More from Shonda Rhimes on "The End Of The World..."

Episode Airdate: 2/5/06

Please tell me you watched the show.

PLEASE.

I say that because I’m gonna lie awake all night worrying that maybe you DIDN’T watch, that maybe you decided to go to bed or go out with friends or do something crazy like – I don’t know – NOT WATCH.  So please, please, please…

I’m betting many of you got to the last moment of the episode, heard Meredith whispering “what did I do, what did I do, what did I do…” and shrieked at the TV when you saw the credits.  That’s what my Mom did when I showed her the episode a week ago.  She was all, “THAT’S ALL YOU ARE GONNA SHOW ME?! WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!”  And when I wouldn’t tell her, she got kind of mad and guilted me with the fact that I came out of her body.

To be fair to you, I get that you hate me right now.  I mean…I left you hanging.   But, to be fair to me, I did not know until a day into production that this was gonna be a two hour thing.  See, I made this innocent call to Channing (the coolest executive at Touchstone TV – if you meet her, buy her a free drink because she was instrumental in our show ever getting on the air) and I asked if maybe we could have an hour and a half for this episode instead of just an hour.  She said she’d make a few calls.  A few hours later, the president of the network, Steve McPherson (another extremely cool person) had me on the phone and was like, “I think two hours would be amazing.”  Now, a tip should you ever have your own TV show -- you don’t say no to the president of the network.  Frankly, I didn’t even THINK about saying no.  I mean, a chance to make the episode bigger?  A chance to do all the things I’d wanted to do with the episode but could never have done in 42 minutes (which is how long an episode is without commercials)?  That kind of chance, that kind of vote of confidence from the network for our show, our proverbial little show that could?

I said, “No problem.”  Then I hung up and hyperventilated.

Because while I knew I could do this first hour, this hour that you watched tonight, I had NO IDEA what I was going to do to fill the entire second hour.  So while director Peter Horton started shooting, I sat on the floor of my office and tried to figure out how to expand the episode without a) ruining the episode and b) expanding the episode so much that it didn’t flow.  And I did figure it out.  I think.  You’ll have to watch next week to see if you agree.

About this episode:  what I’m really proud of if that even though this episode is Grey’s Anatomy on speed, even though there’s a bomb in a body cavity, even though we had guest stars like Christina Ricci (how good was she?!) and Kyle Chandler (how cute is he?!), even though, even though, even though…it is still very much our show.  It is still more about the relationships that it is about the medicine. 

What this episode is about is birth, sex and death.  Bailey’s pregnant, Meredith’s afraid she might die and Izzie and Alex…well, they do.   Don’t knock Izzie for going for it – when life hangs in the balance, we all do what we can for comfort.   And her speech in the linen closet was one of my favorite performances of the episode.   That, and Meredith’s long speech in bed to Cristina about Addison taking her McDreamy, her McDog, her McLife.  But my favorite, favorite moment in the whole thing is the “Pink Mist” scene.  It’s one of the first times we’ve ever had a scene on GA that didn’t involve a single one of our 10 main characters.  And, as expected, Christina Ricci’s amazing but Dr. Milton…my God, we didn’t even have anyone to play the part until the very day we shot the scene and originally, he only had two lines…Dr. Milton is perfection.  My favorite line?  “Even beats.”

About the shower scene: I knew it was the Superbowl, people.  I knew a little girl-on-girl would be good with the Superbowl boys and maybe keep them watching.  I’m not stupid.  But I also wanted to do something  a) that was not gratuitous and b) that is turned on its ear in the second part that airs next week.  And Katie, Sandra and Ellen (that’s Izzie, Cristina and Meredith) were total troupers for pulling it off with such humor.  They wore sweatpants and little tube top thingies and soaped each other up for hours without a single word of complaint.  And it was cold that day.   Really cold.  It’s why I love our cast.  I write stuff and they leap.  They’re leapers.  So watch for next week’s shower scene and remember this one and know that I am shouting, “HA!  You think girl-on-girl threesomes are real?  NO WAY.  THIS is how women take care of each other.”

The Music:  a lot of you know that I pick the songs myself.  But this episode was different.  First of all, my editor Ed Ornelas and I used a lot of drums – which we’ve never done before.   The drums are the sound of Meredith’s fear.   Did you notice that the first Mer/Der scene starts with that drumbeat that sends us into a dream-like silence so you’d end up with the feeling that the moment between the two of them may or may not have happened?  Did you notice that the drums signal death?   I hope so.  Second, we had this AMAZING song by Chris Martin and Michael Stipe in our hands that we could debut on our show if we had a place for it.  And all the proceeds that came from people buying the song on iTunes would go to charity.  So that ending, that song placement was like a gift.

But there are some greater moments coming.  Please tell me you watched.  And that you’ll watch again next week.  Because honestly, aside from my daughter, I’ve never enjoyed anything more than working on this show.  It is a pleasure entertaining you. 

Comments

[david]

Effin' incredible episode! Great show, and thanks for the Chris Martin / Michael Stipe song info.

