Marti Noxon on "Sometimes a Miracle"

Original airdate: 2-22-07

A few months ago, I got a call from Shonda and Betsy Beers.  I was lying on the floor when they called.  I had my computer in front of me, so I was “writing”.   I’d recently had lunch with Shonda and Betsy, and a few other meals with Shonda before that.  So we’d hung out .  We’d dined.  We’d complained about…  things only lucky TV people complain about.  Things related to actually having jobs.  Things which, by real world standards, barely even qualify as problems.  But that’s why we need each other.  Because we get each other, man 

When the call came, despite previous eating and complaining, I was intimidated.  Shonda and Betsy had created this monster hit, this highly-entertaining medical drama that millions of people watched and adored.  Including me.  I mean, Shonda’s kind of eerily talented -- and she knows Oprah. 

But, honestly, I needed a good call.  I was working on a soon-to-be Ill-fated pilot. Before that it was a brief and ill-fated stay on an otherwise successful ABC show.  And before that I launched a brief and ill-fated series for Fox.  And before that I worked on a…  brief and ill-fated series for Fox.

We see a pattern. 

Buffy was good.  Can we talk about Buffy? 

Problem is – Buffy was a long time ago.  She lives on –- Season 8 soon to be in comic book form…  But, in my nightmares, I’m 90 at a Buffy convention, and nobody wants my autograph.  They’re all in line to see virtual Joss, who has invented a way to put his brain in a jar on a floaty thing, live forever and be funnier and more prolific than everybody for THE REST OF ALL TIME.  I love Joss, but it’s hard being his friend. 

Like I was saying.  I needed a good call.  And it came.  Would I like to “come hang out” on Grey’s for a while?  I’ll skip the part where I hung up and cried and called my agent and he cried and we all cried because, try as I might, it would be hard for me, personally, to turn Grey’s into an “ill-fated” show.  Especially since I was to have a vague job title, no authority and non-specific duties.

So I hung out.  For a few days it was all Christmas baskets and trying to make Shonda laugh (she was dying from iron deficiency and was too weak to lift the corners of her mouth – nobody knew that yet, so I danced like a little monkey.  But more on that later).  I also got to hang with the aforementioned Shonda and Betsy (so great at her job and so funny she makes me laugh until things come out of my nose); the amazing Krista Vernoff (amazing and pregnant and beautiful and able to write many fabulous pages in a single bound); Allan Heinberg -- Joss-like in his smartness and multi-talentedness; the warm, funny and ridiculously “on-it” in-every-way Tony and Joan Phelan; The Hammer – Mark Wilding – a great writer and The Godfather around here;  fantastic (also lovely and pregnant) Debora, whose writing made me laugh and cry and all that other envy-inducing stuff; Stacy who can produce both wonderful scripts and amazing portraits of people made entirely of pipe cleaners…  Not to mention the always enchanting Kip and Caro …    Zoanne and Elizabeth, great writers and the people who actually know what doctors do and say.   Every one of them was welcoming and seriously funny and dedicated.   Also -- Kern, Eric, Darren, Jim, Chris, Sonay – assistants today – our bosses tomorrow.  Tremendously funny and talented in their own right.

Finally – a special mention of Meg, the Writer’s PA, who we all adore – in the way that only creatures in captivity can love the person who brings them food.  I’ve worked quite a few places, and I can honestly say that the single greatest benefit of working on a hit show is that Meg appears, at lunch time, with hot food and everything is as ordered. This may seem like a small thing, but for some reason in has proved impossible everywhere but here.  And when lunch doesn’t come, writers get cranky and they stop working.  They start talking about Nascar and our ex-whatevers, shopping, musicals and what we ate yesterday.  (Okay, not Nascar – but I’m doing what I can to butch up the writer image here.)   So thank God for Meg, who is great at many other things – but basically keeps Grey’s Anatomy up and running.

But I digress.  I figured I had some time.  I was just around to do… what exactly?  Nobody knew.  This is the truth about the “consulting” title.  Nobody knows what it is.  I think it has something to do with lunch.

