Shonda on "Damage Case"

Original Airdate: May 7, 2006

I gotta be honest.

I have no idea what to say in this here, our blog entry for tonight’s episode “Damage Case.”

No.  Freaking.  Idea.

Why?

Because I’m scared I might spill the beans.  About the finale.  The gi-normous two-night, three hour finale the writers and the cast and the crew have been working their butts off on.  I’m usually good with the secrets.  I didn’t tell you about Meredith and George.  I didn’t let it slip that Dylan was gonna explode.  I kept the food-eating contest to myself.

But I’m a tiny bit tired from making 27 episodes of television.  And my mind is all crazy because fourteen days from now, it has become clear that everyone around me thinks I’m going to take time off.  That I’m going to stop thinking about my friends at Seattle Grace.   That I won’t get in the car,  drive to the studio and obsess about Meredith and George and Izzie and Cristina and Derek and everybody.  That I’m going to…I don’t know…SLEEP.  Or see my actual three-dimensional friends who, while lovable,  get kinda cranky when I write dialogue and ask them to say it out loud.  I’m supposed to go on vacation?  Are you serious?

Anyway, my point is, I’m weak.  I’m a weak pathetic shell of my former self so my super-hero-secret-keeping powers are not working so good.  They are broken.  But I will do my best.  I will do my best to just chat calmly and quietly about “Damage Case” and pretend those other future episodes don’t exist.

This episode was originally borne of an idea one of our writers Mimi Schmir had about this amazing damage control surgery.  I think it was Krista Vernoff who suggested that what would be cool is if our interns are all working on patients from a single family.  Which is how I ended up writing “hillbilly” dialogue.  I love the big-haired Southern girl and her family.  I love the Mama who says “good girl” instead of “vagina” and I love Big Jim who screams “Melly!!  MELLY!!!” in a crazy Deliverance way.  But what I got the most joy from is humanizing them.  What starts out as a funny hillybilly picnic story where you kind of mock this family slowly turns into a story about loss, love and forgiveness.  Mama gives that wonderful speech about how a mother should be in on making decisions for her daughter.  Big Jim offers a moment of grace to the boy who killed his daughter.  And Noah breaks my heart every time when I think of him left with a baby but without the love of his life.  I love this family.  And I love even more how in the midst of all of their tragedy and pain,  we watch  our characters struggle through.

“Yeah, yeah,” you’re thinking, “get to that argument with Meredith and Derek!”

I’m getting there.  But first I have to make a detour.  A detour over to the Land of Callie Peeing.  You know I have to go there.  This may be one of my favorite moments of our show EVER.  It’s right up there with George gets the syph for me.  Maybe not for you.  But for me…Callie walking into that bathroom topless and peeing in front of Meredith and Izzie was SO GREAT.  Because it was SO HORRIBLE.  I love that Mer and Izzie respond with all the trauma of having viewed  a car crash.  And I love even more the very sweet moment at the end where Callie says that she did wash her hands but she did it in the kitchen because those girls were looking at her like…

You know who Callie was in high school, right?  You know she was the outsider, the loner rebel chick who didn’t have many friends and wore weird clothes and was just tortured by the cool kids.  Callie, as played with Sara Ramirez …dudes, Sara won a TONY AWARD for Spamalot – I saw her in the show and she ROCKED and then we met for breakfast and discovered that we were like best friends who’d never ever met and talked for hours and hours and hours and…okay, I digress.  My point is that Sara makes Callie so vulnerable in her kickass toughness.  And when I, in near terror, asked her take off her clothes and do a scene where she pees in front of Meredith and Izzie, she was all, “I’m on it” and threw herself into the scene.  I am frankly hoping that the ABC shopping site tells us where we can buy those panties she was wearing because those were the best panties EVER next to Izzie’s Season One Hello Kitty panties and I have to own some.  I think I would be less angry about going on vacation if I had some cool Callie panties.  I would never pee in front of other people but I would be happy.

Once again, I’m losing the point.  The point…the point…the point is Callie pees and Izzie tortures her a tiny bit about the hand washing and that made me overjoyed because that’s the kind of thing people do.

The other detour I wanna make is over to Denny-ville.  I love Denny.  In a dangerous way.  Denny is very real to me.  He’s no character I made up.  He’s DENNY.  He’s human for me in a way that makes the actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan nervous when I get within fifty feet of him.  See, when Denny gets all depressed about being an invalid, I want to climb in bed with him just like Izzie does.  What’s shocking about Denny’s depression is that we are so not used to seeing him angry.  He’s so sweet.  But being an invalid wears down the spirit – that’s what our doctors tell us, that’s  what we all know from seeing it happen to people we know.  And I wanted us to see a little of that.  I wanted us to see that Denny is starting to despair of ever getting a heart.  That Denny is about to give up.  Which breaks my Denny-loving heart because he’s Denny and I just want to watch him play Scrabble and say things in that drawl  of his. 

