Chris Van Dusen on "My Favorite Mistake"

Original airdate: 3-22-07

By now, you all know that this blog is a pretty scary, intimidating, daunting place for us writers.  Unless your name is Shonda Rhimes.  If your name is Shonda Rhimes, you’re not scared of the fans who are asking for your head because of that whole George and Izzie sleeping together thing.  You’re not intimidated by the millions of people wanting – no, demanding – that Mer-Der sex.  You’re not daunted by the task of getting Cristina Yang to walk down an aisle wearing a big, white, frilly wedding dress…

Of course not.

But, if your name is Shonda Rhimes, you’re able to casually saunter by a guy who’s staring at a blank computer screen, attempting to write his very first writer’s blog for his very first episode of television – his brow furrowed, eyes glassy – and casually whisper the words:  “Just blame me.”

Let me tell you, the day after we see Izzie and George have sex is a pretty frightening time to come on here and try to explain why Izzie and George woke up in that bed next to each other.  Some of you are really, really angry about that.  And, Shonda is insisting that you – yes, all of you – with your scrunched up noses and your crossed arms and your loud, infuriated sighs – you all should blame her for Izzie and George.

“Izzie and George sleep together,” our fearless leader said.  “IZZIE AND GEORGE SLEEP TOGETHER!”

It was pretty amazing.  It’s still pretty amazing.  And, trust us, we’re taking Izzie and George to some pretty amazing places.  Because, just like the theme of this episode, we have a plan.

We know you’re shocked.  We hear you.  Television watchers without pity:  We get it.  But, here’s the thing.  You know who’s even more shocked than you?  Izzie and George.

They didn’t see this coming.  They didn’t mean for this to happen.  I mean, they’re FRIENDS.  They’re BEST friends.  They spend most of their waking hours together.  They have many things in common.  They confide in each other.  They look out for each other.  They stick up for each other.  They worry about each other.  They care very deeply about each other.

Wait a minute.

Izzie and George are already in a freakin’ relationship!  They’ve been in one for a really long time.

Okay, so, up until now, it was a sexless relationship.  But, Izzie’s been mourning Denny all season long.  George has been fighting left and right with the woman he married in the wake of his father’s death.  And, of course, Izzie and George drank a lot of alcohol.  So, the sex happened.

The really, really good sex happened…

The sex that makes Izzie think she has deeper feelings for George?  It happened.

The sex that officially puts Izzie in the Dirty Mistresses Club and classifies George as an adulterer?  IT HAPPENED!

Both Izzie and George are wrong for the sex.  It was a mistake.  It wasn’t part of the plan.  George is married.  To Callie – who, at the moment, I feel so incredibly sad for.  There she is – thinking that she married the perfect husband.  The only man who has ever stood up to her father.  She’s deeply in love with George.  That scene, after lunch, when Mr. Torres comes to the hospital and tells George to protect Callie with his entire being – Wasn’t that scene just heartbreaking?  The look on Callie’s face, so proud of her husband…

George – We torture the hell out of him in this episode.  He kinda deserves it, don’t you think?  You know, for the whole adultery thing.  So, he’s incredibly hung over.  He remembers the sex during lunch with none other than his wife and his father-in law.  And, in the last scene of the episode, he’s horrified, left speechless, just staring at the ceiling.  So, so lost.  He’s not getting any sleep tonight.

And, neither is Izzie.  One of my favorite scenes of this episode is Izzie and George in the linen closet, right after George has remembered the previous night’s transgression.  There are no spoken words, yet it’s almost like you hear what Izzie and George are saying.  It’s painful.  Heart wrenching.  I don’t know about you, but, in that moment – I wanted Izzie and George together.  Without the complications.  Without the mistakes.  Without having to totally destroy Callie.  The sex, it was wrong.  But that last look between Izzie and George in the linen closet?  It was so, so right.

Because…  Izzie and George?  They’ve got some intense feelings for each other, those two.  It’s obvious.  It’s amazing.  There they are, in that linen closet, NOT DRUNK AT ALL, and it’s apparent that the sex – the really, really good sex – it could happen again – right then and right there.  So George rushes out, leaving Izzie all alone.  Neither has a clue what to do.

George.  Is.  Married.  We see George banging the linen closet shelves, Izzie looking so confused, both of them pacing around like caged animals.  Izzie and George are so incredibly flawed.  But that’s what makes them interesting.  That’s what makes them human.  That’s why, even though they did a terrible thing, we still love them.  And we want to see them get out of this okay.  I’m talking about all parties involved:  Izzie, George, and Callie.

