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

[Leslie]

I loved loved loved last night's episode. Katherine Heigl is an amazing actress, & the chemistry between she & T.R. Knight is great to watch (although I'm still not completely sold on the whole "more than friends" idea). Thanks for writing an amazing episode.

[Rachel]

OOO MY GOD!!! I would willingly go through a bone marrow thingy to have a scrub pants moment like that one!

And poor Derek! that poor man can not get a break! first he has the girl, then the old girl comes in, he hurts the new girl, he chooses the new girl, the new girl DIES (well almost), and now he thinks he has to choose between the girl and his dream! Could y'all cut him some slack please!

[anna]

I don't even know what to say anymore. I'm just tired, tired of the dark, deaths, tired of the depressing, tired of the lack of continuity. Just tired of way this season has been so lacking of the previous two. If something doesn't change soon, I surely won't be tuning into another season of this one. It's probably too late. THis season has ruined my favorite show.

[addy]

I loved addison at the end of this eppy- grey's needs her don't ship her off to california!

[Kim C.]

Ok. Your blog was worth the wait!
I loved last night's show. I loved it. It was the epitome of a truly great and classis GA!
I absolutely, ABSOLUTELY love George and Izzy. There is just something so right about them being together. I do like Callie to, I just don't like her with George. So, I hope Callie stays on the show just not married to George.
I LOVE GEORGE AND IZZY.
Now, I did love the show but I have to say that I am so disappointed with Mer/Der. I understand a little better after reading your blog. What upsets me is the lack of their relationship that we have seen this year. They are so boring. I thought they would be a break through couple on tv and prove to everyone that a couple can still be together and interesting. I surely hope that the season cliff hanger isn't whether or not they will break up or not. And, I also don't want them to get married yet either. I want to see these conversations that they should be having. Why aren't we seeing that? We see it with every couple on the show but not them? Is that the writers way of torturing us? Well, if that is the case, then you can see the ratings decline next year. I understand that every relationship has troubles but seriously, Mer/Der are so depressing. I understand he has to think about this decision. Is it worth giving up his dream? I get this. What I don't get is why DON'T WE SEE THEM TALKING? HOW MUCH DO WE SIT AND WATCH MER GO THROUGH? GIVE THE GIRL A BREAK. I AM BEGINNING TO NOT EVEN LIKE HER CHARACTER.

I want to end on a good note. Overall, I really loved last night's show. I love George and Izzy together. Great show. Great blog!

[Donna]

Until last night, I wasn't a fan of Gizzie, but have now changed my mind. As the show has said in the past: pull the bandage quickly!

Now...Derek and Merideth are another story. Just when I begin to breathe easier, you throw another curve in the road. Seriously?!?! I am 40+ year old married woman and mother of three who is more worried about Der-Mer than I am about cooking dinner! Seriously - this has got to stop. Either leave them on or turn them off, but pull the bandage quickly.

[Kelly]

The best part of the episode was the smile Eric Dane gave the nurse when he commented on her sneakers and said 'maybe we can go running sometime'. He is too beautiful for words.

[muhakas]

So maybe I wasn't watching too closely because, frankly, GA is not as worth watching closely as it used to be. But didn't the whole "Is Izzie a match" to extracting the bone marrow go a bit too quickly? I think they were extracting the bone marrow before they even knew she was a match!!

Why did Bailey give Meredith the sample to deliver to the lab, other than as the writer's way to allow George to find out what was going on? Not realistic when Bailey was trying to protect Izzie's privacy!

Unless the writers think through the details, none of the emotional big-picture themes is going to continue to carry the show.

[Dacia]

Favorite moment, hands down, Chief and Addison dancing at the end! Classic Grey's Moment!

[Roberta]

This was a very touching episode for me because I recently lost my step-mother who I was actually closer to than my bio-mom, so I can relate to all the faux mommies in the house. My step-mom actually pushed me to get to know my bio-mom and I am glad she did. This episode really showed that when 1 mother leaves, another one shows up as in Izzie's case with Bailey, boy did she need Mama Bailey on that day. GREAT EPISODE! I was crying and laughing and my husband secretly enjoyed every moment while pretending to be all macho but he loves his mommy too. Thanks again for a great episode. I can't wait for the next one!GIVE US MORE GREY'S! WE WANT MORE, TWO HOUR EPISODES EACH WEEK!

[Sam]

You've already dropped millions of viewers from the last show. People are losing hope, this stuff with Meredith and Derek will change. The 5 minutes of airtime aside.

