Stacy McKee gives you some "Time after Time"

Original airdate: 4-19-07

Ok. Before I get into the whole George slippity slipping on Izzie’s scrub pants and Derek needing to choose: Be the Chief or Be With Meredith and DAMN – did you notice that Richard can TOTALLY bust a move ??--- I just want to say…

Welcome back, you guys! It’s been a little while since the last new Grey’s Episode… And it’s been even longer since I’ve had a chance to talk to you! That was Waaaaay back in November, back before George was married (let alone falling for Izzie!), back before Meredith was (almost) dead (and talking to dead people), HECK – back before the boys went camping! THINK of how much has HAPPENED!!!

I know – lately we’ve had a few repeats, and you’ve all been very patient, but now… here we are. This week marks the first of the final few Season Three episodes and – MAN. I can say this because I know what’s going to happen next… I seriously envy you guys. You are about to have SO MUCH FUN. All new episodes. Funny episodes. Heartbreaking episodes. Supersized episodes. Cliffhanger episodes.

This is it. The beginning of the end of the season. So, brace yourselves.

Now, about THIS episode…

I want to talk about mothers. (I know – it sounds boring, but just stick with me for a second here.) Love ‘em, hate ‘em, miss ‘em, or try very hard (only to be unsuccessful) to fool ‘em – we’ve all got some kind of mother somewhere. Even if we’ve never met her. Even if she’s not related by blood. Even if she’s haunting us from the grave. Even if, when we went to college, she secretly recorded things onto our computers like: “Words of Wisdom from Mom: Never have unprotected sex on days that end in the letter Y” -- We all have a mother. Whether we like it or not.

(And yes, my mom DID record that onto my computer when I was a college freshman. And, no – I never could figure out how to erase it, so… every time I misspelled a word for the next four years, I was reminded to use a condom. True story.)

There are a whole lotta mothers floating around tonight’s episode.

Ava meets her faux mother. This poor girl has no memory, a new face, her only real friend right now is Alex and she’s about to become a mother herself – and suddenly the cruelest thing imaginable happens to her. She is first claimed by, then rejected by her “faux” mother. When Ava’s “mom” walks through that door, Ava believes that her life, the very history she can’t remember, is about to be restored -- only to have that hope yanked away from her – it’s horrible. It’s devastating. And Alex is the one who has to deliver the news. Alex, the guy who has been there, looking out for Ava, from the very first moment he pulled her out of that water – he’s the one who has to tell her that “those people” are not HER people. No wonder she lashes out at him. Stupid faux mommy.

And then there’s Meredith – trying to figure out how to react to HER Fake Mommy. I swear, if anyone could use a little motherly nurturing, it’s Meredith Grey.

I was secretly thrilled when I realized I was going to have Susan in my episode. I love Susan. Sure, she’s a little pushy (what with the whole bringing groceries over uninvited thing – and chatting up Derek before Meredith has even stumbled her way downstairs…) but Susan is, mostly, just a very caring, very genuine MOM. The exact opposite of Ellis. It’s the kind of mother Meredith has never actually experienced first hand, and it’s the kind of mother Meredith (clearly) desperately needs – even if she isn’t sure how to accept Susan’s kindness quite yet…  There was a line that had to be cut for time that I loved: “I’m not used to moms of any kind before my coffee.”

But don’t be fooled – Susan’s not squeaky clean and perfect. Her “gestures” aren’t coming out of a solely kind and generous place… they are also brought on by some good old fashioned guilt. Susan feels responsible for the fact that Thatcher was so absent from Meredith’s life. Susan’s known about Meredith for years, for her entire marriage – and yet, it was a very recent chance meeting at the hospital that finally prompted Susan (and Thatch) to become a part of Meredith’s life…

No wonder Meredith is a little cautious. In Meredith’s experience, mothers ALWAYS have an agenda, and it’s usually not a generous or thoughtful one…Which is why Susan is so important. She has the potential to help heal a few of those wounds for Meredith. Susan is like a happy little beacon of motherly hope for Meredith and her future… even if she DOES stop by unannounced.

But, of course, the Grey’s universe has to even itself out. We can’t have the potential of a happy, hopeful motherly Susan relationship on the horizon for Meredith without a little dark and twisty Dead Mommy love haunting Meredith, too – even from the grave.

And by haunting, I mean messing with Meredith’s McDreamy.

Richard says to Derek that he made a promise to Ellis. Richard told Ellis, on her deathbed, that he would look out for Meredith. So, as unfair as it seems, Richard intends to make good on that promise. Which means he’s willing to pass up Derek as the next Chief in order to make sure Derek will be available to focus on Meredith.

