From Joan Rater, one of the writers of "Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response" (hour 1 of the 2 hour finale)

Original Airdate: May 15, 2006 (Note: The second hour of the two hour finale, titled "Losing My Religion," was written by Shonda, and she will be sharing her thoughts on that one herself in a bit...)

I know, I know, I KNOW!!!!!!  Denny's dead and it sucks.  More than sucks.  Blows.  Feels awful and empty and seriously, why couldn't Denny have lived?

Well, if you'd been hanging around the Writer's Room in March you would have heard the writers asking that very question, day after day.  Does Denny really have to die?  There was one particular day when most of the writers had decided that Denny couldn't die.  He had to live. Seriously.  Why not?  And when Shonda came into the Writer's Room and Krista said, "Does Denny have to die?", I think Shonda's head almost exploded because it was about the 12th person that day who had asked the very same question.  And here's the thing.  The person who wanted Denny to live the MOST is Shonda.  We all love Denny because he's so charming and Denny-ish and the actor is even more charming and Jeffrey-ish, but let me tell you there was no one more tortured and torn up about it than Shonda.  So you say to yourself, okay, you're the writers, you could have saved him if you wanted to.  But we couldn't.  Denny had to die. And not for plot reasons or anything like that, it's just ... it's hard to explain.  As bad as it felt, it also felt right.  “Right” is so the wrong word, but it felt inevitable.  But since Denny didn't die until hour two, and Tony and I wrote hour one, I'll leave it to Shonda to talk more about Denny ...

What I really want to talk about is you guys.  The fans.  I mean, we all know it was one hell of an emotional roller coaster, these last three episodes.  And a lot of things are still up in the air … Mer/Der/Finn in particular.  I watched last night with my nieces and nephew who literally were begging me for something, anything about next season.  I so wanted to tell them that no matter what happens with Izzie, or who Meredith picks, it's all going to be alright (I'm a mother, I have 2 kids, so I'm inclined to want to make it all better and for there to be band-aids put on skinned knees and happy endings at the end of stories).  But before I became a mother, I was a single woman living in New York City through most of my twenties.  And I know from experience that before the happy ending there's a lot of bad choices, bad luck, one night stands and tequila.  Not to mention amazing, magical times that make all those bad choices and one night stands worth it.  Your twenties are when you figure out who you are, and what matters to you.  You're forming friendships that will sustain you.  You're making plans.  Looking for your soulmate.  Wondering if there is such a thing as a soulmate. These interns are struggling with all that while learning to be surgeons.  I started this paragraph saying I wanted to talk about you guys, the fans, and I ended up talking about myself (something Tony says I do a lot).  I guess it's because when I read your comments, I can relate.  I might not agree, but I usually get and appreciate how you feel and where you're coming from, even if it's an angry rant about how dare we kill Denny.  Seriously, you guys, we feel it too.  All we're trying to do is do right by these characters, and write stuff we'd want to watch.

So I’ll leave you with what I told my nieces and nephew last night about next season:  It’s gonna be great.  You’ll laugh … and cry … and hate our characters one minute … and love them the next.  And throw things at your TV. 

And we'll keep doing our best to bring you stories about the messiness of being human.

Comments

[Shari]

i'm okay with the fact that Denny died. It felt right to me too, and I did really love him, altho I found his great "love" with Izzie kind of rushed and therefore not believeable. And the whole marriage thing? I mean, where's his family, etc? I got your point though and it was brilliantly written.

Can't wait for Shonda's thoughts! She's got some 'splainin to do!

[Mere]

I won't miss Denny, and I'm STOKED about the Meredith/Derek gift Shonda gave us :-)

Thank you, Shonda and all the great writers! I can't wait for Season 3!

[greygroupie]

I knew Denny would die but I was still shocked and sad about it. I loved him...and his lovely drawl. I loved watching Izzy light up when she saw him. I thought Alex was incredible last night- funny and then very caring. Yes, the cupcake scene....

But I do have questions....nothing ever came up about Dylan being blown up and Shonda said it would come back up in a later episode.

And it still irritates me how Addison can be fighting with Derek and saying he doesn't know he's in love with Meredith and then ask "is everything alright" type of question. Just like when Der makes googoo eyes at Mer and then kisses Addison on the cheek. Always irritated me because it seemed so contrived.

I really, really like Addision and Kate Walsh is unbelievable!! But I don't feel the chemistry between Der and her. And she's too smart, successful and driven to put up with Der's crap...well, I'll take that back. Hillary put up with Bill's crap so smart, driven, successful women do stupid things for love.

I didn't want Mer and Der to have sex...say I love you, yes. Sex should come after he's left his wife. However, I do get that it happens and have "been there/done that" before even though I knew it was wrong but people do really stupid things when they're in a relationship like that.

GREAT episode. Can't wait to watch it again tonight!!

[Grace]

Nope - it's ok with me that he died. I was sort of pulling for Alex and Izzy all along, now more than ever.

