From Shonda Rhimes, Creator of Grey’s Anatomy…

On "Superstitions"

Original airdate: 3-19-06

So tonight’s episode was written by the brilliant Jim Parriott.  But Jim’s off helping some other television show get on its feet these days so…you’re hearing from me about this episode.

There are a lot of things I could tell you about the history of Ellis and Richard.  I spend hours, days, MONTHS thinking about these two characters.  What happened between them 20 years ago is enough to fill a whole television series all on its own.  I have a secret fond wish to write and publish The Diaries of Ellis Grey.  That woman fascinates me.  And Richard’s love for her fascinates me.  I get why they fell in love – the two of them were surgical interns at a time when most surgical interns were white males.  They were different, they were outsiders and they had each other.  Of course they fell in love.   That their love didn’t work out, that Richard failed to leave his spouse after Ellis left hers, that Ellis’ departure from Seattle Grace drove Richard to his alcoholic bottom…well, that makes for a juicy history.

What?  You were surprised about Richard’s alcoholism?  I was too.  I was sitting at home late one night with a sick kid when the writers called me with this idea.  Richard is an alcoholic.  I was all,  NO HE’S NOT!   And they pitched the idea again.  And they pitched again.  And again.  These writers of mine, they are willful and determined (especially that damned Krista Vernoff).   They wouldn’t shut up about it.  “He’s totally an alcoholic and here’s why.”  I hate them sometimes. Especially when they are right.  Because Richard is totally an alcoholic and now I see why.  Damn them.

And then there is Denny.  Denny.  Ah, Denny…

Oops.  Sorry.  I went into my fantasy world for a moment there. The fantasy world in which I am Izzie and Denny is well, Denny and he loves me with that damaged heart of his.  Do you love Denny as much as I do?  Because I LOVE Denny.  Yeah, I love the actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan and all but what I really love is Denny.  I love the sexy heart-needing dude in the hospital bed in a way that is not natural and definitely not healthy and most certainly not sane.  I love Denny with my full whole soul in a “you jump, I jump” kinda way that means there should be a restraining order in place to keep me away from him.  You can understand Alex’s rage and jealousy.  Because there is nothing he can do to compete.  In real life, the actor who plays Alex (Justin Chambers) is the sweetest, kindest, most normal family man in the world.  But the guy he plays on the show is a vicious mess.  And battling a drawling, sexy, sweet heart patient for Izzie’s affections is starting to wear on him.  All I can say is wait until you see what happens next.

The Mer/Der of it all.  They are friends.  Really.  Kind of.  Well, not so much friends.  But they think they are friends.  You should maybe take note of the fact that Derek didn’t take it so well when Meredith told him about George.  You should maybe note that he got a look on his face.  And you should remember that I said that EVERYTHING on our show comes back around again.  That’s all I’m saying.  You just remember that.

Bailey and her baby.  A lot of you wrote to rant about the fact that Bailey brings her baby to work and that babies don’t belong in hospitals.  I’d like to gently remind you that hospitals are filled with babies.  Hospitals are, in fact, where people go to push babies out into the world.  Babies start out in hospitals.  So…you know, deal with it.  Plus, the very first idea I had when Chandra Wilson (who plays Bailey) told me she was pregnant was that I’d love to see Bailey bringing her baby to work and challenging the Chief when he suggested it was inappropriate.  As a mother myself, I have a thing about that.  You want me to work?  Fine.  Great.  No problem.  But see this tiny baby right here?  This baby comes along with me.

Hmmm.  Okay, that’s all I can think of to say about this episode for tonight.  My brain is kinda empty.   See, I just went to the TV Land Awards where Grey’s Anatomy was named the Future Classic of 2006 and I’m still totally FREAKING OUT.  I mean, the entire cast of Dallas was there.  And the entire cast of Cheers.  And, I kid you not, the entire cast of GOOD TIMES.  Yes, GOOD TIMES.   Remember Janet Jackson and the iron burn on her back?  Remember when James died?   It was AWESOME.   I need to lie down and process the fact that I was in the same room as JJ.  And JR.  Do you know that 350 million people watched the episode where it was revealed who shot JR?

I have so much writing to do if I’m even going to begin to think about coming anywhere close to the universe of that kind of super amazing television history.  I should, in fact, be writing right now…

Comments

[MEL]

I love your show and wanted to let you all know that. I really loved today eppy esp. the Burke and Chris stuff of course it might be due to my love of this couple and Burke.

I am glad you are showing what a kind and nice Person Addy is ( in case you can not tell I am a Addy fan) I know all the Mer and Derek fan dislike her but I see her point of view . In fact it Derek who is on my hit list as of late...but that another story for another time :).

[Krysti P.]

Congratulations on another GREAT episode! It seems my weeks are all just a countdown to Sunday night. It is always definitely worth waiting for. I love that George is moving on and I love the doc he is after now. She seems to really like him. What great humor you put in the show but also real life. Thanks thanks thanks!!

[MEL]

I love your show and wanted to let you all know thatI have never wanted sunday to come so fast in my life. I really loved today show of course that could be becasue anytime Burke and Chris are on I get all giddy of course it might be due to my love of this couple and Burke( as my friend tells me he makes me giggle).

I am glad you are showing what a kind and nice Person Addy is ( in case you can not tell I am a Addy fan) I know all the Mer and Derek fan dislike her but I see her point of view . In fact it is Derek who is on my hit list as of late...but that is another story for another time :).

