From Blythe Robe, writer of "Name of the Game"

Original Airdate: 4-2-06

Typical.  Leave it to life to know just when you’ve sworn off the game.  Just when you’ve decided to be alone, have your Mary Tyler Moore phase and “make it on your own,” made your vow of celibacy, then -- POOF! -- out of no where comes a sexy veterinarian with a whole “ooh look at me I’m saving your dog’s life, and I also routinely saves the lives of innocent puppies and am no doubt a good person and clearly irresistible!” thing.  It’s like the universe can smell the fact that you are completely content about flying solo and decides to throw a big old sexy distraction your way in some sort of twisted joke, and you, of course, are powerless because, well it’s the universe, and it’s a guy, and so you have no choice but to play yet again.  Just typical.

Having gotten that off my chest I would also just like to say… Well, hello Chris O’Donnell!  If anyone’s going to pull Meredith out of the McD rut, he just might be up for the challenge.  But, I suppose we’re just gonna have to wait and see about that…damnit!

So, tonight’s theme was “the games we play.”  The reason I love this theme so much is because games are so much a part of this show.  It goes all the way back to the very beginning when Shonda introduced their internship as “the game.”  The competition, striving for excellence, and the surgeries themselves are all a part of it.  But it’s also the emotional game – fueled by the interns’ relationships with each other, with their patients, and with the hope of somehow, some way finding the time in their absurdly busy lives to get laid,  (and maybe even find love in the process.)   It’s quite a complex game - like Shogi.

But it’s mostly fueled by their obsession with being “the best,” and no one is more obsessed than Cristina.  After losing the night’s battle of Celebrity (perhaps Isaiah/Burke at his funniest) she becomes a woman in need if a good victory.  Like a success junkie – she needs her fix.  So, when she gets to the Laparoscopic Lab Tutorial, there’s nothing that will stop her from being the prize pupil - even if it means beating out the Chief.  My favorite thing about this story is the fact that Cristina has such a one-track mind that she loses sight of all social tact and inappropriately tries to school the Chief.  I love her for this.   And I love that Richard falls into it as well – (Jim Pickens is so great and he did such a hilarious job with this storyline!)  But in the end it’s the Chief who teaches her the most important lesson about never underestimating the power of the basics, one that she (ahem) uses to get George out of her apartment, and thank god!

Yes, George seems to be moving on and I’m so happy for him!

George is really put through a lot in this episode.   He’s been playing the angry game for so long now that it’s started to eat away at his entire being.   He’s “broken,” like Izzie says, and has allowed his anger to overrule the fact that he still cares about his friends. As a defense mechanism, anger is such an easy and natural trap to fall into, and it can sometimes take extreme circumstances to pull you out of it.  So, when Thatcher (the incredible Jeff Perry) and family (holy crap, Mare Winningham!) show up at the hospital, he’s forced to take a step back from the situation and see that deep down maybe he doesn’t hate, hate Meredith.   And when he chooses to tell Thatcher about Meredith’s good nature, he in turn is taking a teeny baby step towards healing, and I think no one will benefit more from his forfeiting the angry game than George.   Just look at Thatcher.

Shonda has created such an interesting parallel between George/Meredith/Derek and Thatcher/Ellis/Richard.  For Ellis, Thatcher was her George and Richard her McDreamy.  In their story Ellis spent her life pining over Richard, while nearly ruining Thatcher’s in the process.  Her neglect scarred Thatcher so deeply that it spoiled his relationship with his own daughter, a regret he will have to carry for the rest of his life.   Again, the angry game is one of the toughest to beat.  But you know what helps?  New prospects.  Prospects like sexy Vets and Ortho Docs.

I’m SO relieved that George finally made out with Ortho Doc!  And it was so sweet and actually kinda HOT – Go George!  In the immortal words of Alex Karev “get yours!”

Speaking of getting some, why why why doesn’t Denny exist in real life!?  I want him to be real so desperately I’ve actually entertained the thought of cruising ICU’s for a damaged heart guy of my very own….Damn you Ms. Rhimes for creating that “beautiful, beautiful man!”  I admit, I love him, too.  I love that he can be sensitive and dirty at the same time.  But most of all I love the way Izzie lights up when she’s around him.  I love their relationship because it’s so pure and honest and completely game free (save on the Scrabble.)  They make me so happy.