[Suzanne]

We all knew deep down inside Denny had to die but it makes it a bit easier to take knowing that it was hard for all of you too. Everyone in my office loves the show and we live to chat about it on Mondays. But I have to say with all the action I really need the summer to recover but cannot wait to do it all over again this Fall :-)

[Julie]

I was so distraught over the ending last night that I couldn't sleep, I just kept dreaming about it. All 3 of the last shows were incredible. I do understand why it had to happen with Denny that way but - oh, the tragedy. Just the visual of Izzy lying with him in bed with her prom dress on was heartbreaking. I'm also glad you didn't leave too many cliff-hangers until next season. I can't wait, but hopefully I can rest now!

[Erica]

I have to say, I loved Denny's character, but I understand him dying. I love this show more than any other show I've ever watched. To all the writers, keep doing exactly what you'r doing because it is GREAT!!

I will be tuning in on Thursdays in the fall! I can't wait!

[Chelsea xo]

I LOVE YOU SHONDA!

[ann]

Nope, could not STAND him!!!

[Kathy]

Add me to the list of people that are ok with Denny dying. It "fits" with the story. What more can you add with Denny getting the new heart and he and Izzie ride off into the sunset. Boring.

I have never cried so hard at a fictional storyline in all my life. Seriously—I was sobbing and weeping uncontrollably. Even the sinking of the Titanic and the eternal separation of Jack and Rose did not come close to stirring up such raw emotion in me.

I am seriously mourning the death of Denny, but I understand why you had to kill him. Even though he was newer and his storyline wasn’t exactly “central,” I truly believe he was the best character on the show. He was a fan favorite for sure and will be missed. When all of the other storylines hit boring or annoying spots (i.e. the Mer/Der saga), you could count on Denny to make me tune in.

Speaking of the Mer/Der saga...I just hate what his character has become (but like you said, we hate them one minute, we love them the next...kind of like Alex). Their love scene looked like two heroin attics that were finally getting a “fix,” not two people in love. She actually has a chance to move on with Mcvett, can’t you just let her? Oh, and I have a feeling that we haven’t seen the last of those black panties.

One more thing: as much as I loved Denny, I think I bawled even harder when they put Doc to sleep!

[Chelsea xo]

I LOVE YOU SHONDA!

[Diana]

I love Denny like the rest of you, but Denny had to die. As much as we hated it, it was the soul reason it was such a great end to the season because we were ALL crying!!!

[Nancy]

Oh, what an ugly, twisted web you people weave... I loved the show, hated everything that happened to everyone....And poor George!
His girlfriend looks like she could kick his #@$!!!!CAN'T WAIT TIL NEXT SEASON!!!

[Kim]

I am very sad about Denny, but I agree that it felt inevitable. It'll be a long summer.

[Lydia]

Izzie's isn't gone for good right? Can anyone answer this?
Amazing episode. Awesome. Cried and Laughed...I am blown away every week.

[Bree]

Watching the expressions of the people in the room last night, as we all watched the episode, really exemplified how incredible the writing is on this show. Everyone had a grimace on his/her face, or a gape-mouthed stare, disbelieving eyes, or hands alternately clenched or clasped-- amazing! Congratulations and we'll all hang in there for next season's new time slot because of superlative writing like this!

[Maggie]

I don't agree that Denny needed to die. May not watch after last night's episode.

[Veronica]

In my opinion, it was a pretty big mistake. He was truly so amazing in this role. It feels like you let something great go.

[caren in PA]

I hate you guys, I hate that you feel it was necessary to kill Denny.....there is no excuse, none!! I am so and so are many, many others!!!!!
Oh and you are so wrong....you are going to lose alot of fans!!!

[Tori]

I am still crying every time I think about Denny dying. I didn't believe for one minute that would happen. I am one of those people that believe in happy endings!!!!! I needed Izzy to be able to marry Denny.. There is no reason that couldn't have happened. I was in love with him too and I really feel like a person that I was with died. I have to keep telling my self that it is a show and not real life other wise I will be staying at home crying for days!!!!

[april]

loved the show, can't wait for next season. but seriously is izzy really leaving?

[Christine]

OK - thanks for that...but please Shonda...hurry...I know you are going to give me some answers!!! I need them! To get through my summer without my Sunday nights...I need some insight to begin my new Thursday nights with you!!

[Ellie Mae]

I. LOVED. IT! Awesome job, writers! Thanks for creating such a fantastic show. Now I just have to figure out what to do with my Sunday nights for the next 4 months. BTW, Alex: Hate him. Hate him. LOVE HIM! I bawled my eyes out when he spoke to and held Izzie at the end.

[Roni]

I've waited all day long for the writer's blog. . .and I got that??? Come on!!! I don't want to know about next season (okay I do, BUT) I want to know what was behind Christina's feelings and actions toward Burke and Denny proposing and Alex becoming one of the crew and George showing he has balls and the Cheif finding out that his wife found out, and Addison's feelings and Calle becoming part of "the family" and ALL of THAT!

I hope Shonda will bring it!
All in All thanks for a Great show. Can't wait til Thursdays in the Fall!