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

[College in CA]

You were right about the cursing, but a very enjoyable episode nonetheless. Izzy's tub of butter and Christina's being left behind were the highlights of the show tonight. That and the elevator scene. What is it about elevators that make such great scenes? Elevators are like a wonderful mix of private room, public space, and, depending on whom you are with, steel cage. I could watch a whole episode just in the elevator.

OK, now I'm just procrastinating. Looking forward to next week.

[Shonda Mond]

Flawed fairy tale rolls

Knight didn't get the memo

Derek saves her

[Mactilda]

I don't yell. I salute you. THANK you. This is AWSOME. (maybe I should yell a litle that you didn't mention George and Callie above, but since this isn't over yet and wont be for two more weeks...)

[nemo]

omgomgomgomg *bites fingernails*
can i just say something?
"nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!"

[Céline]

Ok. I was gonna go and ramble here about you guys having *way* too little MerDer in this season, and the last few episodes in particular, and how I feel that you're wasting their unique chemistry and all. And trust me, I still feel that way.

But... For now, I'm gonna have to let you off the hook. Cause this new episode? Wow. Seriously mindblowing.
I absolutely loved it! I've been glued to my screen from the very first to the very last second. Those last few seconds especially. How could you do that to both us, the viewers, and to Meredith?!?!

Anyway, kuddos about the ep, and here we go back to waiting desperately. One whole week can be a looooong period of time.

Thank you guys so much for giving us this great show! :)

[Sara]

I usually watch "gray's" alone, just because no one else is around, but now Thursday is Bible Study night, concluded with watching Gray's Anatomy. I have to say, having 5 other girls in the room is so much more fun. I think we all stopped breathing in the last 30 seconds followed by a long AHH...
When you hear "3-episode arc, that's gonna have america talking" it translates into "what is Shonda going to do now." (not that that's a bad thing:)
There was some amazing dialogue last night and I couldn't stop laughing at Addison's speech in the elevator....oh and the tub of butter:) It's always a range of emotions on Thursday night.

[S.]

"I killed Denny. I blew up Dylan.

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

Only Denny and Dylan weren't main characters. So unless Meredith dies, yeah, you kind of are playing by the rules of TV.

Addison, Alex, Bailey, and Callie are the only ones who feel real to me anymore. The rest? Yawn.

[seriously_luvs_GA]

SHONDA....GIRL...YOU ARE KILLING US!! I can't tell you how much I TOTALLY FRIGGING LOVED last nights epi. When my friends and I discovered you were writing the next 3 epi's...I knew then it was going to be over the top ever so uber FANTASTIC..cuz basically...it's how you roll. I TOTALLY called it from the beginning about Mer and the little girl. I said the girl is a metaphor for Mer and Mer's life. It is an amazing story. I just know that this is Mer's life, up to this point, BEGINNING TO SELF COMBUST...I believe her past w/ her mom/dad, the bomb incident from S2 which she has never emotionally dealt w/, and all the crazy pain from Der/ Addison in S2 is TOTALLY coming back to her. The raw look of pain and confusion on her face the entire epi is soo evident. When she tells the little girl (after she starts helping the man on edge of pier) that she too gets quiet when scared, I think she's totally identified w/ the girl and is soo scared herself w/ the ferryboat situation that she too has shut down. She couldn't call for help. She could've left the man for a second to seek help but couldn't bring herself to do it. She was once again left alone w/ noone to help her..much like her life as a child and young adult. I think it's Der's chance to repay what he claimed to her on his porch in S2.."I was drowning and you saved me". I think he will be her knight in shining whatever. There were so many powerful things that happened last night. My main focus is Mer/Der..they are my everything on the show. It's just how I roll. I love how Alex is developing into this passionate dr., how Addy is totally looking at him like he's the steak and cherry on the top her cake of the day, it's just all so eloquently woven together and intensely amazing. I SINCERELY CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT EPI. Last night, after the epi, there were 13 people in a group chat on i.m. All of us from the ABC MB..all DYING from the epi. You have us all hooked. We love it..we love you and the rest of the writers and the cast!! Keep giving us this magnificent story...ALL THE MORE MER/DER THE BETTER I SAY!!

[Dark Red]

And by "Shoots With A Script," who you refer to in the 3rd last paragraph, I'm guessing you mean "shoots with NO script?" I think if you're seriously calling him that from now on, you have to at least get the name straight...

And I can't wait to see this episode by the way! Sounds absolutely fantastic! Here in the land of OZ we have only just started (or is is that we're about to start?) season 3. Thank god for downloadable tv.

Seriously

OH.MY.GOD.

THE EPISODE ROCKED SO HARD. (Ah, the cursing did come but it was more of a 'what the heck AW HECK NO MEREDITH' kinda thing). Aw man, I know she'll be okay....(right??)

And with-the cast- and then-!!! I could sense the little girle resembling Mere (and I hope she'll get someone like Mer might do??)

The episode was FANTASTIC. (But those credits!! When Meredith just went over THE CREDITS CAME. WHYYY? *Because it was over but why, why did it have to end there at a delicious cliffhanger??*)

Sooooooooooo must know what happens next...<33 Wonderful episode!!! SIMPLY WONDERFUL!!

[Sam]

You threw Meredith....in the water?

Seriously?

