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

[Orange Tang]

Shonda,

It's the Astronaut No-Longer-A-Blog-Virgin here. I watched...with three guys and a gal. Shooing our kids to another room...we watched. Yes, it's slightly over-the-top...and yes, I'm dissappointed that D & M didn't have that much sexual tension (cuz I LOVE that about the show)...but there was humor (Preston, Preston, Preston...why do you not love the McDreamy?), there was tension, and there was the awesome writing that MAKES G'A the BEST! Milton walking out is what makes y'all EDGY!

Shonda...you can sleep well, knowing that all of us that watched will wait with baited breath for next week. Oh, and all of us fans who Tivo'd the show...we only got the first 30 minutes b/c of Tivo's inability to be "smart" about time delays!

Proud of you Shonda! Your mom's not the only one! Keep up the great work!

Best,
J

[Susan]

Just so you know I am totally crazy over this show. I have come to love and what keeps me coming are all the great actors and the stories and of course Meredith and McDreamy. This is so far my favorite episode, I literally was speechless and when it was over I was screaming at the tv. I can't wait to see what Derek does next week. It's amazing that I acually looks foward to Sundays because of this show.

Thanks

[Mugizi]

1. WOW, just WOW. Best episode in a really long time, maybe since "Into you like a train." (although opinions may vary there)

2. Dr. Meredith Grey has a LOT of guts. Girl has nerves of STEEL! I really have a newfound respect for her. I mean even Cristina and Burke were cowering on the floor and they are definitely not the cowardly type!

Overall, just a REALLY good episode. Can't wait to see the part 2 of this ep.

[Jessica]

I honestly don't know how anyone could have NOT watched - I think that was the best hour of TV I've ever seen! The cast was wonderful, and the use of music/noise/lack therof to enhance the characters' state of mind was amazing. I was, indeed, yelling at the TV when the episode ended! Can't wait to see how this all turns out next week!!

[casey]

I suffered through 4 hours of football (to be fair, my boyfriend was watching anyway) so I wouldn't miss a minute. When it finally came on I just sat there going "Honey - I... Don't look! I think she died and the NFL took over..." I recovered by the time the McLife comment hit - the funniest by far. And I noticed the eerie silence and wondered if she had really gotten out of bed. I noticed it all. Good job! :)

p.s. You'll get a "Great job!!!" when Derek realizes how essential Meredith is to living. ;)

[Jaime]

Shonda - you are so gifted!! Thank you for GA -- truly entertaining, thought provoking and exciting to watch. You think of everything.

[SandyAego]

Killer show; congrats!! Yep; caught on to the shower scene being for the football crowd, heh. Loved the McDog McLife line!! It's a pleasure to finally have female tv characters that I can identify with, lol.

[Ericka]

Not only did I watch, I kicked my little brother out of the room because he was making too much noise to watch. It like "OK, the Super Bowl is over, now everyone get the hell out" kind of thing. Genius as usual. Great performances by all. Isaiah, Sandra and Chandra never cease to take my breath away.

Hey there, if you ever go to the ABC messageboard website you'll see that ALOT of people watched (though some in the West Coast missed out) and alot of people loved it and can't wait for Sunday to come again!! Good job :D

[Perry]

"HOLY CRAP!" is right... jeez was that an episode or what? I spent almost the entire hour biting off my nails. Never have I found so much suspense in a tv show, thank you!
The Pink Mist scene had me on the verge of tears and the shower scene had me in fit of chuckles; this episode certainly did deliver.
But curse you for making me wait until next week to see the conclusion - I'm in agony!

[Anton]

That was fantastic. As soon as Meredith stuck her hand in there and started saying "what did I do" I almost fell off the sofa. I can't wait for the next episode and for additional shower scenes.

[Angel]

The show tonight was awesome. So yeah, you can count me in for watching the episode. And, yeah I'll be watching next weeks too, rest assured.

[blair07]

I don't think you ever need to worry about people watching this show! its amazing...when it was over i just about had a heart attack..i need to know what happens. The intricate relationships of these characters are unbelievable and I LOVE everything about tonights episode except it has caused me to blow off all my work to come on this site and read all about it.
I LOVE GREY's ANATOMY

[Isabelle]

I WATCHED, neer fear!!

And I sort of hate Canadian tv for not giving me a preview for next week!

[Lisa]

I watched. In fact, I left the Super Bowl party I was at as soon as the game ended so I could get home JUST IN CASE the DVR wasn't going to catch the whole thing and I'd need to make adjustments.

I watched... and it was awesome... and I screamed a little when I realized it wasn't going to end tonight. I'll *definitely* watch next week. :)

[tina]

this was, quite possibly, THE best episode of any drama series i've watched in a LONG time...and (sadly enough) i watch a whole lot of *primetime* television...

the cliffhanger is ridiculous...i can't believe i have to wait a week to find out what's next...and i can't believe dr. milton totally walked out of the OR! or that hannah ran out and left mer in there....oh SO SO SO GOOD!

waiting with abated breath for the next opportunity to satiate my GA fix....THANKS!!! :)

[Elle Blessingway]

Oh. My. God.