Okay, last detour:  Alex saving the baby.  I love that we have a character who can do something wonderful but still be a selfish cranky ass about it.  Alex gets to be complex in ways most characters  don’t because even though he’s got a moral code, his moral code is totally twisted  and dark.  But he’s essentially good – deep down inside.

And now, finally, the Mer/Der of it all.  He’s so angry.  And that anger has been kinda building since all the way back when Meredith told him about George.  And it just gets SO much worse when he sees her at Finn’s and assumes she is sleeping with him.  The man is jealous.  McDreamy is jealous.  Beyond all reason or sanity or any rational thought.  He’s just jealous.  And that fight they have in the stairwell…oh, I was proud of Meredith for standing up for herself.  I was a proud, proud Mama.   But my little heart was also breaking.  Because he’s so angry.  And she’s so angry.  And then in the next episode…

Oh, yeah, right.  No talk about the next episode.  But it’s a big one.  That gets bigger.  And then it gets even bigger.  But I can’t talk about it.

I can talk about how cute and hot Finn is and how much I love it when he says “I never said I wasn’t scary and damaged too.”  Because he is like Meredith.  And that gives her a little bit of hope.  It may give you hope too.  Or it may give you a seizure because you want your Mer and your Der BACK TOGETHER and you want them back together NOW.

I could tell you so many things.  So many.  If I could.  Which I can.  But I won’t.

We’ll talk more later.  After you’ve seen the stuff you haven’t seen yet.  I’ll explain everything.  I promise.

Right now,  I have to go and figure out a way to survive the next six weeks without my friends from Seattle Grace in my life.  Maybe I’ll form a support group…

Comments

[Elizabeth]

No comment on Burktina?? Please take another detour and let us know your thoughts on Burktina's future!

[Terri-CA]

Okay. Read your comments. I've calmed down...a little--not a lot--a little. I know he's jealous but jeez! He dumped her! I don't care what his reasons were. Like she said, he doesn't get to call her a whore. She was left alone to fix what he had broken.

For the very first time, EVER, I'm seriously not wanting her and Derek to get back together, --everevereverever.

The Vet is looking mighty fine right about now. Loved the episode and hated Derek--a first. The McDreamy got kicked WAY out of him.

Besides, Addison has been growing on me. Personally, if he had been there for her, if he had given her even a smidgen of love and attention, I don't think she would have cheated on him.

Of course, over the next two episodes, I reserve the right to change my mind. Overandoverandover again. :)

Terri

[Cookie buchman]

Excellent show as usual. Thanks for the so prompt blog. Have a great hiatus. Hugs to Harper. (from Eric's mom)

[JP]

Meredith should have punched McDreamy in the nuts.

[Lauren]

Oh great, Burke says he's tired and we Bang fans know darn well he does not mean he is tired as in, he wants to go to sleep at the end of this episode. Yet we get no commentary on Burke and Cristina in this blog. I am not surprised, this couple rarely gets any commentary, rarely. Last week's blog was a nice surprise, but that eppy was supposed to be about Burke for the most part, so I guess the writer had to comment on them. But these two characters rarely get commented on in these blogs and if they do it's usually like three sentences. Unbelievable, no comment at all about them, they might as well have not been in this episode at all. Are you telling a story about these two characters together as well as individually or what? Maybe the story you guys are telling is simply not that important enough to comment on consistently in these blogs with any depth. I know I think I see depth in their story, it would nice if I get some commentary in these blogs that confirm what I think I might be seeing.

Thanks for reading.

[Carol in Nashville]

Shonda when you sign up for that support group...sign me up too, will ya? My Sundays aren't going to be the same until the show returns. I know, I know! I will live but darnit anyway.

What an incredible show you and your writers have. I don't ever recall being this in love with anything on television. Brilliant is an understatement.

Will you or your writers promise to blog us here at the site once in awhile?

Again, there are no words to thank you for what you are doing!

Cheers from Nashville!

[Dani]

Join us on the ABC message board. We're here for you as you have been for us!

We speculating our little hearts out and can't wait for the next installment.

(Mer/Der!! Had to add that one...)

[Nova]

I feel like, what happend in the stairway...it was as if they built the biggest, tallest wall, which they couldnt possibly overcome, because they lost a little respect for each other. Sad.

