Shonda Rhimes on “Time Has Come Today” and other things…

Welcome to Season Three!!!

We here at Grey’s are all really excited about the new season and dear God, I hope you are too.  I personally was itching to get back to work.  I’m not a vacation kind of girl.  I’m also clearly not a girl who exists well outside the four walls of Seattle Grace Hospital.  I was missing George and the gang.   So coming back to work was all about joy.  But right now, this minute, today?  I’m also kinda nervous. 

About Thursday nights. 

I wasn’t.  I was fine.  I didn’t even feel a twinge.  Seriously (sorry for the unwarranted usage of “seriously” this early in the season).   But --- seriously.  I was feeling no pressure, no pain.  What a fun job!  I love it!  I am a stress-free, happy-go-lucky, glass half full freak of nature!  I mean, I was.  The head of ABC Steve McPherson (seriously, would it surprise you to know that I secretly call him McFee?) was all, “Shonda, we’re moving you to Thursday” and I was all, “Whoo-hoo!”  And I got really super excited.  Because Thursday?  Is a rocking night for television.  I did some dances of joy. 

Then I woke up this morning and, out of nowhere, found myself FREAKED OUT.  Because Thursdays?  Is a rocking night for television.  And McFee’s a smart man, a brilliant man, a man who has plans (very McVet of him to have plans, right?) and I trust him because…hello?  He has done pretty damn well by our show thus far.  So I trust him.  But still…do me a favor and set your VCRs and your Tivos and most important, plant your heinies in front of the TV Thursday night at 9 pm and watch.  Okay?  So I don’t burst a blood vessel in my brain from the stress?   Because I really love Mer and Der and Burktina and Iz and Alex and George and Callie and Addison and the Chief and Bailey and I’m like this worried Mama whose kid starts a new school and maybe won’t make any friends.

Enough about the freaking and the Thursdays.  Let’s discuss the thing you guys wanna know about.  Which is what’s gonna happen in the first episode.  Ready?

???

Okay, yeah, I can’t tell you anything.  Not anything in detail.  Cause that takes the fun out of watching.  But I’ve noticed that a lot of you in the comments section and over on the message boards seem to be dissecting the promos for clues.  And all I have to say is…we are going places you can’t imagine.  Or maybe you can imagine but you don’t expect.  And I want to tell you, really I do but…well, I’m trying to keep it to myself.

The first episode is going to take place pretty much where the end of Season Two left off.  Because I don’t believe in jumping ahead three months and leaving people scratching their heads and muttering, “Dude…what happened while we were away?”  I feel like SO much happened at the end of last season that I owe it to the characters to have them deal with the aftermath.  And I owe it to you to let you watch the aftermath.  Cause Denny died (yeah, I’m still not over that – I saw Jeff Dean Morgan a week ago at the DVD release party and almost burst into tears of joy and hugged him for about ten minutes because it was like Denny was back and alive and in my arms…but alas, it was just JDM who is super-cute and incredibly talented and has grown this adorably sexy scruffy stubble but is, in fact, not actually Denny anymore because Denny is dead) and Burke got shot and Meredith lost her panties…

Those panties…dude, those panties play a big part in the first couple of episodes.  Those panties are key.  Cause Meredith never put them back on.  She rushed out to deal with Izzie and left Derek who was asking “Meredith, what does this mean?” and she never had a chance to put those panties back on.   So watch for the panties – and I don’t just mean the shot in the promos that has them on the bulletin board in the hospital.

The first episode (which is called “Time Has Come Today”) deals with, not just the aftermath, but also with the past.  I encourage you to watch the original very first episode of Grey’s Anatomy from Season One because, if you pay attention to the dialogue and the details, you will be rewarded in this premiere episode with some (hopefully) very interesting tidbits.  And I hate the word “tidbits” but it does describe what I mean perfectly.  This first episode of Season Three is meant to reward hardcore fans -- it’s also meant to bring us to a place where we can say goodbye to Denny as well as deal with the Mer/Der/Finn of it all.  Just remember that nothing is ever wrapped up easily on this show.  Because things aren’t neat and clean in real life.

Here I should stop.  I shouldn’t say anything more.  Because I don’t want to tell you too much.  Cause I don’t want to ruin it for you.

Watch.

Thursday night.

9 pm (8 pm if you live in the midWest).

Watch and let me know what you think…

Comments

[Amy]

Holy crap I have been waiting for the season to begin since the last one ended. I'm super duper excited and have both my DVR and my VCR set. And seriously guys, sweeps months are starting soon, so if you happen to get a call from Nielsen DO the TV ratings! Support the show!

[josh]

you. are. my. god. (er, goddess).

seriously.