What the hell. How does he go from scared, hovering attentive boyfriend to jerk who is thinking about choosing his job over her and calls her a complication?

You've ruined the best couple with chemistry on television. Other shows would be using them to it's fullest, you're wasting and ruining them.

[Scott]

/First...

good show

[DarkseidNow]

While I liked the fact that Izzie's daughter was brought back into the picture, I would have liked to see some interaction between Izzie and her daughter. Granted I get that Hana was supposed to bring Izzie and George back together, but her relevance in the overall story fades with the fact that she and Izzie didn't even meet. Maybe some anger or bitterness as to why Izzie gave her up would have been nice and understandable. Let's hope they actually interact or that Hana at least thanks Izzie for possibly saving her life in the future.

[Ana]

I like the episode, even if I am not a fan of Izzie and George. The greatest part was Burkestina and Cristina's fight. I love them as couple and I love how she has grown. I hope that what Colin said wouldn't damage her choice of marrying Burke. They are fantastic today and the couple that show the most growth on GA. They are truly ready for the marriage. I enjoy also Bailey and Mark, very funny as usual.

[anne]

GREAT episode! Lots of stuff going on for everybody and I knew you'd bring Izzie's kid in the mix eventually. Bone marrow? How painful. Can't see your daughter? How painful. Can't "be" with George? How painful. Poor Izzie.

And good stuff with Christina and Burke. I liked Christina's mind games with Marlow. "I was thinking about coral."

[Tarpo]

The gold for me was George telling Bailey that he had it from here and that she could leave, and Izzie just kinda shot this little grin across her face.. That and Bailey didn't kill George on the spot and wear his skin as a suit all day as a message..

[Terry]

I understand the Derek thinking moment. Good for him.

I love the friendship with George and Izzy and was touched with "just being there" scene, but as a couple they gross me out....yuck.

I enjoyed the episode and am looking forward to more new episodes!

[Kara]

I'd love to know how to program a computer to say something when you hit a certain key... that could be a wonderful tool! Hee hee hee!!!!

I loved last nights epi. It brought me back to the "normal" Grey's where I could watch it and ponder it but not have a stroke over it.

Love the relationship between Izzie and George. I've been saying for months that those two are going to hook up... sometimes best friends make the best lovers! Although, at first, it did bother me since George is MARRIED!

I have to say this every time I get a chance... Derek & Meredith. They make Grey's. It's their love, relationship, chemistry, etc... why I fell in love with this show. PD and EP can act in any other show with any other counterparts but NEVER, and I mean NEVER do they have the same connection... so please let them find a happy place and stay there. A few porny scenes won't hurt either... :)

Thanks for a great epi! Looking forward, I think, to the beginning of the end of the season. Boy that sucks! :)

[Kristie from Georgia]

loved the blog and love this show. I cannot tell you..

everyone has to realize this; it was a mistake GEO marrying Callie.... he was mourning and did it making the quick decision of asking Callie to marry him, bottom line. Callie loved George more than he loved her at the time..... He cared for her and was into her; but not enough to make that committment. Izzie and George have much more that that. When George asked Callie to marry him... I thought that she would say no.... TRULY because of the circumstances they were in and knowing he was going through such a tragedy.... blew me away when you guys had her say yes and they went to Vegas....

George and Izzie and Callie need TRUE love. Callie deserves it because of the Awesome person she is and George and Izzie thinking back on all they have been through need it too. Callie and George made a mistake ...

Izzie and George need to see where this goes; Callie needs to move on.... I hate it; but all of them are in a very sensitive situation.... please handle this carefully.

MER/DER...... LOVE them; please do not pull them apart....

thank you for giving us Grey's!

[Rebecca DuPaul]

