From Elizabeth Klaviter, writer of "Blues for Sister Someone"

Original Airdate: April 30, 2006

So, the first thing you should know is this… until I wrote this episode my biggest claim to fame was being the Director of Medical Research on Grey’s Anatomy.  Basically, Shonda (or one of the other writers) comes to me and says things like, “I want a guy who has been in a coma for fifteen years to wake up and discover his family has moved on.  Make that work.”  I respond by turning white (they’ve turned making the blood drain from my face into a game).  Then I say things like, “He’d be minimally conscious, not in a coma, let me see what I can do.”

I also spend a lot of time following Shonda around yelling, “There is NO turkey hunting in November.  Turkey hunting season is in the SPRING.”  If you’ve seen the Thanksgiving episode you know I’m somewhat effective – Holden wakes up after being minimally conscious for fifteen years, but George and the O’Malley men hunt turkeys in November.

So, in September I pitched a story to Shonda Rhimes and Jim Parriott about a musician who was willing to sacrifice his health (remove a pacemaker) to save his music (the pacemaker was throwing off his internal rhythm).  But, he isn’t just any musician.  He’s Burke’s icon and we get to see Burke lose his poise on this very unusual day at Seattle Grace.  They loved the story so much that they bought it and hired me to write a script (hurray!) -- all about what it is we are willing to sacrifice. 

Let’s start with Addison and Derek.  They get to have hot sex at the end of the episode. I realize those of you in the Mer/Der camp are cursing my name right now, but here’s the thing, I like Addison - I don’t know if I like Addison with Derek – but I like Addison.  Whatever you think of her, she put herself out there emotionally when she flew across the country to get Derek back and she’s taken a lot of hits and eaten a lot of crow since she walked into Seattle Grace.  This particular day has been complete crap for her.  A patient got her into big, big trouble.  Why would our Addison – world renowned surgeon – put herself in a position where a patient can get her into trouble?  Because, Rose is isolated from her husband and Addison saw a way to help them reconnect.  Since, Addy so desperately wants to reconnect with Derek, she tried to help Rose. 

I didn’t really understand just how lonesome Addison was until she gave that heartfelt, “Thank you” when Derek asked her if she wanted to have hot sex.  This gorgeous woman is profoundly lonely and it breaks my heart a little and I think she deserves a few moments of shower bliss with her dreamy hubbie.

(By the way, about the evil Alex torturing Addison thing - was it just me – or did any of you notice a little HEAT between Alex and Addison?)

There’s also Izzie, who seems to be sacrificing her reputation because of her feelings for Denny -- who up until this episode has been lying in the hospital bed.  Personally, I’ve been waiting for that man to get out of bed.  I mean, falling in love with a man in a hospital bed is fine and all, but it is a magical, magical thing when he actually gets to put his arms around Izzie so that she can say, “You’re tall” and women (like me!) who’ve been HOPING he’s tall can now KNOW he is tall!

Now, Meredith begins the episode knitting and ends the episode dating Finn.  (Oh, my goodness – a baby horse is born on their first date?  How crazy romantic is that?  That’s the genius of our creator Shonda Rhimes at work.)  Meredith realizes that she is perhaps sacrificing a shot at happiness (in the form of a relationship with an available, good, sexy man) for an idea – knitting and celibacy.  She discovers that perhaps she can still be celibate and date.  She’s determined that this relationship is going to develop differently than her others -- intimacy will grow slowly.  In the end, Derek discovers she’s dating the vet and it seems from his scowl that he doesn’t approve.

But, for me, this is Burke’s episode.  We get to see him in a way we haven’t before.  Vulnerable.  There was this awe-inspiring moment during the shooting when Isaiah Washington turned to Jeff Melman (our very talented director) and asked if he could sit on Eugene Foote’s bed.  Isaiah explained that Burke would NEVER sit on a patient’s bed.  But, this is a day unlike any other for him so it just seemed right.  I got tears in my eyes.  Because, that is what I intended when I wrote this script and that Isaiah UNDERSTOOD made this the most amazing moment any new writer can have.  It made my sacrifice of trying to juggle two jobs and all of the long hours beyond worth it.