But Shonda and company had other ideas.   Shonda’s first part of a two-part episode became a two-parter itself – Ferry Hell, one and two. The ones in which Meredith goes into the water and dies.  So Shonda suddenly had all this work to do and it turned out she had no IRON in her blood.  And very little blood in her blood.  Shonda needed help.  From a doctor most of all – but a little help from me on the side.  Which is how I came to co-write this episode of Grey's.   

And the fact that there are dead people in it is just a coincidence.  For those of you who fear I’m whispering in Shonda’s ear about the dark side and alternate realities and stuff – this was her thing, okay?  I’m here to write MEDICINE, people.  And sex.  And sexy medicine.

I was again – intimidated. It was a challenge to write and shoot for so many reasons.  Not in a digital-ferry-crashing-into-a-digital-dock way, but still…  This, again, wasn’t a typical Grey’s.  Half of it takes place…  where?  In Meredith’s head?  In Heaven?  We decided, for obvious reasons, not to get too specific.  And we knew Meredith had to go on a journey.  But, get it wrong and it’s “Touched by an Icy Blue Surgeon.” And Denny and Dylan?  I’m supposed to touch the sacredness of Denny and Dylan?  I think not.  All will agree that I basically punted that stuff.

But you know, Denny and Izzie at the end.  Shonda’s been talking about that since she pitched me the episode.  It was heart-breaking then, in my office with bad lighting…  So on it’s feet -- awesome.  But  I’ll let Shonda weigh in more on that favorite moment.

Back in Seattle Grace we struggled with going to such a dark place and finding the funny.  Not that we found a lot of funny.  If there’s a theme here – besides the search for Miracles -- it’s “death sucks.” 

For me, what emerged were the love stories.  Not just between Derek and Meredith, but between Cristina and Meredith.   That essential friendship.  Cristina walking out was something that was hotly debated here.  Apparently – that’s not good doctoring (I’m new!)  But it felt right.  If not now, when?  Meredith is Cristina’s person.  And Richard and Ellis…   That love coming to a definitive end.   There’s a lot of grief in all of this, but there’s great hope too.  It’s the lesson from “the other place” too.  We are who we love.

In any case - Shonda did all the heavy lifting.  She found the moments that sing for me,  that pull it all together.  I was still running around asking dumb things like “what’s an Attending?”  Then Adam Arkin, a wonderful actor in his own right, did an amazing job directing it.  And, as you’ll see – all the actors are in stunningly good form.  But aren’t they always?

Oh yeah – they are really that pretty.  That’s fun. 

So.  Thanks for letting me blog.  It really was a good call to get – “come hang at Grey’s.”  The people here are tremendous, and the show’s pretty damn fun to write when it isn’t trying to kill us all.  I hope to stick around, at least until somebody tells me what an Attending is. 

***and the agent weeps***

Comments

[ummm]

I was expecting so much more! After all those great scenes of Derek crying
over Meredih, the way you showed us how he loves her, the 3 weeks built-up
for something big.. and then what we get is: Hey, my mother is dead.
Seriously!! NOT EVEN AN I LOVE YOU! Where are the “I am so happy you made
it!” “I was so afraid of losing you”, I don’t know, something!!! ARE THEY
EVER GOING TO TALK TO EACH OTHER?, EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS? ARE WE EVER GOING
TO SEE IT? Because I am starting to get tired about this.
Why are you doing this with them? I used to love this show so much because
of them, please bring them back! I like the others too, just not that much.
I understand that now you are working on your spin-off about Addison or
whatever, great for you, but don’t forget about Grey’s, this show still
needs help. You say that the happily ever after is boring… you are the one
who decides if it is boring or not, IT COULD BE SO MUCH MORE!!
I am still hoping that in the next episodes we will get some good MerDer
(probably just silly of me) but don’t wait too much longer because a lot of
us a starting to be seriously annoyed.
(And just for the record, I am not a porny minded crazy Merder fan, which is
what you writers seem to think of those who ask for more content for this
couple).

[Pam in Janesville, CA]

Thank you Marti,

and still thank you Shonda....

I am sure we all knew that we would either be very happy with this episode or bewildered and upset...and once again, you all came through.

Thank you !

The best written and produced show on the air......

There were some of us who could see the Ellis leaving, and Meredith returning, and it is so nice to be right for once :)

A real miracle.