SERIOUSLY??!?!?!?!?!

but.... but.... Derek is her knight in shining whatever...... :(

(I Just keeep reminding myself that the show is called GREY'S anatomy)

And to add to the previous post, I could only tell the little girl was symbolic to Mer because it was so well-played out and just...WOWZA. It's really impactful considering Elliss surgery coming...(Mer will be there for it? Or will something?) Although the fright she gave in the tub gives me a fright for her being in the sea! I really loved Burke and Christinas bit though, and did I ever feel for Izzie (she can only do so much, but the guy seems so cool; I hope he will be saved...!)

And how can I forget Alex?? OH MY GOD. He was the knight-in-shining-armour in this episode!! I LOVE him so much more (and I didn't think that was possible!) He really fought to- and kept bringing reassurance to the woman- Oh, I loved it! (He looked at her with such tenderness though- as though she reminded him of his mom after his dad beat her, or something to that degree?) He was absolutely....FRIGGIN WICKED. Gotta love the Karevster.

Aw, Greys is so awesom.<3

[Christie]

Thanks for once again posting little in the blog to actually talk about. I know, I know, you don't want to give anything away about next week, but could you at least TALK about what happended in this new episode!!!

I have to say I did love this ep more than last week. At least we're back to seeing the characters with actual patients, and not so much about love/sex lives of these doctors.

YAY for Alex. Love him. Can we please have more? C'mon he MUST have a life outside the hospital. Show us!

[Lindsay S]

As soon as meredith was in the bathtube drowning herself in the beginning i knew she was gunna fall in the water and when she was helping tht patient by the water i was 100% sure. Please let this be like the bomb episode and let meredith be ok and most of all let derek come to her rescue like he did with the. Please let derek find her in the water, save her and truly be her knight in shining whatever.

Also, WHEN meredith survives (notice how i use when because SHE BETTER!) pleassse let mer and der be happy but also give them screen time. Let them have their happily ever after.

P.S. I am not trying to threaten you haha buttt if meredith doesn't pull through this i will not stop watching grey's but i will be a very very very disappointed, upset and furious fan!!!!

[giulia]

I haven't seen the episode yet, being in Italy, but I HAVE to express what I feel from reading this blog and other comments: please, don't make meredith (one of my favourite tv charachters ever) go CRAZY! please! I get the depression but it's all a matter of misure! thanks for giving us this space to talk... Giulia

[dgirl]

oh my god! you're totally freaking me out. is it just me or does this blog feel like a confession of someone who just MURDERED meredith??? although i must say, i always get carried away by these blogs. just have to say, as far as cliffhangers go, this show really leaves me speechless and motionless for at least 10 minutes. at which point, i start screaming and cursing for the rest of the week until the next episode comes out.

anyhoo, as always, you guys rock!!! seriously!!!

[aaabbb]

Thanks for remember that Alex needed some doctor action, he was wonderful with that woman..
And whats going on with Addison and Alex? so much sexual tension , and i love it!, i really think that theres much more than just physical attraction between them!

Im so glad that you are back!.......

[Sarah]

Aww, man. Great episode. Couldn't you have put them on 3 days running like the finale?! I'M DYING HERE.

[Steve]

Welcome back, Shonda!

Thank you for breaking the TV rules. That's part of what makes GA so compelling, in my opinion.

Interesting that ferry boats are a metaphor for Meredith. I never noticed that before and now I'll have to rewatch the first two seasons to catch all the ferry boat references.

I didn't mind Meredith falling into the water. Sometimes she really gets on my nerves and it feels cathartic when she gets pushed around (like the time Callie shoved her up against the locker). I hope the water represents a rebirth for this character.

Has Burke really accepted Derek's friendship? In the past, Burke seemed to consider them more colleagues than friends.

I loved how Christina just couldn't get the words out when she wanted to tell Meredith about her engagement.

If Izzie's patient dies, and it seems likely he will, will that help her accept Denny's death or make her doubt her ability to save lives?

Once again, I can't wait for next Thursday.

[Linda]

Finally!!! So glad to have you back! First congrats on the GG and SAG awards.

WOW (seems appropriate) but WOW is the only way to describe this epi, other than Amazing, Fantastic, etc...I think that you hold the essence of Grey's in you because there were epi's this year that didn't have that same feel. Some did (Krista's for example) but tonight it felt so much what I love. I know part of it for me is that Mer/Der featured (Thank Heavens finally!!!) quite a bit, and as I'm sure you are aware many of us Mer/Der fans were getting really riled up about their lack of time. Nothing against other character dev (well maybe 1) but when they are on the back burner it just doesn't feel like what we fell in love with in S1 and suffered through in S2. Nuff said on that.

Just so happy to have you writing, it's truly Genuis what you put out and we love you for it.

Just for good measure - YELL, YELL, YELL, YELL at leaving Mer in the water like that. But really, best thing we've seen all year (and I'm not calling the other writers slouches). But there is only 1 Shonda.

Thank You

[Kathy]

Great episode! I'm just sad I'm going to be on a plane for number three!!!!

[J9]

Oh my god...OH MY GOD!

[McBeck]

You. Are. Killing. Us. All! I had bad dreams all night worrying about Meredith. Thanks for a great episode (and blogging so quickly afterward). I so look forward to the next two.

[Kristen]

I LOVED the epsiode! just please don't let Meredith die. Have Derek come and rescue her in be her knight in shining armor!

[Iris]

Wow, that's all I can say right now. I've just watched the eppi (I'm in Europe, so I had to wait 'till friday morning) and I'm freaking speachless.
Absolutely AMAZING! I wish I could skip 7 days and watch the next eppi.
I LOVED it!