Allan Heinberg on "Testing 1-2-3"

Original airdate: 5-10-07

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but, sometimes, terrible things happen on GREY’S ANATOMY.  Wonderful things happen, too.  People fall in love.  They have the best sex of their lives.  They have epiphanies about life and love and surgery and so forth.  But mostly on GREY’S ANATOMY people accidentally puncture their surgical gloves with their fingernails during a heart surgery.  Or they sleep with the wrong people -- again and again.  Or they die.  Occasionally they die and come back to life, but for the most part they die, and it’s devastating:  George’s father; Meredith’s mother; Meredith’s step-mother.  It can make for compelling television drama, but it’s not entirely unlike real life, where terrible things happen to us, to our friends, and to the world around us without warning or explanation.  And we’re human beings, most of us, so when terrible things happen, we want to know the reasons why.  We want the suffering to mean something.  And when the meaning isn’t immediately evident, we assign meaning as a way of comprehending, if not controlling, what seem like random acts of terribleness.  When bad things happen, we make sense of them by calling them tests.  Tests we either pass or fail before moving on to the next level of experience, but ones we hopefully learn from either way.

As Season Three hurtles toward its shattering, emotional conclusion, the interns at Seattle Grace face a very real and terrifying test:  a written exam, which will determine whether they become residents next season or whether they’ll be dropped from the surgical program altogether.  The attendings, too, are now just one day away from discovering the results of their season-long test.  Tomorrow they’ll find out whom Richard has recommended to become Chief of Surgery -- the same day Bailey and Callie discover Richard's choice for Chief Resident.

As usual, however, the professional challenges the doctors face are nothing compared to their personal ones.  Cristina and Burke are twenty-four hours from their wedding.  Izzie's bracing herself, about to lose George to Callie and Mercy West.   Alex discovers Ava has been concealing her true identity from him.  Derek feels he's losing Meredith in the wake of Susan's death.  And Meredith feels like she’s already lost everything:  her career, her relationship, and her family.

Meredith’s first test arrives before this episode even begins in that she has to decide whether or not to attend Susan’s funeral.  After the way Susan died, and Thatcher’s physically violent reaction to the news, Meredith would understandably harbor some ambivalence about going.  Especially on the day of the intern exam.  But in a surprising show of strength and resolve, Meredith doesn’t whine or deliberate over her decision.  She simply puts on her black dress and sets off for the funeral.  Even when Cristina gives her the out of asking the Chief to let her take the exam another day, Meredith refuses.  She doesn't need to reschedule the test.  She's ready.

What Meredith isn’t ready for, however, is her father’s showing up drunk and angry at the hospital and publicly humiliating her all over again.  At which point Meredith simply shuts down.  She sinks under the weight of her own life -- and her own perceived failures -- just as she did when she drowned.  Faced with her mother’s dismissing her life as merely “ordinary” -- and her father’s brutal rejection -- Meredith seems to will herself out of existence, failing to complete the intern exam and to communicate with Derek.  That is, until her friends intervene.  Confronted with the prospect of losing one of their own -- a test in and of itself -- the interns set aside their own conflicts and concerns and fight together for Meredith.  In the end, Meredith’s biggest test isn’t whether or not she fails or succeeds as an intern.  It’s whether she can allow herself to be helped -- to be taken care of -- to be loved -- by others.  When her biological family casts her aside, Meredith’s Seattle Grace family is there to support her unconditionally -- and, though it’s obviously painful and difficult, especially where Richard is concerned (“You’re not my father.”), Meredith ultimately lets them.

For Derek, who’s consigned to having to watch Meredith go through all this from the sidelines, it sometimes seems as if his entire relationship with Meredith has been a test.  And what's the right answer at this point?  To take her at her word that she's fine?  That she needs to go to Susan’s funeral by herself?  Or should he worry and hover -- making sure she’s still breathing -- as he’s been doing since she drowned?  In the end, Derek listens to Meredith -- he gives her the space she’s asked for -- but as a result, the distance between them grows wider than ever.  Derek ends up walking away from Meredith as she re-takes the intern exam -- leaving her in the care of her waiting friends -- but does that mean he’s failed her?  After all, he doesn’t succumb to the temptation of accepting the drink from the girl in the bar.  He remains true to Meredith, even if he remains excluded from her experience.  Again.  But for how long?

As for Cristina, the intern test seems to pose little or no challenge for her.  She has Callie’s cards and… she’s Cristina, she’s going to be fine.  And it’s not even her relationship with Burke that’s testing her at the moment.  It’s her relationship to the wedding itself:  the ceremony, the ritual, the vows -- all of which, in Cristina’s mind, have nothing to do with her and Burke.  But the demands of the wedding itself continue to test her patience and resolve.  And her sense of self.  Is she the sort of person who vows to love and cherish and honor till death do us part?  Burke knows she’s not.  Yet, in spite of himself, he’s expecting her to go through with it anyway.  Burke, too, faces the challenge of not judging Cristina's commitment to their marriage by the way she's participating (or not) in their wedding.  But in his mind, aren’t they one and the same?  Does her reticence to commit herself to him in public betray a deeper reluctance to commit to him at all?  According to Burke, it will all come down to the moment he sees her walking toward him down the aisle.  At which time, he’ll know.  He’ll know the answer to the question, “Do you, Preston, take this woman, Cristina, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

But with some tests, there are no right answers.

Ava lies to Alex, concealing her true identity, and in doing, she fails him.  She betrays his trust.  But it seems she does so for Alex.  She keeps her identity a secret so that she can remain with him at Seattle Grace, rather than return to the marriage she was trying to escape in the first place.  It’s not the right thing to do, certainly, but it is an act of love.  In the end, even Alex can see that.  But how much will he be able to trust someone who lied to him?  Even if she did so out of love?

Addison's test is played largely for comedy in this episode as she struggles to come to terms with her infertility in the face of a seeming army of pregnant women.  And at no time does she ever put her personal struggle above the needs of her patients or her friendship with Callie.  She passes this test several times over, but she does so, it seems, at the risk of her own long-term happiness.

And it’s far too late for Izzie and George to do the “right” thing with regard to each other and Callie.  George and Callie’s marriage has already been compromised.  And no matter how real or deep Izzie and George’s feelings for each other are, their relationship has been compromised, as well.  And up until this point in his life, George has considered himself a highly moral person.  He’s not a man who cheats on his wife.  So what is the right answer for George, at this point?  Does he remain at Seattle Grace and continue to try to deny his feelings for Izzie?  Or should he tell Callie the truth, even if it means hurting her and ending their marriage?  Or does he stay the course by keeping silent, recommitting to the marriage, and sparing Callie’s feelings?  There is no right answer at this point.  George is a highly moral person doing his utmost to be the best doctor -- the best friend -- the best husband he can be.  But people, no matter how well intentioned, make mistakes.  If life is a series of tests, there is no perfect score.  You do the best you can and try to learn from your mistakes, because before you know it, life has another test in store.  And another.  And then one after that.  Not unlike episodes of series television. 

Speaking of which, we have only one episode left of GREY’S ANATOMY this season, and it’s epic.  And we’re already well into our work on Season Four -- talking about how far the characters have come in three seasons and where they seem to want to go next. 

Thanks for reading,
Allan Heinberg

Comments

[McDark&Twisty]

Guess who's back and commenting?!

Uh-huh. It's me. And I'm not really happy.

The episode was so Burktina-light. I mean, I can understand why. since their wedding is next week, so for now you're forgiven. But, at this time, I'm a bit nervous about whether they will actually go through with the wedding or not.

Nervous is not a good feeling. Not at all.

Season Finale. Those are two of the biggest, most important, most wonderful, most dream-crushing words in the television industry.

Oh, the havoc to come next week.

[McCrazed]

DAAAHH i really wanted to kill u during this episode, until i saw mer taking the test. i mean i'm to gulable, but i guess that's what u wanted us to do. think that she's failed her internship. well..

[jessicafreels]

Holy crap. Well you pull no punches Allan. This was hard to watch cause it is hard to watch someone go through as much as Mer seems to be going through. And when you see Thatcher and his rage at her. It was just so hard to watch.

I liked the Alex/ AVA scenes. And I liked that when it was his turn to be with Meredith, the fact that he has nothng to say to her says so much. He's had a pretty crappy day too.

I am still pretty....wierded out by Izzies feelings for George. But McDreamys the one that is really disapointing me. He seems unable to see whats going on here is new for her, and that she doesn't know what to do. He doesn't see what Thatcher does. And when he hears that the day has been bad for her, he doesn't want to find out WHY, he just wants to moan to Burke. Im sad he's not being a better partner.

