Krista Vernoff on "Haunt You Every Day"...

First things first. Blogging about episode number 5 when you are currently spending long days in the writers’ room working on episode 12? This kind of thing was MUCH easier before I had a baby. Yes, since we last spoke my beautiful daughter Cosette was born – and with her arrival went the vast majority of my brain cells. Seriously, it’s craaaazy how dumb I am. Can’t. Remember. Crap. I currently have my lovely and talented assistant, Star, running around the building looking for a dvd of “Haunt You Everyday” so I can remember what the hell it’s about. I vaguely remember something about Halloween. So that’s what I’ll talk about.

Halloween has long been a favorite holiday of my family. We are a highly delusional people, and any opportunity to pretend to be someone else, we seize upon with glee. Every year, my Dad, until he died at 56, would spend like, 4 hours in the bathroom putting on this unbelievable costume. He would dress as one of the monsters from the Time Machine. What were they called?? Warlock? …Morlock! I think it was morlock! God, I wish I was kidding about my memory. Anyway, he was big on the holiday. I, myself, remember being chastised by a neighbor lady when, at age 13, I was dressed up like a kitty/bunny/rodent type creature, ringing doorbells and trick or treating. She told me I was too old for this sort of thing and I STILL remember my devastation, cause truth be told, that hadn’t even occurred to me. I loooove Halloween (and you can’t believe how excited I am to dress my 7 month old in a monkey costume and carry her around the neighborhood – no one can tell me I’m too old for that!!) I’m ranting, as usual, but my point is…Meredith. That moment where she tells Mark that Ellis never got Halloween together and didn’t approve of knocking on doors, begging for food… That moment explains so so so much to me about our lovely, broken Meredith. That her first experience trick or treating is taking an earless boy around the hospital to make his pro-bono surgery happen… I find it utterly heartbreaking. And I love that Mark points out to her that she fell pretty far from the Ellis tree. I think it was critically important to Meredith to hear those words, because the haunting Meredith is feeling, is the fear that she will die alone like her Mom did. Because Derek said he might find someone else before she’s ready. And she doesn’t know how to get ready. Cause she’s an emotional cripple who’s unwilling or unable to lay her ass down on a therapist’s couch for the many years it takes to work through issues like she has. Meredith’s version of therapy – her very best idea – is to bring her mom’s ashes to work. Y’know, in a strange way it makes sense – like, she understands that she’s been sticking her mom in the back of her closet, literally and metaphorically – and that if she doesn’t start to look at this stuff (i.e.: herself) she’s in danger of dying alone (i.e.; losing Derek forever.) Life is hard isn’t it? But I love and applaud Meredith’s ongoing willingness to try – as she explains to Derek when his hands are covered in mommy dust and he’s looking at her like maybe, just maybe he should escort her up to the psych ward, “This is me trying.” See, Derek comes from sanity, and a Mom who probably made him homemade Halloween costumes every year and chaperoned the school dances and things – so it’s hard for him to get, exactly how haunted Meredith is. Richard, though, gets it. Because Ellis haunts him, too. And my favorite scene, maybe ever, is the one in which Richard and Meredith put Ellis to rest in a surgical sink. I hope, I hope, I hope you all got this. I hope so much that no one found this disrespectful. (My Dad, for the record, has been laid to rest in something like 28 different countries. He had always wanted to travel, and never got to much, so after he died, my stepmom put his ashes in many little baggies and gave them out to all his friends with the directive that when they went somewhere cool, they should bring him. I kid you not. I myself scattered him in the Bahamas, in Paris and in Scotland.) Point is, there is nowhere Ellis would rather be put to rest than in the scrubroom at Seattle Grace. This is absolutely the most respectful and appropriate thing Meredith could have done. And Ellis was a very private woman, so the intimate ceremony, her daughter and the man who loved her most, was all she would have wanted. There are more things in this episode, I know there are, but I loaned my dvd to the new writer and my assistant isn’t back yet and my brain isn’t functioning and I’m needed in the writers’ room, so I will say goodbye here and wish you all a very happy Halloween. May no one ever tell you you are too old to knock on doors and beg for food.

Xoxo, Krista

Comments

[Neela]

Ha, I wonder what the Alex is so great and better than izzie camp is saying now. He screwed a married mother, and he didn't even let her talk, just jumped on her. Gizzie at least were drunk and it was obvious they were in love the way they were smiling at ecah other and touchin ecah other.