[Jen]

Amazing. That's all I have to say.

The people at www.livejournal.com/users/greysanatomy

were going WILD during the show. Just to let you know. :D

[Michelle]

I watched. And I LOVE the show. I appreciate the work you do to bring this story about the Relationships into my world - into all of our worlds. You have quite an audience, my friend, everyone I know was watching tonight. I can't wait for next week!

Thank you!

[Karyn]

All I can say is I am sooooo depressed, I just found out it came on earlier tonight, and I missed it!!! It is the only show I watch and now my week is ruined. I hate the SUPERBOWL!!

[Donna Gibson]

I watched, and watched, and watched, and in between commercials, I called my sister and we talked about what we had seen, but as soon as commercials were over, we were like,"back on, gotta go." It was amazing, it was fantastic, it was awsome. It was the best dang gone show that I have seen so far, and that's really saying something because a)I am not generally a tv nut, (at least not until GA, but also b)not only were the usual stars at the top of their game as usual, but the guest stars were amazing as well. I think that Ms. Ricci played her part just perfectly. I felt her fear, I felt her desire to do the right thing, and I defintly felt her panic. I was panicked the moment that I finally found out what a Code Black was. Shonda, you have a truly amazing talent. For the first time, I even felt for Addison. I still want Meridith and Mcdreamy to get back together, and the sooner the better, but this is the first episode where I didn't want to smack her face. To me, she finally became human. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Awesome. I just have one little complaint. Now I have to wait a whole week to see the result of all the tension and drama created tonight. This was a way better cliffhanger than who shot J.R. Please don't ever stop doing what you do. You are simply fantastic. Ok, maybe you can have a few days to spend with family and friends, but please, please, please, keep up the excellent work. I don't even have enough superlatives in my vocabulary to express my gratitude for the wonderful job you do and are doing. And by the way, I hope that you are feeling better.

[Katie Cropper]

I watched, I loved, and I had a mild heart attack.

[Lara]

Shonda, this episode was amazing. I was waiting all week for it. [And I would never, ever miss an episode of your show :-)]. It was so heart-wrenching and spine-tingling and, exactly like you said: "on speed." The shower scene in the beginning threw me off a little bit, but I loved seeing that it was George's fantasy and how he still wishes that Meredith would love him. This whole episode was amazing, simply amazing. It is my favorite yet. I have no idea how I will be able to wait for next week [Will the bomb go off? Will Meredith die? What will Derek do when he finds out Meredith is now holding the bomb? (I'm pulling for Mer/Der in the long run, if you couldn't tell :-)) Will Bailey's husband survive? Will anyone survive?] The suspense is killing me! The brilliant writing of this show and the spectacular acting of the cast never ceases to amaze me and keeps me coming back every week. Thank you for bringing this show into the lives of so many. You are truly an inspiration to writers everywhere. Keep up the good work!! :-)

[Jaclynn (21 Female Dallas, TX)]

I watched and like your mom, I was screaming at the TV going, "THAT's IT!" I wanted to know if she was going to be ok, if her 'feeling' was real and true. I wanted McDreamy to stop and run after her. Trust me, I'll be watching next week just to see how brilliant you make the other half of this episode come out.

A Loyal Fan Always,
Jaclynn

[Ryan]

I knew this episode would be good, I mean come on, it's the superbowl. But WOW. In all, by the end of the episode, we had probably 14 people crammed into one dorm room and about 10 others down the hall in another room. The Grey'sAholics in my dorm got about 6 converts tonight. It was a FANTASTIC episode and I am sure that waiting for next week's episode will get me through the week. Wow! That was amazing! I am more addicted to this show than ever! Great job everyone! There wasn't one actor that I didn't believe was their character.

[patty]

I missed it. I ran home from the library only to find out that I had missed the only show I watch. I am deep into midterm exams and I had planned my day around 10pm. I did not even watch the super bowl. I wish I had gotton more imfo about GA not playing at 10pm. There will be a re-cap before the next episode right?? I wish I could catch this episode soon. I am a faithfull fan that has never missed a show...until today:(

[April A in TX]

Holy...All I can say is that I loved it! I hate that I have to wait a week to see the rest, but I loved it! Brilliant. Seriously Brilliant! Ricci did a fantastic job as well as the rest of the cast. I mean, there were times when I actually held my breath waiting to see what happened next. Bravo! I'm definitely tuning in next week.

[incognito writer / flagrante lawyer]

The episode was the best hour of televison I have ever witnessed. I am still awake 2 hrs later... I don't know how I will live for another week. I was around for the original airing of 'Who Shot JR' --- HELLO my how we have progressed!!! Ms. Rimes you have so inspired me to pursue writing. You are such a talent as is your cast. I salute all of the writers and the cast as Grey's Anatomy is the only program that really constitutes 'must see tv'.