[undecided]

Okay even though in my head I know that you can't write George off..but please don't write George off. We adore George! Especially with the darker hair-do.

I'm hoping the finale is good. I'm hoping season 4 is good. Because so far I feel a bit let down by season 3. It just hasn't been as engaging as season 2 (except for the George/Izzie thing, which is GREAT!). As painful as it's been, I've left other favorite shows before too...ER, Buffy, Alias. I'll stick it out for season 4, because I love you guys. I don't want to have to leave.

[Dark & Bitter]

Don't worry about the last Epi of the season if your just going to toy with me.... I would rather season two rather then this junk of season three you feeding down my mouth.. So help me god if Derek does cheat on Meredith your the one going down for it... HOW could someone write that Derek throws it in her face.. What is this Finn Meredith and Addison all over.. You make me ill.. And you call yourself a writer?? Go back to doing whatever you did before GA becauuse trust me GA doesnt need you

[Tracy]

Wonderful things haven't happened on Grey's Anatomy in quite some time. I'm tired of feeling sad lonely after every episode. Yes, people go through some of these challenges in real life. But most watch tv as a way to escape from the stress and depressing events of their real lives. Thank goodness there is only one episode left this season. I won't be watching next season...I'll try to read the recaps, but I can't do this anymore....I need to be happy.

[McDark&Twisty]

I just realized I do my comments a bit like the whole promo for next week/actual episode thing in TV. I post something really short, and most of the time express my initial feelings about the episode to give you something to look forward too/be nervous about.

I really do watch too much TV.

Anyway... hm... what was that thing I was going to comment on that wasn't Burktina related...?

Oh yeah. The whole episode.

Great one this time. Scale of one to ten... 7. Pretty good. And that ending was all very *gasp!*, hand-to-the-mouth-in-shock worthy.

Of course, when it comes to the storylines... quite a few I didn't like this week. Didn't like at all.

*evil face*

[laura]

i just wanted to say i felt really bad for izzie when she told george she doesn't have feelings for him.

also BABIES DO NOT FIX MARRIAGES!! is callie so stupid she would try to have a baby when their relationship is already on rocky ground?!

work out your problems FIRST. a baby is not the solution at all. i hope george says he's not ready.

[dalkfdjsfkljdsoep]

i hope next season is better than this.

i haven't felt all happy/tingly/excited in months.

rawrrrrrrr.

i'm not even that excited about next week's.

especially if addison's leaving.

i love her.

okay.

i'm done.

and not very happy.

not excited.

please give alex a real storyline soon.

we are all sick of ava or something pope or whatever her name is.

okay.

i'm going to bed.

egh.

[Tima]

I liked this episode so much more than the last one. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next week.

[msmamalove]

Derek cannot REALLY be that much a bastard, right? I realize he's supposed to be flawed and real and all that but..."you SHOULD worry"

McDreamy or not...buh-bye.

[Nicola]

Thank you for an amazing episode:) The old Grey's is back and I cannot wait for next week! I am not too sure how I feel about waiting all summer to find out, but so is life! Fabulous job on the blog, very insightful! Keep up the great work, just please keep Meredith and Derek together...I know they have some stuff to work through and its not going to be easy, but they're what happens after the happily ever after all the crap that you don't see coming. But...even they deserve some happiness,don't you think?

[JS]

Put Meredith on some prozac and call it a day.

And get Addison/Alex together. :( When he said 'You're not my girlfriend'...a part of me died.

[mowhit25]

The show was good tonight just please lose the Gizzie story. It is so deplorable. I hope the wedding next week is about the wedding and not Gizzie issues. it just ruins everything. I guess we have to wait until season 4 for Meredith to be happy again. She handles things in a very professional manner I think. I am glad she got to do her test over. It was also interesting when Bailey hung up on her husband. Please do not destroy her marriage. I have no words for Adele's situation. Izzie once again is still deplorable. ME ME ME every week. It would be nice if she could face the music before the end of the season.

[NYGreysFan]

Loved this episode. So many wonderful moments. Beatifully written & fabulously acted. Thank you for a fantasic episode. Please write many of them next year, THAT would get me to return for season 4. Your episodes are just so well done, love the dialog, the pace, everything about them.

Also, love your blogs. They focus on the episodes and the characters.

Thank you for this episode!

[s.cali]

It all comes back in the land of Seattle Grey's. What did Finn say to Meredith? "He'll hurt you again. And when he does, I won't be there." Or something to that effect, no? And besides, if Meredith and Derek stay together...what would the rest of the series be about? Even Ross and Rachel had to endure a few breakups.

[Brandi]

So this is what I know...you can't be horrible TV if it makes you angry and it makes you sad and it makes you cry and it makes you root for both sides. And I did all those things tonight.

I yelled at the TV and at Meredith when she told Derek she had to go to the funeral alone. And I was decidedly Team Derek.

I yelled at the TV and at Derek when he didn't go after her when she went passed him. But I feel like he's getting the short end of the stick on this one...still, I was a tiny bit Team Meredith.

I was sad for Addison. And I laughed at Addi and Callie's silliness. Please take Callie with you to LA Addison.

I cried when Mer told Richard he wasn't her dad and you could just tell that she wished that he was. And Ellen deserves an Emmy. She made me cry! And part of me gets why Mer is like she is and pushes everyone away. And I was Team Meredith.

And I hated George and Izzie "the couple" but I loved George and Izzie trying to help Meredith. And I loved Christina saying she'd go after Mer but not realizing that just pushed Derek away more. Which made me Team Derek

And I got a tiny bit mad at Derek for flirting with McBarSlut (who is sooooo Mer's sister). But I was proud that he walked away.

And I know that I really only cared about one of the storylines tonight and that was Mer and Derek and maybe a tiny bit of Addison and a tiny bit of Bailey.

I just go back and forth. Because I know that Meredith is screwed up and I know that she pushes people away and that she is pushing Derek away. So in that way it is her fault. And I know that Derek isn't seeing all the stuff that has gone on and he didn't see her Dad yell at her again and he doesn't see how it affects her because she's just not letting him in at ALL so in that way it is not his fault. She avoids and he walks away. But they just need to stop and to grow up and just figure it out . Which is why at the end of the day, I'm Team Derek and Meredith...together.

And I know this...they need to figure it out. Because them breaking them at this point is just stupid on their parts. You guys say you wants the character to move forward. Breaking up or creating a new triangle with Mer's sister is unoriginal and backward. It is time for Dramatic Television to grow up and move forward. And I think Grey's should be the one to do it.

And I know that I still care. And that I love this show even if it does infuriate me. And it will be over next week so I'll stop talking about it all the time. And after next week I'll either still love it....or I'll walk away.

Because I don't go backward. It's either Team Meredith and Derek...or I don't watch.

[JS]

Oh, and Meredith and Derek make me want to drink bleach.

Night. :)

[Haley]

Wow. This episode was crazy. You worried me a lot last week with the new promo about Derek and the bar slut, but Derek, thank god, didn't fall for her, even though he said "too bad is right" in the end. I love this show and care about all the characters, but I really don't care about what happens to any of them, expect for Meredith and Derek. I am a totally obsessive fan and have been watching the past 10 or so Grey's episodes over and over again trying desperately to figure out what has gone wrong with Meredith and Derek. She takes a step forward; he takes a step back. She puts herself out there; he's not there. He puts himself out there; she's not there. It's a tango between them. They are never in each episode in the same place at the same time. I doubt either of them knows what they want at this time. I do think Derek should have "hoovered" a little more at this point. He didn't even know that she failed the test, or what happened between her and Thatcher. He isn't there for her. They don't communicate.
After all they have been through why can't they be in the same place at the same time? I read that the bar slut is coming back for 13 episodes next season. Seriously? Please don't let Meredith and Derek break up and let Derek go to her. They have been through so much, why can't they just be together and happy.
And the promo for next week even made me more scared. Derek tells Meredith he got hit on in a bar and that she should be threatened. WHAT??? Why would he tell her that. They love each other isn't that enough. Isn't the love conquer all crap true? PLEASE make it be true for them. And don't leave us hanging like you're going to during the season finale, because I cannot spend another summer hoping that Derek and Meredith will be okay. STOP doing this to me!!!

[Leah]

This episode was a little hard to watch because when it felt like Meredith was almost getting her life back on track, we have to watch her return back to her dark and twisty side that we do not like very well. I thought the drunken father bit was a little too much and unrealistic - even under the amount of grief he is going through, there is no way he can really believe that it is Meredith's fault and act the way he does.

