Drowning on Dry Land...

Original airdate: 2/15/07

So, yeah, that was Denny and Dylan.

I’m trying to be all casual about it.

Like I don’t care.

Like, you know, Denny and Dylan, whatever…I’m cool, I’m good.

But I almost hugged Jeffrey Dean Morgan to death when he arrived on set.   He was nice about it considering the restraining order he should have taken out against me during Season Two.  I was glad to see him.  And I was glad to see Kyle Chandler who was gracious enough to fly out here and film on one of his very few days off from the very well-written Friday Night Lights. 

See, I miss Denny and Dylan.  A lot.   So it was nice to see them for a moment, wasn’t it?  Even if Meredith is dead?

You all have some pretty strong feelings about this.  I’ve been reading your comments.  STRONG feelings.  Which I respect.  Grey’s is in its third season and we’re doing something a little…different.  It’s about time we did.  Because, just as I said when you all shouted your horror about the Meredith/George sex, I remind you that we writers like to follow the characters here and we try very hard not to make story just to make story.  We like to have a point.  Meredith being dead is about…well, you will see what it is about next week.  She was in pain, this girl. And…

…okay, I don’t want to talk about that.  Meredith being dead at the end of this episode.  I can’t.  Not yet. 

What I want to talk about is the other interns.  Because they all take some truly interesting journeys.  Izzie and Alex especially.   Izzie’s is one my favorites.  I didn’t come up with the “rock star” line and I wasn’t standing on set when it was shot but that was one of my favorite Katie Heigl moments this season.   She’s good, that girl.  What I like about Izzie is that, right now, she’s fighting for George.  No one else agrees with her and she’s going about it all wrong but still…she truly believes her best friend is in trouble and she’s fighting to make him see it.  It may be none of her business but when do we stay out of the business of those that we love?  But I gotta admit, I adore Callie and in that moment, when Izzie tells George he made a mistake marrying Callie, I hate Izzie.  Just hate her.  But she’s a good person and she never holds her tongue and for that, I respect her.  But will George?

It’s interesting to see Alex dealing with this Jane Doe and her horrible, painful to watch face.  He’s got some growing to do, this guy and hopefully, we’ll see him begin to do that.  Plus, I love the moment when he tells Addison that he’d notice if she went missing. I don’t know that they are in any way right for one another but it was a kind thing to say to a woman he has heat with.  Cause, I don’t know if you noticed?  But Addison’s lonely these days and a little bit adrift.

The most interesting one to watch this episode is Derek.  I don’t know if you remember that in first season, he said to Meredith:  “You were like coming up for fresh air.  I was drowning and you saved me.”  It was good to be able to call that back (everything comes back around eventually on this show, I find) and to see what happens when Meredith is drowning.  He’s not Mer’s knight in shining whatever – he gets kicked out the trauma room where Richard and Bailey are working on her.   He’s forced to sit out in the hall, helpless.  And he’s seeing his worst nightmare come true.  Because he’s realizing:  Meredith has become so important to him and the prospect of losing her is terrifying.  Who is he if he isn’t the guy who rescues Mer?  Who is he when he can’t save a life?

Shoots With No Script was anxious about tonight.  Not in an obvious way.  In a Shoots With No Script kind of way.   All under the surface and mellow.  But I know he was.  ‘Cause I was anxious too.   We make these episodes and then we sit still, freaked out, and wait to see how it feels when it goes on the air.  It’s a little like having to speak in public and we never get used to it.  Because you all have a reaction.  And we care about that.

Also, because Shoots With No Script and I are both a teensy bit neurotic.  But you knew that…

-Shonda

Comments

[Santi]

omg. you make me freak out cause i havent watched episode 16 yet. imma do it as soon as i get home from school .. its downloading (im sorry, i also watch it on tv when its on but theyre broadcasting ep 7 in my country right now, thats just boring :P) so i dont know nothing about meredith being seriously dead? i thought it was a joke .. aarg i wanna get home. i love the story;s you write here and ofcourse greys anatomy ittselff.. keep up the good work. xx

[Rachel]

OMG Shonda! I have to say that this is the best writing that I have seen from your crew. I love how complicated things are between all of the interns, residents, and attendings. This episode was by far my favorite because at the end when dylan and denny appeared you just know that there is hope for Meredith to overcome this. I love the show and keep up the great writing!

