From Shonda Rhimes (FINALLY)…

So Denny Duquette died at 7:42 Monday evening.

Actually, he died once on the East coast and once again on the West coast and I’m pretty sure he’s going to die many more times on many more continents pretty damned soon.

I cried. When Denny died, I cried. I cried when I wrote the script page where Denny dies. I cried when we had the read through and the cast found out that Denny dies. I cried when Mark Tinker filmed Denny dying. I cried when Ed Ornelas edited Denny’s death. I cried watching them mix the song playing during Denny’s death. I’m a freaking crybaby when it comes to Denny.

I choose to blame editor Ed Ornelas for Denny’s death. Like I had nothing to do with it. Like I was an innocent bystander in the whole thing. Like it wasn’t me wrote it. I’d sit behind him in the editing room and sob into a tissue while saying kindly, supportive things to the back of Ed’s head. Things like “Denny Murderer! Dog Killer!!! DENNY-MURDERING-DOG-KILLER!!!”

I didn’t kill Denny. Ed did.

Right.

Look, I honestly have nothing to say for myself. No words in my own defense. Except I told you guys that the characters have to do what the characters have to do. I mean, I love Denny. Really love him. He was my “you jump, I jump” guy. He was my imaginary future husband. He was the guy I was dating in my head. HE WAS ALL I HAD. And now he’s dead. God, I feel so Izzie in this moment.

But the point is, Denny was always going to die. His character was created to die. I knew it. Jeffrey Dean Morgan knew it. And as much as I wanted Denny NOT to die when the time came, as much Jeffrey Dean Morgan wanted to NOT die when the time came, as much as Channing Dungey (our super cool studio executive ) begged me to not to hurt her Denny…

…it was his time. He had a stroke. He died. I had nothing to do with it. It was his time.

People die. Suddenly. Without warning. When you least expect it. People die. And it’s horrible and painful and utterly shocking but…it happens. And I wanted to present that on the show.

The good thing is – and you’re all yelling “GOOD THING? GOOD THING?!!!” – but, yes, there is a good thing in all of this. And that good thing is what Camille says to Richard. “I’ve been loved. I’ve been loved. That’s something everyone should feel once in their life.” Denny has been loved. And he dies knowing he was loved. And knowing that he loved back.

I named this episode “Losing My Religion” because, to me, that is what happens to each intern in this episode. Each intern lets go of the things they’ve held onto all season. George lets go of loving Meredith. Cristina lets go of her well-checked emotions. Izzie is forced to let go of her idealism. And that leads to her letting go of medicine. Alex lets go of his rage against Izzie. And Meredith…well, Meredith just lets go.

I don’t want to talk too much about the Mer/Der of it all because we are clearly hanging on a cliff here and anything I say may tell you what’s on the other side. And you know I hate spoilers. But I do feel like we’ve tried to make their relationship complex. Derek’s flawed and sometime you hate him. Meredith’s flawed and sometimes you hate her. And you can’t help but root for Addison to be happy. And you like Finn cause he births ponies and he has plans. And clearly poor Doc was a metaphor for the Mer/Der relationship and when Doc’s put down, it feels like a horrible, painful but necessary ending. But still…when Derek grabs Meredith and kisses her…it’s such a relief. You want them to figure this thing out.

I do want to talk about the costumes (done beautifully by Mimi the costume goddess). Everyone dresses up for the prom. But then we lose Denny. And here’s something you maybe don’t notice until all our interns are gathered in the room with Izzie who lies on the bed with Denny’s body: the prom clothes are actually mourning clothes. Funeral clothes. Suddenly, you see that Meredith and George and Cristina and Callie and Alex are all dressed, not for a prom, but for a funeral. Everyone in dark colors, everyone dressed somberly. As if they were in mourning. Only Izzie is in happy pink. Only Izzie looks like she didn’t know this was coming. In the last scene, Mark Tinker shot this gorgeous shot of Izzie walking down the stairs, Alex and George behind her. I love that shot. Izzie has this fallen queen thing going on that I just adore.

Speaking of the prom…dudes, I so wanted this prom. I’ve wanted this prom since the beginning of the season. We’d been planning for it and obsessing about it. Because, first of all, I like seeing men in suits. Second, these interns and their lives remind me so much of high school in all the best ways. I hope you’ve noticed that. I hope you got the Breakfast Club of it all when they give their speeches to the Chief. Cause I’m an 80’s girl and I needed my prom.