I like Izzie and George, but the scenes today were so completely repetitive. It's the same thing every time, Izzie and George have some time alone, Izzie says, "George," George says, "I'm a married man" and there's a shot of Callie looking extremely suspicious. The scenes between them have been basically the same for a few episodes now, and it's getting really hard to watch - you want someone to shout out, "I love you" but I guess you're saving that for the finale. I'm really looking forward to it - I was skeptical at first but I'm becoming a big George and Izzie fan.

And it is possible for a person to love two people at the same time.

[Iwantmerderback]

I won't bother watching your show until Merdith and Derek are back (you remember right? when they loved each other and were meant to be..)
If this is how it is going to be from now on, depressing storylines one after the other and them fighting with each other instead of facing problems together I don't wan't to watch.

[McPleading]

Writers of Grey's Anatomy,

I don't mind if you don't post this. Mainly I wanted to leave some feedback and this seemed like the best place. I understand that you’ve been exploring the other "dark" side of life lately. But I think you've forgotten the point that TV is supposed to be entertaining. I have loved Grey's since day one. And now I don't know if I can bear watch it again. Please, please, give us one, just one, moderately happy character. The fact that not one person out of this large ensemble cast seems to have any real joy in their lives is not realistic and it makes the whole thing painful to watch.

If you don't start spreading some joy soon I think I'll be permanently curled in a ball murmuring "It's sooooo sad," over and over again.

Thank you

[PD/ED FAN]

Great Episode. Tonight was back to normal, yes it wasn’t all happy but very well written. They rock!!! Didn’t feel cheated on the storylines tonight. Everyone had their time. Overall excellent episode. Thanks for the great blog!

[Presley]

I loved tonight's episode even though it was depressing. You scared me for about 2 seconds when I thought Callie was going to say she was pregnant. I just want George and Izzie together very badly.

[joy]

I have waited up way past when I should have been sleeping to read this week's bog...

Next week's previews scare me once again... I am tired of Der not communicating with Mer and the preview of the "I met a girl last night" taunt is not cute...not okay...

Please, PLEASE write them back together! Maybe at the wedding, they will realize what idiots they are not turning to the one they love when they most need...

[Angelique]

Once again you must be face with the question whatare you doing to Derek? What are you doing to Meredith and Derek? You're asking us to leap but into what. You built up this couple into the most beautiful pairing and now you are destroying them with no rhyme or reason. Season 4 is going to be fun? Great it better be fun with Mer/Der together. Because if not I can tell you right now it's going to suck. You're writing Derek completely out of character. Add layers but not to the point where you destroy the character.

[mel]

you can keep your season finale. I don't care to watch it. As far as I am concerned, you have managed to ruin the only thing the show still had going for it. I love how Meredith and Derek claim to love each other, and then he manages to give up on her. The worst part is he does it in a slimy way..."I met someone last night..." although, really, I shouldn't be surprised. After all, isn't that how Meredith and Derek came to be anyways? He gave up and Addison, and instead of dealing with the fallout of that relationship (whatever it may have been) he just moved across the country and slept with the first person he met at a bar. It's funny how I forgot that his character isn't really that desirable, he only appealed to me because I liked who Meredith was with him. To see him give his famous McDreamy "hi" to some other random person at the bar took away everything that I believed the show to be. I should have known when they got back together that it wouldn't last...I mean, how can you achieve the Ross and Racheal without tearing them apart and then making the fans think that they will get back together, by putting little looks, or kisses in the previews so that people will continue to watch and hope.

But I am done now. McDreamy is now McCrappy. Thanks.

[Vanessa]

I want a happy ending for Derek and Meredith this season. They deserve it. They've been through a lot and it's time for them to be ok.Please stop kicking Meredith at least for a while.
Can't wait for the next episode, I expect it to be an amazing season finale!
Night!

[Kaitlin in D.C.]

I don't know how you did it, but you made me feel sympathy for Derek Shepherd. Darn you. I was ready to...well, it's a little too violent and cringe-worthy to describe, so I'll let the imagination work. But it's like he can't win either way. If he follows and she rebuffs, he just has to wait until she's interested/willing, and if he walks away, he's abandoning her.

Here's an idea for backstory, and I don't care if you plagiarize it: Derek, as a ten year old (or some other young, impressionable age), is the one to find his father's body after suicide. Earlier that day, they had just finished up a fishing trip, where Derek saw no indications of the terrible event that would happen. See? It's backstory and explanation and terrible and wonderful all at once, and it explains Derek perfectly! Just like watching her father bleeding out explains Cristina!

Anyway, I liked the episode. I thought there was a lot of movement for the characters, and I almost cried for Meredith (I'm not a crier). I loved the intern interaction; it was so true and honest. I want George and Izzie traumafest to stop though. Izzie is simply intolerable, and even if George is the love of her life (unlikely), I simply don't believe she deserves happiness. I would not mind if she gets hit by a car. I have never wished death for any character in print or on screen as much as Izzie Stevens. Okay, there was one, but seriously, Izzie needs to go.

Cristina getting married...well, I'm doubtful. Plus, Burke is an ass. A handsome, successful, romantic ass, but still an ass. It's test day, her career will be decided...leave her alone.

Will Callie lay down an extremely painful smackdown on Izzie? Will Burke finally realize that he shouldn't have forced Cristina into a big ceremony? Will Meredith finally dump Derek and stop being co-dependent? Will Addison claim her throne and rightfully become Chief thus opening up super interesting plot points? Will Mark mack on Meredith and break Derek's heart (again)? Will this season end in an interesting enough way to keep me around for S4?

Questions I will wonder about all week...

[Jane]

GIZZIE is making me ill more and more and more! Have you people seriously gone mad? I love this show and I live for Thursdays but these days its like watching a scary movie - I do but then I close my eyes! There is literally a pillow infront of my face everytime I see those two on screen! The sex was bad, the elebator kiss was horrid and the promo from next week.....kill me now!

[BB]

Is there a place for joy in the episodes anymore? I'm missing the fun, cleverness, and joyful interplay lost at the expense seemingly contrived overextended drama these past few months.

Can Meredith hook up with Alex? McDreamy is a wussy.

[fabulous FABI]

wow...like...wow. Loved the episode, felt like I had my Grey's back. But why o why! must you keep kicking mer in the gut!! my gosh how much more must she go through!? Please keep Mer/Der relationship alive! I love them!!!

Callie the cagefighter...man her face, when Izzie was talking about George.. was SCARRRRYYYY I love George and Izzie together but I also feel bad for Callie...ohhh the dilemma...

Love, Love, Love Cristina! I swear she's my favorite. Sandra Oh is such a great actress!!! wish I could meet her and the entire cast in person *hint hint*

Alex/Ava... don't know what to say here, but I love Alex's softer side.

Addison=HOT i love her...she's just so great! I love her smile!!

Overall great episode but bring some happiness once in a while...
so sad that the season is ending it felt like yesterday it barely started! It is going to be a very long summer... can't wait for Season 4
I LOVE YOU GUYZZZ!!

[s.cali]

Oh, you can pull Meredith and Derek apart if you want. I don't particularly care.

But if you give Chief Resident to ANYONE but Bailey (I don't want any surprises with that freakishly chipper Resident that keeps trying to one-up Bailey in the clinic sneaking up on us!) I'll be mad.

[Maria]

So...I think that GA is finally getting back to being GA I have always loved. The stories are stronger, but I may die if one more thing goes poorly for Meredith! Good Lord! Basically, I cannot wait until the finally...although that means that there will be several months with no GA. I suppose that will just mean I'll have to bust out my Season 1 & 2 DVDs.

[Star]

Are you kidding me? Let's start with Mer and Der...when Derek couldn't have Meredith he was there for her, in fact he happened to turn the corner whenever she needed him (remember the closet scene when the DNR woman died and Mer said "I don't want my mother to die alone" or in Season 1 when she almost beat the crap out of Alex in the locker room). BUT now that she truly needs him he's not there, he's selfish, doesn't find out what's wrong with her, and now tells her in the promo that she should we worried about the woman he met at the bar? He needs to grab her and make her talk to him--be there for her!!! That's what Derek from season 1 and 2 would have done (and I know he's changed after she drowned) but he wouldn't just abandon her like that especially since he knows how much she's gone through in the last FEW WEEKS!!!! Secondly, I'm not buying the George and Izzie thing, it creeps me out--they look like best friends, not lovers, can't you guys see that???? please bring back SEASON 1 and SEASON 2 during SEASON 4!

[Lizzi]

Why can't any "wonderful" moments happen on GA anymore? I can't remember a truly happy moment in several episodes- it's getting ridiculous. I'm tired of watching characters we've all grown to care about be miserable, week after week, and do stupid/immoral/hurtful things that seem entirely out of character.