Speaking of “game free,” I’m so proud of Alex for standing up for his convictions.  I respect his code of honesty with his patients.  Now, ordinarily I’m all for avoidance and denial.  Denial is one of my favorite human traits.  It’s what keeps us ahead – it’s our psychological opposable thumb in my opinion.  However, in Beatrice’s (a stunning performance by Laurie Metcalf) case, someone needed to offer her a dose of reality and in those situations it’s usually not the nice route that’s gonna get you there.   Sometimes brutal honesty has to be the name of the game. 

Like Bailey needing to be honest with herself that it may take a little time to get back in the swing of things.   I love that Chandra Wilson can actually break your heart and make you laugh in a single moment.

Several months ago I was invited to play the most extreme game of my life thus far:  to write an episode of the incredible series “Grey’s Anatomy,“ and it has been one of the most intense, complicated, stressful and rewarding experiences I’ve ever known.  I want to say thank you so much to Shonda Rhimes and Jim Parriott for the opportunity of a lifetime.   As well as a special thanks to Krista Vernoff for her guidance, and expertise – also for generally being so awesome (Can you actually thank a person for that?  Sure, why not?) I also want to give a quick shout out to all the Homie-scribes of Talmadge – pour some out for me the next round; I miss and love you all!

Finally one last thank you, as I am also a fan of this show, to Shonda for these characters, this world, and for bringing back the sass.

Best game ever!

Comments

[Susan]

am I really the first comment?? this show made me laugh, cry, and snicker all at the same time. thanks for quality tv worth staying up for!!

[Tammy Van Duyn]

I have a one year old daughter. I cried, and my husband held me, when Beatrice said "goodbye" to her daughter and spoke to her about what was really important. The entire show was great, but that moment really resonated with me.
Thank you,

Tammy

[Bran]

Yes!
Perfection...you got it sooo right last night that I can't even stand it.

[bekka]

the Mer/sister scene was a bit over the edge, don't you think? I mean, couldn't you have had her sister just "mention" her dad--not go into detail? It made the scene unbelievable.

[Nikki from MD]

Ms. Robe - just wanted to say congratulations - you did a great job at writing this episode.

COD is so hott, but he's no McDreamy.. as you can imagine us Mer/Der fans are loosing hope that they will eventually be together.. please.. say it isnt so.

TEAM MEREDITH!

[Meghan]

I also and thankful that they brought back the "sass"! This episode was hilarious but also heart-warming...this is the GA that I feel in love with!

[Fifi]

I hope I'm the first person to post!

Let me just start by saying....I love you, I love you, I love you!!
I thorougly enjoyed last night's episode!
I LOVED Chris O'Donnell, OMG, Robin has turned into McHottie or McWoW!MyHeartJustStopped! I'm TOTALLY rooting for McVet now.

OMG! Thank you for giving me my wish and finding the most amazing guy for Meredith! she so totally deserves some real happiness. Speaking of which, I loved the scene with George and Thatcher with Meredith listening on...so moving..
loved the chief and Chris battling it out.
for the first time, loved Denny and Izzy.
loved Alex's speech to Burke
loved Burke kicking George out!
Love your blog!

WOW! you did good!Great writing, great episode! Keep it up and Welcome to Grey's Anatomy!

P.S. Please say Hi to Shonda for me!

[Arleen]

Last night's episode was so much fun to watch. I don't know where you find all these hot guys to be in your show but keep 'em coming. ^_^

[Allison]

HOW FREAKING TRUE! Its always when you least expect it, when you have sworn off men (or women) and are content with being by yourself that life comes up and screws you all up! That's how I met my husband! LOL...totally loved this episode. GREAT job!!!

[Alex]

What a great episode! Last night reminded me why my friend's and I get together every Sunday to watch one of the best shows on television. Hats off to Blythe for making me laugh and cry throughout, and giving me some great watercooler gossip to last the week. Keep up the great work!

[Kaitlin]

Great episode! I especially love the dialogue between George and Thacher about Meredith and between the mother who's dying and her daughter. I really enjoyed it!

[Paula]

Great show.....

