Mark Wilding on "Let The Truth Sting"...

The truth.  We like to think there’s only one version of it.  Namely, our own.  But then someone else comes along and they insist on giving you their (generally wrongheaded) version of the truth.  The truth is…there’s all sorts of truths.  The varnished truth.  The unvarnished truth.  The naked truth.  Half-truths.  Whole truths.  And what we finally addressed in this episode.  THE PAINFUL TRUTH.  The kind of truth we don’t always want to hear. 

We all have these ideas of ourselves – of how we are – so when somebody else actually weighs in about us, well, it can be a shock.  I’m going to quote the Scottish poet Robert Burns right now because I’ve always wanted to quote him and I couldn’t really figure how to cram this quote into a birthday toast or a Thanksgiving speech or a piece of wisdom I might pass on to my kids – who wouldn’t want to hear it anyway (that’s my painful truth).  Also it might lend this blog a little more class.  “If only God, the gift he gee us/To see ourselves as others see us.”  Yes, even famous Scottish poets wrote about the painful truth.

Anyway, just about everyone at Seattle Grace has to face the painful truth about themselves in this episode.  Bailey when she has to stand in front of Callie and admit that she’s been having trouble with the pecking order of things.  Callie, who is, my God, hiding from the truth because she can’t bear to hear what she just KNOWS is coming.  Okay, she doesn’t know one hundred percent KNOW, KNOW but she suspects and that’s enough to drive her underground – into the Residents Lounge.  Anything to avoid her cheating husband…

How about Lexie and Meredith?  Meredith’s served a painful, unwelcome dollop of the truth when Bailey tells her that she hasn’t said a kind word to her sister since she arrived at Seattle Grace.  And after that fact settles on Meredith, she decides she has to give Lexie the painful truth about her mother.  Meredith has been so cold to Lexie – in Lexie’s mind at least – that it’s even got her to wondering about the level of care that Susan may have received on the last day of her life.  And that scene where Meredith sits down with Lexie and starts to lay out the facts of her mom’s death – where we see Lexie finally getting the painful truth – well, let’s just say it’s one of my favorite scenes in the show.

A couple of my other favorite scenes involve Izzie and Charlie.  Shonda said she wanted Grey’s to go in a happier, lighter direction this year.  And I think this story was the kind of thing she had in mind.  A patient who wants to die, is in fact DETERMINED to die and…it’s funny and kinda heartbreaking.  And here’s a behind the scenes tidbit.  We hired the actor Jack Axelrod to be Old Guy last year.  The idea was that his room would be the place where our interns could occasionally go to study or eat.  We put Jack in a semi-coma so our gang would essentially have their own private lunch room/study hall. 

During the course of last season, we used Jack to lie in the bed and, well…just lie in the bed.  And he closed his eyes and he would shift in bed, make an occasional mouth sound and he was very good at it.  When we decided to wake him up from his year long sleep, we knew Jack was a professional actor, we just weren’t sure how good a professional actor he’d be.  At least I wasn’t.  But, my God, he was a TERRIFIC actor.  I LOVED him sparring with Izzie.  He was funny and ornery and straightforward and yet compassionate as Charlie.  Especially when it came to telling Izzie the painful truth.  That married men will string you along.  That they’re not always in the habit of telling you the truth.  And as much as Izzie didn’t want to hear what Charlie had to say, she came to appreciate him, even seek him out.  He became her friend.  And frankly, Jack was so good in the part that for a brief, fleeting moment, we even thought maybe we should keep him around.  But in the interest of good storytelling, we just couldn’t.  Which really kinda hurt…

Then there’s the subject of their sparring.  George.  Who starts out determined to tell Callie the painful truth about himself and Izzie but his interaction with Connie and her friends – sometimes the truth can be TOO painful – makes him reconsider, then finally dive in and tell Callie that he slept with Izzie.  Wait until you see him deal with the consequences of that next week.  Allan Heinberg wrote a very funny, very moving episode.  So even if you missed this episode, tune in to that one!  It’s great!

Mark and Derek also trade truths with each other.  Mark has to remind Derek about the truth of his relationship with Meredith.  That maybe he’s fooling himself and she won’t ever be all whole.  And Derek returns the truth-telling favor when he scolds Mark and the Chief for being foolhardy in trying a way too experimental surgery on Connie.  Although, he softens the blow in that same scene when he reminds the Chief to tell Adele the truth about why he wants to move back in.  That he misses her, that she’s all he can think about, etc.  Which is, truth be told, vintage McDreamy.

