From Gabrielle and Harry, writers of "Band-aid covers the bullet hole"

Original Airdate: 3-12-06

Hello, everyone!

This is Gabrielle writing.  We hope you enjoyed the episode.  We had a great time writing it. And a great time casting it.  We were so excited to get such amazing guest stars.  Who knew Natalie Cole would let us put a fork in her neck!  A prosthetic fork actually, but it looked very real, even in person.  We were joking that she should leave it in and go out to dinner that evening.  “Excuse me waiter, but I seem to have misplaced my fork…”

Natalie was really lovely in real life and we were super impressed with her performance.   If only we had known when we were writing the script that Natalie was going to be our Sylvia.  We would’ve written in a couple songs for her to sing.  How cool would that have been?

We were also excited to get Teddy Dunn to play Heath our overly enthusiastic hockey player.  When he left after his audition, I turned to Peter Horton and said, “Oh, My God.  He plays Duncan Cain, Veronica’s boyfriend on Veronica Mars. I love him!”  Peter looked at me like I was nuts, but Harry and I watch that show religiously and think Teddy is an amazing actor.  I love his expression when he tells George he cut off his own finger.   I tried very hard not to stalk him around the set for VM nuggets. 

I loved shooting all the stuff with Cristina and Bailey’s baby.  The sad truth is I didn’t have to dig very deep to write those scenes.  I am terrible with babies.   I have no experience with them and am always convinced I’m going to drop them.  I’m especially terrified when they’re super-super small.  I’m afraid I’m going to hold them wrong and their little head is going to just snap off and roll away.  How do I explain that to their parents?   Just this weekend, my sister Lexie was in town with her six week old baby daughter, Zuzu.   I was holding Zuzu, and doing pretty well I thought, until Lexie turned to me and said, “Why are you holding her like she’s going to explode or something?”   I guess I’ll stick with my dog.

Finally, I hope everyone thought the “Burke and George’s All-Star Band” was as hilarious as we did.  Isaiah plays the trumpet in real life.,. but T.R. worked really hard to get the finger moves down for his clarinet playing.  Maybe we should get them to play at Joe’s Bar sometime.  Natalie could sing!

Cheers, Gabrielle.

P.S. Harry, here.  So even though “Grey’s” is set in Seattle, it doesn’t mean that we’re Seattle sports fans, well at least not me.  If I can just say… the Pittsburgh Steelers are world champions. 

Shonda threw a fabulous Super Bowl party so everyone could watch the bomb in the chest/Super Bowl episode, and, believe it or not, there were a few of us (all boys) there to actually watch the game before the episode aired. 

Shonda gave us sports watchers our own dedicated viewing room, with a HUGE plasma TV.  I sat across from Steve Bailey, Joe the Bartender, who is as big a Seahawk fan as I am a Steeler fan.  There was good natured and rather spirited cheering throughout the game that ended in a hug of mutual respect post-game. 

Then Shonda saw something she said she’d never seen before – “man weeping” as I watched the Steelers hoist the Lombardi Trophy.  One for the thumb.

Comments

[Monique]

Ok...Was it just me or all along did anyone else think that McDreamy was going to have a "ah-ha" moment and realize that Mer was the one for him? I was just sure of it after all of the focus on the love between Natalie Cole and her husband. I was SO bummed at the end when it turned out that I was right about the "ah-ha" and wrong about the reason for it. I know....you've got to string us along. Give us what we want and it will get boring...but I agree. Either give Mer another love interest (who won't be exploding) or get Mer/Der back together.

Thanks for another great show!

[Laura]

Thank you so much for supporting breastfeeding on the show. I appreciate how you pointed out that the bottle contained expressed breastmilk, not formula. I also loved seeing a baby sling instead of yet another baby bjorn. Keep up the good work!

[Dacia]

Seriously?

No comment on if Derek was inspired to apologize to Addision because of the medical case? Or because Meredith asked if Addison knew they were friends? Or if knowing that Meredith could hurt someone she cared for in a moment of loneliness made him realize that Addison isn't a horrible person? Seeing the parallel of lonely Addison/Meredith as lonely people reaching out for comfort and then regretting the decision deeply--was that the trigger in his brain?

And what about with George? He is spouting off that the hockey kid is crazy to go to the extreme of cutting something off because it hurts rather than deal with letting it heal. And yet he's doing the same thing with his relationship with Meredith.

And instead, you blog about some show I don't know and about a game that was over a month ago? Seriously?

I'm disappointed.

