Shonda on "Walk on Water"

Original airdate: 2/8/07

Holy crap, am I glad it is my turn to blog again!  I have missed it, let me tell you!  How is everyone?  You still out there?  Still good?

Or are you yelling and screaming at your TV sets and cursing my name for throwing Meredith into the water and then rolling the credits on you?

I don’t blame you for the cursing.  But please remember that next week, things get even more interesting and then the week after that, they get REALLY interesting.  I don’t want to talk about it.  Or give anything away….

Which means there’s not much I can blog about.  Damn it.  I can tell you that this episode (as well as the next) was directed by the famous Bossy McBossy Rob Corn.  And that before he had a script, he kept coming into my office to say in that quiet, calm voice of his: “YOU.  ARE.  KILLING.  ME.” 

See, it’s that time of year again.  That time of year when I get all sick and flu-y and my brain goes stupid and so I start to lie face down on the carpet in my office threatening to flee the country because my ability to write has clearly leaked out of my ear while I was sleeping.  Every year, like clockwork, it happens.  And every year, like clockwork, it takes me by surprise.   You’d think I’d learn.  But I don’t.  I don’t learn.

So Bossy McBossy is waiting for pages and I’m gathering my passport and calling the airports and Betsy (who sits in the office next to mine and keeps me sane) very kindly keeps coming in to remind me that I have pitched the entire 3 episode arc to her eight or nine times in vivid detail over the past five months.  All I have to do, she says (using, I might add, the exact same voice one uses with a three year old who won’t give you the sharp objects in her mouth), all I have to do is WRITE DOWN the things I have pitched her.  All I have to do PUT THEM ON PAPER.

HA!

Everyone knows the key component of serious, rampant procrastination is the inability to put anything on paper. 

Okay, I am actually procrastinating by writing about procrastinating.  On to the point, which is this:  Rob Corn worked his behind off shooting this episode with pages being fed to him as he shot and for that, I will no longer be referring to him as Bossy McBossy. Instead from this moment on, I will call him by his new tribal name: Shoots With No Script.

Now, Shoots With No Script will tell you that I had very definite ideas about this episode.  And I did.  But they were all character-based.  They were all about Meredith’s attitude and the little girl and Izzie and her tub of butter and Cristina and the notion that, in choosing to marry, she fears that she is LITERALLY being left behind in more ways than having to stay at the hospital while everyone goes to the accident site.  They were all about Derek and Burke and their conversation about “these women” and Richard and his badly dyed hair.  My thoughts were all about disappearing.

They were not about things that Shoots With A Script needed to know.  They were not, for instance, about what the ferry should look like when we first see it.  Because, if you know anything about me, you know I don’t want to think about hurting a ferry boat.  I, like McDreamy, have a thing for ferry boats.  Ferry boats are awesome and, in fact, very safe.  Ferry boats are amazing.

Ferry boats are a metaphor for Meredith, you know.

What I was interested in was Meredith and how she was doing after being hurt by her mother.   And the devastation of the ferry boat was the best way to physicalize Meredith’s pain.

The little girl?  She’s also a metaphor for Mer.  A motherless lost girl who can’t speak for herself and disappears?  Okay, that’s too obvious.  But you all know Meredith’s been doing a dance with death for some time.  Y’all know that if you’ve been watching.  She’s dark, our girl.  She’s dark and twisty.  And I worry about her.

Now, I’m really worried about her because she’s in the water and I want to be clear with you:  I don’t put people in the water for no reason.  Meredith’s got issues, she’s got serious Mommy issues and she’s broken and she’s in the water. 

I killed Denny.  I blew up Dylan.

I’m not entirely playing by the rules of TV here.

There’s a point.  And it’s coming.  Shoots With A Script and I have our fingers and toes crossed that it works.

Because what happens next…well, just wait and see…

Okay, I rambled and I procrastinated and I should just stop writing and let you go ahead and yell at me now…

Comments

[Megan]

Maybe I can be the first comment for this blog, how exciting....