Alex doesn't seem to know anything other than screweing, same thing with Izzie, no feelings there, no tenderness, he should take some lessons from George in that, which is why George gets the girls to fall for him and Alex doesn't

I sow ant Izzie or anyone to call him an hypocrit for his disgusting behavior last week and his comments on george

[Lina]

Thank you for the beautiful george and Izzie scene at the end, will easily go in my top 10 favorite Grey moments ever. I swear one look between them is hotter than Ava and Alex or any couple mauling each other.

TR and katherine and Gizzie rock my world!

[Ann]

Meredith was amazing this episode. Her first trick or treating, her with Mark and the scene with the cheif.

Derek not so much. If she is not working him waiting for then get her someone better who think she is.

[Christina]

I love george and izzie, they are so cute together. keep those gizzie scenes coming, I love it.

[Lia]

GEORGE AND IZZIE ARE AWESONE, GEORGE AND IZZIE ARE LOVE, GEORGE AND IZZIE TOTALLY ROCK THE UNIVERSE!

[Betty]

You know I really love Alex and Ava, but how much of an hypocrit does Alex look like now?

george and Izzie were the highlight for me, well they always were, but I was disappointed lastw eek by their lack of scenes and you so made up for it.

I am glad Bailey, the one married person in the group, understood there were two sides to the story and told George that. I really love the Bailey and Gorge relationship and could not have taken her being mad at him.

And Callie? I had sympathy last week but it evaporated really fast when she outed izzie like that, she has no class or professionalism, and when I learned she married george a week after his dad died. How do you do that to someone you love?

I don,.t see Izzie ever doing that to him.

How dare Cristina judge them? You are making me hate ehr and Alex this season.

I loved Mer and I think she deserves better than Derek

And george and Izzie, they own me heart and soul

[marlena]

I don,t get how anyone cannot love george and Izzie because to me they are the most beautiful couple in the world. They make me smile like no other. I love how they smile at each other, I have never seen them do that with anyone.

I am so glad you are going on with them because if you didn,t, you would have broke my heart intio a million tiny pieces

[Marcy]

Gotta give you props for a great, fun episode al the way around. Loved Meredith tonight.

I do wish your blog had explained more about the opening dream sequence. Maybe there is nothing more to read into this than that. But, as a new mom, I get the mommy brain problem so I forgive you.

I totally agree about therapy. Let's get Mer to a shrink ASAP. But, Der needs it too. Let's not kid ourselves. He may have had a more normal upbringing, but the guy has issues.

I know you've got a new love interest planned for Derek and you are going to take us on a possibly very painful ride with that. Okay, but make it short. Somehow, I think you will, but who knows.

[Gwen]

There were so many great things about this episode--Meredith trick or treating for ears, Derek paying the little boy to call Mark Daddy, the Nurses United Against Dr. Sloan club, the cheif and Meredith washing the ashes down the drain, Lexie's cat story, Cristina and Callie laughing together over their ruined romances...all classic Grey's.

But I just can't stand Gizzie and Avalex. I miss Alex and Izzie. Can we please get rid of Ava? I thought Alex would be better than sleeping with a married woman. Why is adulturey handled so lightly on this show? Even Bailey is condoning it now. Ugh.

[Darla]

mark and Derek is fast becoming one of my favorite things on the show (after Gizzie), they are so much better than mer and Derek.

Don,t get me wrong, I adore mer and Derek separetly.

Meredith is amazing and I loved her standing up for her friends and helping the little boy. Ellen Pompeo is amazing.

But Derek brings her down and same with him.

Alex and Ava, why is he judging Izzie when he is sleeping with a married woman who had a baby and he is sober too?

Gizzie fell in love but it took alcohol for them to act on their feelings. I guess they are better people.

I love the Bailey and george's relationship SO much

I love his friendship with Lexie.

I love him and Izzie together, they actually make me weep for joy sometimes they are so amazing.

That scene at the end, wow, wow, wow

Please never end them or ruin them, they are too special

[Katie]

GEORGE AND IZZIE FOREVER!

[Stephanie S]

First things first, congrats on the baby :)

WOW! I don't even have a favorite episode anymore..I give up, lol. They just get better and better.

Meredith, I am so freaking proud of her *beams* Ellen Pompeo rocked this episode!!
Loved the scene with Derek and Mer, that was priceless, lol. It was strange but it was just soooo Meredith, lol. Also the gorgous scene with her and the Cheif. Just broke my heart and I cried for all three of them. Also the beginning, I am OCDing about that scene, lol.

Whats it mean...ugh I can't stop it. But I LOVE IT!!!! This is why I love this show...makes me feel so many things *grins* Granted the anxiety could be lessend about my MerDer ship *wink wink nudge nudge* lol.