[Stephen]

Dearest Shonda,
Why must you torture us like this? I'm starting to think that you are some kind of psycho sadist who secretly likes to make us wait to see if things will come out. I can gather from the title of the next episode that some miracle happens. But there is always the off chance that something will happen that totally kills us all and we'll all be screaming at the TV's again. I know I was screaming when I saw the episode.

Now here is my suggestion for you because I think it is a cool Idea. Have an out of control fire threaten the hospital and have the staff of Seattle Grace have to go to a different hospital to work. I think it would be really interesting to see how people would react if SG was actually threatened by an outside force that wasn't brought in accidentally. Or you should have a hostage situation. One with Crazy people holding our poor interns hostage and not letting them go unless they get money or something. Or have Derek held hostage and have Meredith do the flip of what is happening to Derek right now. That would be really cool.

A note on Callie O'Malley. I still chuckle when I hear that. I don't mind Callie. She's a nice person it would seem. But I'm still a supporter of George/Meredith getting together. George is maturing and changing. Meredith is changing. Eventually they might be perfect for each other. I'm going to sit here with fingers, toes, legs, arms, and any other anatomy I can cross crossed.

And a note on the music: I have heard some really awesome songs that I know would fit into Grey's. "Running Away" by Midnight Hour (It was in Ghost Whisperer in November), "Its a Heartache" by Stevie Nicks (I know its originally by Bonnie Tyler but I personally love this version), "Swear It Again" by Westlife (I'm a 90's kid), "1000 Words" by Jade (Its in the game Final Fantasy X-2. I'm a gamer as well. Dont' judge me), "When You Love Someone" by Bryan Adams (It would be a beautiful song for Burke and Cristina to dance to at their wedding. My Older Brother used it. Its a beautiful song), and many more that I will not list because this post is officially becoming really really long.

I don't know if you will respond to these. You are a busy busy lady what with being the creator, writer, and producer of the most successful Drama of the 21st Century. But this is one of my vain hopes of getting an E-Mail from someone famous. My E-mail is mr_happy_java_man@hotmail.com. Don't feel obligated to send anything though. You write this show and keep it as good as it has been lately. Or else *looks menacing*

[Sara A.]

Hi Shonda, I've never posted on this but I just had to after tonight's show. First, you have created some amazing characters, and I'm so attached to them that it's hard to believe they aren't real. Beyond that, this was the most amazing and painful episode. I can't imagine a more powerful and beautiful shot than McDreamy carrying Meredith out of the water.... (on the level of Sam carrying Frodo in Return of the King). Just beautiful, and his helplessness outside the OR was so tender, and so beautiful.

Now, I know you said that Meredith was dead at the end of this episode, but I have faith that you'll bring her back to us, because we love her! She does need to go through a transformation, but sheesh! This one is so heartbreaking!!

And I noticed you didn't mention the moment between McSteamy and McDreamy... just incredible! Even my boyfriend shed a tear... Love it. You rock! Thanks for creating such a touching, wonderful show. =)

[Krisie]

Oh MY GOD!!!!!!!! I've never cried for a tv character like i did today!! Shonda, i absolutely LOVE you!! We know our dark and twisty girl will be ok. It's amazing how so many people can relate to these characters!!!! Thank you SHONDA for the greatest show ever!!!!!!! I cannot wait til next week when meredith is all happy and hugs derek!! Absolutely intense episode!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!

[Theresa from Victorville, CA]

Hi, it me again. the person that said, "Something is missing to last week's episode and I didn't know what". Well, now I know, I feel like Mer last week, because the episode was "empty", no meaning, nothing. Now after seeing this episode the "emptiness" (reason) of last week is a bit fulfill this week. Now I really want to know what Denny and Dylan are going to say to Meredith. . .Thanks Shonda and the rest of the Grey's cast and crew!

[Ashlynn]

Shonda,

I really do love you but I'm afraid if Merideth is actually dead, you will lose A LOT of viewers. Sort of like "The O.C.". You get my drift right?

[Jenelle]

Hi Shonda, do you read these comments? I'm a little person, I have dwarfism, I'm an actress and I'd love for your casting to see my headshot and resume. I'd simply love to meet you and be "water girl" just to soak in an ounce of your creativity. Do you read these comments? Your show was amazing tonight. BRILLIANT. GENIUS. I know this is brazen, but I'd truly truly dream come true do anything to act on your show. I'm in and out of another show right now and it's no secret my love for Grey's. If you're at all interested--my email is jmosass (at) yahoo (dot) com.

