The sex HAD to happen. It was always going to happen. Hello. Shonda set this moment up in the PILOT. George remembered the kind of strappy sandals Meredith was wearing at the pre-internship mixer!!!  Did you really really think this moment – this FREAKY GEORGE AND MEREDITH SEX – was never gonna happen???

Of course it was.  Really, it’s just been a question of when. Which, as it turns out, was – now. In this episode. It’s happened. It happened. IT HAPPENS, y’all. People have sex with inappropriate people. People hurt their friends. People make decisions they regret the morning after. People do terrible things. Because in the end, we’re all just people. Flawed, confused, irrational, hopeful, looking-for-happiness-and-hoping-we’ll-find-it people trying to figure out our lives one day at a time.  As characters, Meredith and George are no different.

There’s no turning back. There’s nothing George and Meredith can do. The damage is done – things will never be the same. They’ve just changed something important in their lives FOREVER and…  they are freaking out.

The important thing to remember, though – is that while Meredith wishes things could go back to the way they were before the sex… (the way, I think, most of us have felt – or would feel - in similar situations…) George does not. And that’s huge.  Because… before the sex – George was in limbo. But after the sex? As painful as the outcome was – he’s suddenly not. George knows exactly where he stands. There’s finally some closure. And that’s a good thing. It’s what will fuel him through the rest of the season…

Which is also why it was so important to break from tradition, and let George do the voice over for this episode. We needed to be inside HIS head. Hearing HIM tell us about karma.  We needed to hear George explain how karma isn’t unfair – it isn’t unexpected – it just evens the score. Hearing George say that is what assures us that – even after all of this, he’s going to be just fine.

And so are we.

That’s the beauty of karma – and the agony. Watching a karmic tailspin begin is – enough to make you hide under your office furniture. But anticipating the inevitable payoff? Well… It’s what convinces you, finally, to stop freaking out, crawl out from underneath your desk, and to write your writer’s blog.

Even if you really are… TOTALLY  STILL FREAKING OUT THAT GEORGE AND MEREDITH JUST HAD SEX!

Comments

[GreyDoesMatter]

You're right! It did have to happen and it was so painful that I watched it through my fingers like it was a horror flik. George's voice was necessary and perfectly delivered.
A two week wait...ugh!

[Tom]

Few Things...

1 - Loved the episode, as you said in your post you really did get the raw end of the stick (Sorry, bad pun), the "after episode". I thought it was handled really well, you made it enjoyable without being painful to watch. Well, except for the actual sex scene which was real painful to watch, but I guess that's the whole point.

2. I loved the McDreamy/Addison moment. Please, PLEASE have more moments like this, where McDreamy actually seems like he cares about his wife and isn’t just pining for Meredith every second. He picked her and though I understand the character has to be conflicted part of being conflicted is caring for both women and, until tonight, you haven’t shown that.

3. I didn't think I could hate the character of Meredith anymore than I already did but somehow it happened. Ironically, it happened in the last 2 minutes again. I now hate her even more than I did before, go figure.

Anyway, like I said, great episode. Bravo Stacy!

[Heather]

WOW, totally depressing watching George and Meredith have sex!!! I mean poor guy, but im glad he is finally developing a backbone! On the other hand i am loving this mer/derek friendship ;) im hoping it is going to develop seeing as im a huge mer/der supporter! Anyways GREAT episode!

[blair]

it made me want to laugh, it made me want to cry...and i love denny

[Sandy]

SADNESS!! the scene in the dorm room where about half of my wing gathers every sunday at 10 is full of screaming and crying and smiling. But we will only forgive you if things turn out all right in the end, and since you say things HAD to happen, we forgive you. And yes, Mer&George having sex was worthy of an awkward sign

It's about time George got a backbone...can he get a muzzle too? LOL

Thanks for this, it was a good episode.

[meggie]

YAY, Georgie and his saucy new love interest! YAY, Izzie actually was in it just for the sex! YAY, Cristina can't say she isn't a nice person every once in a while.

I and a dozen other friends have just spent the past week wondering how this could possibly turn out alright, but now, you're completely right and he isn't Poor Georgie anymore. He is George, the Man!

Oh, I love this show! It's smart and it's funny and it's the best written show on television this season.

Thanks, guys!

[Laura]

Thank you for a more lighthearted episode than last week's was. And thank you that George is going to be ok. :)

[Brenda Lamb]

Well if Mer and George had to have sex - I am so glad it is over!!!! Maybe they will all get past it fast!!!! I hope one of the good things that come from it is that Mer and Derek will finally be together soon!!! I hope their friendship develops and it is even more MAGICAL than they have been so far!!(because that would be beyond words!!)They belong together!!! I hope you allow Derek through his friendship with Mer. to help her cope with everything that has happened to her lately!! As long as she has Derek I could careless if she has anymore friends!! He is all she needs!!!! Oh! Yeah!! Bring McSteamy back to be with Addison. They looked like they fit together well!!!Keep giving us Meredith and Derek together as friends or lovers - I'll take it any way I can get it right now!!!! Thanks for the great show!!! GA is the BEST!!!!!