But, the moment when Burke is most vulnerable is when he is in the on-call room with Cristina.  See, I’d always thought (and I think that perhaps Burke did too) that Cristina loves Burke because of his composure and brilliance as a surgeon.  We all know that Cristina looks down on George, who she is fond of, but doesn’t respect.  And in this moment Burke confesses to Cristina that he was George.  Things didn’t come naturally to him, he practiced.  In this moment he sacrifices his poise to let her deeper into his psyche and Cristina, being Cristina could react in a multitude of ways.  While writing the scene, I hoped that she would love him more – and I discovered that she did – and Shonda liked that discovery – but with Cristina you never know.  If we the writer’s don’t know, then Burke certainly doesn’t know and I came to realize just how deep his love for her is.  Because opening ourselves to the potential of colossal rejection is so very scary and it is the only way true intimacy is built.  This is the first time we see them in a truly vulnerable intimate moment and she rises to the occasion.

So,  I’d like to end by thanking Shonda and Jim for taking a risk on this new writer.  And thank all of the writers for their support and incredible help with the writing of this episode, particularly Mark Wilding who shepherded me during the writing process.

Comments

[Sara S.]

Great job with the episode! The violin sequence was so exciting and yet so moving.. wonderfully written. Can I just pass on one thing from us viewers to the writers.. please don't write off Alex!! As much as he isn't perfect, he's needed. I still find a beautiful reality about him, and his character is played brilliantly (enough to make people respond emotionally to him; angry even if it is!) I sincerely hope he is here next season, or something will definitely be missing!

[Sabrina]

I havent been able to see this episode yet. see i work nights 4 on and 4 off, but when i cant be at home to watch i record it. so when i have to work a sunday night i always come here and read the blog...that way i still feel a little connected. but tonight my friend called me at work to fill me in. Must have been one hell of an episode. from what she tells me and what i read here, der is an asshole... how can he be mad at mer for what she did or didnt do...he just had sex with his wife....now burk...i know she told me and i read it here, but i cant wait to get home and see for myself how he opened up, and how cristina took it! also ...way to go on just a good write!!!!!!!!

[Vanessa]

So before I get on my soap box,I want to say that this was a brilliant episode. I'm majorly in love with GA, so it makes me cringe a little to have to say this.

I completely understand that with each episode there is bound to be something that offends someone, somewhere. I also understand that sometimes the plot is more integral than the realities of the situation, after all this is a TV show and as one insignificant viewer out of the 20 so million that watch, I'm not expecting Shonda and company to pay much attention...

but about the "Pope doesn't allow birth control", if God intended for women to have a million kids, he wouldn't have made it so that they can only ovulate for FOUR TO FIVE DAYS a month. You did try to hint at natural family planning by bringing up that they abstained for... THREE YEARS. I don't buy that. As the Director of Medical Research, I would expect a little more accuracy regarding this. There's so many misinformed Catholics and non-Catholics that don't understand this and this only contributes to the problem. Natural family planning is 100% God and Pope approved and with the inherent communication that goes along with NFP, I'm sure this happy couple would greatly benefit from it. However, like I said, I completely understand that it did provide the opportunity to show the depths of Addison's deceptive character and Alex's wonderful blunt self. Mrs. Lies and Mr. Honesty. Such a beautiful dichotimy. I'm loving it.

I loved Burke and Cristina this episode. So so so much depth there.

So glad George is back! I love him and Izzie together...as friends! Not so sure about Callie though.

Denny. I know that many, many people love him, but I honestly don't see the attraction. Just kinda creepy. I'm really hoping that this is just a way to show that Izzie really does get too attached to her patients, rather than an actual meaningful relationship. There's so much potential with Alex.

Now to the Mer/Der of it all. I adored the elevator scene. They're so great. So many Addison/Derek fans are so excited about the hot sex at the end. The way I see it, jealousy/anger---> hot sex. If Derek was truly concerned about Addison, he would have listened to her rant about her day and had lovingly cared for her. Nope. Anger at Meredith. Demanding sex to feel better. Nope.