Burktina: this episode is one of my favorites for both Burke and Cristina. If you look at where they began at the beginning of Season Two and how far they’ve come…. You just hate Cristina. You hate her when she walks away from Burke after seeing that he know has a hand tremor. And then you see her give that speech to the Chief (which by the way, Sandra Oh did brilliantly and perfectly EVERY SINGLE TAKE) and you see the struggle. Her struggle to suppress all of her humanity in pursuit of perfection. And in my mind, what we realize is that she is not cold. She is terrified. Scared that if she lets her emotions out, they will overtake her and she will be hurt. And you can’t hate her. Because it’s so incredibly human and understandable. There’s that moment when Burke tells Cristina that he won’t bear a grudge and it’s so sad because he means it. He doesn’t believe she has it in her to stay by his side. And then Denny dies and Cristina watches Izzie grieving and realizes that she has no other option but to go to Burke and cover his hand with her own. Because you can lose someone if you’re not careful.

There’s more to say but I know y’all are itching for me to post this blog. So I’ll do another one later in the week. Because we still have to talk about the Chief and about Burke’s tremors and George and Callie’s thing and so much more…

One last thing: Thank you so much for watching the show. I’ve been in New York for the network upfronts and it’s been amazing to hear from fans how much they enjoy the show. It means a lot to me and all of us who work on Grey’s. You may have heard we are moving to Thursday night. I’m thrilled because Thursday is a big day for TV and I love a challenge and I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that you’ll follow us to our new night.

Comments

[CherylD]

I love how you write your blog the same way you write the show. I read it, I'm sure, as fast as you type it.

I don't know about everyone else (yes I do), but I'm following you to Thursdays. Every other show will just have to wait on TIVO until I get done with Grey's!

[Nancy]

But I DON'T want Mer/Der to "figure things out". I feel like I should, because I'm pretty sure they're your "endgame", but I just don't. I can't. How can you look at Addison being so hurt and wanting to work things out and want Mer/Der? I don't get it.

[MaryB]

Are you kidding! Of course we're following you to Thursdays. I'll be in withdrawal all summer, and probably mourning Denny for as long.

[Michelle]

Thank you for Mer/Der, thank you for Denny, for Izzie, for Burktina, for Bailey, the chief, Alex, George/Callie, everyone, for you, for making Grey's Anatomy. It keeps me going, and I just love it. I wish it was a year round show, and that there would be no hiatus. I know you aren't all super-people, but you sure seem like you are, and could keep going forever. Everyone on the show is so real, so human. I can relate so much that they seem like attainable people, like I could be there friend. I love that about the show. I don't have enough kind words to say...

[anonymous]

Shonda, please! More Mer/Der!! PLEASE! I CAN'T GO ALL SUMMER WITHOUT KNOWING SOMETHING!

[kortnee]

Denny didnt REALLY need to die! how sad was that! he died alone...and i cried

[Jeanie]

Thank you!! It was a wonderful season! I can not wait til next season!

[Libby]

Thank YOU Shonda and all the folks who make this show great!

[Dave]

Eh...it was an ok finale. I expected more (more what I dunno) and maybe I expect too much? The only part that I really really liked was the one on ones with the Chief.
I wasn't all that surprised by Denny's death...but it still sucked (in a dammit I liked him kind of sucked). I think it would have been more interesting to see those two get to really know each other and find out things that wouldn't be as fairytale as they thought...but since nobody dates outside the hospital...Denny had to die.(kinda like having sex on LOST is a no-no....yo)
I am curious how you know that Denny had to die yet Addison was only a 5 to 6 eppy character and she's been around a lot longer. And if you believe Ausiello....she'll be around even longer. So what's the difference? Just curious.
Speaking of Ausiello...thanks for the interview over there. It was an interesting read. I totally disagree about the love scene being beautiful though...it came off as sleazy to me...But maybe that's b/c I'm so pissed at Derek and you made it so tough to hate Addison...damn you! I can't really pull for Derek and Meredith because he's acting like a selfish ass and she's coming off as weak. Wow...I'm not sounding all that much like a fan...but I swear on my Can't Buy Me Love lawnmower that I am! I'm actually looking forward to next season and can't wait to see some McSteamy again...Mmmmmmmm...McSteamy.

[Kaci]

Oh my god, that was some episode, i really lost interest in Mer/Der, but when u look back at season 1, u really never think this would have happened, they were so cute together starting from the 1st episode, well if feel that mer should go w/ the vet, not derrik, b/c remember, he's still married!! It's not like he can bring her back to his trailer! Can't wait till 3rd season!!

[Disa]

Shonda! Big love to you and your show! Thank you for everything! (especially Der/Mer- I SO needed that :)) /seventeen girl, all away in Sweden.

[Brittany S.]

I love you, and this show. Amazing, all of it! And I understand the reasoning for Denny, but it still hurts! Nice job this season!