Finally, we get to see Bailey give our big truth-teller, Alex, the truth.  That there’s a reason we don’t listen to interns – it’s dangerous.  And then if finally falls to Alex to unload on the world’s oldest intern, Norman.  Ed Hermann is great in the part (wait until you see him next week, he’s hysterical).  Ed plays Norman as nice and avuncular and such a sweet soul.  However, despite his advanced age, the truth is Norman has a lot to learn.  After all, he’s still an intern. 

And, as we’ve discovered over the last three seasons, what can be more painful than that?

Comments

[Liz]

Excellent blog! Loved this episode.

[Matthew Rushing]

Ok, for all the people who thought that Grey’s had lost it, that thought that Grey’s was lame or weak or not the same; well tonight you were proved wrong. Tonight was brilliant…….seriously, Seriously!!

Great for them to not really focus on der/mer. They have sex and talk some, make eyes in the elevator. Mark has Derek pegged I think. He does think that Meredith will become whole. Meredith showed that tonight, she is not above growing. She is learning to love Cristina in the way that she needs and that is good. She is also learning to care for Lexie, which is a big step for her. Can see how their relationship can grow and help their father; this will also help Meredith grow. I see the progress for them. I think that der/mer should be like this for a while, that way they are not the full focus of the show. This way both of them can grow and find each other along the way. Maybe the rumored potential “love interest” will give Meredith the kick she needs to truly be with Derek. Derek was great tonight with Mark and Richard. I loved that he called them out, it worked out this time, but it could have gone horribly wrong without Derek being there. I think that Derek is getting a little tired of saving people, and liking it all at the same time. When he says, “Sorry for call you an idiot.” I lost it laughing.

George gets called out by Alex and tells Callie. Looks like Grizzie could be here to stay. It also looks like this could really hurt Izzie professionally. Next week looks like another twist in the whole Grizzie deal and I really like it. Plus, Izzie tells someone about George and her and it goes differently that she expects; so the key, what is she expecting? Love that really old guy woke up! It was interesting to see his pushing Izzie.

Bailey is spiritually over everyone’s head. She really comes alive to put people in their place tonight. Loved it! I also liked to see her reach out to Callie. She really is a descent person.

I laughed so hard at Cristina tonight! She was so funny, faking pain and sorrow to get surgeries. I like that she confronts Meredith with her lying. It was good to see them be back to season on, helping each other and talking about McSex! This show is getting so good! I am loving it!

[17171717 Izzi]

Ok. I love the fact that the grey sisters finally talked. I love the fact that Baily is helping Torres. and finally I love the fact that George finally told Kelly the truth. But what In the word is going to happen next episode? McDreamy and little Grey(Lexie)flirting with each other thats not RIGHT. NONONONONO LEXIE IS A KID AND MCDREAMY IS A MAN no way that can happen. She is her sister. Anyways, what i'm looking forward to is the fight between Torres and Stevens. Thats going to be epic. Now everybody will know and Torres is her boss. well lets see whats going to happen.

I can't hardly wait.....

[Isabella]

A much better episode, but Alex is a jerk.

[ali]

Such a good episode.

I'll admit that I was a little skeptical of the really-old-guy storyine at first, worried that it would be another Holden-season-2-Thanksgiving episode arc. And don't get me wrong-I love that storyline... but I don't need to see it in two different paitents. But, you guys pulled it off--it had a totally different feel, excellent in its own right. Charlie was hilarious; I loved watching the dynamic between Izzie and this guy... especially her speech over the empty bed.

Everyone, everystoryline was just so fun and thrilling this episode: Derek and his little speech over Richard and Sloan's shoulder; Bailey resolving to be #2 as only Bailey could; Cristina faking sad for surgeries; Mer and Derek talking in the on call room; Alex calling out George, and then George's look in his eye...* Everything was just fantastic.

*...and Izzie. George. Callie. Wow. Who knew Callie just sitting, doing paperwork, could so demonstrate her situation? I loved Izzie's line of being a 50's cliche... loved George's look as he got off the elevator at the start of the episode... and, especially, I love that last scene. I've never been so invested in this arc.

Thanks for such a great episode--again, you guys have really returned to the feeling you so wonderfully hit in season 2. But, it's Grey's--so, much though it reminds me of season 2, it has it's own feel, it's own distinction.

Can't wait for Thursday--this hour really is one of the big highlights of my week.

[Pam in Janesville CA]

Mark, this was a wonderful episode !

Hey Izzie, he wanted REAL lobster. What a great touch.....and so very real. Absolutely loved Jack Axelrod !