First of all, I must say that I absolutely love this show, expecially lately. The last episode was so amazing, every detail with the cinematography, the actor's performances, the comedy being interwoven with the drama which Shonda should teach a class about at some prestigious screenwriting college, all of it was absolutely fantastic!!

Now this episode is insane - it has so much going on that no wonder it has to take place over three weeks. I love how caring Meredith can be towards the little girl despite her major mommy issues. I think this episode is also showing how Izzie is struggling with her insecurity, but at the end of it all will be "back in the saddle" because I feel like she'll have a major validation of her medical skill. I mean, obviously this happening was setup to push all the doctors to their limits and prove what they're made of but I think Izzie made have needed it most of all. OMG, I just cannot wait until next Thursday...

BTW, McSteamy is so hot... I would do anything to just see him smile all devious-like in person.

[Watches Greys Intently]

Shonda,thank you! Thank you for creating these chars that we've fallen in love with.

I knew the little girl was a metaphor for Mer, I didn't know about the Ferrys, though. I thought the Ferrys were a metaphor for bringing love to Derek.

I have to have faith that Mer is going to be ok, and rescued. I'm not going to yell at you unless you do something awful to Mer.

I know she has Mommy issues... I soooo relate to Mer. And if you don't have Mommy issues, and you're able to write about them so truthfully, you are even more amazing to me!!!

Mer has Dad issues too, and many many seasons from now.. I hope we see her on the other side of these issues. Stong, confident, whole and still in love with Derek. Cause I believe he is her knight, he is the knight that will help her slay her dragons ::smiles::

Izzie, she just doesn't seem to be ok. She seems soo unsure, and it bothers me. I want her to have confidence, I want her to trust her knowledge. I want her to be more aloof and Dr like.

I don't think that the O'Malleys are going to make it. That makes me sad. I love George and Callie together, let them work things out, ok?

Bailey is back, I love Chiefs new hair! I love that Addison is there for him, reaching out to comfort him through this transition.

McSteamy is just causing trouble, he is a pot stirrer.

I love Greys soo much! Each week gets better! You guys all rock! Seriously!!!

Thank you again!!

[GreatFan]

Nice episode. I like all the characters, especially Cristina. She is a very deep and interesting character. With Burke she had the most interesting and complicated relationship, but they are amazing together. I like Meredith, but Derek isn't really listening to her. Alex and Addison would be such a hot couple. I don't understand mark's role. The chief is great.

[Stevi R]

Shonda. I love you. I love you and your brilliant work. But until this whole thing is resolved///just know that I am keeping tally of the sleepless nights and nightmares about mer not coming out of the water...and i will be billing you for all emotional damage that my therapist has to work out. These people are my TV family...so stop hurting them. :(

[Theresa from Victorville, CA]

Hi Shonda! I am been a loyal Grey's fan since the very beginning. It just this episode wasn't all that great and shocking. It was missing something, I don't know what, but it was. I hope the next two upcoming episodes prove me wrong about my dissatifaction with this episode.

[Diana]

Excellent episode. I hope Shondra isn't trying to tell us that Mer dies, that wouldn't be fair. Grey's is the BEST show on television. Thanks for all of the hard work the writers, cast and crew put in making this show.

[Tamika]

Okay please dont kill meredith i will seriously cry if you do!! Can she maybe just have a litte peace in her life, is that too much to ask!!

Loved the episode by the way so great just dont kill meredith PLEASE!!

[TKO]

Yes, I was yelling at the television when the episode ended. I don't think you should do these 3-part shows. Much better to get a 3-hour time slot.

