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

[Carl Segura]

I appreciate the work you all have put in on making this a not-so-typical show, that may break all the rules, but which we cannot turn away from. You rock!

[ahhhhhhh]

omg you are the meanest and most brilliant person at the same time! this episode was almost too much, i think i am going to have to watch it a MILLION times before i see/catch everything. some things of note, besides the merder of it all, my fAVORITE thing about the show is how they are SUCH a family. they just are. each and every charcter. they way they need each other, even when they don't see or realize it is so great and this episode was like the epitome of showing the family. especially the last scene. everyone giving looks that didnt need words or words that didnt need explaing. soooo great!! christina looking for meredith the whole epsiode was great especailly the burke scene, but at the end when christina started to lose it i literally gasped i was so choked up. i mean you know this was going to hit her like a ton of bricks and kill her, and you also know that when shes reacts like that it is BAD. really, reallllly BAD. the end scene with derek is almost too much for me to even take. i dont think i have fully processed it yet. and i dont think i am ready too. i dont think i can even watch again yet. seriously though this episode was incredible. i said this last week and it came true so ill say it again, although i cant imagine how, but im sure next weeks episode will be even better. but seriouly if meredith does not wake up i will NEVER forgive you.

[Amy]

I don't want Mer dead. Well, let me rephrase that, I don't want Mer Permantly dead. But whether she is permantly dead, or only temporarily dead, that bit is brillant. I know, you expected horror, awe struck, "no no NO" type responses. But seriously, SERIOUSLY, brillant.

[allyson in austin]

ohmuhgaw.

well shonda once again i'm a nervous friggin wreck until next thursday (thank YOU). but i repeat to myself: don't freak out. she can't STAY dead or it'll just be ANATOMY or "DEAD GREY ANATOMY" and that just isn't very interesting.
anywho --
can i just say how utterly heart wrenching it was to watch PD cry? and i think there will be more where that came from. man that man can make you weep when he brings that emotion up. i hope he gets an emmy or SOMEthing cuz boy do i want to run in there and hug and hold him (and maybe kiss him!? don't tell my husband). MAGNIFICENT acting. he loves his mer and it shows. swooning until next week...

[Anne]

Shonda, I should hate you. I should never want to hear your voice, speak your name, or watch your show ever again.

But of course I'm not going to do that. You are too wonderful. You're writing and imagination is too spectacular that no matter how much your work consumes my life, I will always keep coming back each week for more. And that's why I know Meredith isn't going to be dead forever. Because you have more to write and Meredith has more to say. So I'm not worried about her. For now, at least.

I am a bit worried about Derek. He thinks Meredith is dead, and for all he knows, she is. And it breaks my heart to see him sitting outside the trauma room, tears in his eyes (which, while heart-wrenching, is absolutely adorable!!!) as he waits for a final verdict.

And now I'm worried about George too, because I'm not completely positive all his emotion was just because he thinks a good friend is dying. Maybe part of what Izzie said is right. Maybe marrying Callie wasn't the best thing to do, because maybe he's not completely over Meredith. And that would break my heart too, because I love Callie, and I love George loving Callie and I love them together. That line in the OR, "Callie O'Malley, I can't kiss you because you're all scrubbed up, but tonight when we get home-" ha! It was wonderful! Brilliant, even.

This show breaks my heart into a million little pieces and yet, I don't think I'd be whole without it. There may be some who doubt your skills in following the characters to where they are headed, but I trust you. You haven't let me down yet, I have faith, I believe in you.

And my inner fangirl squealed with joy upon seeing Denny and Dylan. They both looked really, really good. Death suits them. Thank you so much for another great episode!

[Callie_and_George_4ever]

Glad you like Callie and I liked the scene when george realized what he was looking for was safe with his wife the entire time in essence it was at home because Callie is his home. Callie may ahve been a bit annoyed with him at the moment imean she was in the middle of surgery and its not a good idea to take your eyes off your patient but once she realized how concerned he was she helped him. Sara Ramirez is great when Callie feels concered about George she does this eyebrow crincle so even when all you can see is her eyes you know she is concerned about him. I wish George would tell Izzy to shove it about her comments about Callie yeah they may have their problems but all couples due. Callie clearly makes him happy and Callie loves him and i blieve he loves Callie too. I really hope ther marriage works out great nothing is perfect so I expect some ups and downs but I really love them together.