I love you guys. I think this show is going to be the downfall for my AP tests over the next two weeks. How can you possibly concentrate on Calculus or English literature with so much Grey's anxiety and excitement on your mind!?!

Thank you for updating soon and such a lengthy post! We really really really appreciate it! Can't wait for next week!

[Kim]

Beautiful. Simply a great show. You showed everyone on a deeper level...how they really care about each other even if they don't want it known. Burke & Christina are such an amazing pair. Sometimes the unspoken is louder than words. Meredith... well, she's trying. And Derek...I think he's lost and now feels even more so after seeing Meredith with the Vet. (To all the writers...is he still McDreamy?) Don't forget, we still need to feel for him because he has that intense love for Meredith but wants to be an honorable man. The Mer/Der fans need that little reminder. Oh and Addy...I agree with Elizabeth...I really like her but she needs to not be with Derek. It's just not fair to keep her in marital limbo.

[Splat]

Whoa…the ride was fun until the point that I was literally pushed off the MerDer Express. Oh well, I guess I had been clinging onto that train long enough. Now for the love of God please kill the triangle from hell and move on already.

[PinkBunny]

Thank you for this incredible episode. I'm so glad to see all the storylines moving forward.

I really hope that Derrek doesn't make a big deal out of Meredith seeing Finn. He has no right. And Addison does deserve better.

Can't wait to see what comes next!

[Tiffany]

apologizing in advance--this is the wrong place to post this question i'm sure--izzie has a daughter??? i have missed a couple of episodes because i have a 6 month old who sometimes won't let mommy watch, please fill me in!!!!

[star]

my GOD McVet is hot!! hotatatatatat! *steam*

i hope McDreamy realizes for real that Meredith isn't the one for him. good lord. how many times does he have to get 'cheated on'?!! movin' on!

[Johanna Barr]

This was a great episode. I'm MerDer all the way, but thank you for the hot sex. Because I completely agree: I don't know if I want Addison with Derek, but I LOVE Addison. I think she kicks so much ass and Kate Walsh is amazing. I really want Addie to be happy, and while I don't know that I want her and Derek together in the long run, a little hot sex at the end of a crappy day is fine by me.

It does make the Addie fan in me sad that Derek's impetus for going home and attacking her was the fact that he thought Meredith had had sex with McVet. But it makes the MerDer fan in me squeal. I guess I can't have it both ways.

I also think Ellen Pompeo did a great job in this episode. I really, really liked her scenes with McVet, as well as her scene near the end with Denny. We got to see the more vulnerable side of Meredith, the one that she usually tries to hide, and it was definitely interesting. I loved the bit about the high horse.

Finally, the Izzie/George friendship is adorable, and I loved their interactions in this episode. The divorce attorney was right--they fight so much because they truly love each other--and I'm glad they were able to realize that in the end. Kudos to Izzie for calling George out on his ridiculous behavior in the Meredith situation. And yay George for moving back in.

All in all, great episode. It was certainly worth the monthlong wait, but I'm glad that we only have to wait a week for the next one.

Johanna, NYC

[GreysAFan]

Congrats on writing this great episode!!! I am one of many huge GA fans and every Sunday, I get a dose of this drama-love-life or death thing that takes over my living room! I loved the Burke/Cristina scene when he was vulnerable, and also the look on McDreamy's face when Meredith came down the stairs was sad, but true. I think this eposide has some very important events to develop the storylines and provoke new ones. But, we out here in TVLand are still hoping for a Derek/Meredith reunion....but we're willing to wait. Thanks for the great episode!

[Sandy]

Lovely episode!!!!! I like the many parelles you have made!!

[deejah]

HOORAY! Finally Addison and Derek's marriage start swinging in the right direction!

[Miss M]

Enjoyed the episode. I loved:

-The final scene, with all it's tension, between Callie, George, and Izzy.

-Burke, all the time. Great ep for him.

-The friendship between Burke and George; that little shoulder bump. How unlike the Burke we met over a year ago, how cool to see how this friendship, and perhaps his relationship, has opened him up.