[Rn4Ga]

ellis knew that richard would never leave his wife.
But she couldnt accept 2nd best.Remember shes a surgeon also.She was brave to leave even though it hurt meredith.i hope we see more of Ellis reasons in season 3.The past trully does affect the future.

[maren]

It had better be fabulous, because I'm wrestling my CSI fanatic family for Grey's Anatomy.
Cross your fingers that I find a way.

[Elisabeth]

I really can't wait for it and I hope to see Kate Walsh's pretty face a lot more this season. Gotta love her.

Only 2 days left, Oh yeah.

[Sarah]

One way to make sure the viewers keep watching is to put Derek and Meredith back together STAT! They are the Ross and Rachel of Grey's Anatomy and I for one don't want to wait until the series finale (like Friends did with R/R) for them to be together.

[Lorena A.]

Shonda, thank you sooooo much for taking time out of your busy schedule to update this blog. There are a ton of things that I absoutelylove about the show, and thecast, and the writers, and crew, but I just want to express my gratitude for the blogs... they're awesome. So, I see you've noticed how crazy the MB has been with all the specualting, and wondering, and obsessing every single last detail about the promos. Two weeks ago I reached my boiling point, and I think I was temporarily insane. I mean, all of the great promos, and the segments about GA on all of the entertainment shows, and the billboards (I actually don't complain about getting up in the morning to drive my brother to school just beacuse there's a "Smile Thursdays" billboard on my way to drop him off... and I smile EVERY time I see it), and the ads in magazines, and the FABULOUS Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey ads for NY & Co.... I lost it, and now my mom seriously thinks I'm crazy. One of the previous posters said that we've been recruiting new viewers, and it's so true. I have my whole family watching, all of my best friends, even the assistant baseball coach at my college!!!
So don't worry, I'm sure we'll kick butt on Thursdays.... Thursdays will be OUR night.
Thank you so much for the wonder that is Grey's Anatomy. It's my release from the presures of being in college, trying to graduate with a marketing degree, and trying to juggle all that coupled with 2 jobs, friends, my annoying brother, and my own McDreamy (who sometimes doesn't live up to the name). I don't care that everyone thinks I'm crazy/ obsessed/ deranged or whatever. i feel like MEredith and the rest of the gang are my friends, and I thank you so much for that.

[bballmom]

Shonda,

Tivo will be in overdrive this season as my daughter has fall baseketball on Thursday nights. Now, I will be up late every Thursday watching the episode as soon as I get home.
I can't wait!

[HeatherO]

OMG Shonda seeing this new blog means we are there its SEASON 3. I actually have watched the premiere knowing that what comes around goes around. I have loaned out my DVD to recruit more idehard fans than you can imagine!!!

Don't worry we all have our Tivo's set and now I'm in heaven cause I can Tivo all the TV I can stand.

I have more to say but am on bedrest and the premiere means that I have 8 weeks until my due date!!

WE are seriously so stinking excited don't worry well all be watching!!!

[periwinkle]

Shonda - You never, Ever, EVER have to wonder whether I'll follow you to Thursdays, or weird time slots, or repeats, etc. etc. etc. Even if I physically can't keep my eyes open, my VCR will always be set to tape this show (even when I am watching it, so that I may watch it again during the week.) It's some of the best writing in a long, long time in TV Land. I think a lot of us are as addicted to the characters as you are. Congrats on a job well done!

[Danielle in S.C.]

Shonda, you rock! I can't believe that the summer has passed us by, and it's already time for Grey's Anatomy to begin again! I just can't wait to be sucked back into Seattle Grace's world. The VCR will be set since I'll be working that night, but I'm all ready to leave the office and come home to find out what happened, and cry with Izzie about Denny's death. And sight over McVet, and his plans. And feel just a little sad for Addison, who I didn't think I'd ever really like.
Crap, now i've got to go and get that co-worker to give me back my season 1 dvds that he never watched so that I can see the first episode again, just for GA on THURSDAY night! Hmm, maybe it's time I bought season 2, as well ...
Looking forward to Thursday, Shonda!

[Jenna]

I'm SO excited. I just watched the final episodes from Season 2 just to bring me back into the moment of the show. The reruns on Sunday and Thursday have been great but I haven't seen those last episodes since they first aired. And really,those two episodes held the best performances from the entire cast.

Thank you for the last two years. I can't wait for Thursday!

[Darvi in Illinois]

Hi Shonda and welcome back!!! I love this show and can't hardly wait for the next 2 days to happen!!! I will rewatch the first episode and the one before the final episodes (which are playing tomorrow night) so that I will be ready - but - can one really be ready for this? Keep up the great work - did you write this episode?

