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

[Jean]

Thanks so much for this blog and for this insightful show. Yes, it WILL be a classic! Count on it!

[vince]

i liked it

[B]

Thank you Shonda! Your entries are always insightful, every monday night I have to go home and watch the show again (Thank god for TiVo!) just so I can see it with more insight. Thanks!

[Leigh]

Just a note of thanks for writing a show where the audience can LOVE and i mean really LOVE the characters. excellent writing, excellent cast........seriously!

[Cori]

Hey Shonda!

I thought this episode was GREAT! The plot twist of Richard being an Alcoholic was sooo suprising but allowed us to get a deeper look into the character.

Denny seems like a really sweet guy but I still think that Izzie is crossing an ethical line... Maybe when he gets his heart and recovers he and Alex can fight over Izzie properly haha!

Alex was very harsh tonight but I'm glad someone is actually telling the truth. E.g. with George! As of right now, it looks like he is the intern you guys will make leave the program.. Hmmm..

Awwww I LOVE Mer and Der.. Although there were not many long scenes with them tonight, I'm still a huge shipper! I loved the scene where they bump into each other in the hallway and Derek gives Meredith a private smile *sigh*.. then the doormat Addison comes in -_-. The end was great too, when Derek gives her a sad look as he's going home with Addison. It looked like he was trying to say... I'm so sorry that Addison keeps giving you her ju-ju andddd I wish I could be with you... AWWWW =)!

Anyway I heard Chris O'Donnell is coming on soon possibly as Meredith's love interest.. Should be cool.. I hope McDreamy squirms haha.

I really appreciate the fact that you've blogged so fast! I hope the other blogs get updated soon.

Thanks Shonda and the rest of the Grey's Anatomy writing team! You're awsome!!!!!!!!!!

[BryT]

Okay, maybe it's just me, and I know Burke has his moments, but still, he is way nicer of a person than Cristina, and I am still trying to figure out why he is with her, because she is just not very likeable. Very self-centered and driven but also self-serving and self-focused. Burke at least seems to care about others. Cristina only seems to care about herself. It will be interesting to see what kind of character arc she goes through and how she grows over the course of several seasons. I think there is certainly room for growth. It is really Sandra Oh's talented performance that makes the character likeable at all. Anyway, that's my two cents. Probably about all its worth. First post here. But I love the show. Never miss watching! As a writer myself, I love how much you guys cram into one 42 minute script. Makes me wonder what you could have done with more time. By the way, I love the examination of why the character arcs were written here. But also love production details and issues. That stuff is fascinating to me too. Keep up the good work!

[Jen]

Loved this episode! I thought it was brilliant and classic and all things wonderful. I was so glad that George finally got told off, and glad that Merideth threw out the joojoo. I laughed insanely when Izzy told off Christina and when George "attacked" Christina. Not only that but im dying to know what mcdreamy's "look" meant. I also can't wait till the two of them (i.e. merideth and mcdreamy) get back together. Have I mentioned how much I am IN LOVE with McDreamy?!?! Anyway keep up the fantastic work all you amazing, brilliant writers and actors!

[Lyn]

Can anyone believe I came here first this morning...even before getting dressed? That's how much I am obsessed with finding out MORE! ...

The Cheif an alcoholic??? Dang that one got me! ...

AWESOME ONCE AGAIN! ...

[Dulce_Amor]

Shonda,
Thank you for taking up the blog duties for Jim Parriott. I liked last night's episode. The 2 previous ones not so much.
So now I am writing to pitch you a smart, hotter than hell, gazillionaire sugar mamma for George. One of those that will buy him a sports car taht will have the other interns, surgeons and just anybody working in that hospital drooling.
Most of all she will pay for a designer haircut. You know the guy that cut President Clinton's hair and there was such a big deal made because of his fee? $300 or something.
I want him to learn how things are done and gain confidence from the fact that from anybody she could have, the sugar mamma picked him.
]:)
Sounds like a plan?

Please please please.
It would just kick his ego into orbit.

[Rachel H.]

I would like to "gently remind" you that exposing your newborn to hospital germs is one of the riskiest parts of having a hospital birth! :) Having a hospital day care (well away from patients!) seems like a fine idea, but no way would I want my baby in areas for treatment of sick people.

[Tonya]

Just wanted to say excellent episode as usual... and I can't wait to see what happens with Alex/Denny/Izzy!

[Kati Martinez]

This show is still amazing. Although, now I am pretty intrigued by the fact that you said what you said about how Derek felt about the George thing. I have a feeling we will hit many many mo0re speedbumps on the road to Mer/Der recovery! Thank you for your insight, I look forward to it every week!
Oh, and by the way, I can't say I love Denny like you Denny, but I think I love Patrick Dempsey that way! Girl, you are the luckiest woman around, getting to rub shoulders with all those fine men!

[ann]

Thanks for the comments. I wonder how come you devoted an entire paragraph to a character that isn't as well received as you might think (Denny), and barely mentioned a character that so many people are dying to get back (Mark) after Yesterday aired. I hope you guys are up to something...

[meaghan]

Great post and great episode. My only complaint is there wasn't enough Mer/Der scenes :)! Thanks!

[Sarah]

Hey,

I just want to say that I absolutely, positively love when you post! You offer a certain pizzazz that only you and Shonda can offer. Not to put down the other writers, but I just want to say that I love it when you post. Seriously.

Thank Jim for an awesome eppy for me!

I must say I'm a little disappointed about the rerun for this sunday, however.

I'll deal

Have a fabulous Monday!