[Corrine]

An absolutely wonderful episode! Beautifully written, acted, directed, edited, shot, etc. This is the only show that makes me cry on a regular basis and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Thanks so much for all your hard work to pull all this together. Now I just have to wait for the repeat so I can catch the last two minutes...ABC...*shakes fist lovingly*

[Kelly]

OK, first of all I just need you to know that I hate you right now! As much as I love you and Grey's, right now, I hate you.

BUT, and there is a big but, (because there is another hour to this epic arc) I refuse to believe Meredith is dead for good, and maybe I'm just in denial but right now? I'm ok with that!

I thought that this episode was the most powerful episode of Grey's to date and everyone has done an absolutely amazing job so CONGRATS on an awesome hour of television!

Izzie is back, and she is rockin'! And Izzie is a surgeon, Rock On!

George is.....well George is married to Callie and I admit that I share Izzie's view a little on that one.

Alex is making me fall in love with him a little more with each episode as he deals with Addison and Jane Doe.

Christina needs Meredith. At the beginning to tell her about the proposal, but now she just needs Meredith to live.

And so does Derek, who was her night in shining whatever when he pulled her out of the water, but now all he can do is sit on the floor with Mark and wait....

Which is exactly what I think I will be doing until next week as I am totally freaking out!

But seriously, it was amazing and, although I may hate you, you all did an awesome job!

[Mary G]

OMFG I am in New Zealand and I DIDN'T GET TO SEE THIS YET and I was all calm until I read the blog but NOW. NOW I'M FREAKING OUT.

I need my bandwith to reset so I can purchase this from iTunes.

Gr.

[Karen]

Derek jumped in the cold water to save her life and blindly look for her and pull her out.

I'd say Derek is still her knight in shining whatever who saved her.

He pulled her out. He started CPR. He got her to the hospital.

I want some happy times for them. They don't need to ride off in the sunset like a fairytale, but some happy in love times would be nice.

[Jennifer]

Shonda,

I had a dream last night that I was vacationing in a cottage with you and the Grey's cast. Like most dreams, it felt very real, and now, even though we've never met, based on our dream interactions, I feel like I know you.

The fact that I dreamt about the show and its creator to begin with is a sign that I am a viewer who immediately recalled Derek's "it was like I was drowning and you were coming up for fresh air quote" during last week's bathtub scene. I am a viewer who wonders how I blinked and discovered that one week Meredith suddenly had a private bathroom with an old-fashioned claw tub. I am a viewer who, despite her lackluster math skills, knows that the timeline on the show just doesn't add up. I am a viewer who wants to know why William George Bailey Jones is suddenly being referred to as Tuck, which is his father's name. You see, Shonda, I am a PhD student in literature, so I'm used to scrutinizing the smallest details. In the end, I cut my losses, because this is fiction, this is fantasy, and if the rest of my week is being spent poring over Chinese poetry, for one hour on Thursdays I can suspend disbelief and just *enjoy* the magic of television. And that's what I do. I am ham, but the low-sodium kind because too much salt can kill you.

My point, if anyone's still reading, is that I have loved this show even before its first airing (I caught an ad in People magazine and as a die-hard Sandra Oh fan, I was hooked), and even when it frustrates, I keep on watching, because I realize that you and your divine team of writers have a plan for the big picture (hopefully not like Finn's plans, because we saw what little those did for Batboy), and I enjoy the witty dialogue, the REALISTIC depitictions of your characters whether along gender, racial, or socio-economic terms, and it's well-acted. Obviously you all are doing something right or you wouldn't be the number one show on television in addition to racking up all your recent accolades--congratulations by the way.

So I have faith in you. Yup, I do, even though I'm worried about our characters, especially Meredith. I can't say too much without delving into the realm of spoiler speculation, but yeah, I'm crossing my fingers & toes that in next week's "Some Kind of Miracle," you'll bestow upon us more Mer-Der scenes, ones where she's miraculously awake. And that after your cruel hiatus, we'll actually get some fun and dare I ask, *sexy* Mer-Der back. After last season's Mer-George sex, you owe us.