[Allison]

OK...it's been about 15 minutes since the ep ended. As usual, props to the amazing writers for another great show. I have a feeling that I'm going to be the first in a looong line of folks who are about to say this so I'll be first. I was completely prepared for George to be hurt by this situation, but I was completely unprepared for the way that things went down. I'm actually glad that George is "done" with his crush. He knows exactly where he stands (how he didn't know before is beyond me but hey...)I also thought it interesting that it never came out in the "aftermath" conversation that Meredith saw her dad, etc.

One other thing...Did anyone else think that the last scene with Meredith and Derek was foreshadowing in any way? Just windering...See you next time!!

[Kristen]

Just wanted to say that this is one of the best blogs I have read from one of the writers so far!

You have really pointed out things that I got but have fully processed yet.

Loved the new surgeon and how you have developed George. I was really worried this episode he would have a relapse and go into his seaon 1 self but I very much like the way he was in this episode. Cant wait for next week!

[Kelli]

You can come out from under the desk now. I thought the episode was great. After last week's episode left me in a state of shock and awe, this episode left me feeling pretty good. Yes, I hate George had to get hurt in this whole process, but what doesn't kill George makes him stronger, right? I'll move past the fact that he was in bed with Meredith and just look at this as a wonderful opportunity for growth of his character. Not a bad turn of events throwing the cute ortho doctor into the mix! George saying good night to Burke and Cristina - hilarious!

For once, I was actually liking Alex a bit! I thought the moments between Alex and Izzie were fun and sexy. Izzie really didn't strike me as the type of character who would just drop him like a hot potato after all the hot sex, but then again what goes around comes around....again!

What I liked most about the episode was the nice happy moment at the end with Derek and Meredith. It really made me smile to see them together. At the same time, though, it was disheartening to see this glimpse of Meredith's "McLife" and not know if she would ever have that. I'll go with eternal optimism here and hope that she will.

The only thing missing was Mark. I know, hard to squeeze it all in with just 42 minutes. I'm definitely hoping to see more of his story unfold. Waiting on the edge of my seat!

Great job, Stacy, on a beautifully written episode.

[Allison]

One other thing...does anyone else think that it's interesting that Meredith didn't tell Derek about the situation with George when he asked her in the elevator what was wrong??? Man you writers are good at the foreshadowing!!

[gobidos]

It's life. It really is. Thanks for portraying things as messy as they actually are. Although we all wish that life was wrapped into a delightful box with bright ribbon (kind of like Coach does when you just paid a lot of money for a purse), it's not actually like that. Meredith's life is kind of like a much-used cardboard box that was once slept in by that mangy cat down the street. George's life is like the clear plastic box that you get when you buy a small expensive electronics item, after it's been used as a makeshift volleyball for a few nights. Those are just a couple of examples.
I love this show. It's messy. It's funny. It's quirky. It's life (under a microscope).

George and Meredith had sex...

[lost]

I think that you did a wonderful job, and that this was definitely something that had to happen - but I felt better at the end of last week.
I just feel so bad for Mer. Izzy is saying up front that she will take George's side when no one is even willing to listen to Mer. She was hurting before and now even more so and all of her friends have taken off. Really what kind of friends were they?
I am very happy for George though. He will grow and learn and hopefully forgive.

[Jess]

I thought the sex scene was done perfectly... as sad as it was! Oh, and it's been such a long time since Mer and Der have been together, it doesn't feel as right as it used to. Also, I really enjoyed the laughing scene with him and Addi at the end... I hope things work out with those two.

[jess]

LOVED LOVED LOVED this episode!!!

as usual - beautiful writing about heartbreaking situations -- i thought this was one of the best episodes so far. Really helped move the characters forward, and i felt their pain right along with them!

wonderful job - just makes me love the show that much more!

[eilon]

Stacy,

You have done a wonderful job with both the episode and the blog entry. I completely understand why it had to happen and I was convinced all along that George would only come out stronger because of it.

I also felt Meredith was really brave saying exactly what she wants because I know being a guy you don't want to hear the maybe, you just want to know yes or no, even if it is just no. Not knowing and waiting are the worst parts.

I also loved the whole karma aspect and balance because that's exactly how I feel and I am still awed I didn't realize how much 42 minutes of television could pertain to the way I see life (when I watched it that is, now I see it).

Just to humor you, I would tell you what I thought might happen based on the tv spot for your episode. I thought the terrible thing Meredith did was leave the bar with Mark and then have the whole thing with George. The reason this makes sense is because she was both desperate and drunk and in need of something. Mark holds many parallels with Derek and so whether she thought of what might happen(Derek possibly being jealous and finally taking a stand and leaving Addison for her) or not, it would have been comforting for her (especially because of the spark they had before Derek punched Mark). She could also have been mad at herself afterwards for being with Mark and continuing to chase after the wrong/unavailable guys and George was truly saying ALL THE RIGHT THINGS. So she still took a chance and George would have gotten seconds (oh that sounds so wrong). Anyway, that would have made things so much more complicated because of what would George feel once he finds out, and what about Derek and Addison...I thought it was possible and I thought I'd humor you.