What’s so interesting about this is that – it’s not that Richard is punishing Derek for having a relationship with an intern. Or, in fact, trying to force Derek to choose between his relationship with Meredith or a shot at being Chief… Actually, it’s a vote of confidence from Richard. Richard clearly thinks Derek is good for Meredith. Richard wants their relationship to succeed. And he knows – firsthand – that nurturing a relationship properly is nearly impossible given the professional demands of being Chief. He thinks he’s doing Derek (and therefore Meredith) a favor. Richard is protecting Meredith. He thinks he’s doing exactly what Meredith’s Dead Mommy would want him to do…

The question is – how will Derek respond to all of this? We see him there, at the end – lost in thought. What’s he thinking about? Is he questioning whether or not Meredith’s worth all this trouble –  Is he thinking about what Bailey just said to him – that if you can’t be with the person you love, then all the rest of “this” means nothing… ?  Yes and Yes. Derek’s not being a jerk by not answering the phone. He’s being human. He’s trying his best to work through his demons – in private – so he doesn’t take them out (unfairly) on anyone (like Meredith) in public – he doesn’t WANT to hurt Meredith; he loves her. And, he’s just been told that she’s the one thing that will prevent him from achieving his life-long professional dream. Cut the guy some slack. He’s allowed a broody night all alone in his trailer, don’t you think?

Then of course, there’s Bailey. She always knows when one of her “kids” needs her. She just can’t help herself… And right now, that kid is Izzie.

The Izzie bone marrow story has been swirling around our writers room for a while. In fact, I’m pretty sure that as soon as we figured out Izzie had a daughter – we also figured out that one day, that daughter would get sick. She would need bone marrow. And that would bring her to Izzie.

The question has always been – WHEN do we bring Izzie’s daughter back? There have been a LOT of possibilities, but suddenly – in the wake of this new Izzie/George relationship… At this very crucial moment, when Izzie is mourning the loss of her closest friend, and when Goerge is having trouble even looking Izzie in the eye… SOMETHING needed to happen that would bring them together—privately. Intimately. Perfectly.

Hello, Izzie Jr!

The thing I’ve always loved about this story is that it’s not about Izzie or George. Their tension, their fling, their awkwardness – it all gets put on a back burner the moment something much more important falls into their lives. They have to set aside their weirdness, step outside of themselves and their screwed up lives, and – just hold each others hands.

It’s like that moment, just before the hematologist starts to drill into Izzie’s hip, when Izzie and George’s faces are just inches apart, and nothing else matters. It’s just George being there for Izzie when she needs him most – it’s clean, it’s simple, and it’s one of the most meaningful moments – for both of them. Well… that and the scene with the scrub pants…

SIDEBAR: Can we please talk about George and Izzie’s scrub pants??? Is it just me, or was that moment charged in a way that made me both a liiiiittle bit uncomfortable AND incapable of breathing for – well – the rest of the scene? I’m telling you – this whole George/ Izzie thing? I’m as conflicted as you are. I see a scene like that and I think to myself – Oh my goodness, they belong together. Right NOW. Make it happen!! Until I see Callie a few scenes later and… well, I get mad at myself for forgetting all about her. Because I love Callie, and I hate the idea that George might hurt her – REALLY hurt her… Callie’s blameless here. She loves a man who really really seems to be… falling for his best friend?!?!?

Alright. Enough already. I’ve been talking way way too long – plus, I still have to call MY mom and find out what she thought of the episode… I tried calling her last night (I’m in LA and she’s two hours later in Houston) – and I very carefully timed it so she’d be done with all her work (she kicks butt as a realtor there) so we could chat… and when I called, she answered with: “Now, Stacy. You KNOW I can’t talk to you right now. The Chief just told some woman that he’s ‘a FRIENDLY guy.’ I have to go!!”

And then she hung up on me.

(sigh.) Moms!

Comments

[Sabrina]

Very good episode, just enough drama to keep me in, and not overkill to make me lose faith in the show. :) You guys are back on track!

[Kayla]

This episode was one of the best I've seen in along time!

The scenes with George and Izzie made me swooooooon!

What's with all the early releases of sneak peaks and promo's...not that I definetly did NOT mind that Addison/Alex one..HELLO. Let the games begin!! I' screamed soooooo loud when I saw that!

Anyways!!

Good job! And I can't wait for next week's!

You writers definitely show your disdain for Burktina, it oozes out of your pores by the lack commentary time and time again in you DON'T provide in these blogs, and this has been happening for three seasons now. It's a good thing I'm so invested in Sandra Oh and the character she plays and by extension IW and the character he plays because if not, the fact that what I am interested in the most gets the scraps in terms of writers commentary, it would be almost too depressing to keep watching. I guess Bailey fans might possibly feel the same way, we don't even get to see her love life and she too is a veteran character, one of the originals.