[Dailyn]

You? You deserve a cookie, the best, warmest, gooiest chocolate chip cookie ever baked. Because this show rocks and it never fails to put me through an emotional rollercoaster. Because even my 9 year old sister refuses to go to bed just so she can watch the show.
I suggest the support group has re-runs. :)

[Emma Buktenica]

For the first time in a long time, I am on Team Meredith. I can't believe McDreamy did that! But still, as hot as Finn is, they're still Mer/Der. I can't wait for the finale! But then again, I can. Because that means it's the end of the season. And I've already watched season one seventeen times. And season two isn't on DVD yet. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? By the way, um, She-Shepard and Karev seriously need to hook up. And y'all need to get representation from the gay community on the show. You talk about being colour-blind, now we need you to be sexuality-blind. Please. Love you, Shonda!

[Sharon]

Ok, maybe I'll be the first post, who knows? Oh my GAWD! Seriously? I don't believe that the Mer/Der fiasco is over...and each week i like Addison more and more. I'm sooo over the Denny thing...that storyline has been played out too long at this point. I'm so excited about McVet! Not only is he hottttttttttttt. Not only does he love animals. Not only does he like Merideth. But, he's also as screwed up as she is. I love him. I'll keep it rated G but suffice to say I find myself gettingn quite excited when he is on the screen. I loved when Callie walked into the bathroom naked and peed right in front of them. I'm both sad and excited about next weeks episodes...I can't wait to see them, but I don't want it to end! Shonda, I love this show! My Sundays are all wrapped up in this show...I love it! Great job!

[Fifi]

Why do I get the feeling that Finn is gonna get hurt? Now I'm all for the Mer/Der reunion, sorta, really, maybe, okay NOT so much anymore but why put Finn in the middle of all of this? like he hasn't had enough pain in his life!

Even Addison, for the first time in my life I felt sorry for her.

Overall, I thought damage case was really awesome! Mimi, you did good!

P.S. McDreamy? Not so McDreamy anymore, just my humble opinion.

[this girl]

I am just so happy about Meredith's therapy session she had in the stairwell. Need we remind him that he goes home to wife every night? He doesn't get to love them both and hope that Mer still flirts with him in the elevator. He needed to hear what he did and understand he made his own bed...now go sleep in it with your wife!!!

[Sonia]

I love that you writers can make me cry my eyes out (we're talking snot bubbling, frothing, loud crying here)with the loss of that young mama. But then I'm cracking up through my tears at Denny asking Izzie if he can feel her up.
Shonda YOU are only in withdrawal for 6 weeks from these characters....WE have to wait all summer! GAH!

[Sara]

Ahhhh! Shonda, you're killing me! Seriously! Please, just e-mail me and let me know what's gonna happen. Ok, so I was suprised when I broke down in tears when the intern apologized to Big Jim. Honestly sobbing! It was wonderful. I love that. Thank you thank you thank you for allowing Mer to stand up for herself. Thank you. I am so tired of people ranking on Mer, because hell, I AM MER!!!!! Last thing . . . am I the only one who notice that all of the men this week had PMS something fierce?

[Jenn]

I'm still in awe of this episode. I'm on 5 different emotional rollercoasters for all the characters. It's INSANE! As for Mer/Der...it'll come, I think. Just not now. Otherwise there'd be no more show if you give everyone what they want. Ok, I better snap back to reality and go to sleep.

[elm]

oh my god . . . i can't wait to see the season finale . . . the suspense. I want to know what is going to happen.
Much props to actually having an asian male doctor (even if it is for this one show). Some reason, haven't seen an asian male doctor on any doctor show . . . ER, Chicago hope or scrubs (wierd isn't it? plenty of asian male doctors out there). Moving on, great show and the set-up for next week, can't wait. And I don't like Callie, she's just the square peg in the round hole in the show - I'm not exactly sure where she fits.

[Sunburst]

I have to say Shonda - I loved Meredith in the stairwell. I loved that in this world of double standards, in this world of television that so often helps perpetuate and villify women like Meredith while giving, say, Alex a pass - that you let her stand up for herself and tell Derek how out of line he is. Thank you.

But no. I don't want Mer and Der back together. Not for awhile, because he needs to earn it. Long, long time earn it.

And frankly, I adore McVet. I adore Mere with McVet. I want you to extend Chris O'Donnell's contract, and keep him around forever, because I think I'm enjoying them more than I ever did Derek and Meredith - and that's saying something.