Mer can't knit (well, she tries). How can Izzy knit that fast??? Alex, get it off your chest! George, so sweet [and probably getting lucky]! Christina, I'm shocked, but you got your way and Burke knows "which side of the bread is buttered" [wink, wink, nudge,nudge].

Wonderful writing; can't wait for next week.

[Lauren]

Great episode. Loved the growth in the characters. Instead of lots o'whining, actual steps toward moving forward (even if it involved knitting needles). Loved the scene at the bar w/Mer/Der/Add - hysterical! And thrilled to see George & Callie getting some - although what's with the living in the basement thing? Not a bad story line in this episode. The Grey family saga was interesting, and will be challenging to see how it plays out. And the scene between Chief & Thatcher - wow!!!! So many good moments, such great writing. Enjoyed your blog - one of the more interesting one's lately - feel like I've learned more about both the fictional characters and the non-fictional writer! Kudos.

Lauren

[Melanie]

First off, thanks for the insight. It is seriously awesome that the writers take the time to reach out to their audience.

I just have to say that it disturbs me to no end how in love you all seem to be with Denny. He may be sweet and sensitive, but most of all he is wildly inappropriate!! Yes, I give most of the blame to Izzie who should have recused herself from his case the minute she knew that she liked him liked him, but Denny has a hand in this too. Even if you're on your deathbed (which he honestly looks nowhere near dying), you do not engage in sex-talk and try to seduce your doctor. Maybe the show's intention is to come off funny and sweet with this relationship, but it's seriously skeevy.

Please please please give us some backstory for Alex. We had tiny pieces at the end of Season 1 and maybe the beginning of Season 2. I love this character and would love to see a little bit more of what makes him tick.

I used to be a die-hard Alex/Izzie shipper because of the actors' wild chemistry, but Izzie the character has seriously become hard to take. For everyone's talk about how selfish Meredith is...Izzie is just as bad.

Don't get me wrong, I liked this episode and normally I'm all sunshine and rainbows. Maybe I have a case of the Mondays.
:(

[Melissa]

Great episode last night! There were a lot of things going on, but I think each scene tied the relationships and the dynamics together a little bit more. It was very touching to see George talk to Thatcher about Meredith, and I liked her quiet little "thank you" to George as he walked away. Nicely done.

[Carol]

Yay! Blythe!! Great episode!

I loved the playfulness between Denny & Izzie, the competitiveness of Cristina and Richard and the "friendship" between the Shepherds and Meredith. Too Funny!!!

Wow, COD is looking fine; I can't wait to see more of this hot vet. What McName is he going to get?

Great Job Blythe! Keep them coming.

[C]

What wasn't addressed in this weblog was the question of Meridith as Lexi. Mer's younger sister said she had an older sister her father was proud of and that attended medical school at Harvard. Later on, Mer's step-mother stated that the younger sister knew about Mer and that she also knew she was in med school. Soooo, does this mean that the younger sister has never met "Lexi" the older sister her father is so fond of? Could Lexi just be a name they use instead of saying Meridith? Questions...

Very glad that George is getting his groove on with Callie (and yes, that's a real name Izzie!). Can't wait to see what kind of haircut she gives him. I bet she's got a nice backstory too because what kind of person - busy or not - lives in a hospital basement?

Hope Mer and Chris O'Donnel date! She needs to get out of her McDreamy rut!Thanks for a fabulous episode!

PS - Love any scenes with Christina in them!

[Tammy]

Thanks for that great episode! Just when I think the show can't get any better you add a hottie like Chris O'Donnell! WOW! I am glad you pointed out the link between Mer/Derek/George and Ellis/Richard/Thatcher. That is what I love about all the writers of this show--how the storylines go together but you really have to look for it! I liked how Izzie said that Meredith "broke" George and then Mare Winningham (love her) said the same thing about Ellis and Thatcher! THIS IS THE BEST SHOW ON TV!! Congrats!

[Kim]

I loved the show tonight despite the fact that I am sitting on the edge waiting for any little thing to happen with Meredith and Derek. Just a few of his "Ilove you" expressions would suffice! Anyway, I felt so sorry for Meredith when she met and talked to her sister. I just thought "Could anyone or thing throw her on the ground and jump up and down on her any harder"? Then the whole conversation with George and her father! I was so glad she got to hear all that. George is stepping back up in my book. I love the games with Christina and Burke and then the chief--brings out all the stuff I love about Christina. My favorite line tonight was Denny's "Can I just see one boob"? And Alex--one of my favorite characters--just being him - mean or otherwise I like him a lot.