I do have to state that I am not for Derek dating, only Meredith...the thought of Derek dating or even liking someone enough makes me sick to my stomach and my head hurt :(

Speaking of priceless, "Daddy"? Oh My Gosh, LOL. Eric Dane nailed that look he had on his face! Also props to Patrick Dempsey who was hysterical with Sydney lol. I loved those scens and that Meredith asked the boy if Sydney was pretty. I do have to say that when she asked about sheep herding, I got a mental picture of Derek herding sheep!!! LOL...not a bad image. Love their friendship and I am glad that they are there for each other. Their buds :)

I love the return of Ava/Rebecca. I think there is alot to explore and I love the TV Guide with them on the cover, saw it and had to have it. I loved the scene with Norman and Alex, I was glad he was there when Norman woke up in surgery. I also freakin love Norman...he really is a great intern *smiles* I hope he sticks around though (even though he is leaving for another dept). I will miss him if he leaves..dang I am already attached, lol.

The rest? Just amazing. Loved Izzie and Cristina in the stairweell, thank you for Dr Hahn, the boy with no ears (one of my favorite patients) he and Meredith trick or treating was made more special with the knowledge that she never did that growing up. Callie and Cris laughing in the OR...that was hilarious. Shocked about Cheif and Adele :( I was hoping they would make it work. Loved Bailey and felt so bad that her husband doesn't understand. I hope they can make it work. Love Lexie and the story of the dead cat, lol. I am really enjoying Lexie and Meredith becomming friends and along the way sisters.

And last but not least Gizzie....I like them and I think tonight I saw the love story there :) Looking forward to where it goes.

Loved it and I can't wait for next week. Thank you for a wonderful start to Season 4. I am looking forward to the road ahead and only see great things for not only the show but for us fans.

Happy Halloween!!!!

[Lorna]

LOL at the Katie comment, Ava is horrible, so this is all her fault and Alex shares no blame? he is the disgusting cad who sleeps with a former patient after judging george and Izzie for falling in love and sleeping together ONCE while drunk. Ava actually wanted to talk but the pig was having none of it.

But you know I don't give a crap about Alex as long as he stays away from my george and Izzie

[Larena]

i was watching with my mom tonight and we were just about to complain about the lack of Gizzie 9they are the only couple we love in common) when this scene happened at the end and it was the God-most beautiful loving scene I have ever seen.

The way they beam at each other, wow, those two seriously make me believe in true love.

I want what they have so badly.

[Riana]

Oh yay Gizzie loving next wek, how hot are those two? But then a lot of couples are hot in this show, those two are so much more than hot. Not sure how to descibe it but they have this really special IT about them thats ets them so far apart from all the other couples on this show.

Please mroe of them! i could watch them for hours!

[Danny``]

Loved the show tonight, but every time I see a episode minus some GREAT Mer/Der I walk away a bit empty...

[Layla]

Well, I hope you post this as you never post any of my comments before.

Just want to say a HUGE thank you for the wonderful scene at the end with george and Izzie, I haven,t stop smiling for two hours now.

They have such chemistry and love..

I really pray they make it through all the days together

Alex and ava were gross though, why the constant camera on her ring, so we are reminded of what an huypocrit Alex was last week?

I already did!

[Mona]

More mark and Derek

Much more george and Izzie

End Meredith and Derek, we all are tired of them

Bring on a new girl for Derek and a new guy for Mer

And yes, GIZZIE RULES!

[Carrie]

Please never end George and Izzie, I love them so much and they get more wonderful every episode.

They are my total obsession.

And please more of Mark and Derek

And I love Lexie, George and Izzie,s friendship

[Alicia]

KRISTA!!!

I love you. I mean, I tell other writers all the time that they're my favourite writers but every single time you write an episode it makes me think that I might possibly be lying to the others. I honestly love you.

And let me just say thanks. A big huge thanks. Grey's is my show. I never ever miss it. But for the past...I don't even know how long, watching it is like some kind of stress test. Which probably is a good sign I'm overly involved but whatever. However...about half way through tonight's episode I realized I was leaning back on my couch, eating my Toblerone bar and actually just enjoying the episode. I didn't feel my heart racing, my head didn't feel all fuzzy, I didn't worry about passing out. I just...enjoyed. Actually I enjoyed immensly. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

So umm...this episode was just amazing. I loved how much Meredith grew in this episode alone. The apple line from Mark, the ashes being flushed away, everything was just perfect with her. I entirely love every bit of it. And honestly, I loved every bit of this episode. Mark and Derek, Cristina and Callie...even Izzie and George.