[melle]

Is it Friday yet?? :D
'cause I'm from Germany and I cannot watch on Thursdays.. But I just wanna say that your show is the most addicting ever on television and now I'm so freakin' nervous .. I waited, I guess, three months full of speculating, searching for new information about the upcoming season and so on.. I'm tired of it. So .. finally, bring it on!!

And now I must go.. Have to watch Grey's in a little while, second episode of the second season ^^

[Katie]

Thanks so much Shonda, not just for your insight into the world of GA but for acknowledging us at the MB. We are hardcore lovers of the show through and through. You can bet that we will all be watching, obsessing over every last lock of hair, the outfits,will Izzie be in scrubs, why is Callie at Meredith's house, etc.

[Kim]

Everyone will be there on Thursdays! Most of us haven't even been able to turn off ABC for fear that we will miss a promo. Its almost embarrassing how excited I am about the show starting again. Great work! I love the entire cast but am especially looking forward to Mer & Der, just love watching them. Ellen Pompeo IS Meredith when I watch and Patrick, well besides his amazing looks, is just amazing. Can't wait! Thanks for the blog!

[Mike A. @ Savage Land]

My wife and I have been watching 2-3-4 episodes a night from the S2 DVD trying to contain our excitement about the new episode on Thursday! Never fear, we will be there watching AND taping it so we can re-watch it again and catch the stuff we missed while being blown away by everything we see! :)

We're definitely there with you within the walls of SG!

[Jayce]

P.S. to add to my earlier post. Please have Der fight for Mer. He needs to lay his emotions out on the table. It's the only way for her to trust him again.

[Ilive4GA]

I have to work Thursday night but I have had my DVR set since last Thursday to record! MY husband and I finished up watching Season 2 on Sunday night and we are sooooooo ready for Thursdays! I think I am off to watch the first epi of Season 1 right now. Thanks for such an awesome show!

[CynthiaS]

Don't worry Shonda...I know people who are having viewing parties...they are setting up projector on the sides of their houses in college-ville and are having BIG GREYS ANATOMY PARTIES. Never have I seen this since the first season of Survivor. And about Mer/Der...as a fellow writer I love what you are doing...but as the most HARDCORE Mer/Der fan, I sometimes want to shoot myself in the face...

I CAN'T WAIT!!

[Hilary]

I will be watching. My sister will be watching. Half of the blog world will be watching. Trust me. We will all watch. I don't care what Thursdays HAD, the old Thursday shows are nothing to me. You could put GA on Saturday morning to compete with cartoons and I would watch it. My 2 year old will live without Dora for one hour. Right?
I can't wait!!!!!!!!

[Susan]

Thanks Shonda..

You've told us sooo much and yet you told us nothing at all. Just goes to show what a good writer you are.

I will be tuned in on Thursday.

P.S. I know who finds the panties and where!!!

[Colleen]

Planting my butt in front of the TV on Thursday will not be a problem. I am more than excited for Season 3. I have set my TiVo for every Grey's this summer, and my husband is seriously worried about my addiction. :)
The kiddies will be in bed and Mom will have her time with the staff of Seattle Grace.

[Adriane]

oh, thank you, thank you for a new blog. hopefully we'll get another one after thursday night? right? because us over at the message boards and what not ARE on overload with trying to dissect the promos! we're running around like little chickens with our heads cut off! you people are a tease!

anyhow, that being said, you can rest assured that i believe we will all be there thursday night. and i'm not talking five minutes after nine o'clock going "omg greys anatomy started!" and rush to the tv. i'm talking, we will be finishing homework, eating dinner, chores done...essentially shutting the rest of the world off BY five minutes to 8 to start watching the little sneak peak and come 9...we will literally be ready to CONFLAGRATE after these last few grueling months of going without our seattle grace. seriously (yes, ill say it too). and i am so breaking out season 1 and watching the pilot. between your blog and the episode stills that have been released, im looking forward to some good looking red shirt action thursday night =)

oh, and that whole line where you said youre like a worried mama? i so envisioned you saying that with little whitening strips over your teeth, all izzie-esque. *giggle*

[mcdreamluva]

Thank you Shonda for at least giving us a little info on Season 3 in advance...that is so unlike you, but greatly appreciated by us "hardcore" fans who have struggled to survive the long summer with no GA.

Thank you also for saying that the Mer/Der/Finn situation would be addressed...why am I thanking you...because Addi's name has been removed from the triangle!! Don't get me wrong I love Kate Walsh, but Addi/Der...NOT A FAN!

Best of luck on Thursday nights...the competition must be scared because they are grasping at straws to try to pull in viewers...(K-Fed=desperation in my book).

Love the show...can't wait for THURSDAYS!!!