[tina]

okay, shonda, you want your characters to be real, then why has meredith suffered no trauma seeing 2 not 1 bomb squad guy blow up...there were 2 men in that hallway. and what red-bloodied american male wouldn't at least offer a hug to the woman he loves and almost lost! why would a so called intelligent resident doctor bring her newborn baby to a hospital filled with disease and germs...can't she afford daycare? and if patrick dempsey wants meredith and derrick together then how can you say the characters are making you do the things you do. what happened to all the fun times last season. meredith has been miserable for the past 22 episodes....i think that might be a record.....shame on you for thinking that the only people watching are youg people who know nothing about real life...

[brittany]

hi. just wanted to say thanks for another great episode but like everyone else here... we need more info on the blog today. anyways, so i loved the scene where meredith tries to tell george shes sorry in the elevator. i know how it is when u try your hardest to make your friend listin and apologize. great thinkin for the elevator. well can't wait for next week. although, i must say i'm still hoping hoping hoping meredith and derek get back together. i mean come on... his heart was with her. i'm not really buying him and his wife together. ahh, oh well. i love addison's character so i guess its not that bad. at least ya'll finally came up with a way for them to finally connect. well i'm sure whatever ya'll come up with will be great. thanks.

[barahitas]

okei.. seriously this show is totally awsome! im like the hugest fan! ist just so sad that were im from (mexico) we are so behind! we're on the fourth episode or something like that.. i am so desperate i want to see more and more.. so well.. goodbye and shandra or somebody else from the crew.. please please please say patrick dempsey that i love him.. he's so damn cute!

[Kristin]

I too wish the blog was more insightful about the character's motives--it seemed to be just filler fluff this week. Not even worth reading.

I finally am liking Meredith--her apology to George made her shine, and him look like an immature idiot.

The timeline seems a little off in this episode--or just not well presented. Bailey's supposed to be on leave but she's all ready back? Addison has already recovered from poison oak--in a day or two?

Der's apology to Addison was nice--a character growth point for him--finally. We still don't have any insight why they are trying so hard if he has been indifferent, and still to a huge degree is. And she needs his attention, but still doesnt' have it--why didn't she go with McSteamy? Why leave McSteamy at all? Writers, we really need more background as to WHY Addi and Der are even trying at their marriage.

Also, it would be nice to see some insight from Izzy and Meredith on how George's absence has changed the dynamic in the house. We haven't had any conversation from George's best friend Izzy to George about this big move, the haircut etc. That would be nice. Don't drop that relationship--Izzy/George. It was fun.

[Mel]

I loved this episode and have to admit that for the first time, I actually cared about Addison and hope that McDreamy will continue to work on his marriage.

Christina steals every scene - even ones with a cute baby.

Keep it up! Can't wait for the next one.

[idgypsy in nevada]

Well now i know why the episode has been so poorly recieved, If you have spent any time on the other board you will see that the polls have you listed as not finishing at all.
The blog was fluff. Just plain fluff. Who really cares where you watched the superbowl at. We are here for the show. Apparently after watching what you wrote for the show you didnt either.
Not to be mean or anything but your blog really indicated what level of writers you both are.
I waited 2 weeks (i hate the oscars!) for this and was completely disappointing. There was no movement forward with any of the charecters, all are outspoken including Izzy one line should have been "Alex you were just there to feed the beast" then walk out.
The thing that keeps us viewers watching is the charecter involvement. Nothing personal to you 2 writers but this episode was LAME and I suspect you wrote it in between superbowl commercials. PLEASE Shonda assist in the dialog with these 2. I have sat and watched the episode about 6 times and spoken with other GA fanatics, see the other web page for further and we are all really sad about how disjointed this episode was.
Thanks for your time.

[Brianna]

I liked what you had to say about what you commented on...but what about Alex, Lizzie, & Denny. And especially what about George & Mer (George needs to get over it BTW), Mer & Derek (it is so obvious he feels something still & was jealous/heart broken when she told him about George) & Derek & Addison?!?!
Is he ever going to really make up his mind?! How can he give Mer the heartbroken look (even if maybe she didn't see it) & then go home & tell Addison that he wasn't great before & he's going to work on it now?!?!

[Jacquelynn]

I have to say this was not one of my favorite episodes at all. My mom watched "Big Love" instead and asked me for a recap today (she doesn't have TiVo!) and I really struggled to come up with a compelling synopsis. I think the Christina/baby scenes could have been funnier. I liked the tender moment when she was sleeping with the baby, but wish Burke had seen this. George is BEYOND annoying! I hope he is the intern that leaves. The Izzy/Denny storyline is very intriguing but wouldn't she be removed from his case by now? Regardless, please bring back the energy of the first season. As stated earlier by another poster, I loved the "syph" episode. Let's get back on track. This show needs to return to its earlier brilliance. Thank you.

[Miranda]

Hello. You finally put up the blog! I'm addicted to it, as I am to the show.