I would love to put in some critisizm or something, but I've got nothing.

Although I will say...this episode made it abundently clear that Meredith loves Derek desperately. She's terrified of losing him. And Derek is all sad about having to date again. And I fully expect a bumpy road. Apparently Lauren is for Derek and I'm just hoping not seriously, but yes, expecting things to get a little bumpy. But please don't loose this love story. Please let Meredith and Derek figure it out before it's too late. That's all I ask...that's all a lot of fans ask.

Anyway, really really loved this episode.

[mamaloa]

I loved this episode. I love Mark and Derek's frienship and teasing, and I love the idea of Derek having a new love interest. Love,Love, Love it. I liked the friendship that is building between Callie and Christina. Just like what Callie had with Addison. Almost. I still miss Addison, and wish that she were back in this scenario, more for Derek than Mark, but I am willing to see who comes in. I can't wait to see Derek in a real relationship. I also like Merideth and Lexie getting together as sisters. It's something that Meredith really needs, and also she needs Finn. I always love Bailey, no question about that. I think Sydney was cute, and it looks like McDreamy liked her a little bit. How about Dr. Hahn?? I don't know who this Lauren is that's supposed to be coming, or did she already get her? Well, I'll soon find out. Great episode. Now make a Thanksgiving, Christmas one.

[karen in wisconsin]

OH my gosh...I love Grey's even more than before.
I haven't commented this Season due to dealing with my own health..so here goes.

Congratulations on the birth of your Daughter...may she be healthy and bring you years of tears, smiles and love.
My Mom's ashes were taken in a UPS box by my Aunt in OK. to Texas and buried in between my Grandparents. My Brothers ashes...well some came back with me to WI from CA in 2003 and found there way to a couple places where we enjoyed our childhood. Also I have his hair that fell out after his 2nd round of Chemo..Cousin and I will burn it this coming spring and toss it to the wind.
I loved Meredith and the Chief respectfully placing the ashes where they did.
When Meredith says "My Mother didn't believe in anything." That wasn't totally true..Her Mom believed in Science and Medicine so in that respect I found it consoling that Mer & the Chief did what they did. Derek, dating, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Did I say that with enough expression?
Dr. Hahn being back is a good thing. Norman, going into Psych..yep sounds good.
Bailey..oh to think of her having trouble in her marriage...Chief warned her of that happening.
George and Izzie..somehow now it seems like it could be. Alex & Ava/Rebeccah...a bit of trouble with that, seeing as how she is married and where was her baby?
Dr. Sloan..he was on tonight.
Krista you gave me, a Greyfanatic one of the best
Grey's of the Season..
Hopefully all will work out before November 1..I know you all have been working lots.
Again, thanks for sharing your childhood memories. Personally, even as a child I didn't like Halloween, but it was tastefully done tonight.
What else can be said..
Great job.
with kindness your way..
karen
glad to hear your family honored your Dad's wishes..

[dlferriola]

I really liked your episode tonight. It was perfect for halloween with all the blood and guts. The way Mer is trying to move forward and mend herself for Der was touching. I just hope you keep them together because Der saying he has to start dating was not hopeful. We need them to be together because their chemistry rocks. Everyone moved forward tonight which was good. Miranda telling George he should not have gotten married was great and the or scene between Callie and Cristine was priceless. Fabulous episode and the ending was touching between the Chief and Mer. Thank you for the great job.

[Mary]

Loved, loved, loved this episode. It feels like Grey's is really back on track. And I like that Derek and Mark really seem to have reestablished a connection.

[Beautifully written]

Probably the best episode thus far this year with several beautiful poignant scenes & great humor is back!
"Daddy" priceless. Mark saying Derek is looking....funny, but don't like where it's heading. First time, there's just too many things that were good to mention.

The man accepting his daughter's heart, oh my God! Norman believing his Mary Beth wanted him to be near the best surgeons, the little boy telling Meredith about his goldfish; the Lexie Mer moment. Richard & Meredith putting Ellis to rest.

LOVED Meredith tonight. I'm rooting for her, she is trying, and it was heartbreaking to hear her tell Mark how she never went trick or treating, and when he said the apple fell far from the tree. How sad, she cannot hear that from Derek.

Ellen Pompeo was perfect in every scene.

Mer/Der - very disappointing, and for the first time, I'm beginning to think it's time to give up on them, and hence, since I still want to believe love can conquer all, and the love we've been told they share is real, perhaps, it's time to quit while ahead, and not have to witness his involvement in other relationships, which in essence means all he has said about the love of his life, and last week's speech, was as good as the next woman that came along and satisfied his needs.