That is all I have to say. And maybe a little bit of this-is-the-best-episode-of-the-best-show-ever. Yes. That is all.

xoxo

[Diane]

Okay. So I watched. And I'm feelin' quite like your mama right now. I ain't happy. In fact, I'm mad as H-E- "double hockey sticks." Now, I can't guilt trip you into emailing me personally about what happens cause I didn't give birth to you, but as a sista with a serious Grey's Anatomy jones, I ain't feelin' you. How you gonna leave me hanging like that? Ain't feelin' you, I said!! Hmph! I gotta go an entire damn week before my jones is satisfied? Gurl...YOU GOT LOTSA NERVE! It's a good thing that I love you so much for being the brainchild behind this fabulousness you call Grey's Anatomy or you would be in trouble. You look kinda tall and I ain't nothing but five foot something but I would still jack up your knees something AWFUL. Ha!

Okay...seriously though. OHMIGOODNESS!! I was RIVETED. Thank you for GOOD entertainment. There's more that I'd like to say about this episode but as payback I ain't gonna say nothing else. Fair is fair! Quid pro quo, chica. Tee hee!!! Smooches.

[Charlotte]

ACK!!! First and foremost, that was an amazing episode from start to finish. I will have to say that I literally cried several times during the episode and literally am so concerned for all of the characters. Especially (you) Dr. Bailey. Such amazing actors, and what a brillant story line. I am amazed at the combination of suspense, humor and compassion that plays out on this show.

I have to say that Greys Anatomy is the best show I have ever become totally obsessed with. AND...my obsession is contagious, I have sucked not only my partner but now three friends into watching it each week. Thank you for bringing intelligent, interesting drama/(comedy) to the vast wasteland of television. Each episode is unique, intriguing and brillant. Thank you thank you thank you.

[Christina]

I watched the show! It was amazing. They're all amazing. I'll have to hurt you if you hurt/kill any of the wrong people though....

[Gizmatage...]

I would have loved to comment on the show, but the damn Superbowl messed up the schedule. My DVR missed the episode, and I only caught the last 10 minutes... in which Pompeo and Ricci were both amazing.... PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me it's going to be re-ran some time in the near future... Please.....

[Sandy]

I watched the show. You are brilliant, and I am hyperventilating right now, I do not know how I will get through this week.
all the characters, EGAD!!!!!
Bailey, Mr. Baily, Cheif, McDreamy, FLATLINE!, Mer, Burke, Izzy & Alex, George, and all others.
This was a comfort from the dissapointment us Seattle fans felt earlier this day.

Thank you for this show, you are brilliant.

[Sue]

OMG. I almost missed this episode because I forgot it was the Superbowl. I assumed it was on its usual time, and then I happened to turn the tv on during the scene where Mer says the McLife line...and I freaked out (for not knowing this but happy I was watching it at the same time). So yeah, I watched it and damn, it was some good television!

I saw/heard Mer whispering to herself, and when it ended I stood at the tv, raised my hands and went "What the ****?" I'm not mad about the cliffhanger, I could tell it would happen because the bomb threat didn't come into play early on, but I can't wait till next week! For some reason I thought Code Black meant armed assailant, so I kept thinking, "Who's the gunman, the crazy screamer?" But a BOMB in a body cavity???

The "pink mist" thing gave me chills and mixed emotions. I couldn't believe Dr. Milton was telling Hannah this - what a way to look on the positive. "Bloody rain?" Shudder. Anguish for her, anger at him but also understanding that he wanted to live.

Can I just say how much I love the show? I thought I was done with medical dramas, but this show is so well written, I love the characters (especially Cristina and George!) and the performances are great. And thank you for having an ethnically diverse cast, too - I hope other shows follow you on this one.

[Anna Maria Aramil]

Oh my God, I am totally hooked to this show. I mean, I have never ever liked any TV shows in my entire life, honest! I have watched many shows, but I've never been hooked on any. I am hooked, I mean I can't get enough of "Grey's Anatomy". Of course, the actors are great, but I think the "writer" (Ahem...) should take the credit for the show being such a huge success. The story just flows. If I have one wish, I would love to meet you, Shonda and see you at work, getting your creative juices flowing to give "Grey's Anatomy" that kick, that gel that makes us, your audience glued in front of the TV. All I can say, great job!

[Missy]

Yes, we watched!
j
Thanks for telling us why it had to be two episodes, because I felt exactly how your mom said she felt.

Thank you so very much for a great show! This is the first show I've really enjoyed watching for the longest time. I love the character development and the music!

Keep up the great work!