[Becky]

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE the Denny Izzy thing! Felt good to see Alex suffer a little.

[kolea]

great show!

[Sue, from England]

Thanks for that Shonda, I'm just concentrating on that spark for Mer/Der.....

[julia]

hi shonda!
firstival congrats on the award! You have done an amazing job with this show!

I just wanted to comment on Bailey bringing her baby to work. My mother was a surgeon- I basically grew up in a hospital. 22 years later I'm still doing well... I don't think the hospital did any damage to me. I love the show because it is so realistic in so many ways, and Bailey bringing her baby to work is just part of that.

[Alexis]

Shonda -

That was a great episode...I love how everything is carefully revealed without everyone saying "HE'S AN ALCOHOLIC?!" Great writing! Great show! Great bitch-out scene between Alex and Izzie. And Izzie and Denny are great together...Katie Heigl is a GREAT actress. I love it all. Except Alex...

[ME2]

Hey Shonda, Thank you for giving us this show, it really is awesome. But, what about George??!! You didn't mention him at all!

[Colette]

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOUR SHOW!
And now I should get out of bed and get dressed.
But I watched the entire first season in one night. You guys are that amazing.
Thank you for bringing this show into the world.

[Emmy]

Shonda-Love the post and the show, fingers crossed for more Mer/Der!

[Dawn]

Oh my goodness. That was an awesome episode. If it is at all possible, Alex is more of a jerk now than he's ever been. I could see him just going psycho and pulling the plug on Denny. Crazy I know, but I think he's about to snap. Did I hear mention of an unknown sister for Meredith? Hmmm...
I like the way you have unfolded the story of Ellis and Richard. I didn't realize the feelings were so deep.
Cristina needs to get over herself and allow Burke to have a friend! I mean seriously, the world doesn't revolve around what she wants! Wonderful episode ladies/gentlemen :)
Time to go look for more GA wallpaper for my computer ;)

[Francine]

Another seriously good episode. I love the little circles of stories that keep coming around to meet each other again, Ellis and and Richard and Mer/Der. Here's to hoping that Mer/George have a story that 'comes around' again.......The whole episode kept me thinking.
I love the fact that Shonda loves to write-does anyone else get that feeling from her blogs?
Does anyone aside from me wish GA was on 2x per week? I don't have TIVO.....

i feel tangled.

[rosearlene]

Thanks Sondra for the blog. Re: your comments about Mer/Der, one can only hope this triangle is going to end SOON!

[Cee Cee]

Okay I loved loved loved this episdoe! You all had me rooting for people that I normally don't root for! Kudos to Alex for telling George to MAN UP and stop being a punk! Kudos to Izzie for taking on Cristina and telling her she would "Physically. Kick.Her. Ass". THAT WAS PRICELESS! Kudos to Addison (whom against all of my free will I am starting to love) for making it be known that I am not going anywhere! I am a fan of the Mer/Der, but Addison and Derek seemed to be in sync last night. Kudos to Cristina for letting George stay one more night. Even though next week, I think he should be out.

Last but not least, KUDOS to the writers, actors and Shonda for the most a-freakin'-mazing show!!!!

[Arimalka]

I really, really liked this episode. Denny is such a sweetheart, and Izzie's speech to Alex before the surgery was so awesome - my mom and I were practically shouting, "GO IZZIE!" So, awesome job. <3

[Dyani]

I guess my thoughts on the whole Richard and Ellis thing is...when is Loretta Divine going to come back as Richard's wife and bring some drama?

[Jade]

I wanna be first

I wanna be first... probably won't be but wanna say, I love you Shonda, I love the show and I love all things Merder... leave it at that :)

[karedream]

i love your show all of it , McDeamy has to face the past demons in past and self to heal so he can be the best or he will self destruct in himself and others will be roadkill untill he heals his heart and mind as well what all of us must to do to grow in growing see the potholes in our lives and fix them and move on to open road, ha good work love the show

[karedream]

i love your show all of it , McDeamy has to face the past demons in past and self to heal so he can be the best or he will self destruct in himself and others will be roadkill untill he heals his heart and mind as well what all of us must to do to grow in growing see the potholes in our lives and fix them and move on to open road, ha good work love the show

[Jade]

arrrggghhh my post disappeared... so what I said was, I love you, the show and Merder (I even love Addie... well Kate Walsh more so)

love you again

[Paige]

It's all over my blog and my AIM, but I'll write it here, too: HALLELUJAH! GREY'S IS BACK!
I won't write an opus here, because I think those people are ridiculous. But I felt connected to the characters again, and the brilliant, compelling storytelling left me hungry for more, more, more.
Except Denny can actually die whenever. I realize I have no soul.

[Kim]

I loved the whole Izzie dumping Alex deal!!! He can be so heartless can't he? His attitude also came back to bite him at the end of the show when he went after George. Up to that point, I was getting totally fed up with George, but when Alex said all that to him, I felt sorry for George. The rest was just okay for me. I am a huge Mer/Der fan and long for that on camera charisma they have. I also like Addison alot but just not with Derek!!

[karedreams]

i love the show all of it ,My thoughts on McDreamy we all have to look in to the past and see the pits dark place into our self with out giving full blame to heal ourself so we have no roadkill in future loves in life other wise we are walking bleeding out inside, walking among the living ,i like the show because it gives you different ways of looking healing from within funny ,painfull truthfull your feel it all with a touch of grey untill the color comes back in to your Anatomy haha :-)