Bailey being well, Bailey ! but willing to work with Callie...

And Meredith telling Lexie about her mom's last day, thank you.

My motto, after losing my husband 3 years ago is "live each day as if it is your last". Bailey stating the kind of job, the kind that people die if you don't do your job is so right......struck so close to home.

I had kind of lost hope after the ferry disaster last season, but I am really thrilled to see you writers at Grey's picking up the reins and going for it.........

THANK YOU !

BTW Ed Hermann is a great addition to the cast....an odd turn in intern addition !

but...... geez...Karev ! That was MEAN !!!!!!! WE KNOW you miss Addison or more likely the leading OB/GYN leader, but really !

Thursday nights once again ROCK !

Pam in Janesville

[Mary from Washington]

I have mixed feelings right now about the episode I just watched.

On one hand I thought it was great in the lighter side Grey's has decided to take. I loved Cristina's banter and Alex's pigheadedness. Both were missed in season 3.

But on the other hand I tune in to Grey's for all of the relationships. Gizzie/O'Callie got close to half of the screen time while MerDer got around two minutes.

I know you have all heard this before, but we'll keep saying it until it sinks in. The show is called "Grey's" Anatomy, so we obviously want to see Grey preferably with McDreamy.

Now I will say that I really did like the way Mer finally came to terms with talking to Lexie and giving her the painful truth about her mother. But other than that I want to see Mer grow as an individual in her relationship with Derek. I know it will take time, but right now we're not really showing anything. They're just having sex, which don't get me wrong, it's great. It's much better than snoring Mer or an episode lacking in MerDer (i.e. Don't Stand So Close to Me.) And in regard to that, you guys definitely should have left that bedroom scene from the Best Buy extra disk in. We all really liked it :).

But basically I just want to say that I know how hard it is to be a writer. I'm just starting to get into it, and I have great respect for those of you who do it. But I also think it's important to listen to your audience. Something that may sound surprising and interesting in the writers' room doesn't always play well on screen. Your audience craves some balance and it's hard when every relationship on the show appears to be on the way out.

And my last thing I want to say is please don't have Derek date another girl. We've all been reading rumors of a new love interest for Derek joining the show and I just want to say that we're sick of it already. Back and forth and back and forth. Shonda promised us not to be like "Friends" so please have her keep her promise and have MerDer grow together instead of taking weird breaks all the time.

That said, I just want to thank you all for your unbelievably hard work. I love this show more than most things in my life and I do appreciate the people who make it work.

Can't wait for another riveting episode next week.

---Mary

[Reena]

WOW! Painful to watch but additively wonderful!

[Daniel K]

Great episode tonight. My friend and I loved nearly every scene, and both held our breaths during the final part. Great cliffhanger.

All I'm going to ask is please don't try to keep George and Callie together in any capacity. They were never good together, and trying to work it through would be a terrible idea in this situation. They both deserve better than what they got from that relationship.

Also, please don't kill the George/Izzie storyline. They could really be an asset to the show, a couple who could consistently be happy and have problems that the fate of the world doesn't seem to hinge on. They have great chemistry, please don't squander it because of a vocal minority that seems to loathe them for no other reason than to loathe them.

Once again, thanks for the great episode.

[Aruna]

I envy you guys in US. I cant see the latest episodes in India. Grrr!... This is killing me!...

[a fan]

This was such a WONDERFUL episode. I really enjoyed every bit of it! I loved all the truths.

I loved that George finally fessed up about the adultry. Its about time. It must have been very frustrating for him to have to keep that end the night before.

I LOVED Charlie. I think he just became my favorite patient. He and Izzie had such a special bond. Katie Heigl and the actor who played Charlie had such great comedic timing. I loved that he gave someone for Izzie to talk to. The poor girl needed that desperately. Her person to talk to use to be George but now she doesn't have that since George is the person she needs to talk about. I loved that Charlie also made her realize that when you have determination that things do happen and you just have to have patience. Such an excellent storyling. You guys did an excellent job!

I cannot wait until the face off between Izzie and Callie next week! That's been a long time coming. It looks like that would have been a fun couple of scenes to film!

[famousArtist]

Personally, I don't want George to leave Callie. I thought it was great that he ONLY said he "slept" with Izzie.

I hope there is hope. Fabulous episode! Thanks!