Sorry, but this episode was... ehhh. It was pretty boring. I understand the episodes cannot be all (to use a phrase I hate) "shock and awe" but still, ehhh.

Why doesn't Bailey have child care lined up? What happened there?

You still need to show me more why Addison and Derek are together and working on their marriage. What is it that brought them together and made them tick and what do they share? I'm still unconvinced and looking for answers there. It seems like you are setting that up though, so I hope to learn more about that.

In the meantime, let's have Meredith get a boyfriend - not just a one-night stand. How about a sexy, smart, funny researcher or something like that? -- someone she really connects with and makes Derek really jealous - better yet - someone who knows about her mom and the chief and her dad somehow (through his parents - or, I guess it could be an older man - whatever). Anyway, she needs something/somebody and Derek needs to really be jealous and uncomfortable - not just b/c she slept with someone but b/c she CONNECTS with someone. That's what I would like to see, anyway.

I'm sorry to be a downer about the episode, but it was not the best. I DID like the scene at the end with George and Dr. Burke; that was funny. (P.S. I hope you guys pay T.R. really well for sporting a really bad hair cut - hee hee)

Anyway, I know all you writers are great and I still love the show and, as always, I'm looking forward to the next one, although it looks as though the next show is about nothing but dying patients?! - yay, that sounds like a real upper...

[tobywoo]

I love this show. I have to remind myself that it television and not to get so worked up about what happens. I will not miss an episode! However, if the Derek/Meredith story line doesn't move soon I will go bonkers. I think that Addison and Derek together will ruin the show for me. I understand that Shonda knows these people and what they are going to do. I doubted the George/Meredith sex episode for the whole week and then when explained, I understood its brillance. However. I will not be able to watch the whole Addison 'getting her man back' storyline. No way. Not now, not ever, no matter the explaination. Please don't take my show away from me. Please. I beg you. I watch 2 hours of television a week. Obviously you are 50% of that. Please.

[*~* Kelly *~*]

I for one thought that the show was great. It showed some sides to characters that I hadn't seen before. I think that the relationships between Addie/Derek/Meredith are being written as VERY realistic, and I applaud you. If M/D were to get back together this soon, it would be unrealistic. It isn't easy for most guys to walk away from marriages, and anyone who says it is, has obviously never been in that situation before!

Don't let bad comments get to you. The only thing about the show that would be unrealistic would be to have a bomb in every episode. I appreciate what you are doing with the characters because I KNOW that although I may not be able to see where you are going with them, YOU know, and that's all that matters. Thanks for another great hour of entertainment! And BTW, the blog is a bonus people. How dare you "demand" more! I say, "Thanks for taking time to write it!"

[emily]

can you please get rid of addison? maybe have mcsteamy come back and make her realize she needs to end her marriage. that way, all of us also get one more glimpse of mcsteamy (we all wanna see him again!).

and the part where meredith finally told derek about sleeping with george? his expression was great! he was so crushed, but still supported her. the elevator part was also really good.

and for some reason, i really like alex so can we get him and izzy to just kiss and makeup? thanks.

[Char]

Ok, what happened.....I am all happy that Der and Mer seem to be moving in the right direction and then you pull the rug right out from under my feet. How stupid could she be, telling him she slept with George!!!! She new that he was going to react like an ex-lover, come on!!! Please tell me this isn't irreparable. Don't get me wrong I like Addison and I think her and McSteamy need another try but I like Derek and Meredith together...At least bring back McSteamy so we can have more tension.....love George and his new girl...very cute...Please don't let Denny die....he and Izzie are adorable together. I wish you could have written more about the episode and why it played out the way it did. I usually love your postings but this one was seriously lacking.

[Weez]

Hey Guys -
I thought this was a great episode. I think you did a really good job opening up some interesting new avenues for story-lines...particularly with Denny and Izzie. Also, I loved the scenes between Cristina, Burke and George...I loved that we saw Cristina look threatened, jealous and insecure (both in those scenes and in the scenes with the baby). It was a great insight into a new side of her. Also loved the new relationship possibility for George! I really loved the scenes between Derek and Meredith - ESPECIALLY the scene when Meredith told him about sleeping with George. It was perfect! I thought McDreamy's reaction and the subtle expression on his face was priceless...and it just all made sense - you could see him coming to a new realization, and you could see Meredith, oblivious to the line she had just drawn in their new 'friendship'. I think the writing of Derek and Addison's relationship is so insightful and true. Every week you get it right. It is probably the most accurate portrayal of a struggling marriage on TV. I love the way Derek struggles with his desire to be with Meredith and his obligation to be with his wife, and the way he honestly loves both of them in very different ways. Great job! (That said, of course, I would love to see a steamy love scene between McDreamy - preferably with a butt shot ;-) - and Meredith, during which Addison walks in and is crushed and blindly runs out of the hospital never to return again!....I guess you never get over Soap-Opera expectations!).
Keep up the great writing! it is so refreshing, fun, thought-provoking and entertaining! I LOVE it!