Okay, some of you will remain angry about this Izzie-George thing.  Go ahead.  Be that way.  But, HOPEFULLY you found some joy in the MER-DER SEX you saw at the end of tonight’s episode…

It’s been a long time for those two.  Cut Mer-Der some slack.  I mean, Meredith was dead for an afternoon and Derek has been busy running around the halls of Seattle Grace making sure there are no large bodies of water left for his woman to fall into.  Which, according to Meredith, is a big problem.

Meredith doesn’t want anyone looking out for her right now.  Her mom died.  She’s fine.  She’s ready to move on.  But, everyone around her – namely, Derek – won’t let her.  He’s going around trying to protect her, but it’s coming off as extremely manipulative.  Meredith wants to fight her own battles.  She’s wants to be a surgical machine.  She has a new plan.  So, it really pissed her off when Derek talked to Mark about the Jane Doe surgery.  The troubled look on Derek’s face when Meredith tells him to shut the door on his way out – he just wants what’s best for his girlfriend.  Maybe what’s best for his girlfriend, though, is a little space.

We see how much this affects Derek when he’s unable to give his board interview the focus and attention it deserves.  Burke is doing Power Point.  Addison is rehearsing her introduction.  Mark…  Well, Mark is being Mark.  And, to everyone’s dismay – particularly Bailey’s – Mark ends up winning the race for Chief (for today, at least).  And, what’s Derek doing?  Not concentrating on his board interview.  Instead, he’s worried about Meredith.  Hovering.  Pacing.  Which is starting to affect his job.  Which can’t be good.  Now, I’m worried.

But, in the end, Meredith and Derek put their differences aside for a moment and finally go back to being the couple we all want to see.  It looked like all of that fighting led to a pretty passionate night…

Let’s not forget about Burke and Cristina.  Tonight, we got a glimpse of Cristina’s first ever musings on her upcoming wedding.  Hey, at least it’s good to know that the wedding is still on.  Because when Colin Marlowe showed up in the last episode, things got pretty intense in Burktina-land.

Colin’s arrival threw a serious wrench in Cristina’s plans.  And, over the course of this episode, no matter how bad Cristina wanted things with Burke to go back to normal, she realized that they can’t.  Because Burke isn’t interested in that.  He wants to move forward.  He wants Cristina to commit to this wedding.  He basically wants Cristina to change her ways.  And, she does.  A little.  Because, much like Cristina’s diabetes patient, Doug, she doesn’t have much of a choice.

When Cristina tells Doug that, even though he lost his foot, he still has a lot left to lose – she’s talking about herself.  She realizes she’s got to give Burke something, because she’s in grave danger of losing him if she doesn’t.  So, that’s what Cristina’s doing with all of that talk about City Hall and mosquito netting…

There’s another scene in tonight’s episode that’s worth talking about.  It’s when Alex presents the different faces to our Jane Doe.  Wasn’t it nice to see Alex in a new light?  It’s interesting to see him have a real relationship with a woman that isn’t based on sex.  This is a real connection with someone Alex isn’t linked to romantically.  And, finally, Jane Doe gets a real name and a new face.  Ava.  All thanks to Alex.

Well, there’s so much more to say, but that’s all the time I’m going to take away from you.  I’m just as excited as you to see what lies ahead for our characters.  I hope you enjoyed tonight’s episode!

Comments

[McDark&Twisty]

I thank you, dear writers, for bringing the Burke and Cristina I love oh so much back. Or at least starting too.

More to come once I stop doing my happy dance.

i just want to say that this episode felt like home to me.

[Lost]

Great episode and wonderful blog. I am not one of the many that soared to the rafters over Izzie and George. I trust you guys - you've got a wonderful show and I like that you aren't always predictible.

The scene in the linen closet was perfect - wonderfully perfect - great job.

Poor Der worrying about Mer giving up and even though she does not realize it - she is sooo lucky to have someone "hover".

Anyway - great epi, great season and great blog :-)

[Felicity Bradshaw ;)]

We LOVED this episode! Great job! The chemistry between Izzy and George was ELECTRIC. Can't wait for the next ep!

p.s. as for the television without pity fans--whatever. You're obviously doing something right by inspiring such a strong reaction.

[Julie]

Great Episode! I was really surprised to see that Izzie was actually interested in George. I truly believed she was going to completely regret it...You guys never cease to surprise me!

And thanks for the great Meredith and Derek scenes--worth the wait!

Keep up the good work!

[MJ]

Great show....looking forward to seeing how long it takes for Callie to find out!

[Brandon, MD]

I must say the closet scene was both heart-breaking and thoroughly amazing.

I am excited in your plan. Seriously, excited.