[Ale]

why don't you talk of Burke and Cristina?? What's happening to them? I love this couple and I hope they find their way. I watch the show for them.

[Leen]

Hi, I'm a Grey's fan from Singapore and I haven't even watched the episode but I feel emotional already. Thanks for creating something so utterly captivating!

[Anna]

The most amazing hour of television.

Patrick got his emmy scenes. I literally cried at his helplessness of not being able to bring her back. He did literally save her from the water, but his distraughtness of being kicked out and not saving her is heartbreaking.

Meredith and Derek's connection is the reason I watch this show and to see his love for her is so good.

Denny and Dylan? WOAH. Denny rocked he looked so hot too.

[USMCWIFE]

I just wanna give my reaction to tonights show. From the moment derek brought meredeth grey out of the water, I started to tear up. After watching him work on her, and then have to be pulled out of the room, I was SOBBING.. and then when Christina came looking for her.. I just felt all the pain that they were (of course, Im feeling it for real, and they are just acting). Mer cant die, she just cant!! This is my favorite show, Mer and Izzy, ok well they are all my fav's but Meredeth cant die..

[fan from germany]

Shonda, you are cool, I stopped watching all other shows ( like ER, House, Desperate Housewives, etc) because nohing compares to you.
Love, NM

[Vero]

Loved all the show, EXCEPT the ending.

It was too cartoonish an you guys are better than that!

Still, love the way you have taken them to a different level, all have grown and matured.

They (WE ALL) Need MEREDITH, though!! She can't die, no matter how scary & damaged or Dark & Twisty she is!

DON'T KILL HER OFF, PLEASE!

Thank you for having me in the edge of my seat! Hopefully all the pacing will help burn the calories!

[Jesse Q]

It's important to knock people for a loop every once in a while. So, even if Meredith isn't dead for the rest of the series (that would be flat-out revolutionary), it's a refreshing, if emotionally crippling, respite from the paint-by-numbers TV we're so used to.

You know what it is? It's truly Joss Whedonesque.

Way to go.

[Ellen]

Wow. How much I loved this episode! For the emotions it brought to me, for the way these stories are so whole, always circling back to a long-past fleeting comment, face, event, that you suddenly realize predicted the future, explained the world. Real life is like that but it's harder to see because there are a million too many threads to follow.

Derek's helplessness found my own, long hidden away, and pulled it right out of me. Oh, he breaks my heart sometimes with his quiet, expressive face. And when I saw Denny, I said his name out loud, with the pleasure of seeing an old pal again.

TV is usually so cowardly about telling stories like this, about telling the REAL truth about life and death. Especially at the end of the story. I am trusting you to keep honoring the truth next week with the third chapter, and I believe you will. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[Dan]

Dylan! But... he was blown up! Yay... Dylan kicks ass.

And Izzie with a drill? HOT.

[Julie]

Wow! Very powerful episode. After last week I wasn't quite sure where everyone was going but this week I get it and I loved it! I was crying during Izzie's speech even though what she said about George and Callie made me mad. She really does get the survival thing. The power of belief! And McDreamy's eyes are just too much when he's worried about Mer. Actually, I think my favorite intern right now is Alex. There is SO much going on with him under the surface...I just can't wait for it all to come out. And I'm hoping Mer is having a near-death experience...and will come back to us soon. Keep up the good work!

[Lee]

I like Denny and Dylan's return.
I am glad Derek saved Mer, but I am worried for Burketina,. It's my couple and you can't break them up.

[Rosa]

Derek was breaking my heart. I am in shock at how much he made me cry.

He can't lose his Mer. He can't. :(

[Bobbie]

I am going to say what 1000s of people are going to say Mer dead like forever no.. I could not sleep thinking over this and well i am scard. I am hoping your going to have her live for mcdreamy please please

[Sarah]

I'm so sad!

Patrick Dempsey deserves an Emmy. This man touched my heart!

[ms. penny]

I'am in shock!!!!! m can not die she just can't!!!!

[dk]

very edgy writing. kudos

[Jenelle]

And dearest Shonda...please consider...I have a great idea for my character. I talked to other producers on The Learning Channel and they agreed. You are genius. Please. I'll even work in the mail room if that's all there is. :) Are you intrigued yet?