I'm worried that you're killing the characters we love, in particular, Derek, Meredith, George, and Izzie. Gizzie, specifically, is so wrong and illfitting I can't even believe it.

Also, why do you insist on killing so many characters this season: Mr. O'Malley, Ellis, Susan, and now possibly Adele? Adele is one of the best characters on the show, although one of the least used, just like Callie and Bailey. Do you hate strong women?

It would be fantastic if you could throw Meredith some kind of bone. No wonder people are starting to get sick of her: you're not giving her anything positive to play with. I still love her, and I hate that you continue to make her the sad voice-over character, rather than the leading lady Ellen Pompeo is.

[Heather]

By far the best blog entry to date. Thanks for all the information.

[HAHA]

ADDISON IS THE GREATEST CHARACTER ON TELEVISION.

I'M NOT STRIPPING FOR YOU.

OH KATE WALSH...YOU SLAY ME.

[Depressing GA]

This episode was depression. Great acting by Ellen, but sooooo sad. It's TV. It shouldn't make us want to stop watching.

And also? Derek is a JERK.

I can't stand him anymore. He's the worst boyfriend on the show. He's gone so bad to the point where him being good-looking can't save him anymore. I've been waiting for him to redeem himself since season 2. What happened? What do you guys have against Derek?

[SG]

George.. Izzie.. ugh. Did really have to make this into a tragic love-triangle? Couldn't you have them both just feel guilty and that be the end of it? Personally, this "I'm in love with my married best friend" deal isn't very convincing for me. Also, I have to say, having her "fall in love" with George seems a bit insulting to Denny's memory. In fact, it makes her previous "love" for Denny seem.. not so genuine. You make it so easy for Izzie to fall in love with people and.. she's just no longer the wonderful soul we saw in season 1. Now she's tactless and obsessive and selfish and immature and.. it just makes me sad to see how you destroyed such a great character.

However, I am less angry at you than I usually would be because you brought Joe and Walter back. :]

Here's to a hopefully good season finale.

[Rachel]

Okay, the best part of the episode: When Izzy is going on about love and Sara Ramirez gives her that LOOK. It actually gave me a chill. That was scary! Amazing acting.

Okay, now for how I feel about the episode as a whole: Disappointed. Where on earth is the Grey's that I know and love?? My husband teases me about watching the show and calls it "Sexcapades" ... and really, it's kinda becoming that. I've always explained my obsession with Grey's by saying how the writing and character development is so real and so multi-layered, but it's losing it. I have always loved Meredith because I could relate to her so much. The screwy family issues, trust issues, all the stuff that makes up real life. But when I watched tonight's episode, I couldn't connect. It seemed so ... melodramatic and corny. Her character has become so flat. WAY too many things are being hurtled at her (that's what makes it so soap opera-y; too much is going on. way too many plot twists, not realistic at all. At least not that many that fast) and there's no time for it to develop and get deep.

I used to cry nearly every time I watched Grey's because the story was so powerful. The last two episodes, along with the whole silly drowning thing, has left me staring at the screen going, "Huh?"

I LOVE Grey's. Make it good again, PLEASE.

[- R.]

I actually enjoyed this episode, and I don't understand why because I've been very frustrated with this show for quite some time now and I was spoiled for most of the events that occurred tonight.

Thank you for giving us the Addison we know and love back though I'm heartbroken that we're not gonna be keeping her. She is one of the few saving graces this show has right now and it's going to be a great loss for GA to not have her there. I'm going to miss her a lot, especially since I won't be watching the spin-off.

And thank you for the Alex scenes. He's become a truly wonderful character, and I adore him. I'm looking forward to finding out more about him next season, and I'm begging to please let him stick with neonatal and not switch over to plastics once Addison is gone. Because Alex and babies is a wonderful wonderful combination.

I'm going to end this right here because if I don't, I'm gonna start begging to please please please not take away my favorite character and keep Addie in Seattle, and I know there's no chance of that happening. So I'm off.

[Kaitlin in D.C.]

Other questions: will this show quickly lose all of its credibility in shaking up the only stable relationship in Bailey as well as giving Chief Resident to someone else? Will this show recover its quirk and wit with some happier moments for the interns? Will someone in this hospital get and stay in a stable relationship on screen? Will this hospital live up to the hype of being the best surgical program in the country with professionalism, cases and surgeons capable of focusing on...hmm...surgery? Will this show go back to S1 and S2 which were so undeniably brilliant that I watch them with alarming frequency? Will this show do something not gimmicky and not predictable and completely stun its devoted viewers in a good way?

These are questions (most of them) that I will consider over the summer.

[Bored in NY]

Bring back the fun! This episode didn't have any of it either. The show used to be balanced, some good, some bad, some happy, some sad. It's all bad & sad now. Dreary is more like it. Perhaps it should be McDreary, not McDreamy.

[Megan]

A year ago I found this fantastic, sexy, funny, touching show.

Where is it? It's been taken over by characters who are: suffering so much and so often I don't have any more emptathy left to give them (Meredith), characters who utterly disgust me (George, Izzie), characters who shouldn't be getting continually crapped on but are (Callie, Addison), and characters who are intruiging but hardly expanded upon...ever (Alex).

I'll watch the season finale and after that just read recaps. I think you guys will find that you're gonna have to work pretty hard to earn back your fan base. The perpetual doom and gloom at Seattle Grace has sent us all running for the hills.

[Miks]

Brilliant episode. Seriously. I felt like shutting down with Meredith. The loss of mother, step-mother, and any connection with her father was unbearable. For me and for her. Also, Addison became my favorite character tonight. I love that she is trying to come to grips with her two remaining eggs. She's fighting. I hope she wins.

[HeyItsMe]

I LOVED this episode!!

First of thank you for that bar scene with Derek, Mark, Burke, and Addison. It was amazing and it lightened up the very dark episode. "I havent". Oh Burke you are awesome.

Please tell me this "friends with benefits" is the writers ways of telling us the Mark/Addison door is NOT closed and will forever be open until she follows her to LA!!! God I love these two.

Cant wait for next week and for Ava/Rebecca/Shannon to go away. Now shes just annoying.

SOOOOOOOOO much better than last week Im loving this new bar girl...PLEASE tell me it's Lexie Grey!

[Compasion]

tap, tap, tap. It this thing on? Can you hear what people on this blog are saying about Mer/Der? Can you hear what the Media is saying about Meredith and Derek? Can you hear what they're saying about the show? It all has a common thread you're destroying the soul. McDreamy doesn't cheat. What happened with Meredith is different and you know it. We understand he's hurt but he's avoiding like her. Please breaking them up is not the answer. You say you're int oS4 and where these characters need to go Mer/Der need to go forward together as a couple.

[Ashley]

Congrats on a great blog and a great episode! Although I really hate Izzie and George, I loved Callie,Addison and Alex tonight.

[Cruz R.]

i seriously hope the bar slut does not stay long during season 4, or so, according to the rumors. i love this episode and i love what ur doing with izzie and george although i miss their friendship as true friends and not as lovers. great episode, cant wait for the season finale and for the dvd release!!!!!!>< i want to watch all over from the beginning!!!

[flowerbudd]

I'm trying to have faith. Because Grey's is my obsession. Strangers even know this about me.My week involves hours and hours of Grey's msg boards, news, fan fiction and waiting for the next episode. I apply GA logic to real life. And I live through GA, because I need that magic Meredith and Derek feeling, and I don't get it in my real marriage, but I used to get it from them. They were my fantasy, my relief.
Yet everything he's ever said to her has become a lie. And he's become worse than my own non-romantic, nothing in common w/ me husband.
My McDreamy is no more.
I can't be as emotional about this show as I am, and keep watching it go down. And tolerate you ruining these people who I love.
If you end this season without giving me back my Mer and Derek, I won't be able to keep watching. Because it messes with my head. It makes me cry and unable to concentrate on things I need to concentrate on. I no longer can escape from reality for a lil while and enjoy my friends at SGH under these circumstances. SO please.. suprise us.
Let me end the season in estatic tears of joy like I did last year. Looking forward and pinging for all. Stop the insanity, or I'm going to have to hop off the train for my own emotional well-being.

[Shannon]

This is just to painful to watch. Seriously how much can one person take? Yes life isn't fair sometimes but come on, Meredith has suffered more in three seasons than anyone in a life time!! It has become just to unrealistic, why can't you find someone else to pick on? Don't you think Meredith deserves some happiness in her life? What about letting her and Derek experience a real relationship and be truely happy? I don't care what happens with anyone else at this point but if Derek doesn't step up to the plate and decide Meredith's worth it then I for one am done watching. Why would I want to put myself through it anymore, unlike Meredith I speak up and say enough is enough. I swear every week after I watch Greys I feel melancholy. If Derek and Meredith are not together at the season final, I won't leap with you. I leaped with you to season 3 and have been very disappointed. Greys has lost what it once had, sad but true. The writers have taken the most amazing televison couple and ruined them, its ridiculous and just doesn't make sense. What happened to McDreamy? I want him back and if he is gone, then so am I. I'll start watching CSI again with my husband

[ali]

Thanks for a great episode. Really, it was just... wow.