[Leda]

Hi Shonda, first of all congrats on this AMAZING show and season finale episodes. I must say I´m recovering of all the pain that monday night episode caused me.
Sunday i couldn´t sleep after seeing Izzie cutting the “wire of Denny´s life” and Burke lying on the ground with a wound. I was devistated and I pleeded for keeping him Alive. Right know thank you for that. BUT I´m still devastated and I really don´t have idea how I´m going to survive the coming 4 months. It will be too long without knowing anything about my favorite characters.
I cried a lot, I scream, I yelled, I cried and I cried and I couldn´t sleep
Denny oh Denny. I knew that sooner or later he was going to die, but muy god it was heartbreaking. Poor Izzie and what an amazing actor is Katherine Heigl and not to mention Sandra Oh. The scene between her and the Chief was an Emmy/gloden globe moment. I have no words for. I hope Burke will get better and be a golden-hand surgeon as he was. Not be able to operate again will kill him. Keep Burktina alive, it´s so obvious they love each other.
About Mer/Der, I start wondering if they are just sexually attracted to each other or something else because I don´t see love, I see lust. And I guess that Derrick is now cheating on Addison.
The dresses of each one character were beautiful. The contrast of the colours fitted so well. Also I like like like a lot, when the 4 interns were sitting on the floor and talking to each other because they were having a time out... funny thou!
Shonda and the whole team, well done. Thumbs up. Take your vacation, go to the beach, get inspired and give us more of Grey´s Anatomy. Love you all. Greetings from Holland

[Karen, Ontario]

Thank you, thank you Shonda for all your thoughts and insights. It's amazing how you ended the show with a prom. High school prom is like the high point of 4 years of school. Full of stress, tension, and excitement. having visions of my old prom with the anxiousness of the finale really brought all my emotions forth.

congrats on a great season and looking forward to Thursdays Grey's!

[Grace]

Thank you for giving us a softer ending. I think if we had a huge cliff-hanger for the summer we’d all go insane. Keep up the great work and thanks for the sass.

[bella]

I absolutely love this show. And I thank you so much for all the incredibly hard work you put into it. I don't think writing on TV has ever grabbed me like this before. I think all the characters are so clearly cared for by your team, and that's a rarity I think, on television. So for as much grief as you put them through (and through them, us) - I know you do it because you love them, and you want them to be the best shaped characters they can be.

[claysmom]

I cried, too. And I bawled. And then I teared up again. Because I can SO relate to the Denny character having had someone just like him (heart transplant patient, too) in my life at a much younger age. But bravo, that he was there even if for a short amount of time!

Thanks Shonda :)

[lori]

thank you so much for posting, shona. my heart broke into a million pieces during the last 3 episodes - thank you for writing such a powerful and brillant show. it's been 2 days and i still feel sad...which is kinda sad and pathetic on its own. my husband has to keep reminding me "it's just a show, honey. no one is hurting in real life." i am PUMPED for next season - keep up the wonderful work and ignore all the mean people who are trying to bring you down. you guys are amazing.

[Lauren]

Its so hard to understand why he had to die but I get it... i ended up not even caring about Mer and McDreamy

[Jennifer]

Thanks so for this beautiful and smart show. It is the only show I watch religiously. I cried and cried Monday night when they put the dog to sleep because that is of course hideously sad, but was also cheering that hopefully the Mer/Der thing was dead, too. Derek is a horrible spoiled jerk who needs to make a choice. I mean honestly. And while I was buying into the whole Meredith is flawed thing, her choice to sleep with Derek at prom made her cross the line from flawed to someone who lacks any integrity. I have lost all respect for either Meredith or Derek at this point. But still can't wait for next season!!

[Staci]

I just looooooove you!! I know you are probably tired of hearing this...but I am so glad Mer/Der finally got together!! I have never seen two characters have so much chemistry as they do. I mean, hello, they barely look at each other & they are on fire!! Anyway, the entire episode was incredible! I thought every story line played out the way it should have. Even though I loooooved Denny, I think it was his time to go, too.
Also, I will definitely be following you guys to Thursday nights. All of my friends and I will be ready!!

[Jenny]

Don't know how I'll make it through the summer! Thanks for making us love Alex again. Can't wait for next season!

[Brooke]

Shonda,
Did Christina walk out of the OR because she just couldnt stand to see Burke in pain? It just seemed too much for her, she loved him too much to watch him suffer. Oh there are so many hopes for next season, please take a nice rest for as long as you must so you can be full of fresh ideas and continue to feed my addiction. Stay safe, we need you for season 3! ;-)

All love and thanks for a wonderful season 2, see you agian in the fall.

PS. I would not question any of your decisions, you are the creator and goddess of the show, if you say that is the way things are... then so be it. I trust you completely on this journey you are taking us.

[jenni]

i'd follow this show anywhere!

[Shelley]

I thought this season finale was absolutly amazing. I was sobbing when the dog died and denny died and how Alex comforted Izzie. The Mer/Der scene had my jaw on the floor, loved it lol.The writing was great and the actors were supurb. I've watched this show since the very first episode, and you never disappoint. Great Job, and looking so forward to season 3, hopefully Thursday night works out :)