Mark Wilding on "Where the Boys Are"

Original Airdate: 11-09-06

Mistakes.  I’ve decided to talk about mistakes.  My mistakes.  The characters’ mistakes.  And the mistakes I made which led to the characters’ mistakes.  Already you’re probably thinking “What??  Can’t I just enjoy this blog without the stupid build-up?”  The answer is no.  Don’t worry.  Read on.  It’ll become clearer.  Last night’s episode was called “Where the Boys Are”.  Which was my first mistake. 

When I suggested that song title to the writers’ room, I got a lot of blank stares.  The Connie Francis song, I said.  You know…Someone waits for me?  A smiling face, a warm embrace?  Two arms to hold me tenderly?  And, pushing on -- despite all the puzzled looks from my fellow writers, the people who I thought would at least pretend to be supportive – I told them that what made the title so VERY, VERY clever is that the episode’s about where the boys literally are and where they are emotionally.  See?  Pretty clever, right?  Right??  Again, more blank stares.  Connie who?  Okay.  My first mistake.  Pitching very old songs to a very young writers’ room.

And now for my second mistake.  Or at least what I thought was my second mistake.  Seattle.  Yes, those pictures on your TV screen really were Seattle.  That Space Needle in the background when Derek’s sticking the Chief’s suitcase in his Jeep-looking vehicle?  That’s the real Space Needle.  We didn’t CGI it or go to LAX and shoot that futuristic looking restaurant that may or may not revolve and that could maybe look like the Space Needle if you were flying at ten thousand feet and there was enough smog that day.  And the woods?  Those are REAL SEATTLE WOODS. 

I know because I was there.  And I insisted that we fly up a crew and they be there too.   Because I thought it was really, really important that the woods look like Seattle woods – with their towering pines and moss-covered trees and mountains covered in clouds.  As opposed to the eucalyptus trees and dry brush and blue skies that you tend to find in your basic L.A. forests. 

On my first visit to the place, though, it rained.  Hard.  Really hard.  And living in L.A. where you think the weather in other parts of the country must somehow be just like L.A., I didn’t exactly come prepared.   I wore a cotton shirt, flimsy golf jacket (no hood) and sneakers.  Yes.  BIG MISTAKE.  BIG STUPID MISTAKE.  I was freezing cold and soaking wet before it was even 11:00 o’clock in the morning.  And even though the water dripping off my face looks like it could be tears, it really was just rain.  I want to clear that up because there’s a video of a soaking wet me that circulated around the Grey’s offices for the better part of a week.  I wasn’t crying.  Okay?  Still.  Letting someone film me?   A very bad mistake.  And the thought did cross my mind – if only for a second – is shooting in the rainy Seattle woods really the best idea?  Or was it a mistake? 

Then I was saved.  Our extraordinary line producer Rob Corn made it all happen.  We found the locations.  We shot great stuff.  And there was next to no rain (great job Rob!).  Plus, all the outdoor stuff looks FANTASTIC (great job director Dan Minahan and great job, Director of Photography, Herb Davis!).  So, to quote Ronald Reagan, “Mistakes were made.”  But Rob Corn saved me from those mistakes!  Thank you again, Rob. 

And now onto the actual episode...

My next mistake might have been the theme of the episode.  It was Outside/In.  Thinking you can recognize a problem by what’s on the outside while somehow underestimating or not recognizing what’s going on inside.  Yeah.  That’s a lot to bend your mind around.  For example – Jamie’s a healthy-looking young girl on the outside; on the inside she has a dead baby.  Donna isn’t happy being a man.  She wants to undergo the final step in becoming a woman so that she can finally have her outsides match her insides.  And then there’s Derek, who thinks that being outside in the woods will help him with his inner turmoil. 

Don’t get me wrong.  Outside/In was a serviceable theme.  But it might have been a mistake.  A better theme might have been “couples”.  Because, it turns out the episode revolves around couples and how happy or unhappy they are.  I didn’t really notice this until Shonda mentioned the idea of couples while we were in editing.  So now I’m running with it.  Because, hey, it’s Shonda.  It’d be a mistake not to.

So.  In no particular order.  Our couples --

Ted and Jamie -- the couple with the stillborn baby.  A happy couple.  She slipped and fell in the shower.  She made a mistake.  We never actually answer the question of whether that led to the death of the baby.  Because, at the end of the day, that didn’t seem as important as what she and Ted actually have to go through.

Vicky and her transgender husband Donna.  An unhappy couple.  Donna thinks what Vicky’s doing is a big mistake.  Deep down, she really doesn’t want her to do it.  And she ends up staying with Donna because that’s what makes her happy.