Richard said in the pilot that only so many interns would make it to become surgeons... and here we are, three seasons later, seeing who makes it. So being here, now, at this point that was so far off; well, it's just something to see what our group has gone through that first day of residency, and where they are now.

So speaking of where they are now? I'm worried. Still. About everyone. Because Adelle is on the floor bleeding, and Derek and Merideth are still having trouble communicating, and Izzie was crying in that closet...

But it's Grey's. So of course, while I was-and still am-hyperventalating about those 12, the episode also made me laugh and sent shivers up my spine with the warmth of these relationships.

Looking foward to next season, and seeing where they may go (like Addison? Maybe seeing a little more California, with different medical fields--a little less blood and gore?). I love these characters so much. I have you guys to thank for that (and yes, really, thank you).

Thanks for an amazing episode.

[Nicole]

Bring back Sara Ramirez next season! She is so amazing
TEAM CALLIE all the way!

[KCS]

GREAT blog (not sarcastic)

Thanks for the life lesson about reality in the beginning...guess I'll live my "real life" rather than watch "real life" on greys (yes...sarcastic) i wasnt feeling that comparison...i understand trying to keep things real and TV drama...but you guys have run us throught the mud this season...its been real rough...and the luster is still gone for me....not in a "real life" kinda way...a this-tv-show-is-gonna-kill-me kinda way if i keep my heart in it.

tell you the truth...i do like watching TV for the un-real moments...the mcdreamies of TVland...i have to many mcregular guys floating around my "real life"....the romance that once was meredith and derek was touching...even in season 2.....it was a different kinda torture...now....it's just painful...

"that's real life though!!" you say???? i don't watch TV for "real life"....i live life for "real life"....i watch TV to take a break....from "real life"

i meant it when i said the blog was good...and the acting was on par as usual...love the funny parts...these actors really know how to do funny. i'm just still very hurt by issues on greys that have yet to be understood, explained, or finalized (meredtih and derek...and that god-awful izzie and george junk...talk about ruining 2 characters...izzie really needs a muzzle)...

i've posted before i'll be with you guys to the end...but i have to express what i feel...we're all in this together anyhow

AND FINALLY....BIIIIIG props to Callie...she rocked this episode...since izzie and george continue to diss this woman...i have to pay her the only respect for this epi even though i loved so much more about it....but SHE WAS AWESOME....if anyone can give bailey a run for her money....its Callie.

I hope to see this dynamic woman in S4.

c ya next week....unless i feel compelled to comment again :)

goodnite

p.s. thanks for being so fast too :) :)

[Kari]

Allan - I must say that after WEEKS of silly, a little irrational episodes, this episode felt real and cohesive. Even though I don't necessarily agree with the direction you're taking the characters, it was a good, solid hour of television.
I'm a huge Meredith/Derek fan though and it is killing me that you are breaking them up. They are the core couple on your show. They were the first scene, of the first episode of season 1. They are what people fell in love with and want to see. NO one is real life goes through the kind of crap they've gone through. I mean, a regular person would be in a mental institution after what Meredith alone has endured. And now in her truest time of need, Derek isn't there? His season 1 character would've been there. His season 2 character would've been there. Where have his balls gone in season 3??? Where is freakin' McDreamy? What have you done to him? Please bring him back. Let him be there for Meredith. Not to save her or breathe for her but to be her equal partner in life. She needs someone. She has her friends (which I love too) but she needs the love of her life back. Please give him back to her. Let them have a heart to heart and get things out on the table. That's what happens in real life when things get tough. You yell and then talk and then the air is clear and you can move forward. Let the fog clear for them so that they can move forward and find some happiness. Seriously.

[Carly]

"I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but, sometimes, terrible things happen on GREY’S ANATOMY."

Sometimes? This season has been all terrible and miserable things.

Depressing week in and week out.

[Elle]

I just have to say, this is an EXCELLENT writer's blog. Too often the blog writers drift on and on about topic after topic which have little to no bearing on the episode that we just watched. I can understand how doing the writer's blog must be difficult, probably intimidating... that's why it's so great to see someone get right to the meat of the episode, the stuff we want to know about, and provide the insights that make the whole viewing experience that much better.

I was disappointed by last week's episode, but this week I am right back there with Meredith and everyone crying out "oh no!" and "those are her people!" and remembering why I love this show-- the highs and the lows. There were a lot of layers in this episode and in this blog as well. Great episode, and GREAT blog. A+

[Marcia]

With the exception of George and Izzie, who have turned into despicable characters, thank you so much for a great episode!

[LovingAddison]

Since you insist on making Addison move to LA please send Callie with her! I'll convos! And once this whole ridiculous Izzie/George thing blows open Callie is gonna need Addison!!! They are just awesome.

Also should Meredith be seeing some sort of professional or on some sort of drugs? The girl is not normal

Im so hoping for an Addison/Mark "friends with benefits" hookup

oh and I hope Alex apologizes or explains himself to Addison

[Becky]

So, tonight's episode gave me a little (and I don't mean much...) hope that I might be able to stick with this through the next season. THANK YOU for having some things not go all the way wrong for Meredith. And thanks for letting Derek not cheat on her. I'm still annoyed by Gizzie, but it seems like, thank goodness, you guys are moving that plot along somewhere soon. I am still not sitting on the edge of my seat like I was last season with the Denny crisis, I am still not caring nearly as much as I did, but I will probably tune in for the whole epi next week instead of taking breaks and doing other stuff (like tonight). I just want all these characters to have a chance to grow a bit, and not just keep getting beaten over the head by their own poor decisions and random tragedies. And yes, I know bad things happen to people, but, seriously, after a certain point things also tend to calm down, and people have a chance to take stock and make new, happier choices. That's life too, and I hope you will try to portray that more.

[Lauren]

Excellent recap and Grey's seemed more like itself this week. Thanks for giving us the window into the writer's thoughts so we can connect the pieces better.

[Tess]

This might sound random, but I want Izzie and Alex back together. Could you put in a good word with Shonda for next season? :) Thanks!

[mdc]

Well done!!!. I love this episode. Ellen rocks. She rocked this episode. I have watched her scene three times.
Meredith is my favorite character. There are a lot of people like her in real-life and not on television (Thanks Shonda).

Meredith and the chief were having a father-daughter moment instead of a boss and subordinate moment.

The chief gave Meredith exactly want she needed- a parent that she could lean on. That what has been missing in her life. That what she longs for-even though she wouldnt admit it.
I felt so bad for Derek. I did not like his reason for not having a drink with bar HUSSY. What is he trying to prove?
He does not want to breathe for Meredith but he is sad when she does not run into his arm. He needs to get a clue. That not who Meredith is.
Derek need to take a lesson from Susan and the chief. When Meredith pushes you away-push back.

P.S
Shonda, in your new show I think Naomi is a stronger character than Addision. I liked it that way.

[Rosa]

Either put Meredith and Derek together or put them apart. Just pick one already and lose the contrived angst of her sister hitting on him in the bar and Derek being all shut out.

[Macy]

I felt so bad for Callie tonight. She wants a baby with George and he is going to hurt her so much...ahhhh so sad! Fabulous episode though.

[Jamie]

Great Episode!

My Poor Addie. Why did you have to throw it in her face that she could not have kids? Everyone popping up preggers, even Adele. WTF? Seriously. Of course, my sweet strong caring Addie held it together for her patients.

The bar scene was the best! I love the attendings interactions. Addison walking in and sitting with the guys priceless. Love the "I am not going to strip." haha.

I Love Kate Walsh. She is the highlight of this show. She will continue to shine on her new show.

Congrats Kate Walsh!!!

Does she always have to look so freakin gorgeous? Sheesh.

[Laura M.]

I love Addison and Callie. That's about it.

Oh yeah, and Bailey.

Isn't Callie a 3rd year, not 5th? What gives?

So Meredith became a mistress, almost blew up, had her dog die, almost died herself, had her mom die, had her fake mom die, got slapped by her dad, and almost failed her medical exam in ONE YEAR "not entirely unlike real life." Sure why not.

Now it makes more sense how Izzie can fall passionately and deeply in love with 3 people in the same time frame.