Things I can talk about from this week's episode: Cristina rocks. Meredith brings out the human side in her in a way that Burke doesn't. Frankly, if Burke hit the road and joined Doctors without Borders, I wouldn't miss him. He and Cristina together bore me, and he's too demanding of her. I realize she's not good in the emotions department, but from the beginning, when he locked the door of the on-call room and then preyed upon her for their first sexual encounter, I didn't like him. Sandra Oh is one of your most talented cast members, but I'm bored with her and Burke--please do Sandra a favor and extricate her from this dysfunctional relationship. And please bring back her mother, whom I adore (Tsai Chin is awesome). I enjoyed Izzie and Mark and how he gave her an opportunity, and I laughed during Izzie's speech until she told George that marrying Callie was a mistake. Like you, I suddenly despised her. Does she have the hots for Georgie-pie or something, because she just won't let him be happy? One of my favorite moments tonight was Mark squeezing Derek's arm--for the first time, I think their friendship might be repairable, and you actually showed that Mark is more than just a selfish ass who's looking for a piece of ass.

Happy Lunar New Year, Shonda & everyone at Grey's. And guess what, it's going to be the Year of the Pig. It's a good thing I'm ham. ;)

[ingrid]

I feel like Meredith can't die, and maybe that's because I don't want her to, but she said so herself that miracles happen or patients get "midiagnosed" when they're opened up and the cancer is gone. so I think a miracle will happen, no one will be able to explain it, maybe the characters will question their medical abilities when they've all failed at saving their friend and they can't do anything. then maybe fate will step in, miracles will happen, meredith with live after dying (even momentarily), because even ferry boats make that next trip bringing people from one place to another. and that's what meredith does, she has brought all these interns and doctors together. and i'm excited to see what happens next, even if i am wrong.

See I think you are wrong. Derek IS her knight in shining whatever. no he can't save her from this. But he has saved her from the water when she could have never been found. And just because he can't help at the moment should not mean he is not her knight in shining whatever.
I hope you use this experience to bring them closer together!
I KNOW you won't kill Meredith off. because without her the show is no more. She does the voiceovers, and the show is seen through her eyes.

[Michelle]

I haven't even watched the episode yet because I live in Australia.. Bu-but.. You can't let Meredith die like that! We haven't even gotten MerDer reunion sex! (Or so I think).

[Caitlin]

She's not dead. I know this because everything in this episode was Paint By Numbers. Meredith will have her It's A Wonderful Life moment with the Ghosts of Seattle Grace Past, and she'll wake up and go back to living lamely ever after with her Knight in Shining Whatever. Yawn.

It kills me just thinking about the multitudes of mouth-breathing suckers that are going to rant and rave at you for killing Meredith when you OBVIOUSLY and CLEARLY intend to do nothing of the sort. Unfortunately, perhaps, as this would make much more time for her infinitely more interesting supporting cast.

That said, I enjoyed Alex and George working together and I enjoyed Addison and Alex working together. Really, I just enjoy Alex in general nowadays, and I'm intrigued about his new story line with the patient he saved. I also enjoyed Mark not being completely useless for once, surprise! And I enjoyed Izzie's moment on the boat, although I hated her self-centered speech at the end.

Better luck next Sweeps.

[Erin]

I think its a real gutsy move to kill off the main character, if thats what really is happening. Its nice to see this show wasn't turning into a day time soap opera, because that was the feeling I was getting. It also gives the other characters time to shine, time to become either different or more visible to the viewers. Its more true to real life also, bad things happen every day, people die every day. We can chose to let it drown us or we can chose to let it give us a breath we desperatley needed. Its up to us to make that choice. So for all the horrible things people are writing about boycotting the show because Mer died, keep your heads high and stick to what you know. It makes for better and honest television no matter what people say.

[Kathleen]

AAHHHH *listens to podcast*

[jjj]

shonda!!!

it was such a great episode but, meredith can't be dead! oh, my dear mcdreamy...im so feeling derek's pain now!