[Antonella]

Loved the epi!
Well, I guess Alex is back to his old self...but was it really necessary to hurt George that way?
Can't wait for next week :)

[Idahobec]

So far I am loving this season. Thanks for a great eppi. I am so glad that Mer is starting to be a little kinder to Lexie. I hope she will start to be kinder to Derrick -actually lot kinder. Wow-I forgot how much of an ass Alex can be. I can hardley wait for next week. I am so nervous for Kali. Oh & I love Bailey & am so glad to see she still has it.

[Ashleigh]

This episode was far funnier than the previous ones so props on that ... but how could George actually want to kill Callie? And blaming her for marrying him because his dad died? Hello? He asked her! He's the one who said that looking at her made him feel better!

I hate Gizzie.

HATE HATE Gizzie.

[NY Greys Fan]

Mark - Great episode, the first that I have enjoyed in a long time! I was hopeful when I saw you noted as the writer. Thank you for all the episodes you have written.

I loved Mark/Derek, Mark/Richard, Derek, Meredith/Lexie and all of Really Old Guy's scenes. Also, thank you for making Alex part of the episode instead of like an extra. This episode was balanced, had humor, was light on Mer/Der angst - completely enjoyable.

The episodes that have less Mer/Der are better to watch. Their constant angst drags the show down. Please writers - if we have to deal with it, please keep it to a minimum.

Looking forward to the new love interest for Derek, hoping its true.

Thanks for a great episode and a great blog!

[Leash]

way to post the blog up so early! great job mark, loving this season.

[violet]

Well, right now I'm watching Grey's because I'm addicted to it. And I'm commenting here because I might be the first post, and I think you read these. But honestly, the quality of the show is going down. And I'm so glad. Because it's kind of too bad that it is going downhill, but it will be easier for me as far as my health issues go if it isn't as good.

So I apologize for the grief that you will get. And I wish you all the best of luck. And maybe someone will read this. But thank you, because I'm sick, and Grey's is my addiction, and you are helping me fight.

So I'm sorry.

[Laura]

Thanks so much for a blog on the NIGHT of the episode!! it makes me so happy!! i loved the episode.. except for alex at the end, man he was a jerk! geez! i can't wait to see what happens next week in the george/izzie/callie triangle!! so excited!!!

[luvsgreysa]

Great episode Mark! Love the process that unfolded in the truth telling lessons learned, especially touching was the Meredith/Lexie conclusion, going over the events that led up to Susan's death. I think for different reasons they both needed this talking through action. But regarding Alex, why didn't you mention in your blog, Alex's destructive truth telling about George being a "repeater" in front of all the other interns!? It was a dispicable act! How smug he was, and then turhing to Lexie and denouncing "Interns" (sheesh) Did he forget she was also one? Perhaps he reverted to the flirty thinking look he gave her in the morning in that same elevator. Anyway, whatever goodness (albeit misguided) Alex displayed earlier in the epi, he totally destroyed any points earned by his attempt at humiliating George at the end of the epi. I have more later, but after just reading your blog, the lack of any mention of this event stuck out vividly for me.

[I<3George&Izzie]

I really enjoyed this episode and there is so much to make mention of. Cristina is getting back to being Cristina and I love watching her - Sandra Oh is remarkable! Alex with his older intern was amusing and I like seeing more of Alex, I just want to know more about his backround, more about him as a person and why he is the way he is. I really don't like what's going on between Meredith and Derek, it feels a bit sleazy. I think it's time they go their separate ways. I was thrilled to see George finally tell Callie the truth. It's about time! If this episode was forshadowing an untimely end to Gizzie I will be very unhappy, VERY. I can't express how much I love George when he's with Izzie and how much I don't like who he is when he's with Callie. He follows her like a puppy, like it's his duty or something. Callie is a strong woman and I admire that about her, yet she's somehow become very unlikable now. I think she and Mark would be far more interesting. Once all the mess clears, I hope Gizzie find a way to be together because they're the light of the show now for me. Shonda, please allow a happy ending with them. Would it make any difference if I said "Pretty please with a cherry on top?" ;)

[Sarah]

Thank you SO much for putting up the blog so soon! I love that!
:-)

[Ashley]

Let me just say this: THANK YOU! I have been waiting for so long for George to finally come clean to Callie. I'm sure that both of them will be stronger because of this. Let's just face it, not all marriages are built to last, and event though I love those two to death, they were doomed from the proposal. Next week looks hilarious and I cannnot wait!

I finally feel like Grey's is back to normal. And for that I say Thank You! The show I fell in love with is coming back! yay!

I hope everything works out for George and Izzie, and let me just say that I know it probably won't right away because this is television after all. But people can have it all the career and the love and the family. My mother is a prime example of that. And couples that are meant for each other aren't all boring.