[Ciji]

OMG I loved this episode! It was serious but lighthearted with the way the surgeons interacted about the chief's new look(which i like) and the way Christina was so out of her element. I was so scared the cars Izzie was near was going to explode which could still happen.... Don't kill Izzie! And the little girl... she must have PTSD because she had no emotion. Like she had seen the worst of the worst and someone falling into the water wasn't shocking to her. There's so much to say but I'll leave it with thanks for a great episode and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Mel NZ]

OMG you can not kill Meredith!!!!!

[Mel]

i died when Mer fell into the water, seriously dropped dead died.
then i figured when Derek's going to save her; he's her knight and shining 'whatever' and she saved him when he was drowing - if was about time he did that same for her.
then i thought, oh god, hes going to think that she you know tried to drown herself...
then i thought no... you can't do that... then i remembered that you were writing it and i seriously adore the ground that you walk on but you did kill denny and blow up dylan so now i am here, having an aniexty attack... wonderin why i thought a 3 part episode was a good idea and that fact that it maybe 2 weeks until i found if mer makes in, with derek beside her.
so in this moment and only in this moment i hate you.

Loved the music choice, "make this go on forever" is one of my fave snow patrol songs... it fitted well for such a disturbing scene!

[Nelle]

I can't say if I like the episode, becase I need the other two parts. I like the way you built up the tension and some of the characters: Meredith, Alex,Webber, Bailey, Burke and Cristina. Mark shouldn't have told the Chief. Burke is pushy and controlling, but he loves her so much. He was so excited for the engagement and wanted to tell everybody. I understand Cristina. These two are too cute/stubborn and made for each other. I hope their relationship works, I love their scenes in the show.IW has done another great performance and he is hot. SO is wnderful. I like the softness in Alex and how far he has come. Webber is funny. I am a bit worried for meredith, she was better than Izzie and George at helping the patients. More happy Burkestina, please!!
Thanks for the episode and I am excited for Thursday.

[Genevieve]

I just wanted to say congratulations on a fantastic episode and thanks for getting the blog out so quickly... and as for the podcast, the mental image of Meredith spitting out a goldfish was almost enough to make me forgive you for putting her in the water in the first place. The show continues to get darker and twistier, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it works out for everyone in the end. And it'd be nice if Christina stopped being quite so neurotic.

[Rowena]

More Addison and more Burke and Cristina. 3 scenes after an engagement is too little and I need them happy. Why not? Why all this angst? They need to be fine and work things out. I want their marriage, after all I watch the show for them. I understand that there are other characters, but they are wonderful and they are terific actors. And Addison is a great chracter and she hasn't much screentime. George and Callie aren't interesting and I don't think Izzie could be a good surgeon. Mark is nice and Alex fantastic. Will Derek save Meredith? She totally deserves it.

[Ingrid]

Dear Shonda!!
Although I know you're trying to stirr up some chaos in the audience, I know (and dear God hope) that Meredith cannot die...I know you don't play by the rules...I know you take chances...but killing the main character...? well...it works sometimes in a movie but the movie always ends tragically...
And why dear meredith?....no....I choose to believe that something is going to snatch her out of the water....if it's not her night in shining whatever...then something else...
but I will give you this....you're an excellent writer...and you keep us on our toes...I for one can't wait till next week...which is messing with my head...and my friends are gonna hear it!...I will grind and grind about this till I see with my very own eyes...what happens next week..
so....we'll just see about what happens with Mer.
so...until next week...this is the girl-in-denial!!!

[Mel in Seattle]

I'm glad to know that the catastrophy has a character basis with you. I don't know if I'm the only one, but the weekly medical cases are my least favorite part of the show. I see them as props for the characters who are now very real and important. I'm jealous of the time the patients take away from doctors! Of course, Frank and the "twins" case was hilarious and endearing...

I TiVo the show every week, burn it onto DVD, and selectively burn the MerDer sections onto a separate DVD. I must say that the screen time they've had since being back together is pitifully small. Mer has drastic issues to address, which you're doing now, but please allow her to "know" Derek, as promised. Could they have most of a show, away from the hospital, say a weekend in Vancouver? As a Seattleite I can say that Vancouver is a romantic spot.