That is what life gives us at times - and I am so glad you choose to portray life in "Grey's" as such.

Great efforts for the crew and cast.....Jeffrey Dean Morgan was great ! Everyone was just great ! Loved Denny and Izzy at the end of the epi.

Remember, it is worth the fight to stay long enough to say what we need to say.

Pam in Janesville

[Julie]

I loved this episode!!! I can't wait for more wonderful MerDer scenes!!!! (A proposal would be nice too)...

Great job!

[WHOA]

Haven't even read the blog yet but I had to get my comments out.

I was overall not impressed with the episode. It was okay. Not stellar like I was expecting. Sure, you guys made your point, but it seemed so hokey to me (ex: the meredith and mom moment). However, I did like the role Denney played, and the scene with him and Izzy.

Two, what happened to Ugly Betty? Haha, I was hoping for some laughs before my heartbreak, and instead I got two hours of serious drama!

[Theresa in CA]

THE. BEST. 3. PART. SHOW. EVER!!!!!
now shonda, you can keep doing this, but i may have to buy a few new TV's... b/c i keep throwing things at them. but keep it up. WE LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!
Muah!!

[Vivian]

officially the MOST BEAUTIFUL moment in television-Izzie and Denny passing by each other in the hallway. LOVED IT!!!

[marko]

Excuse me, I need to go give up sex and dye my hair for the ladies. Seriously.

[Krissy]

I was amazed, I read the play by play online from someone in CAN, But when you watch it.... Its even better.... I loved yang for the first time in a long time.

I loved Denny even, alot

And ellis.... She really did love Mer!!!

I dont have much time to write...... But thank you so much for this amazing 3rd Epi!

[Alex]

Great episode, but any news on the next new one? =]

[wheezy]

we saw alot of growth in our Mer tonight, can't wait to see where this leads her. Izzie on the other hand has almost lost me completely. thanks for the Denny/Dylan time; hopefully they will get un-stuck.

Shonda, please, please do not do a spin-off show. don't mess with the integrity of Grey's. this show is finally up to speed, the cast is cohesive, don't mess with a good thing. think about Kramer, Joanie Loves Chachi. don't do it- I beg you!

[Jessica Gail]

Thank GOD and SHONDA that Meredith didn't really and truly die! I would have died. Great episode... and it was awesome to see Denny and Dylan and Doc and Mer and her Mom hug and pole girl and nurse lady... and Derek cry. And Addison and McSteamy give in!!! And it was just fabulous! Thanks for a wonderful Thursday!

[Claire]

Great Episode! thank you for blogging!

[Kate]

I'm not going to lie, I thought the whole "cross-over" "heaven" thing was going to be cheesy, and it would ruin the arc....but it wasn't at all! Beautifully written episode. I learned a lot about all of the characters, and although I am sad to see Ellis to pass, I think it will give Mer the positive push (and did) to keep going and be the next Ellis....and I gotta say, I never thought of buying furniture at the dollar store! Keep doing what you're doing, and I'll keep watching and loving it.

[EC]

I have finally realized why I love Meredith Grey. Like Alex said, she makes me feel like screwed up people have a chance. She embodies hope for us "dark and twisty" people. Thank you for such a beautiful episode: the writing, the acting, the directing, everything was perfect.

[vclkmlkdfmdkslfjoijfalkfdl]

uhhhhh it was alrightttttttttt

not that entertaining. though i missed denny more than anything, so that was nice.
hate callie. izzie and george need to start talking.
derek basically, um, killed meredith's mom. that was kind of bizarre.
too much of it took place in freaking heaven.
and those two other dead woman had no business being there.
.....
if alex and addison don't hook up, you are horrible because you've strung us on for so long. it's getting tiring watching them lose all their chemistry!...

and please get back to your usual sexy funniness. i miss laughing and gasping at hookups and seeing cool med stories.

[Stephanie]

I haven't cried that hard in a very long, I mean really, really long time. Thank you for an amazing episode, well three episodes...well season, seasons....series in general. My weeks don't run from Sunday to Sunday, they all revolve around Thursday!! Great show and great cry, what more can a person ask for??

[Electra]

It was MUCH better than last episode. More Burke. More Cristina. Preferably TOGETHER.