It's hard to watch a show when the writers give the characters you love the scraps and then they can't ever act like they care when it comes to their commentary. What a turn off, makes me wonder what's the point in you having these characters except Sandra Oh is too talented not to be on screen or a stage. Oh that's right Cristina was originally ONLY supposed to walk around listening to the ups and downs of Meredith's love life that's why she was created, whatever.

[Nicole]

Brilliant episode:) It was back to the Grey's that we all know and love, thank you!! And your blog, AMAZING! These are how the blogs used to be when you wonderful writers would talk about the episode and your writing and give insight. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I CANNOT wait for the next few weeks!

[Meg]

Enjoying how this Izzie/George situation is working out. Don't know how you are going to let the chips fall though with Callie. Looking forward to the next episodes. Thanks for the blog.

[vangie]

I loved this episode!!! I hated that you made me wait so long, but it was soo worth it!!!

I love izzy and george together, but HE IS MARRIED!! to poor callie!!! I am so conflicted!!!!!

great job stacy!!!!

[mowhit25]

OK I am so lost. Something needed to be done to bring them together you say, (george and Izzie) but the way it is being done is all wrong. No one likes them. George has become such a ahole. Izzie was never redeemed character wise. It is difficult to even root for the 2 of them right now. I was shocked to hear the podcast and that you guys think this is hot. I watched this episode last night with about 20 people and when George put Izzie's oants on people literrally turned their heads because it was so gross. They use to be the 2 best characters now they are just disgusting.

And as for the promo next week. Are you kidding me? You have a strong Latin American chararter for once on TV and you have her begging. Are you serious. That is so humiliating and degrading. And this is suppose to be her last season people say. What type of send off is this? I hope there is more to Callie's story that has her begging to a girl she out ranks for a man who barely stands up for her.

The elevator scene with Mark and Chief was the highlight of the show. Christina too. The rest was gross.

[LoisLane]

That was a GREAT episode! Can't wait for the next one!!

[kathy]

loved the izzy & george moments but......... what person goes through that whole process of laying on a table to get the procedure done and when it's all over - not one single piece of hair is out of her bun!

[Pink]

Derek is not a bad guy. He is not betraying Meridith. He is mourning the loss of a dream. That's more than okay--that's healthy, grown-up, honest, and brave. And it's the only way to move on without getting stuck. Mourning sucks, but not mourning is much, much worse. Give this man a break.

[Toni Mac]

BIG Kudos to Kate Hiegel and TR Knight. Their tension last night? OOF. Almost melted my TV. Beautiful. George and Izzie for the win.

Also, I want Bailey to be my Mom. She can hold my hand AND scream at me when I'm procrastinating. Sounds like a plan.

[vangie]

Oh and I loved, loved, the song that was playing when izzy was on the table saying that she couldn't make it trough without her friend and that she missed him!!! great haunting song!!!!

[Jazzylove]

I am so sick of poor little Izzie. Seriously though!!!! Why does she always have some drama issue and has to get saved? Then if that isn't bad enough, the writers seem to want to make her come across as strong?! She isn't strong...she is selfish. Sick sick sick! Poor Callie, what about her? What the hell is George doing...WHAT ABOUT CALLIE???????? Stop with the Izzie stuff please! I can't take anymore, I really can't.

[Melissa]

Another GREAT episode, you guys are AWESOME!!!

I'm looking forward to all the new episodes

[Leslie K]

Wow... no comments yet, perhaps I will be #1??? Fabulous show, thank you Stacey. But we are getting 'ready' for the end of Season 3 ALREADY??? goodness, we need an all Seattle Grace all of the time channel on the tube.

I really held my breath on that Izzie/George pants episode too. He is such a love, you could feel it in that very minute radiating thru the screen. They really need to be together, but the saying in soapland is that there is no such thing as a happy marriage for anybody. Please make Izzie and George happy. Let Callie ride off into the sunset with a new knight in shining armor.

[Abbie]

Derek's trailerness and aloness firstly made me a little mad, but then I thought about it and your right he should get a few minutes to himself. I personally don't like george/izzie and i think 'poor Callie.' and i have a question (i know it probably won't get answered but...How did you get a kid that looked that much like Katherine hiegl?

[Jen in Canada]

Stacy, I loved your blog and REALLY loved last nights epi. Finally some of the old Grey's flavor is back. In this epi I finally "got it", this thing between George and Izzie that until now was a bit lacking, at least for me. When George came back to the room, I actually stopped breathing momentarily. So thank you for that.
Also, I am so nervous for what lies ahead for Mer and Der. I know he loves her but is it going to be enough? I can't imagine the show without them together so I really hope they can work this out and if not be bright and shiny together, at least be matte and satisfied.