Joe and Walter.  Another happy couple.  Although by the end of the trip, Walter clearly thinks it was a mistake to have gone camping with these guys.  By the way, that scene at the river with Richard talking to Joe and realizing how much they have in common?  We almost didn’t shoot that scene because we had a full shooting schedule and I wasn’t sure if we needed it.  And not shooting that?  That would have been a TERRIBLE MISTAKE.  It’s one of my favorite scenes in the episode.

Richard and Adele.  “I miss my wife”.  What more do you have to say?

Addison and Callie.  A surprising couple.  That scene where they’re both sitting together on the floor at the end was another one of my favorites.

Cristina and Burke.  Burke’s not happy with Cristina and how she’s coming to dominate his life.  That’s why the camping trip.  But he sees the anguish that George is putting himself through with Callie and thinks he may have been a little rough on Cristina.  Which was a mistake.  He returns and they’re reconciled.  At least for now... 

Derek and Burke.  An unlikely couple.  Derek thought it would just be the two of them getting away to the mountains and now all these other bozos are tramping along after them.  And at the end of the day, being in the great outdoors didn’t really solve anything.  Except to help him realize how foolish it was to come out here in the first place.  And Burke’s not that nice to him until the end when he offers to talk about Mark Sloan.  Which doesn’t make them a couple but makes them friends… of a sort. 

Mark and Meredith.  Mark spends the whole episode telling Meredith that they’d make a better couple than she and Derek.  And Meredith’s maybe a little tempted but…talk about mistakes.  That’s certainly one she’s not about to make.  Is it?  Which leads us to…

Meredith and Derek.  Who wind up together at the end of the episode.  And as much as he thought he needed space, at the end, he’s where he’s always wanted to be.  Pressed up against Meredith.  With next to no space between them…

As for me, the next time I go to Seattle I’m bringing layers.  Lots and lots of layers.  Some mistakes you only need to make once…

Comments

[H]

Just had to comment on Addison wearing Crocs. Seriously???

[Meredith]

I seriously did a happy dance at the end of the epi. I love to find out the "behind the scenes" metaphors and themes. As always, YOU ROCK! Thanks for the complexities.

[cookie b]

Loved it!!!

[CARE]

Meredith and Derek together.. FINALLY... ENOUGH SAID

[tobywoo]

Brilliant. I was holding my breath because it has happened so often that mer/der almost get it and then it slips away. Mark is gross and thank you.

[Courtney]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!! My favorite episode yet this season! The 'slap' fight was hilarious... as was the Chief and his picnic basket and rolling suit case! Loved it! As for the end... FINALLY!!!

Great job... I laughed, I cried. Exactly what I look forward to every Thursday night!

[Patti]

I don't really know how you do it, since I have nothing, NOTHING, in common with any of the characters....except that I have a heart, and it's been broken a few times, the last one over a year old, but still very, very painful. And somehow, something that is said or done touches me, and I sit here crying, but loving every minute of it - the show, not the crying...anyway - AWESOME SHOW. Thank you.

[GA Fan]

It was an entertaining enough episode. I liked the Callie and Addison dynamic. It was a refreshing change.

There wasn't enough Burktina as you all call it, but that's nothing new.

And would it kill you to have them actually kiss? I mean, really? Would it?

[Amanda McDreamy]

ok ok ok. it was an amazing episode.
but i'm a little disappointed on the blog!! tell us more, not just what happened!

i am soooo excited for next week. it looks amazing.
finally you guys are back on track!

props.
:)

[Marisa]

Just wanted to say that this episode was the best so far and keep up the good work! =]

[Patti]

just read tobywoo's post - you know, last week,when mcsteamy was hitting on callie again, and she shut him down, big time - well, that look on his face showed that he really does have a human heart, down deep inside. seriously.

[Not Frustrated Anymore (formally "Getting Frustrated"]

I just happened to refresh my screen and saw the post from tonights show. I want to say YAHOO!! Shonda and the writers you are AWESOME! Tonight you did not disappoint. Finally, some forward motion with Meredith & Derek -- now you have my interest from Season 1 & 2 back. Also, loved the Christina and Bailey scene and Addison showing some real emotion and concern for someone other than herself. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for giving your loyal viewers what we have been waiting for since the first episode of this season; a chance to see Meredith and Derek have a real relationship. You guys rock!

[Stacy]

Please leave Burke and Cristina alone. It's the only real couple that you have going for you.

[b]

OMG thank you for that merder scene!! the way it happened...same place where they first met, him begging her this time, coming full circle.....was absolute geniousity! perfect words, perfect acting, perfect scene!