-Two words: "Thank you!" All of Addison's pain, tension, exhaustion, loneliness, and strength were clear in those two words. Brilliant acting.

I didn't care for:

-The whole character arc with Alex. During the lull in the new eps, I've been watching my DVDs and TiVos of past episodes, and I have to say that this may be the only part where I feel a fault with the writing. Alex has become just plain NASTY, and dislikeable, and he used to be the guy we all grudgingly liked in a hateful sort of way. Unless something is revealed SOON that gives us a backstory or some other thing in Alex's life to influence why he's being such a horse's ass, it feels too forced to me.

-The vet. I'm sorry, Chris O'Donnel is great, I had posters of him on my walls when I was a teenager, but seriously. My head is spinning from all the guys. I don't care if she takes it slow, I'm already uninterested because I saw zilch in the way of chemistry between them.

Overall, fab episode. Many thanks!

-Miss M

[lori]

great show! really enjoyed it.

but please, please, please!!! don't kill off denny. He's tall and yummy and he totally makes the show even better.

[Lacie from Arizona]

I really liked this episode. It made me feel all tingly inside, as always. The part with the violen playing was making me crazy it was sooooo good.

Derek/Addison - yuck as usual. I was all excited to think that perhaps Derek would finally get a clue and then BAM!, not so much. I think the divorce lawyer had a point though. They are not dealing with their issues. They are just ignoring them.

Derek/Meredith - I loved the look on Derek's face when he saw Meredith come down the stairs. He is actually showing emotion! I don't like the fact that the preview shows he calls her a whore, totally uncalled for! I think this might be the time when how he felt about her sleeping with George comes back up.

Meredith/Finn - I thought they were cute together, but I would still rather have her with McDreamy or George.

Izzy/George - I am glad that they were able to work through some of their issues and I am glad that George moved back home. I just wonder how that is going to work with Meredith though.

George/Callie - I can't stand them together. It makes me ill. I hope she is just a rebound chick and goes away quickly!

Lastly, I am having a premonition. Addison/Alex! I think something is going to happen here. He is the slick, cute doctor who isn't afraid to speak is mind. Can anyone see a resemblence to McSteamy. I totally see this happening next season!

Questions:
1. How old are all the characters?
2. How much time has passed since the interns first day?

[Sheri]

What an excellent episode! I never would have guessed it was your first!

I really enjoyed the scenes between Alex and Addison! Who knew they'd have such chemistry?

Okay, I never thought I'd say this... but Derek is starting to irritate me so badly! He had NO RIGHT to give Meredith such a nasty, judgemental and dirty look when he saw her at Finn's! What a jerk! He can go back to his wife, but Meredith is supposed to be a spinster? I don't think so! And by the way, I LOVED Meredith and Finn together!

And, I always love Bailey, but it's really interesting seeing this struggle between motherhood and career! I know how that feels!

Oh yeah, and Burke was VULNERABLE! And Christina was compassionate!
GREAT EPISODE!

[Mindi]

Laura...this was a great episode. Congrats and thanks...you wrote an awesome script.

Every episode of Greys speaks to me about some underlying (or not so underlying) theme in my life and this continued to be the rule rather than the exception.

I think I am the only person who LOVES George with Callie. And I think that's because I'm part George and part Callie, but whatever it is, I love them together and I'm glad George brought her home because he and Izzy as BFFs is the cutest thing.

So thanks!

[MEL]

Can I say I LOVE you! YOu get what I see every show about Addison and Burke and Christina . Addion is a good person who wnats the love she derserves for the crap she has to put up with all the time. Not what she did was right but she has tried sooo hard to make it work and I am gald to see someone else has seen this as well.

I also love that you showed other another side to christina and Burke. That Chris is hurt in her own way that Burke tells George then he tells her even if she acts like she could care less and the she "gets" him with out having to to say I love you all the time.

As for Burke :sigh: I love him and I wanted to give him a big hug in this show..lol and the fact that opened up to Christina and that end scene made my who night so thank you for that.

Here is to hopeing you write more shows!!

MEL

[Becky]

The Burke part of the eppy did nothing for me. And reading almost a whole blog about it bored me even further. The episode was good, but it got great at the end.