Remember when Izzie used to have a backbone and didn't spend every episode breaking into sobs. How she was going to defy the flighty model doctor sterotype? What happened?

The Gizzie fiasco has completely ruined George and Izzie for me. It just doesn't seem right for people more akin to siblings to be having creepy, incestous, romantic-chemistry lacking, "true love" thoughts about each other. I've begun to fast-foward through their scenes.

I was thrilled when Izzie seemed to haven given George up and then she had to pull her "woe is me" crying routine.

I love Grey's Anatomy and I have hope that the heart of the show will come back but I don't think I can handle watching much longer. I'm holding out to about the 2nd episode of season 4 and if nothing is better I'm officially done.

[notreadytoleapyet]

Jeez can't mer catch a break just once?!? do you WANT her to keep being suicidal?

If you people expect me to sit through another season of mer/der non-relationship, you can kiss this formerly loyal viewer goodbye.

Fun = Happy. This season? NOT happy.

George/Izzie makes me want to poke my eyes out. Please, ya'll, make it stop!!!

Addison and I are BFFs. I hope she doesn't leave SGH because she and Alex are pretty much all I have left to care about.

[Janice]

Meredith and Derek's relationship are the heart and soul of this show and you're putting a astake through the heart. No they don't have to be Happy, bright and shiney 24/7 but can they get a fighting chance? Can Derek be allowed to prove his love. Can Crisitina disappear and let Mer/Der be together without her interference? Let Mer/Der grow together. Let Derek be the knight in shining what ever and let him show up!!!!!!

[TA]

What did Meredith ever do to you? Or Patrick Dempsey for that matter. What a way to drag his character through the mud. Her friends are persistent. That is why they get through to her. Derek doesn't even try to break through Mer's wall. And now mystery bar girl shows up that I'm sure will end up being Mer's... ok I won't say it. I don't want to give you any ideas. Cut Mer some slack. Sure crappy things happen to people all the time, but this is over board. You say the finale will be shattering and emotional. I just hope I don't end up shattering my TV screen after I throw my remote at it.

[Miks]

P.S., thanks for the blog. all the opinions about storylines don't matter to me so much as the writer's comments. whether you love or hate a character's story it is impossible to hate it to much because it's too realistic. we all know someone exactly like every character that has made the same decisions, whether right or wrong, selfish, selfless,immature...etc. I continue to be amazed at the quality. Hopefully Season 4 will continue in the same vein!

[KWisHOT]

I would have died happy seeing Kate Walsh strip on TV. Addison so should have done a strip tease for Burke. Kate Walsh is so Hot!

[Katie]

So this is why I haven't seen a Young Avengers issue in a while, eh?

Fair enough.

I have to agree with the poster above: if Bailey doesn't make Chief Resident, all y'all are dead to me. Just so you know.

Also, nice to see Izzie get over herself and put George's career ahead of her feelings. As much as I love the character, Dr. Stevens of the Perpetual Suffering was getting to be a drag.

[marty118]

"As usual, however, the professional challenges the doctors face are nothing compared to their personal ones."
This statement is exactly what's wrong with Grey's. In Season 1, it was work that was overwhelming (as it should be--being a doctor is). Love was the good stuff. Yes, there was the Ellis story line which was difficult. But most of the time, love was what lightened the load, waht made the rest of it bearable.
I said I wouldn't watch this week. I didn't--just read recaps and blogs. I won't watch next week either. This kind of pain, over and over and over again, is not the reason I liked Grey's.
Now ask me if you should be worried.

[Amie]

McDreamy is anything but that. I agree with the above post, once again he's running away. If you don't act and think like McAss then forget it, he moves on. Put Mer with Alex or McSteamy, the 2 men who seem to be the least romantic actually understand Mer.

And excatly how does Mer recover from all this crap that happens to her? You've killed any family she may have had, you've destroyed any happiness. It's a little too depressing to watch anymore.

[R]

Great blog, and great episode overall Allan. You have now penned two of the better episodes of season 3 (not that that is a great feat). However, at the moment, I feel like the writers are coasting on the exceptional acting and chemistry of the cast, without which the inconsistent and weak dialogue and storytelling would fall completely flat. Cudos especially to Ellen Pompeo who has consistently performed even with the seemingly endless horrific plot contrivances that have plagued her character all season. Especially loved her moving scene with James Pickens this evening.

But, without better writing this show is quickly becoming over the top soap opera drama. The Mer/Der storyline is playing out as a plot contrivance due to its inconsistent and sparse treatment. I realize you are writing to have some explosive interaction in the finale, but I hope that for next season you take your jobs as writers of the top drama more seriously. When tiptoeing around depression and post traumatice stress and abandonment issues, I expect more full and consistent treatment from a show of the caliber that Grey's could once claim to be. At the moment it is difficult to sympathize at all with Derek and his actions, even though I can see what you are trying to achieve and where you are trying to take the character. I can't imagine your plan was to make him appear as the complete antithesis of his "McDreamy" moniker, but sadly this is what comes across onscreen when writing is not consistent and finely tuned.

I am no longer as aprehensive for the finale after tonight's showing (I also am pleased that Tony and Joan are helming - the writers of one of the other better season 3 episodes). However, in your planning for season 4, I hope you re-watch season 1 and season 2 and aim to recapture their feel while continuing the progression and evolution of the characters and stories necessary at this point in the show. Less family members as patients, less death, and please less kicking Mer. An infusion of fun and humour is something this show has become desperately in need of.

[Nicole]

Seriously, I am so sick of Izzie and George. Besides, Callie as an actress and a character deserves a much better plot line than being the suspecting, sometimes jealous wife. This show used to be witty and edgy, now it's just like the O.C. with the same old predictable plots and outcomes. Please come up with something fresh or you are going to end up on the SOAP network...oh wait, Grey's is already on Lifetime...SAME THING!

[Celeste.]

Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.Fix Meredith and Derek.

Talk about depressing. Geeze it gets worse each week.

What happened to the fun this show used to have? Working on cases, the normal banter and relationships.

I dunno, people actually HAPPY and flirty?

MerDer had the best chemistry out of anyone and they've been reduced to what ever they are now. Nothing, I suppose. She acts like she doesn't even like him and he is just assy.

Alex and Izzy were great together and they were thrown aside first for that abismal Denny story and now she's in love with George?

So within ONE YEAR Izzy went from dating Alex, engaged and in love with Denny, to now in love with George?

Come on. Get your act together Grey's. There's a reason why every single review you get now is negative.

Do you even know when last you got a positive review?

[Abby]

I should just seriously fast forward to the Addison parts. She is only one i can stand anymore. I love her. Can not wait til the spin-off.

[kryss]

First, thanks for posting this so soon after the episode... you know we wait for it!

That said, I'm really over a few things;

1. Poor Meredith mode. I'm at the point where I hope I never have her as a doc since she seems to always get another chance. I get it, she's got a lot going on, but everyone else manages to pull together and not whine but her.

2. Bailey getting very little screen time. She's probably the best actor there and she's so seldom seen!

3. George and Izzy's looks of knowing what no one else does. We get it, they have a secret.

With that off my chest, I hope Burke doesn't leave Cristina at the alter after he sees her, she'd never recover. I hope Sloane and Callie fall in love so she can be happy while George is with Izzy (because I love all 3). I hope Alex and "Ava" stay friends and he continues to show his decent side. I hope Addison somehow ends up adopting, it'd be great to see her talk parenting with Bailey and see how many of the Mc's step up to offer help. I hope Meredith shows some backbone and Cristina continues to soften.

Lastly, I hope it's not too long before we get our Grey's back on television... next season seems very far away. (and if you can't fast forward the world till next season begins, just put Denny on during Grey's timeslot. He can read the phone book for all I care, just put him on!)

[Matt]

Addison stripping! Seriously. Why did you not show her stripping?

[Liz]

Great blog.

Good show, seemed more Grey's like than late. Very sad all around but I'm used to that now.

Kicking Meredith over and over again is really really old.

Derek and Meredith's, are they going to break up or not is really old.

George and Izzy are just gross.

[sara]

for the most part it almost felt like the old greys again!

i just hope to GOD that there is not another meredith and derek love triangle to deal with again for the third time. just make them happy. for once. please.

[Tessa]

So it was just about the chase wasn't it? Now that Derek has Meredith and she actually needs him, he is done fighting for her? You had a gold mine right in front of you and you ruined it. For what? Dramatic effect?

[Nequi]

Can you get Meredith and Derek off of their collective assets and have them both fight for this relationship. They're soulmates, truelove and magic so bring it back. Yes they have to face those bumps in the road but let them actually face them.