[Amber]

Shonda...you're...

Okay. I'm breathing.

I get different.

I get that she was in pain.

I get it. I GET IT.

But I'll curse you for the downfall of GA and hope to every god/dess that may well exist that any of your future shows flop if you've just ruined this show. Shonda...I'm not kidding. Too much. This is too much.

This is too much.

Too. Much.

I don't really know if I can say it enough. But this was over the top. This season...maybe different isn't as good as you make it out to be. I hate to sound so harsh because you have SO many people bitching at you, and I really do want to protect you from their wrath but...

You're turning me into one of them.

I don't like it. Please stop. I don't LIKE walking away from an episode cursing you, your parents, your grandparents and their parents. It makes me sick to my stomach, because you're...like...ugh. Role-model or something stupid like that.

But right now? Right now I'd kind of like to rip your hair out and beat you over the head with a blunt object. Not anything life-threatening, of course...but ARGH.

Don't do that. Don't DO that. Don't spring Denny on me like that. Despite all of the mistakes I feel you made in this episode, that's...one of the worst. Damnit all...I...shouldn't be so touchy about somebody who never EXISTED, but...he's Denny. He was Denny. And now he's in a room with poor Mer and vaporized Dylan. And ... I couldn't stop crying for an hour after seeing him again. Shonda. Too much.

I simply cannot let myself think that you've actually murdered (MURDERED) Meredith. I'm going to watch it next week and she's going to be pulled out of an overly dramatic chat with Denny and Dylan by a sharp zap to the chest.

I'm going to, right?

You know...I shouldn't even care any more. I really shouldn't. You've put me through too much. Too much Drama.

I agree with Izzie. It's been one HELL of a year.

The whole cheesy speach thing kind of made me want to vomit, but, whatever. It's Izzie.

Loved Mark. Adored Alex. Wanted to hug Christina. Felt the strong urge to strangle Burke with a rusty coathanger. George...I dunno. Whatever. George is scary and damaged now.

And I really don't see how you're making Mer any less dark and twisty by drowning her. I really don't. Shonda...please. Make this better. I really, really don't want to lose my faith in you. I feel it slipping.

[Lin]

I can't even put my thoughts into words right now, the episode was THAT amazing.
Seriously.
I love you, I do..but right now I dont like you very much ;)
because....I DONT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO MAKE IT TO NEXT WEEEEEEEEK!!!!!

PS. AWEEEEESOME job in the makeup department :) and great acting. Once I can speak clearly I will write a better reply!

[MeM]

Well it can't just end where it ended. If she was just dead and gone, we wouldn't be seeing her there with Denny and Dylan. There's a point to this. One I can't figure out and that I hope is fantastically showed in the next episode. I'm sitting around trying to put it all together like a puzzle: The episodes are about dissappearing and Merideth was in pain and wanitng to disappear, but maybe not like this. Although maybe like this cause she's always had a thing for wrecking her life. I would think if she can come through this on the other side... well maybe the theme would be new birth, she was in pain... maybe this is what she needs. A way to "dissappear" from the past and move on. Oddly enough I love that Dylan and Denny showed up as they have. If she is dead for good (which I just can't accept) and you don't show funerals then this is an interesting place to take it.

I loved Christina's "but she's my person". Why doesn't Burke get this? Why don't men get this? LOL. I saw that and was like, I get that. She's her person. Burke should get a clue.

[lauren]

shonda that was more than amazing.
and you just made my night, because i stayed up to catch this update, just hit refresh, and here it was.
please dont kill meredith.
mcdreamy in that hallway ripped my heart to shreds.
and i loved the mark/derek moment. totally amazing.

[Caroline]

OH
MY
GOD

that was INTENSE

[lauren]

oh, and thanks for dylan.
i've loved kyle on FNL all season, and it was so nice to see him on my original obsession again :)

[Beth]

Nooooooooo! Meredith can't be dead. She's Grey. GREY'S Anatomy, remember? I am assuming she will survive, because it's her show. If she doesn't, well, then you guys are nuts. I got teary eyed tonight. Loved seeing Addison trying to save Mer, and Mark offering comfort to Der. That was moving.