[rodan]

shonda. you are a creative genius. never in my life have i been quite so obsessed with a television show before. not friends in all it's glory. not sex and the city.. not law and order. wait. there goes the lightbulb. this show encompasses all three. it's hilarious, it's intense, and it is oh so very very endearing.

congradulations on being a creative genius.

my points... oh yes. i hate izzie right now. you know she is a self-righteous little biaa.. i think she has a stick so far up her ass.. i hope it gets removed soon.

alex is wonderful in this episode. i really hated him last time, but this time he sorta redeems himself. i can't wait to see you grow his character more. delve deeper into who he is, and why oh why is he so twisted.

i love addison sheperd. i can't believe i said that! but i do. i love and respect her.. i love the role you have her playing. the strong competent female doctor. with a heart. someone's gotta take that role.

meredith/derek
damn it was good. i was hurting. derek was a total and complete bastard. but i'm so glad meredith stood up to him. i can't decide if i want her to be with derek/fin. but i guess in the end derek, but right now i'm sooo enjoying the fin thing. fin is so good to her. so sweet, and just lighthearted. i noticed meredith is back to her vibrant beautiful self instead of her depressed look during the mc-dreamy troubles. i hope derek realizes he's jealous. why are guys all this way? he can't handle that she's moving on? they want their cake and eat it too. they want their beautiful competent wife, but they also want their hot exmistriss to be miserable over them.. he can't handle that meredith has found someone who is great. what a typical man.

great great episode. although i didn't care for the previews that told absolutely nothing. :) can't wait for the season finale.

sorry this was so ridiculously long.

[DC]

I was sitting there absolutely bawling, as Big Jim was extending the hand of forgiveness to the man who killed his daughter, and knew without a doubt that YOU, Shonda, had to have written this episode! That was such an absolutely amazing scene about the power of forgiveness.

Regarding other scenes... McDreamy has officially turned into McAngry, and I don't want him anywhere near Meredith. I loved how Finn was with her - she needs someone who is willing to look into her heart and soul, and not just trying to get whatever they can physically. Let her be in a relationship with someone NICE. Nice is good.

I keep thinking the day to kill off Denny is closer - and I REALLY don't want that to happen. Just let us have this one happy ending, OK? Don't burn down Denny-ville!

Lastly, thank you so much for thinking of us fans and getting this blog entry up so quickly. That's one thing that really separates Grey's from the rest. Thanks for sharing YOUR heart with us.

[Melanie]

Omigod, first of all, loved the Callie peeing scene. I just luv luv luv her attitude about how she's not gonna be intimidated by them, but then she is vulnerable to George, which makes our little Bambi feel like a big strong horse of a man. Like Denny, I luv Denny too. And I think he has to go, and I'll be sad when (and if) he does.

Cristina and Burke....why the hell would you fall asleep with a hot hunk of a man like Preston Burke?? Stupid girl. But I really do like them together and I hope it lasts.

The Damage control surgery, poor big-haired Southern girl....and her name was Melanie, too!....how wierd...but I enjoyed watching Alex almost act like a human again. Saving a baby was just the kind of redemption we needed not to vote him off the island.

And of course, Mer/Der! I was a proud mamma too when Mer finally stood up for herself! I was hoping she'd say, "You don't get to call me a ______, because you are a lying cheating adulteress bastard!" But the lines she had, they were good. The whole repair what you broke thing, and then the look in his face, was like the light bulb going off, oh yeah, I do remember in the Scrub room when she pleaded, "Pick me, choose me, love me." Yelp, it's definitely his fault they're not together.

*sigh* I truly can't wait til the next week's beginning of the Season Finale, argh, what am I going to watch this summer???

Kudos for a great show. ;)

[Sarah in Mpls]

I know that everyone says this but, I have never been this obsessed with a TV show - and I watch A LOT of TV! I gotta say though, you're killing me!! I'm trying to be patient, but it's the chemistry between Mer and Der that keeps me coming back. PLEASE get them back together!!
This was the first episode in a LONG time that I wasn't depressed after watching - so thank you! I loved Meredith's speech to Derek and I thought I saw just an ounce of recognition on his face that maybe this isn't about her actions, but his! Admit it Derek - you hurt her!! You should take responsibility for your actions just once in your life!! And Shonda, you're worried about being away from your SGH friends for 6 weeks? How about the fans like me that have to wait 4 months!!! HELP!
Until next week, I'm trying to keep the faith! :-)

i think i'll need a support group too.

[Ty]

Your and excellent writer and I love the show...I would like to see you explore the Burke/Cristina relationship more; and why does Burke's patients always die?

The way Derek reacted was the way any man would of reacted…brilliant!

[darcy]

i would so LOVE to be a part of your support group. this was such a fantastic episode... so real, so touching. Did I detect a bit of George not into wanting to defend Callie? just wondering. Mer/Der - thank goodness they had a REAL fight. Mer had been all over the place grieving the relationship, I am so glad she finally got to anger and stood up for herself. I'm glad McDreamy is jealous. If McVet sticks around -- boy are we going to have a great season 3. Can't wait to see the finales.