[Jennifer]

Allan, thank you for writing such an in-depth and informative blog post; it would be nice to have those more often around here. I am in no way blaming you for the storylines that Shonda set her mind on long before you set pen to ink.

But...come ON. Yes, terrible things happen. However, losing your two mothers, losing your dog, losing your (married) boyfriend, losing your relationship with your father, losing (temporarily) a friendship with a good friend, having multiple surgeries, almost blowing up, and dying and coming back to life do NOT happen - especially in less than a year.

Shonda needs an intervention. Someone over there needs to force her to see what is wrong with this show now.

No matter how flawed these characters where or how much I disagreed with their actions, I liked them and I empathized with them in seasons 1 and 2. You have lost that this season - the humanity, the characters - in favor of cheap stunts and cheaper storylines. I hate Izzie. I hate George. I hate Derek. These characters are central to this show and you have ruined them. The only characters I am left liking are ones you feel the need to continually kick while they're already down: Meredith, Addison, Callie - how much more are you going to abuse them?

I kept hoping that it would turn around, but Shonda seems to not care about her viewers like they care about this show. She doesn't seem to care that critics and fans alike are unhappy with the way she is treating the people we loved. Her post last week showed how cowardly she has been about how this show has been run all year. She knows people believe there are issues, but she chooses not to address them. We want to know that you are going to bring this show back to where it was before this season. We want to know that you are listening and that things will change. Ratings can only hold on so long when there is no love anymore, Shonda. Please fix this, or you will lose (another) viewer next season.

[rachel]

i understand why meredith felt all dark and twisty and abnormal in relationships... i think she represents something in every girl/woman.. where they feel insecure and they can't let people in. It's like a secret world they belong to, by themselves and no matter how close people get to you, they can only stand outstand of the castle. They're used to being alone. So if derek is waiting for her at the end of the day, outside the castle, then great; if not, she'll be hurt and she'll tell herself, he's like all the others: family who hurt family since she probably sees him as much as part of her family group that can kick in the stomach when they fail her when she seeks out affection.

poor mer.. i feel for her. but please stop torturing her.. make her human, dont make her tragic...

[s.cali]

I forgot! No one is mentioning the Chief! You have to keep James Pickens Jr. on as the Chief! NO NEW CHIEF OF SURGERY!!

[Janira]

S1= Derek had to choose.
S2= Meredith had to choose
S3= Let them choose each other and win.

[Kate]

I really hope that the finale puts Mer/Der going in a positive drection! They really are the heart and soul of this show and have by far the best chemistry on tv! Another season of fighting and angst just doesn't sound appealing in the slightest. I know every relationship has its ups and downs, but let's get back to this "all consuming love" we hear so much about! On the other hand, all of the drama of this season has really given Ellen a chance to show what an amazingly talented actress she is! If she doesn't walk away with the Emmy, then the voters just haven't been paying attention! :)

[Carly]

Good depressed episode. Anything I guess is better than last week when we got barely nothing.

I'm so tired of the Meredith pity party. She used to be a fun character to watch, she used to be funny, she used to be great with Derek, she used to actually WORK and do good surgeries.

Have Meredith and Derek fix their problems by her actually learning to communicate or just end them for good. Just get off the see-saw.

Derek's a far more patient person than me to keep putting up with her crap this season starting with her trying to kill herself.

I used to love and adore them, I felt their pain all through season 2. I couldn't wait for season 3 to watch them come back together and now after this season. I'm just numb. Indifferent and not caring. I feel cheated and jilted. I feel the characters I fell in love with are missing and not there at all. In fact I just want this season over and done with already so I can pretend it never happened.

Season four better have some turn around back to the old Grey's format. The characters we fell in love with and the connections between them and them actually WORKING.

If Season four is anything like this one? I won't be signing up for another year of that.

[Toni Mac]

WHAT is with the Gizzie hate? Is it the new cause dujour? Back off, haters. :P

[Shay]

Merideth and the Chief's scene tonight was beautiful thank you so much!
George and Izzie have turned into very ugly characters however. They are not believable as lovers and are so much more fun to watch as friends only. I felt really bad for Callie this episode, I really hope she has some dignity left after this!

[nigella]

I just really *need* for you to not completely kill Callie's character. Please don't sacrifice the wonderful character you've built up, just to encourage the most contrived couple (Gizzie) to ever hit television screens.

I will heartbroken to have to watch Callie eat her words and love her husband to Izzie. Please at least give her a chance to really stand up for herself. As the strong woman you have put so much effort into showing us she is, let her showcase that aspect of her personality.

Also... George and Izzie finally getting some sort of bad karma wouldn't make me sad... I would actually REALLY like it!

George doesn't deserve his wonderful wife at this point... I'm fine with George and Callie no longer being a couple, just don't get rid of Callie.

[iris]

S1= Derek had to choose.
S2= Meredith had to choose
S3= Let them choose each other and win.

Posted by: Janira | May 10, 2007 at 11:28 PM

This deserves another posting.

[DJ]

I'm pissed off at Meredith. What more does Derek have to do to get her to talk to him?

She wants him but she doesn't want to talk to him? She pushes him away she ignores him, she hurts him all when all he's trying to do is be there for her.

He loves her so much and she doesn't even see that.

Just break them up, have him dump her cause she doesn't deserve him. She deserves to be alone forever, that's what she wants anyway.

[mad]

Meredith needs to grow up if she wants to be in a relationship.

let go of the tequila
let go of saying she's fine
let go of hiding behind her friends.

go and talk to the man you claim to love. he jumped into the ocean to save her sucidal life and this is how she thanks him? acting like he's nothing to her?

they used to be everything to each other and now it just hurts to see what you've done to them. to see if they'll ever even be able to fix this.

i have no hope in this show anymore.

[Victoria]

Ok. I really have nothing bad to say about this episode. In fact, after the horror that was last week's episode, this is fabulous. I'm just thoroughly excited that for now, Addie is back at Seattle Grace, and all is right with my world for the time being. Until ABC announces the fall line up next week anyway. Overall, it really was a good episode. I felt so bad for Mer. Which was surprising for me, cuz I'm really not a Mer fan at all. And I'm so so glad that I'm not the only one who was staring at my TV screen in horror thinking that McBarSlut is soooooooo Mer's sister Lexi who's in med school. Which now that I think about it more, (and know that there are others out there who think she's Mer's sister) is making me really excited about the season finale. Well, at least as excited as one can be about the fact that one's favorite show is about to go off the air for the whole summer. I'm looking so forward to season 4. Seriously.

[Lorena A.]

Great blog and great episode.

that said, OMG, i cried almost the whole time. shonda said last week that she understands that when she messes with the caharacters, she's messing with our best friends. i'm glad that you guys recognize this b/c when you mess with Meredith, you are so messing with me. i think every week i go on and on and on about what a great actress Ellen Pompeo is, and tonight's episode she cemented it. SERIOUSLY this girl needs every freaking award there is. she was absolutely heart breaking. the scene where thatcher basically rips Merediht apart. i was crying, big fat ass tears. i mean, the look of hur in EP's eyes was just wow. and when she broke down in richards arms, wow, it was waterworks galore. there is a basic equation that explains my feelings throughout an episode: whatever EP portrays as Meredith is exactly what i feel. Mer cries = Lo cries; if Mer is happy, i'm happy, so can you please let Mer be happy now so that i don't feel like killing myself? please let her and derek be happy

i was soooo worried about her freezing in her test, so thank you for letting her have a second chance.

i hate that she pushed derek away. i understand it completely. but i hate it even more that he let himself be pushed away. can i just say thank you for making derek NOT cheat on Mer. and can the barslut just disappear? i do not want lexie coming to SGH and hitting on Mer's man. leave that for the fics. i just really want my Mer/Der to be happy. i love their flirtateousness and the fact that they look at each other like they're ready to jump each other at any given moment. like flowerbudd said, i live vicariously through them. please don't kill my fantasy

i hate gizzie as a couple. it just makes me sick. i feel so awful for Callie. Sara Ramirez is afantastic actress and i'd hate to see her leave.

Alex was great once again. i freaking love him. JC is awesome.

i want to comment more but i'm falling asleep

basically, i can't wait til next thursday even though it'll be bittersweet bc that means a LONG ASS summer awaits us *sighs*

[denise]

i love that you've put george and izzie together as a couple i've wanted that since season 1 they're the only charactrs i have an emotional connection too and don't listen to the haters ther's plenty of us out there. i think there would be more people on their side if it wasn't adultorous though

[A]

Definitely a darker episode, but it's always great to see the interns looking out for each other. That loyalty and the sometimes fraught group dynamic may be even more interesting to me than the romantic relationships on the show. Although...