[DL]

I loooove this show. I just lost my mom in March, and the interaction between the dying mom and her daughter was gut wrenching. I wish we had shared even 1/100th of the connection those 2 shared.

[georgia]

Very nice episode with lots of great moments. Just a small note that the otherwise forgetable bar scene at the beginning will probably be remembered by those of us cheering for Mer/Der as the moment that finally killed our dreams for them. Maybe the characters don't want it as bad as we want it for them? So I'm movin' on.
This was my favorite Bailey episode ever.

[casBoston]

Thank you for another brilliant episode! The Thatcher/George/Meredith scene last night was SO well written. In just a minute or two, all three characters got new perspectives on both each other and on themselves. So much emotion, and so well done - I loved Meredith's quiet "thank you, George" at the end.

Christina was - as always - absolutely hysterical! Both game scenes - beginning & end - were perfect, as was the competition with the Chief (who was also great!). However, it was when she, without warning, offhandedly asked Meredith if she'd seen her sister, too - THAT's when I almost fell off the couch!

I liked Denny & Izzy together more tonight than I have in awhile - could that be because Alex wasn't moping in the background? Also glad to see George & Ortho Dr. go for it - but a bit confused...where, exactly, does she live? In the hosptial basement? I guess we'll know more next week...will they both move back into Meredith's house???

Bailey & Derek and the surgery - it's nice to see the way these two respect & protect each other when the other wiggs out (Derek in the elevator in the train episode). And Chandra's eyes are so great, you don't even notice most of her face is covered with a sugical mask!

Finally, finally, finally - Chris O'Donnell. Yes, yes, yes - when did he grow up and get all manly-sexy? Good, good, good! Go, Meredith - put down the knitting and get yours!

[Sam]

Great episode. I wonder though about Alex. Shonda said after Superstition that we hadn't seen nothing yet about his anger. I am just guessing here, but I think that backtalking to Burke about telling the truth wasn't it. Is Alex going to bust Izzie? It looks in the previews like Bailey is going to bust her. McDreamy is going to get jealous of McVet. That's going to be fun. I am glad Grey has somebody, because I want Addison and Dreamy to keep it together for at least a season or two. Addison is so much more fun with McDreamy. If they split up I don't really see how she could be part of the group dynamic. The bar scene was really fun with all of those characters interacting. Speaking of interacting I hope that Burke and George keep hanging out. I think Burke needs a friend. Now my thing with the whole Alex Izzie Denny situation is that Izzie didn't give Alex a real second chance. She came to him. She reinitiated whatever was going on between them. She didn't do it in good faith though, she did it like Alex would go after Olivia, just an extended one night stand. If anyone deserves a stern talking to like Alex got from Izzie in supersititon, it's Izzie herself. And I am excited. Because I hear it coming in the distance. Boo that it's two weeks away! Boo. I am addict and I am going to be crashing next Sunday night.

[Jamie]

You GO!! Splendid Job!! I must say I really loved this episode, seriously!! I loved everything, the scenes and the chemistry between Izzie and Denny and I loved the way (as you stated) the way she lights up when she is around him. I loved Meredith's reaction to McHottie Finn (the vet). I hope to see George eventually make amends with Meredith and move back into the house. I loved loved the scene with Christina walking through the house naked and poor Burke his jaw was on the ground, it was so awesome, I rolled.

To many are complaining about this and that, but let me tell you I think you are all doing a wonderful job and I am having serious withdrawls having to wait 3 WHOLE WEEKS for the next episode, there needs to be a GAs anonymous or something, you and the other writers have us hooked. KUDOS!!

[Kathy K]

Wow I had to look twice I couldn't believe I was the first post.

I loved this episode. I have three favorite parts. Yeah to Alex for standing up for himself I don't necessarily like his brutal honesty but in this case it had to be done. Go Chief loved the victory dance. And finally a Go Girl to Cristina I've never seen someone get kicked out of a place any faster.

This episode was really fun I was a little worried that the young boy was going to die and was so grateful that the writers didn't go there - that would have just sucked.

I can't wait until next week.