Thanks for giving us a riveting and compelling show and characters.

[Lisa]

OMG! Do you get that I'm not going to be able to breath peacefully until next Thursday. Wait, we will probable be hanging with another cliff.. You're pure genius.

I killed Denny. I blew up Dylan.

I’m not entirely playing by the rules of TV here.

Don't you dare say that. Our girl can't die. She has to get through mommy and daddy issues, and get to live and experience happily ever after. Right? Right?

Love Derek standing up for her, and worrying about her, we seriously need more development on their relatinoship, and I mean on screen, since this is a TV show, and what we see is what matters. So can't wait what's coming for them. The marriage talk? I know you can make it happen.

Love Alex and Derek, we don't get a lot of storylines of them as individuals, and tonight Alex was GREAT, the more I see of him, the more I love him. Except with Addison. And Derek is so great. I already said that, haven't I?

Love Mark. Not liking a lot Christina these days, I used to love her, but now her is attitude is just.. don't know, but I just don't like it.

I'm seriously freaking out here. And to think we don't get resolution until two more episodes. Officially seizing.

Great episode, please tell us MEr is going to be alright.

[Kelly]

Dang. Freaking awesome, Shonda. Just freaking awesome. I cannot wait for the next episodes.

[jana]

i want more. now.

i don't want to have to wait six days and however many hours.

i am impatient and anxious and in the middle of midterms and am reading your blog and NOT studying.

but i love this show, so all this anxiety is heartfelt.

[sleepie]

LOVED the first 5 minutes. Played the elevator scene over and over again it was so good! But the rest was SO INTENSE. So different. So hard to watch.

[Lisa]

Forgot to say..
beside all the drama and suspense..
The best one liner:
"You need highlights"
Gotta love Mark.

Don't kill Mer please.

[cassy ahhhhhhh]

OMG AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

[aruba]

your killing us with the "wait", but it was a great show, good job

[Lorena A.]

Shonada my love, i've missed your blogs. i'm not gonna curse at you b/c well, you're the goddess that gave us "Grey's Anatomy", but i did yell... a lot, when i saw my sweet little meredith fall into the water. actually, i gasped out loud, grabbed my brother's arm so tightly my knuckles turned white, held my breath, and cried when i saw that. i'm a HUGE meredith fan, and us at the Team Mer thread have been worried about her for a while, and you talking about how you killed denny and dylan has made me even more worried, and now i'm wide awake again. it's 2am in San francisco, and i have a test tomorrow morning, and i've been awake worried about meredith. sleep finally caught up to me, and i decided to check if the blog was up, and now i'm wide awake... again.

it was a fabulous episode. i knew it would be b/c you were writing it. it was great. i love it that derk and burke talked about their women, and how cristina wanted to tell meredith about her engagement but didn't. mer/der are my favorite, but when it comes to non-romantic relationships, meredith and cristina's friendship is my favorite. i love them. i love them b/c my best friend and i are them. i'm meredith (tequila love and all, albeit w/out the afinity for sleeping w/ inappropriate men) and my best friend is cristina, gloriously snarky and sarcastic. Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh do an amazing job portrying meredith and cristina's amazing bond

i don't know exactly how i'm gonna survive the next 2 weeks. my mom will be terribly upset if i die of a heart attack after turning 22 only 3 weeks ago, but all signs point to that outcome.

anyway, i love you and my girl Ellen Pompeo (who did an outstanding job last week), and the whole cast and crew and writing staff whole heartedly. thanks so much for making my thursdays- and my life for that matter- a whole lot more enjoyable :)

[Connie]

I actually saw part of this episode being filmed. The scene where Alex finds the pregnant woman. I remember hearing the director say how the set will look completely different when this episode airs and that it'll be a big surprise. I thought it turned out amazing and completely different than what I saw that day in Arcadia. Can't wait to see the rest.