[McDark&Twisty]

Totally rockin ep. Perfectly emotional, sweet in a way, and pretty darn interesting. Loved it, great way to end the 3 ep series. I applaud you, Grey's Writers.

P.S. I knew you guys weren't stupid enough to kill off Meredith! ;)

[Angela T]

I will try to exercize patience in waiting for my response to show up. Now, that this is out of the way, are we done with Denny? Please? No more Denny.

And, is there a reason why Izzie is such a terrible shrew? She may have even surpassed Derek in characters I hate the most, and I didn't think that was possible.

I have to give you props for the friendship of Meredith and Christina. It really is a beautiful thing.

Thank you for the George smackdown of Izzie (shrew). Perhaps someone thinks Izzie's need to speak up all the freaking time isn't something to be respected for? And, thank you for George walking away at the end. It's time someone told the witch off and didn't end up feeling guilty and trying to make things up to her.

And (you do read these things, don't you, Shonda?) a few things about Alex. Give the guy some back story so we never again have someone giving out a list of things all the interns have in common (like tragedies) and end up saying "And, Alex-" quick interruption by other character. Let Alex interact with the other interns more, and not just Izzie (shrew). Remember, Alex and Meredith were friends. And, never again have someone say that they're a family and mention all the interns and leave Alex out. Although, since it was Izzie, it's probably par for the course. And, you didn't go through the whole Alex falls for the gynie squad only send him back to plastics after all that, did you? Because Alex was interested in the idea of plastics, but he's never been as excited about the actuality as he's been for neonatal surgery. Please find a way for Alex to stay in that. And, finally, do not make Alex into a male Izzie, falling for Jane Doe. I'm hoping you just keep this platonic. I can't trust since the odds that he'll go back to stupid plastics are high.

Just please do right by Alex. He should be intergrated with everyone.

[Darvi in Illinois]

Loved, loved, LOVED tonight's show!!! What an awesome ride (the 3-episode arc)!!! Had me crying and on the edge of my seat most of it. Loved the banter btw Denny & Dylan, loved the interaction of the "dead" and Mer. Loved Cristina, and Callie, and Addison & Mark. Thanks for keeping all well in the world of Grey. Seriously...

[FamousARTIST]

I feel as though you were holding us in suspended animation for an hour. Those moments of Grey's Anatomy were so much about love as anything else I have ever known.

My favorite moments are when we learn the story of Cristina's father, and when Izzie feels Denny, but keeps going. She is a "rock star" now, and Denny has given her that in so many ways.

I still don't like the way Callie treats George, but then I don't like the way Izzie treated George either. But then she figured out that she had been wrong.

There was so much healing in that episode tonight, and I am so grateful that we got to swim around in it for a while.

I am going to have to watch this episode a few times before I really know what it was that kept my tears running the whole time.

I thank you for the episode and the blog. I am glad that you get to hang out at Grey's.

[Darvi in Illinois]

Loved, loved, LOVED tonight's show!!! What an awesome ride (the 3-episode arc)!!! Had me crying and on the edge of my seat most of it. Loved the banter btw Denny & Dylan, loved the interaction of the "dead" and Mer. Loved Cristina, and Callie, and Addison & Mark. Thanks for keeping all well in the world of Grey. Seriously...

[kelly]

amazing episode. thanks for the much needed closure...i should be able to sleep tonight :)

[Disapointed]

What kind of blog is that???

[Teresa]

I have no words. Honestly, right now, after watching the episode three times, I feel numb. The first time, I spent it on my bed, then jumping up and down and running to the couch, and then jumping up and down, and then curling up in a ball sobbing, and then cursing ever single commercial break. The second time I sat silently crying with my mouth gaping open. The third time I just stared. Now I feel numb. So what can I say? It was amazing. Breathtaking. Heartwrenching. Need I go on? Possibly the most incredible thing I have ever seen. And the scene with Denny and Izzie? WOW. I never was on the Denny Ship, but that scene was....I don't even know. Brilliant. Great job. I can't wait to see how everyone is next episode. I love Meredith sooo much, and I am so excited to waatch her and Derek's relationship grow. (They will be ok, right?)Thanks for an amazing episode!!