Sarah

[SAB]

Thank you so much for your blog Shonda! I was so happy with last night's show! I loved the way we learn that Richard is an alcoholic and especially the way Ollie reveals that it was Ellis that "drove him to the bottle". Poor guy. Those two are indeed fascinating, especially Ellis who can't remember a thing. It's so frustrating!
I LOVED Denny and Izzie this week. Izzie was such a mess! She just lost it! The funniest part was that in all her desperation she managed to be hilarious with her Trailer Park vs Beverly Hills bit.
Addison seems to be trying way too hard to win over everyone's affections and to fit in. It seems as though she is expecting things to change now that Derrek has admitted that he is also to blame for thier "situation" but then he brings up Mark again and he's all googley-eyed with Meredith...I think Addison and Derrek have just gone beyond the point of no return. Has Meredith gone too far by talking about George? That was def. too much information for Derrek but he's the one who kept insisting and then pulled out the ulitmate weapon: the reverse psychology "you don't have to tell me" bit!
The funny thing is that it's so realistic the way they THINK their friends because it's obviously not possible! Denial!
Alex is a creep but I was so happy he gave George shit. He said what everyone else thought but didn't want to say. Brutal but true.
As for the baby at the hospital bit, I think women should be able to bring their babies to work and not have to choose. There should be daycare services at every job! People do have to deal with it! No it was not realistic but it shouldn't be such a horrible thing. The fact Bailey had to ask Christina to help just shows that the hospital needs to provide better service to working parents.
Thanks once again for the blog. I can't wait to see more.
Congratulations on the nomination! That's awsome!

[Sara]

I LOVE GREYS ANATOMY!!! I'm gonna go crazy for 2 weeks without my Greys. So yeah, this episode was very good. I'm really starting to like the story line between Ellis and Richard. He's a recovering alchoholic? WOW, plus in the preview for next time, George says that Meridith may have a sister that she doesn't know about!!! Eliis and Richards love child!!! Awesome! This show just keeps getting better and better. I really like the fact that Meridith didn't seem so sad this episode. Plus i love how she stood up for Georgie boy, and it was sooo sweet how he called Dr. Torres! So adorable. What is with Alex? I knew he could be a jerk, but he was just plain MEAN! I didn't really like the whole Denny story line, but now i'm staring to get it! Anyways i'm just rambling on about this amazing show!! Keep up the good work, can't wait to see the new episode...in 2 weeks!! AHH!!!

[Becka]

Can anyone tell me the name of the song playing while everyone is in surgery?
Male, faster beat, singing "I was up with you all night" in the chorus.
Help?

[Rachael]

Loved the episode. Loved the Izzy/Alex blow up even though I wanted to kick Izzy for being so mean. I loved the guy-to-guy moment with Alex and Denny. And the "I grew up in a trailer park." speech was awesome!

Excellent job and congrats on the TV Land Awards! Keep up the good work.

[Megan]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write to us and provide insight on the characters of my ONLY and favorite show!!! I love watching it every week and can't wait to read the blog the next day. Thank you thank you thank you!

[Jennifer]

Great show last night! Congratulations on winning the Future Classic of 2006-you absolutely deserve it! Oh-and my husband wanted to suggest a pirate episode-with the word "scurvy" said several times. "You just don't hear the word scurvy enough" he says. I'll let you think on that one :-) Thanks for a great show!

[Jennifer]

Ooo-and I should say "I'm first!"

[Cate]

Now that's a great blog filled with enough juicy tidbits to make me want more RIGHT NOW!

I love you, Grey's Anatomy! Keep up the great work.

[Melanie]

Wow! Congratulations on that Honor! I can picture that lineup now...JR, JJ, & McDreamy. SIGH.

Great blog! (When I read that back I read it like "Great Scott" - think Doc from Back to the Future. Only funny to me? Ok.) Thank you for finally shedding some light on characters other than McDreamy & Meredith. I love that the Chief is finally getting fleshed out a little bit. The bumbling doc thing of the last few eps was definitely getting old. I find myself very intrigued. (Strokes chin ala Christina's "Supportive" face)

My Izzie rage has never been so great! There is a good way to break up with someone and a horrible-stomp-you-under-my-heel way. Of course, immature Izzie picked the latter. Watching Justin's face after she said how he wasn't good enough for anyone, just crushed me. He really knocked that out of the park. I just wanted to reach through my tv screen and give my poor fragile, damaged Alex the great big hug he deserves. Could the actors on Grey's Anatomy be any better?

Thank you, Alex for finally saying to George what we on the boards have been saying for a couple of weeks now...Grow Up! And yay George for growing a pair with Callie. Also, LOVED the George & Christina scenes! Too funny. And Izzie bringing out the Trailer-Park Girl. Loved it!

Fabulous...Classic...Wonderful Episode!

[Kath]

Happy Spring, Shonda, and congratulations! "Grey’s Anatomy" is sensational, and so are you all!
Concerning "Superstitions" though, I am somewhat curious as to why ABC stated that Derek and Addison would be discussing making a more permanent living arrangement going into this episode, but then that didn’t actually happen. Please know that I am most definitely not trying to be critical, constructively or otherwise, and I really truly do mean I am 100% OK with that even anyway, no problem, no worries! :) (Especially because I am actually a Meredith with Derek fan, ha, ha, and although I must admit that I wholeheartedly very much love Addison too.) I was just a little confused, so wondering if there is an explanation somebody might be able to offer. Anyway, well understand you are all insanely busy, so not a big woof in any case, and loved, loved, loved the show anyway, as always. So, thank you to the writer, Jim, and thanks to you all for all you all do ~ always!