[Lesley]

Awesome, awesome ep! I'm real happy that the Mer/Der flip-flopping is finally over (I hope)! And I'm so happy you're finally including more about LGBT characters. Great job!

[Rosemary]

This was a .wow. . one of the best Grey's episodes ever. Just a fantastic combination of comedy and drama. Every single moment was good! And the suspense! Just .. wow. I love the woods, I loved George and Alex fighting, I had forgotten how funny the Chief could be, Joe and Walter were so cute! And then, the hospital story-lines were great, too-- loved Addison and Callie (made me cry!) and Christina and Bailey (Bailey's back!) .. and Izzie and Cindy!!! And then, the final climatic Mer/Der moment. I have been waiting a year to see that scene nad it was just so satisfying! and the right amount of longing, and hesitation and the McDreamy smile. . . I'm just so happy!!!!! Absolutely stellar episode!

[AMAZING]

AMAZING

[teddi =)]

FINALLY!!!!!!! mer and der!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOOOOOUUUU!!!!

[Katie]

Mark. May I call you Mark? I'm going to anyway.

Mark. I love you. I don't know you. But you've just made me so deliriously happy that I'm having a hard time breathing. Why? Because you finally put them together. Finally. And it was the most perfect scene EVER on Grey's. And, well...that speech. Mark, you wrote that speech? Because if you did...wow. You win the game. I will send you a cookie basket.

And about shooting in Seattle: thanks for doing it. It's only deepened my resolve to go there within the next year. It's so beautiful.

You're wonderful. Shonda's wonderful. Life is wonderful.

I can't think right now because I'm too happy. I may comment on the actual stuff in the episode tomorrow. But, still, I love you. And Shonda. And Grey's Anatomy.

xo
Katie

[Erica]

Great Episode!! Loved It!!!

[Rachel]

I LOOOOOOVVVEE YOU!!! Thank you thank you so much for having Meredith and Derek finally together...I can now sleep peacefully :) I loved the fact that ya'll took the effot and actually shot on location in Seatttle. All i really wanted to say was that I am soooooo happy that Mer/Der are together..thank you for a wonderful GA!!!

[Love Grey's]

Thank you for a well-written episode! I loved the character development and was particularly happy to see Mer and Der together at the end. We've been waiting so long for that!

I loved learning more about Alex's past (growing up in a bar), hearing that the Chief loves/ misses his wife, and seeing Meredith consciously choose Derek over tempting Mark.

Can't wait to see more of Mer and Der together next week!

[Michelle]

Great episode! Thanks for giving us hard a*# Bailey back. We've missed her!! Also, great dynamic with Addison and Callie - really caught me off guard with that. And I loved the slap fight. Too funny! Thanks for giving us a sneak into Alex' past too. He's such a great character - love that he's starting to evolve and develop!! Thanks for finally putting Mer and Der back together - just so everyone will stop whining about it.

[Michelle]

I've been screaming for *weeks* that Callie and Addison just make perfect sense as friends and YOU DID IT! You did it really really really well and it's totally believable and oh ... I could hug the world. When Callie puts her hand on Addie's shoulder after the stillborn baby ... I CRIED.

And how funny was Callie threatening to climb over the stall? PRICELESS!

Thank you thank you thank you! The Callie/Addison friendship is the best thing that could possibly happen to both women because neither of them have a friend and they both need someone. Bad. And you really showed a softer side of Callie. It just worked. It so worked!

Best episode so far for me! Freakin' good job!

[Missy]

Long time reader, first time poster (ha, ha) but I HAD to come on and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for giving me my Mer/Der! I was screaming at the TV - sure that you were going to have Derek see McSlutty - er McSteamy ;) - but you didn't! You beautiful writers you!

Thank you!!

Add to that the wonderful rest of the episode (thank you for not killing Walter!) it was stellar - as always. I feel so bad for Cristina - but wow is she the ham or what? She's always been the one who'd sell her soul for a surgery, but I'm happy to see she won't sell Burke's :) Will he be able to override Bailey and her 'no surgery' rule for Cristina? He'll have to but how does that work when Bailey is her boss? Hmmm...

And wait - what's up with Izzy and her millions?!? Is that check STILL on the fridge?? That seems pretty weird to me...

I was actually kind of surprised at George - he's not usually quite so observant - I mean how long did it take him to figure out that the guy who almost landed on him jumped? Next week looks very interesting now that his interest in Burke's problems are personal.

Oh man did I cry for the couple with the stillborn baby. Having had two kids I can't even possibly for one moment imagine going through that pain and suffering and not getting a baby for it. I cried my freaking eyes out - and kudos to the actors because they were 100% believable.

AWESOME episode. Keep up the phenomenally great job :)