[Melody]

Yes, we watched. You doubted us? It's the one show I can't miss each week, so I suffered through the ritual sporting event thing to make sure I didn't miss a moment. And of course I'll watch next week! I feel like I'm in the middle of reading a great book and I've been forced to put it down. I hate that. I would read your whole show in one sitting if I could, but then again, I've always been a little impatient :)

[Stacy Myers]

I watched, I loved, I'm counting the days until next Sunday!

Well done -- Grey's Anatomy at its best!

[Cindy from Alberta Canada]

AWESOME! It was such a great episode. I have never ever in my entire life posted a comment. But I felt compelled to say Thank You for writing this fabulous episode. Thank you for creating it and thank you for entertaining us tonight. I cannot wait for the next 7 days to see what happens next. The nuances of the episode, the variances in emotions, touched me on different levels. I laughed and then wondered if I should have. And in the end, I felt for everyone...cause I have those days when I feel that something terrible happens...and at the end I breathe a sigh of relief when I have gotten through my day but then wonder, what if? Scary world that we live in...one minute we are here and next we are merely "pink mist". Thank you...

[Mong Penella]

Thank you for Grey's Anatomy. Thank you for a fantastic, heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, adrenalin-rush, tender and endearing episode. Despite the faulty tivo due to the superbowl, I've watched it 3 times already just to appreciate every scene and dialogue (and catch some foreshadowing). You are so gifted and have an amazing talent for storytelling. Your writing is so splendid, clever, funny, realistic and engaging. You show so well the inner folds and layers of your characters' interior worlds, both male and female. We root and care for all of them. There is no way a man could write this way. Your voice is melodic, witty, humorous, chaotic, and human. It speaks to so many of us and that's why I tune in anxiously every week to hear and see what you have to say. Thank you, thank you. This was the best television ever!!!! So please don't neglect this show as you begin your other writing endeavors. It would be tragic for all your loyal fan base.

[laura j]

wow. i'm definately in awe over this episode and going crazy over next week's episode!!! i have all these ideas going on in my mind of what might happen and what's going to happen!! frankly, i'm slightly stressed out, so i know if i am! you definately must be! this week was awesome! i'm not a football person so i kept checking on the game wishing and hoping for it to be over so i could Finally watch the show i've been waiting for all week!!! i just can't wait til next week. i dont like these cliff hangers!!! and this one is much harder to wait for then the other one this season!! but, hopefully this did capture much more people, so i guess it's worth it...and it just gets me all the more excited about next week! but please...dont do this too us, your beloved audience too many more times...pretty please?!!! but no i'm so excited and this is THE show.

[Kris]

We WOULD have watched it if the SUPERBOWL WOULDN'T HAVE CUT OUT HALF OF IT! On top of that, I didn't see ANY of it because I expected it to be on at TEN like ABC ADVERTISED it as...so when ten came around and I saw JIMMY KIMMEL, I was pretty angry.

Please, Shonda, get the ABC beurocrats to reshow this episode! PLEASE!

[Amanda]

I watched it and I loved it! Can't wait for more.

[Mia]

Oh my god. This was the best episode yet! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I am absolutely speechless.

Amazing.

gooooooood job!

[Christy A]

I have to admidt,...I am TOTALLY ADDICTED!I am 32years old with 2 children ages 5 and 21/2. I actually turned cartoons on in the living room and went into the bedroom so I could "hide" to watch this eppisode!(hide is the key word there,when you have kids, the bathroom is not even a quite room!Nope,the door is always open in there too!) Normal bed time for my kids is before 9! It was well past 10:30pm when they finally got to bed, and you know what, I DIdnt care!I want MORE GREYS ANATOMY!! Whats gonna happen next!!??!! I NEED to know! I wish it would be on tommorrow night so I don't have to wait so long!.....(My girls thought it was great,they get to stay up late and watch cartoons,and Mom thinks it OKAY!) .... I guess I just wanted to tell you that I believe you guys are truly doing a great job with the show,and I wanted to say...THANK YOU! Its nice to have something to look forward to. Sunday nights are my TV nites. Thanks Again! Christy A

[Sarah C]

You are brilliant and I not only watched once, but I recorded it and watch it repeatedly to tide me over until next Sunday.

I literally count down the minutes and I must say that I to am angry with the cliff hanger but I'll forgive you when it starts next Sunday and than be angry again when it's over. It's like Purgatory Sunday @ 11pm to next Sunday @ 10pm and than I'm intoxicted by how amazing GA is.

Thank you.

[C]

All I can say, is Oh My God.

[Victoria]

Oh Ms Rhimes, Ms Rhimes--by now I'm sure you know that many of us loyal watchers got screwed over by the Super Bowl and some DVR malfunctions and DIDN'T GET TO SEE ALL OF IT!!!!!!! Horrible. The most exciting episode ever and it got screwed up. The network HAS to air it again before next week. The horror, the horror....

[Birinyi]

Seattle football fans should call today Code Black Sunday.

Of course I watched it. As a Seattleite, I was understandably upset over the Seahawks' loss, but I wasn't going to let that prevent me from watching a lil' Grey's. Solid ep.