I thought this might have been the most well-written episode of the season, SERIOUSLY.

Uhm, yeah. My heart broke alot. Also, your blog? So Shonda. So...informative, explanatory, what a blog should be. I loved your blog. Loved it.

Kudos to everything and keep it up.

Just...WOW for tonight.

[SG]

Wow! It was even good Izzie/George hmm hmm. You know I hate for callie to be hurt but I still am mad at her for always being mad at george. Don't kno where you are going with this but it looks to be an interesring ride!

[Tracy]

Hi Chris,

Great job on tonight's show! All of the character's grew a lot tonight, and that is something we've been waiting for a long time! Your fan club is extrememly proud of you for bringing them so far. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and, again, you're fantastic! We all agree with your blog!!! Keep up the fantastic writing!!!

[K Gray]

Dope episode. I might be in the minority, but i actually agree that the george and izzie relationship has been a LONG time coming, and i actually kind of love that they made the "mistake." i find it difficult to feel sad for callie, because she has treated george like her subordinate not just in the workplace but in their relationship since the beginning, it feels like she's always pushed him into it.
i just loved Katherine Heigl and Izzie in tonights episode. Written well, and acted fantastically.
Mer-Der sex HAS been a long time coming. thank you.
i will be really pissed off if mark gets chief... he's a 4 year old.

[Tiffany]

thankyou for the merder scene at the end.
yes, i am mad about the izzie and george sex thing, but i know you & shonda & all the other wonderful writers have something planned to amaze us viewers.

i hear the next new grey's anatomy epi won't be for another 2 weeks.
i'll be waiting for "every moment counts".

thanks for an awesome thursday night. yet again.

[Annie]

Great show.. Great show. I can't wait to watch it again.
It was great to see Alex soft and human. It was nice to see Christina grovel a bit. The Callie/George/Izzy thing scares me a BUNCH.
Can't the people who are actualy in a relationship talk to their partner? All the palyers talk to other players, not their partners. This is probably the #1 mistake in real life... Show us how to talk to our partners! We all know how to destroy each other.
I know it is TV.. but it is good TV! You could throw a couple of other lessons in a show besides surgical procedures.
Please don't become like ALL the other no-relationship shows. Let us see something new. We already love the show!
Thanks,
Annie

[Cinny]

Ah! Thank you so much for that amazing episode! It is definitely one of my favorites this season.

And an even bigger thank you for all the happy Mer/Der (and sometimes not so happy) scenes tonight; I have been part of the mass demanding more than a casual 'hello' in the hallway. I loved the first scene when Derek walked into the room (after watching her) and smelled her hair and told her that he was just breathing her in <3 If I a random lightning bolt had hit my house after that, I would have died a happy woman. Seriously. And I decided that I would just take the eye sex that I saw in the previews and be happy with that...but it was even better to see the real suss at the end!!! But, I'm still a little worried about Derek considering the mess that he is currently in...I'm really hoping that he talks to Meredith about what happened, soon...before it affects them in an unhealthy way.

George and Izzie...looked like they had some pretty amazing sex. And like you said, that moment in the linen closet...I thought for sure they were going to kiss (it even had kissing music in the background)...but then he ran. And I like seeing the way that this had affected them at the end...because. Well. The adultry was wrong...but...in those moments that they were together, I could see the sparks flying that were currently hidden because of their friendship. I'm not sure how it is going to work out...but I hope everything works out the best for everyone involved.

I adore the fact that Meredith and Derek are the only ones invited to Christina and Burkes wedding...I'm not sure how their overbearing mothers are going to take it...but I think that the results will be comical!

Just a side note: are the scenes that were cut from this episode (you know, almost every scene from the promos) going to make it onto the DVD's? 'Cause I REALLY want to see them!

Thank you again for an amazning episode!

[greys_cello_fan]

Hello!!
Just wanted to say what an awesome epsiode you put together for us fans tonight. I anticipated every moment with the tension among George, Izzie, and Callie. Poor George-incredibly hung over. I cheered at the end with Cristina and Burke and Meredith's successful surgery, loved Alex's compassion with Jane Doe, and laughed at Mark. Keep it up and can't wait to see more (speaking of which, when's the next episode going to be?)

[tina]

i know it's a great episode when it goes to commercial, i get really worried that the episode is almsot over, look at the clock, and am relieved to see i still have 15 minutes to go. loved it!!

[Shari]

still not a fan of the whole George & Izzie "romance". I am kind of sick of all the cheating on this show.

But I still love it and look forward to it every single Thursday and I don't know how I will survive this long break, and the even longer break over the summer.