As an employee of the National Marrow Donor Program and a huge Grey's fan it would have been nice if the Izzy storyline could have been a little more realistic and maybe included a plug for the Registry. The fact is that Izzy would probably not have been an acceptable donor for her daughter unless the child's biological father happened to share the same tissue traits as Izzy and their child. You mentioned a "half-match" but no transplant physician in their right mind would go forward without at least a 5 out of 6 allele match. Also getting tested requires a thorough blood screening and high resolution DNA test to make sure the tissue-types are compatible. The way it was done on your show Hannah should be dead from graft vs. host disease (GVHD) by May sweeps. I realize you have to make it dramatic and the audience is expected to suspend their disbelief. Every comment I made last night my roommate yelled, "Shut up. It's a TV show!" But I think the industry has a responsibility to offer as accurate information as possible, especially when it's about real issues that affect real people every day. Frankly, using Izzy as a donor so nonchalantly does a disservice to all those parents out there that are waiting for a match or who have lost a child while waiting for a match. As if you are saying, "Why didn't you donate to your kid? You're probably a half match." If parents could donate to their sick kids so easily, no one would ever die waiting for a donor. I was also disappointed that there was not much mentioned about the donor registry other than to say that Hannah had a donor who then died. I simple PSA at the end of the show advocating joining would have been nice. Anyone who is looking for the opportunity to save a life can go to www.marrow.org, www.myspace.com/marrowdonation or call me at 1-800-MARROW-2. To become a volunteer marrow and blood stem cell donor, you must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in general good health. A simple tissue typing test requested Online or through an authorized NMDP Donor Center is required to enter your tissue type onto the National Registry. Once we have your HLA tissue type on file it will be available to any searching patient across the country and all over the world.

[raprilc]

I love the crescendo into the season finale. But I'm telling you, if Meredith and Derek break up, I will have a heart attack. He can't do that to her. Especially now.

I liked Bailey a lot in this episode. She was so Bailey-ish.

Katherine Heigl deserves a freakin' Emmy right now. As in, right this very moment.

Callie's very pretty, even w/o make-up. I hope she sings a little at some point. Her voice is stunning.

Can't wait for next week!

[radin]

i love show! it's my favorite! team izzie!

[NearlyJumpingtheShip]

Well, I know it makes no difference what we say, but I have to say it anyway or I am going to explode. I have been a fan of this show since the beginning but right now I am so disappointed!! I don’t like where you are going with Meredith and Derek. Where is the “she is worth the effort” or “I will always show up”? A few weeks ago he was terrified with the thought of losing her and now, am I supposed to believe that he is a cold hearted workaholic whose only interest is his career? What an inconsistency!!

So now he needs to think (AGAIN, what a surprise), and Meredith has issues, and I get it, you are getting near the Season finale, and the sweeps, and you want to make this exciting and whatever… but you know what? I don’t care. It would have been ok if we had seen them being happy for a while, but right now WE ARE HEADING AGAIN TOWARDS A DRAMA WITHOUT EVEN HAVING SEEN A REAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM (oh, I forgot, there was the snoring, right). It doesn't make any sense at all: he has just seen what loosing her could be like and he is not able to tell what he wants??? really??? and this is a man you call McDreamy? How about when Meredith was putting her career on the line for him? You need another death for him to realize he loves her?? Is it necessary and logic for the storyline or is it necessary for the drama show you have decided Greys has to be?? This show is getting too depressing. I miss the old Greys sooooo much!! When it was funny and sexy and a little bit of drama and medical histories…

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE ORIGINAL AND HAVE A MAIN COUPLE BEING HAPPY WITHOUT HAVING TO CREATE ARTIFICIAL DRAMA ALL THE TIME. I REALLY BELIEVED YOU COULD DO IT, BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG. Anyway, I am “this” close to jumping the ship… just don’t let this hang till the finale…

Good blog, i have to admit that.

[Brandon Waller]

Another great week. This episode was amazing. Simply amazing. Every single part of it. And the SCRUB PANTS, and the fact that George came back! He actually came back! He paused, took a look back at the room, and he came back to Izzie. While "Clean Getaway" was playing, I mean, could that moment be any sweeter/more heartbreaking?

And when George was speaking to Izzie about her daughter and naming all of her qualities and...he was just naming Izzie's qualities. Yes, he lied. He lied to Callie. A big lie. And she held her tongue because she's the cage-fighter. She'll go after what she wants and what she wants is George.

Susan. God. Amazing. Overbearing mom v. Overprotective mom. Just, wow. I adore her character and the situation in this episode.

And yes, you had to give Derek the guilt. He breathed her in, stood too close, almost suffocated her (after she almost drowned) and now he realizes he needs to choose and even if he does choose...will he get to be the Chief?

And the Chief. And McSteamy. And flirting lessons. So. Much. Fun. Maybe better then the dyed hair in the elevator scene [but not by much] but seriously? You guys keep wow-ing me. The acting, the writing, everything is just superb.

And you've definitely kept me on my toes with next week's preview.

Great. great job on thsi episode, Stacy

Addison. It's all about Addison for me. She steals my heart every single time.