Great job, really and thanks for taking Izzie away from Alex, she deserves better.(Though I don't hate Alex because I his interaction with Meredith).

Oh and your blog entry was really superb, talking about analysis - really impressive.

[Sharon]

First of all, I just have to say that I love Greys Anatomy. I don't think I've ever looked forward to a television show like I do for this one.

As for this episode, wow! is all I can say. I loved how Addison got the poisen oak because she peed outside. An alternative story could have been that she slept with Mark outside while Derek was inside...

But, you're the writers. Keep up the good work. I can't wait until next Sunday and all the Sundays to come.

[Mandi]

Before I start I have one questions and one question only...WHERE DID MCSTEAMY GO?? I loved him.

Okay now that's done,I must say that I got chills reading this entry cause it's all true. People make mistakes, stupid mistakes and sooner or later we catch up with them. Sometimes the outcome may not be so good and other times it may just be the thing we need.

This was one of my favorite episodes, even though George got hurt. I'm actually kind of glad now that he got hurt. I was furious last week, but not so much anymore. The whole sex scene had to be the most emotionally painful one I ever saw by the way. This was George's wake up call and I can only hope that he continues to demand more because like Meredith said he is great. I personally can't wait to see what kind of changes are in store for George.

Please, when the time is right, let him move onto that Dr.Torres! I love how she looks nothing like Meredith. She actually has some curves to her. I loved the end when she gave George her number and was asking him about taking a trip or however it was phrased. She knew and understood what he was talking about and George just needs someone like that.

Other than all the George/Meredith stuff, I loved the episode. Bailey/Addison was so perfectly added to all of the drama that was going on.

Too bad the Oscars are gonna be on next Sunday. =(

[1ifiona]

Thanks for another hour of pure enjoyment. OK, not the whole hour - the crying during the sex thing was just way to realistic and close to home for some of us to handle. Yikes. But I knew you had to find a way to make the Mer/George hookup not just bad but BAD in such a huge way that he could no longer be confused into thinking the had a chance together. And he's going to come out stronger on the other side. Go George! BTW - LOVED the saucy new Ortho Dr. with our dear George. I know *I* approve of that kind of karma for him. ;)

[Nicole (Brooklyn)]

Hi Stacey! Thanks for the blog and tonight's ep, it was great. Though I wasn't a fan of the George voice-over, I understand why it was necessary and I enjoyed his insights about karma. Karma does have a way of coming back to you when you least expect it. Kudos to you for pointing out George's own karma coming back, by way of him finally realizing what he did to Olivia. I especially loved all of the Bailey/Addison scenes, they were hilarious! I'm not a shipper, but I did like Addison's and Derek's scene tonight. It was great to see them actually laughing.

I have some questions that maybe you or Shonda could possibly answer in the FAQ:

1. Why is Izzie so freaking judgemental? I could tolerate it in the first season, but episode after episode, I've begun to dislike her character more and more. So is there a reason behind this, or is this just a character flaw?
For her to say that she would take George's side after she pushed him to tell his feelings knowing that Mer didn't feel the same, was wrong on her part. She should have been his friend and warned him instead of building him up to be let down.

2. The boy with the brain surgery--I don't understand how this case fit in with the theme of karma and the interns' lives. Could someone explain?

3. Is Mere going to get some therapy? It's obvious that she needs some, especially with her family backgorund. Please let her get some therapy. Also, can you stop making her sleep with so many people? Personally, I don't care if she does, but everyone (meaning viewers) bash her about it all the time and I can't defend her all the time!

Thanks and keep up the good work!!!

[brndlynn28@hotmail.com]

Great episode. I loved it! The only part I didn't like was the ortho Dr. She just doesnt seem to ... fit with the other characters and all around feel of the series. Otherwise it was perfect! The george voiceovers were fantastic. I realy enjoyed seeing things more from his point of view. Keep up the great work!

[Melissa J. in L.A.]

Loved the episode. And I totally agree with you on Karma. As far as the friendship with Derrick, I see it heading into possibly disaster. Because if the friendship leads to ultimately an affair it wouldn't make Derrick any better than Addison.

Can't wait to see where you take us with the Mer/Der friendship....

Absolutely love George finally getting a backbone and moving onto Callie...YAY George!

Incredible writing,Thanks for Great T.V.

that sex scene, god...so painful to watch...
seriously. why did she cry? why is she crying? she's crying like she's being involuntarily forced to do something she doesn't want to do. No one forced her... I'm just...disappointed in meredith I suppose. I think of all the episodes so far this season, this one has been the most...realistic. like seriously, the other ones are full of extraordinary and exciting and unbelievable things, and the drama is caused by those things. But this episode, this is real, this is caused by...karma. lol.

I think it hits almost a little too close to home for many of us. I know I certainly had a hard time watching this episode. There were moments, though, that I found to be extremely funny and appropriate, like miranda and addison, haha, so they've seen each other's naughty bits at times when they're least apt to be seen, lol, that's karma!