[Petula]

I think that everyone who is complaining about last night's episode needs to realize that not every week can (or should be) bombs and McSteamies and stupid sexual decisions. The reason I love this show, and this blog is that all the characters are unique and have their own voice, much like the writers. And although some common items can be found in almost every ep (seriously? seriously.) I like that life at Seattle Grace is not too different from life at my real-world job. Some days it's drama and tears and some days not much happens. I still laughed last night at Burke and George. I almost cried for Addison. And I know that any ep of Grey's beat's most other shows for good times and entertainment. Including the one from last night. As for your post, I was very interested to learn that Shonda has a giant tv, so that one day when we are best friends I can go over and watch it.
I just got scary didn't I?

[Cynthia]

Loved the Burke and George music scene - gave me this flash of the nerdy-boy-band-geeks they must have been as kids. Great hint at their back stories. Will we learn more over time about how Burke negotiates/negotiated blackness and nerdiness?

[Addie]

There has never been a show that has made me feel more torn than Grey's Anatomy. I love all three Mer/Der/Addi. (I like Addi for more than the fact that we share a nickname) The ending with Der & Addi last night was beautiful and I think I might just be pulling for them to make it. And can I just say that Patrick Dempsey rocks at facial expressions. He can relay so much through just his face.

The conversation between Bailey and Cristina at the end was very interesting. I'm so curious to see where that leads.

I am seriously addicted to this show!

[Jess]

That's all? Only the fork, babies and instruments? I hope to see more chemistry between Addison and Derek though. I hear there were scenes of them deleted because there were too much chemistry between the two and I think we should really get to see it because then, we'll understand why they stayed together to fight for the marriage.

[lynsiec]

This was the most boring episode and most boring blog from the writer. The episode was so bad that the writer talked about the superbowl instead of the epi in the blog. Way to much Addison in this episode. I hope I speak for more people when I say we are tired of the Addison/Derek thing and we are tired of seeing a pathetic Mer. Come on, I almost fell asleep during the commercials and I am not at all anxious to watch the next epi. BORING!!!!!

[Danielle]

Just want to say thanks for finally having Derek admit he was part of the problem. We Addie/Derek fans have been waiting a long time for that one. I love it seems like they might actually try to work things out now. It's nice to see two people at least attempting to find their way back to one another.

[Me]

This isnt really a comment about this particular episode, its a comment about the show in general.

I want nothing more then for Mer/Der to be once more. But thankfully for me, Mer/Der arent the only reason i watch the show, and if they never got back together, I would keep on watching because i love that the stories are not so far fetched that they would only possibly happen on tv. So isnt it about time that storyline got wrapped up. If Mer/Der arent going to get back together then lets stop with the longing looks and those oh so few words that say oh so much and let Derick and Addison get on with their marriage, build a house, make some babies or do whatever it is that reunited husbands and wives do, and give merideth someone that has more respect for her then to lead her along for months and months giving her these moments of hope that maybe, just maybe one day their love will conquer all and they will get back together and live happily ever after.

Or if they are going to get together, i think Derick and Addison have really given it a go and its obvious that his heart just aint in it any more, so lets just hurry up and end the charade and let them both move on with their lives and the ones they really are in love with. I think Addison is a great character, i just dont think her and Derick are great.

All im really trying to say is enough already. Please dont let this be one of those storylines that drags out until the series finale. I think and hope there are more interesting character developments to take place that could more then fill the central plot place that the love triangle is currently holding. If it does continue to drag out as it currently is, I know that whilst i will continue to watch grey's anatomy, it wont be on my priority list, my night wont stand still just to watch GA, as it currently does on a sunday night.

Oh and Derick apologising to Addison, seriously? He isnt the one that slept with his spouses best friend and continued to stay with them even after their spouse moved across the other side of the country. I know Derick was absent and contributed the the undoing of their marriage, but there are much better ways to grab your husbands attention then sleeping with their best friend. I mean you dont just go sleeping with someone to grab someones attention, but maybe i live in some alternate universe where people actually sleep with other people they have feeings for, so Addison would have had to of actually felt something for mark to have slept with him (and stayed with him). I just dont think it was some random act of attention seeking. Whatever.

Peace Out

[Allie]

Great show...love it...i understand that you have to drag out the derrick/addison/meredith thing because thats what people truly come back for each week, but its getting old...no one wants to see dreamy and addison together, at least give us something...the friendship is great because u see they still care for each other, but u keep having the marriage move forward...STOP!