More MerDer please. Angst is okay as long as they are together :)

wow.

[Shari]

still not a fan of the whole George & Izzie "romance". I am kind of sick of all the cheating on this show.

But I still love it and look forward to it every single Thursday and I don't know how I will survive this long break, and the even longer break over the summer.

More MerDer please. Angst is okay as long as they are together :)

[FANFANFANFANFANFANFAN]

OKAY. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

----i like we're getting back into the swing of things.

ie: funny lines, CUTE romantic stories, emotional, heart-wrenching medical stories.
----but i feel like you all are being indecisive still.

ie: addison and alex? you leave us with one minute scenes every episode of great chemistry and that's it...???
----izzie/george. i didn't quite follow. DOES izzie have feelings for him?! that hand on the face gesture in the closet was SHOCKING.
OH. and if they get together/keep hooking up, anything, i think i will have lost all faith in my favorite favorite show.
----on another note, i thought katherine heigl acted phenomenally in this episode.

----and happy to see more addison, mcsteamy, bailey.

--------i don't know. i'm undecided still. i'd give this a solid B+ (which, at my high school, is actually considered basically an F to any kid who receives that ghastly grade)

but yeah, keep up with the funny and cute. oh and i never thought i'd say this, but i kind of miss crying in episodes.
------i don't seem to get as emotionally invested in the storylines. which can't be a good thing....???

[Janice]

Love, love this show and all the flawed human characters in it!
MerDer are back to acting like they mean something to each other; Burke and Christina continue to learn the art of compromise, and oh, poor Callie and George and Izzie! The scene in the closet was so incredible you could feel their frustration. But please find someone nice for Izzie!
Roger Rees (Nicholas Nickelby! sigh) is adding some spice, but where is Bailey? Love the way you are adding more layers to Karev - he's also great in pediatrics, writers!
It has been such a great ride through this show and Shondraland...don't let us down when you add Gray's 2!

[emily]

Loved it, loved it, loved it! I was soooo unhappy when Gizzie had sex last week, but I am sold! Amazing episode and GREAT comeback. Love me some Grey's!!!

[Marie from Way Down South In Dixie]

Ok OK.... I get it....this has been brewing for a long long time....but it just seems WRONG!!! I mean George and Izzy!! for goodness sakes. To me there really was no closure for Izzy....I know it was suppose to be romantic with Denny dying before the so called "honeymoon" was over..but it just feels so unresolved.

When Meredith was dead and was speaking with Denny there was no mention of Izzy except when he said he could almost feel her. But no message that he loved her or anything....

Maybe Izzy needs to have a near death experience and have a long long discussion with Denny. Kinda like Meredith but to finally resolve everything once and for all with Denny....let him go on to the "great beyond" and let Izzy finally go on and find someone (not George or gosh sakes) that will love her for her.

I know that the writers try to keep things "real".... but I guess the reason so many people were soooo upset with Denny dying is because in this crazy world we sometimes need to have a little fantasy and that is what Izzy and Denny were....goodness and happiness and fantasy...not the everyday things that go on that drive people crazy..but something that we mortals can escape to...and can make us smile and sigh...and for a little while forget the hassles and stress and dream of a perfect world...

[Katherine]

I'm not one bit angry that George and Izzie had sex. So there! Actually, it just seems to make sense. Adultery is horrible, but it's TV so I don't take it so personally. I like a good story! I find this whole falling in love scenario between 2 best friends satisfying, because it is Izzie & George. I never saw that coming- I like these twists! Thanks Chris and tell Shonda she is the WOMAN! Way to keep things interesting. It's not always about Meredith & Derek having sex! My favorite scene is the linen closet too...I wanted them to tell each other how they really felt without any of the complications. I wanted to see them kiss dangit! Anyways, thank you, thank you, thank you! Please no re-runs next week ok? I look forward to Thursday nights!

[Mrs. Karev]

I'm slightly in love with Alex Karev. It was not so long ago I HATED Alex Karev, but seeing him grow into a human being makes me happy. Thank you for making me happy. Poor Callie tho, although I COMPLETELY get the bff hook up 'cause it can be impossible to not feed the beast with the person who is ALWAYS there for you, poor Callie, nuff said.

[Dan]

I don't know about everyone else, but I got all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings about Izzie and George... similar to feelings about Jim and Pam on The Office. I like them together, and I'm actually rooting for them. I don't like George and Callie at all.

Just don't get Izzie pregnant or something. Cristina got pregnant after sleeping with Burke and blew a fallopian tube, and Meredith thought she was pregnant after sleeping with Derek (but had appendicitis), so please don't even mention pregnancy with Izzie.