Once again, thanks for a great episode!!

[Brandi]

Good Episode Stacy! I totally relate to Mer and her reaction to Susan because if I suddently had a mom that did all of that....I wouldn't know what to do with her.

The George and Izzie thing is growing on me...kinda sorta.

Derek...well part of me thinks Derek is a jerk for not answering the phone but the other part of me understands. I know people will yell and kick and scream because Mer and Der aren't perfectly happy...but this show is so good at going with reality over fantasy. THe reality is that people bottle up their emotions and have conflicting feelings even when you have the love of your life...life is messy. So I'm not mad at Derek...yet.

[vangie]

I love george and izzy together, but I also love callie and don't want her to get hurt, I am so conflicted!!!!

I hated that I had to wait so long, but it was worth the wait!!!!

[Jogirl]

Wow - great episode and great follow-up post.

I have to say, I don't like the way the Izzie/George thing is developing, which doesn't look good for Callie (whom I too have grown to love). I have had men friends, even a best friend that was male, but there is a line that is not crossed. We remainded very close after I got married, but, again, there is a line that is not to be crossed. Izzie and George cross it again and again and I feel so badly for Callie.

Loved the scene with Meredith accepting Susan's mothering (she does need it badly) even more now that Derek looks to be on the brink of doing something completely stupid again. Bailey is right, what is the rest of life worth if love is not the focus??

Great show, keep up the good work, and I can't wait for the wild ride to begin.

[Christy Zeltner]

Oh, my gosh. I can't believe you didn't talk about Christina and Burke. I loved when Christina flashed Marlowe the "amber finger." That was so subtle and said so much. It amazes me that the only couple that seems to be doing well is Christina and Burke. Who would have thought? I definitely am NOT a fan of Izzie and George hooking up. It goes back to the age old debate that men and women cannot be "Just Friends" and I think just really sends a bad message. Once again, the skinny girl gets the guy. If they do hook-up, please don't have Callie end up pregnant. I can hardly wait to see how this all plays out.

[Ali]

i have missed my grey's soo soooo soooo much over this hiatus and i am so glad to have it back and have it be such a great episode! you did a great job and I am so excited for the rest of the season (even though i really really DO NOT want it to end) So, just saying, a great episode and i loved every minute of it!

[Shielady]

Hi Stacy,
Nice episode...just a few thoughts...

1. Re. Derek: yeah, I get the whole needing a night alone to think things through. Here's the problem w/it. If he meant what he said to Meredith during the first epi. of this season (he's been in love w/her forever), then he needs to come to the realization that his professional career won't include being chief. Taking it one step further...if he does ditch Meredith for a CHANCE @ being chief (no guarantee, remember), then he is the perfect cold-hearted jackass for the job.

2. Shonda & all of the writers have said repeatedly that you want to keep GA different from other shows, & more importantly, to keep the characters real. That being said, if you (the writers) allow Mer/Der to break up (or be on the verge of breaking up) as this season ends, then you will have allowed the show to deteriorate to the level of another soap opera. We don't want something so banal! Breaking up Mer/Der will just serve to frustrate the hell out of most viewers. Quite frankly, if your show decides to separate & reunite Mer/Der repeatedly for the duration of the entire series, then let us know now so we won't be so annoyed!

3. Give Preston some guts to stand up to his mother! If he allows his mother to denegrade Christina, the marriage is bound to fail.

4. When (not if) Callie gets hurt, do it quickly...and give a little bad karma to George & Izzie in return!

[Laura]

Thanks Stacy, I LOVED the episode!

George and Izzie belong together, they are so adorable. George really does love her!

I feel bad for Callie but I think it's worse to be in a loveless marriage.

[AngieLaLa]

I have one thing to say: DNA TEST. If Ava's faux parents weren't sure if she was their daughter becuase she looks different, then get a freaking DNA test. Better to be sure, no? I mean you are in a hospital. Don't lose your credibility just to "enhance" the drama. Otherwise, this may as well have been a Spelling drama. They are already in an enviroment conducive to extracting what they need for DNA tests. I would think they'd be legally, I'd think they'd have to. Sorry, I think that was just sloppy writing there.

On a happier note: I loved the George/Izzie scenes. So much tension, so much awkwardness, so much passion. I never get that from George and Callie. Never. Maybe it's because she treat's him like a child... By the way, Callie is so the opposite of blameless. No one wants to be condescended to. No one. Callie needs to learn that.