The Derek/Addison "Hot" sex scene was fun. Who hasn't gone off to someone else after being hurt? It's almost as he used his wife for his "rebound" after seeing Meredith with wet hair and Finn's shirt.

Hated that we had to wait a month for this eppy just for it to finally get good at the end.

Can't wait for next weeks!

[Becky]

FYI: Meredith's and Finn's chemistry is great!!! It's not what Derek and Meredith have, but it's great! Great call on the casting!

[Angela]

Your writing was spectacular. Please write more next season.

[Marci]

Hey, how about the seamless scene with Bailey, Burke, and Webber all standing at the surgery board. Now that was cool!

[Jayce]

WOW Elizabeth - What an episode! I hope you write some more! I hated to see it end.

I am a HUGE Mer/Der fan but you made Der such a jerk between the cell phone call with Mer, the not apologizing for it in the elevator, and his reaction to seeing a showered Mer at Finn's (going home and having shower sex with Addie). I didn't think it was possible for him to lose his McDreamy status but tonight and the previews of next week are killing his dreaminess. I actually found myself rooting for Mer and Finn. Something I didn't think was possible before tonight. I can't wait to see what happens next with this Mer/Der/Addie/Finn/Mark thing.

Burke and Christina storyline added so much depth to their relationship. You put them both in such a different light.

Bsiley needs to keep giving the Chief some grief.

Alex and Addie - hmmm - I had't considered that relationship. I can't wait to see how that plays out.

I'm happy for George. He finally has someone who loves him. However, I think this will just be a temporary rebound relationship.

Thanks for rescuing us from the month long drought. I can't wait until next Sunday!!!!!

[Samantha]

thank you for the hot addek sex. Addison deserves it. I am a hardcore Addison/Derk and Addison, so I love it when she gets some lovin.
I beg of you to let finn and meredith be happy together so derek can finally move on with his gorgeous wife!

[Amber]

Wonderful. Seriously. Awesome, awesome episode. congradulations. :)

Alex...was just dumped by Izzie. He was just realizing his feelings for her, and in comes Denny. No, I don't fault Denny...in the few episodes in which he's been back, I adore him. Not just /him/...his character is interesting. I almost passed out the other week...I thought he was dead...and I just know somebody's going to kill him...but, still. Alex is sulking...maybe he's a bit of a hypocrite? I mean, remember what he said to George? George needed that, and I thought it was brilliant...but, unless I'm mistaken, Alex m'love is sulking.

Anyways...onwards to Burke.

I adore his character. Big strong Preston Burke! who needs an exclimation point after his name because he is THE Preston Burke!, who is...well, you get it. To see him so vulnerable...was like in the episode with Liz in it...Christina, near the end...one of the best scenes, mhm. Sandra's character is my favorite, actually...and she just says, "You practiced." ...brilliant. :) Thank you.

Meredith and Finn...it's a bit strange. Feels kind of odd. But, I don't know. I haven't had a chance to decide whether it's a good strange or a bad strange, heh. But the baby horse scene...definitely awesome. That was great.

Derek is...really pissing me off. Yes, poor deprived Addie gets hot sex...but...it's driven by him being angry at Meredith. Sorry, he's turning into the kind of man that I never thought he'd be...oh well, he's you guys's character ;) I'll deal with it, and hope for the best.

Poor Addie. How horrible can you get? Pregnant lady should get sued for...something. I'm sure you can sue for withholding information. Mfft. Don't care if blah blah blah she's too pansy to tell her husband to use a condom. Against the /rules/ or not, she should have picked. Not done that to Addison. That was wrong.

Bambi needs to grow his hair back out.

Lawyer-girl was awesome. I laughed so hard at the coffeecoffeedonutVIDEOGAME scene. It was brilliant. Really. Awesome. Hee.

I dunno, but why nothing on Miranda? Poor thing...she just wants to work! The look on her face...oh, I forgot when...was just sad. She looked so..sad. Like somebody had skinned her puppy. ;P

Um...I'm going to go to bed now. It's..early..blah.