George/Izzie. LOVE that storyline. It's really compelling on a character level, and the chemistry is fantastic. More of that, please; they're amazing together.

[tanya]

im psyched for IZZIE and GEORGE!!!!!!! cant wait for next week's episode

[Jess]

Well...I will admit tonight was a little bit more "Grey's"-like. It's still not up to the old standards of season 1 and 2, but we're getting there.

The reason I started watching Greys in the first place is because there are no good shows left on TV. I mean, seriously, all that's left out there in TV Land are reality shows. Grey's was the one that stuck out. The one that had really really good actors, really really good plots, really really good music, and really really good drama/comedy! Now, I feel like I am not only watching a train wreck, but a bad soap opera. Bring back the old stuff...at least bring back a little more than angst from all these people. They deserve a little break and a little happiness.

I understand that bad things happen to good people. Believe me, I do. But let's give it a rest. It seems like when Meredith is down you guys find some sick joy in kicking her. Couldnt you just bend down and help her up?

Addison...ah...Addison. Tonight only reaffirmed why she is my favorite. That whole bit of not being pregnant but EVERYONE else around is HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE! It sucks. It is a constant reminder of your inability to conceive...and it blows...but it's life and I applaud you for showing that side of her story...for showing her strong again!!! Please keep her strength! I miss the devil in heels that she was.

Shonda, if you're reading this (and it would really do you some good to read all these comments), I am still on the fence as to whether or not I am going to leap with you. You have taken away the ONE good show left on TV...if you bring it back, I'll leap. If not...then you've lost me and I will just curl up on the couch with my seasons 1 and 2 of Greys and 1-10 of Friends and call it a night.

Adele pregnant? SERIOUSLY? I thought that was one of the 'THAT CAN'T BE TRUE!' spoilers from the NE. Poor barren Addie treating a 52+ year old pregnant woman.

Addison steals the show, once again. She's the only character I can stand anymore, I'm glad there's only one more episode of this season left. It sucks.

[carrie]

IZZIE + GEORGE is love. hands down to shonda & co for bringing them together. pls dnt mind others who keeps on ranting abt them. you should knw that there are alot who loves them together.

[Chantal]

Hi Allan,

You are a great blog writer.
Okay, Derek remains true to Meredith, but for how long have you planned him to stay true to her? Obvious the girl in the bar is Mer’s half-sister, having a bad day after burying her mother and Mer’s step-mother. But it seems you writers want Derek to fail her, and if you let this happen you will fail us, your loyal fans. We have watched everything, we’ve been there, too. Like Derek. We’re not sure if we can keep worrying and hovering. If you do break up Mer & Der, I can’t anymore, that’s sure. And it would be sorry since I’ve enjoyed Grey’s Anatomy so much. Oh well, read the almost 2000 comments on the previous episode and you will know how we all feel. That is, if you care to know. I don’t know if you do anymore… It seems you just write what you feel like, despite what we say.  I have a little hope though, that this girl in the bar is indeed Mer’s half-sister and that you wouldn’t go that far as to let Der and Mer’s half-sister become an item together. But hey, you hooked up George & Izzie, so who knows…
You say “You do the best you can and try to learn from your mistakes” – I sincerely hope you will, because breaking up Mer & Der would be a huge mistake. You will lose us, your audience. I can write another passionate story about why you shouldn’t break them up or mess with them and Mer anymore, but I think everybody here is trying to say the same you I really hope you’re getting the message. As for me, I’m exhausted. Too tired to think about it some more, or spend my breath talking about it. I will watch the finale, and season 4 if Mer/Der aren’t split up, but If they do, I’m out.

Besides that, I liked Addi and Callie. Also liked Mark & Addi, I still hope they will become a couple, but that’s not going to happen is my guess. That would be entertaining and fun, something we need here at SGH. Liked Bailey like I always do. My bet is that she will be Chief Resident since she’s a major character, more important than Callie. Other bets: Other bets: You will let either Burke or Cristina call off the wedding. Derek will be Chief or Surgery. And Mer’s half-sister will become an intern at SGH, of course that’s going to happen. And then you will mess with Derek, I suppose? Please try something else… Life is hard enough without watching so much pain and suffering “for pleasure”. It’s not fun, it’s not entertaining, and that I won’t watch. It’s too hard. Please restore our faith in Grey’s Anatomy! Please don’t shut US out…!

[JJ]

Really good episode! The drunk dad scene was sad but fantastic acting all around! I literally had to close my eyes during the scene where Callie finds the letter from Mercy West. Team Gizzie! Her wanting a baby is a desperate attempt to keep George...I hope he's sterile for his own sake! lol! I knew it was Adele on the floor in the preview - I hope they get back together, he retires and Bailey becomes Chief.

[Sun2shine]

Thank You. This was by far the best episode of Season 3. It was so full of energy, so eventful, so rich. Thank You!

[yuri]

IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE
IZZIE AND GEORGE

are meant to be together....

[Nik]

She no longer needs him to "breathee" for her anymore

I love whoever posted that,it's so true.

I was all ready to hate Derek tonight for flirting with Mer's sister (god I wish that werent true) but then I felt bad for him, he seemed to really try to be there for her and she kept pushing him away, which goes back to my first line, he said he didnt want to breathe for her, so now she's breathing on her own. The lack of communication between them is heartwrenching and I have a feeling thier relationship is only going to get worse.

The fact that he rubs it in her face that he met someone (all of 2 minutes by the way) shows that they both needs to grow up. This roller coaster ride we are on with them is making me sick and I am ready to get off. I want our hot couple back.

Honestly, I don't know how much more I can take of these depressing episodes.

EP has really shone with season, seriously Emmy worthy performances. I don't know how she does it..play such a depressing part.

I know you like to "kick Meredith and then kick her again" but c'mon enough is enough. Just stick with the basics, if you have any questions, go back to the heart of Greys, Season 1.

All in all, I was suprisingly happy with tonights episode, espeically that Derek didnt cheat. I love how Mer's friends and the Chief didnt give up on her, you'd think Derek would follow their lead as well.

Thank you SO much for the insightful, informative blog, best one yet.

I was not going to take that leap with Shonda.. now.. I have one toe in the water.. if things end badly with Mer/Der.. I'm backing up and not taking the leap. There's only so much you can take, and we have taken leaps and bounds for you.

For once, just listen to the fans, it is after all going to reflect the ratings.

[Naomi]

Don't listen to all the hate.

I LOVE GIZZIE and SO do a lot of other people! It's the biggest pairing community on livejournal and the most active and popular thread on fanforum next to merder!!

[Emily]

How can Izzie be so blase about Denny? I mean, in Grey's time, it's been, like, 5 minutes since he died. Izzie can't really be in love with George this soon--isn't he just a stop gap, like Alex in the closet in The End of the World? I don't see how you can have that awesome shoulder-to-shoulder shot with Denny and Izzie and then have Gizzie in the same season. Ick!

[Lila]

George and Izzie- Ew. I really don't like them they are annoying to me

However I would love to see MerDer and Burketina happy, and in a perfect world, Alex with Izzie and Addison with McSteamy!

[Rob]

Great episode - much better than the spin off fest last week which really got in the way for me.

Some of these comments really frustrate me. The ridiculous comments about Izzie - as if she has really done anything worse than any of the other characters...

Why is she vilified when it seems perfectly acceptable for everyone else to sleep around or be involved in adulterous relationships.

The person at fault here is George - he is the married person - not Izzie. It takes two to tango.

Personally I have really enjoyed the George / Izzie relationship - though I still dont know if I think they should just be friends...I never originally saw them as lovers..but the acting has been so fantastic I am starting to believe.

Of course we are all sympathetic to Callie's character - she is the victim here - but I also think to some degree she already knew that George was not ready for marriage when she agreed to his proposal. His father had just died, he was in an emotional state - she should have put her own selfish interests aside at least until he could make a decision with a clear head.

Keep up the great work - can't wait for the finale.

[Robin]

Wow - great TV! I do not have any idea why all these folks are complaining about this season. I think it's been brilliant - new, fresh, exciting & completely unpredictable. I tune in with no expectations every week - ready to see what you writers have in store for us. I see a lot of people complaining about this or that or what they wish were happening...but I simply enjoy the ride. Keep up the outstanding work - I'll be back with you for Season 4!
Excellent blog, by the way

[Mel]

Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
Get rid of Gizzie
I think that explains it!

Is it too late to hope the wedding doesn't happen in the season finale, and gets carried to the beginning of next season?? It just seems so out of place with all of the last minute developments of this episode! Oh and thanks for all the Addison comic relief it was grand, we need more of that.

There's that one scene where Meredith's father enters and