Let the MerDer of it all be happy, let George and Izzie be George and Izzie <3. Hell, let all of the characters get some shot of happiness. That happiness is why I fell in love with the show.

Keep it up, and I trust in Shonda!

[Amy]

Truth be told Derek needs to tell Meredith how much he loves her and what he wants. She might just surprise him. The fans all know she loves him and so do you writers. Let her tell him please FINALLY.

Truth be told. ABC promoted Mer/Der all week on tv and gave us less than two minutes. That's horrible. Fix it and them.

Truth be told.. The writers actually gave Meredith back to the fans at the end of this show (with Lexie) Full of the compassion that makes us LOVE Meredith. Now just have the guts to give her back to Derek (and the fans) and we'll be set.

Truth be told. The promo for next week with that silly Callie/Izzie fight makes me NOT wnat to tune in next Thursday. It's just plain stupid..period.

[Guy]

What a great episode! Funny, sad, smart dialogs and great story development. Thank you so much for our great time.

[Jamie]

Meredith and Derek are why I watch this show to begin with and we get no Mer/Der? What is this show doing?

Plus the promo with Derek and Lexie? C'mon, Shonda already told us GAME OVER on that, so give us some Mer/Der to look forward to.

They are the heart of the show, so where are they?

[David]

It was the George and Izzie hour. Thank you on behalf of 12 year olds everywhere. On behalf of the rest of the viewing public. After you wake them up....not so much.

[Mary]

Seriously, where was Meredith and Derek? What are you all doing to this show?

[Paula]

I sure hope we get more MEREDITH and DEREK love than we got this week. When they aren't on the show, it loses it's soul.

[jessicafreels]

Alex sucked tonight. Liked Edward Hermann alot and would love to se more...Gizzie still freaks me out, and I think the best scenes have been between Mark and Derek.....I LOVEd Charlie. Those were awesome. And I liked the Bailey who looks out for her interns will now look out for Callie.

[Gordon]

MORE MEREDITH and DEREK PLEASE!!!! TWO MINUTES IS NOT ENOUGH!!

[Susan]

Can't believe I'm first?

I find I'm missing the presence and dynamic of having Addison at Seattle Grace. Her new life in Los Angeles is totall boring (to viewers at least). Bring her back to Seattle Grace...for a visit at least.

[Can you keep me watching!]

So I saw a little bit of the old Grey's I use to love tonight. Welcome back, although the welcome mat may be out, the lights are still not on yet. So you haven’t gotten in yet! But it's a start from what I witnessed the back half of last season.

Thank you...for finally having movement with Mark and Derek. I have to say the only reason you got me back to actually give you a chance this season was because of Mark and Derek. Love the pace you are going with them, it's not rushed which is good, it’s realistic this way.

Bailey is back! Loved her scenes so far this season. Just hand her the award now! Looks like your starting to end George and Izzie, there is a god! Please keep this going. I don’t know anyone that wants to see this relationship at all. It’s a bit disturbing.

As for Meredith and Derek, it was nice not to see a lot of them tonight. It made the show feel better, without the angst of what was Meredith doing to Derek now. Haven’t liked Meredith the last two episodes, tonight she was tolerable. Although seeing the promo…that looks to be short lived. Should be interesting to see this new “potential love interest” for Derek. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with that.

Great Episode Mark and Thank You for a nice blog!

[Stacie]

Looks like this season may be good after all. I hope Callie gets her revenge looks like she will finally be fighting back next week YAY. Glad Baley and Callie are going to work together those to working together will be great. From the previews look great can't wait to see what Callie does and how George deals with the aftermath of telling Callie.

[Sushi432]

Great episode! I loved the Izzie scenes, Katherine Heigl was phenominal as usual. I'm so glad George told Callie... but I wasn't too keen about the really old guy telling Izzie negative possibilities for George and Izzie's relationship. Believe it or not, I actually want to see them in a relationship, as do 50% of the audience. Oh, and this next comment is for Shonda. Shonda, I'm getting the feeling that you're making Gizzie a different tone to make it more fan friendly, which I totally support as long as this doesn't lean towards an inevitable break up due to the negative reaction from last year. It's just nice to know that this storyline is evolving to a brighter tone but I just hope Callie doesn't trap George with a baby or a guilt trip. Just not fair. Anywho, Cristina was funny as hell. She is the best comedic relief in the show. It was a nice episode... very light and fun. Definitely what you promised, Shonda. I still think you should have Derek and Mark have REAL masculine conversations. Derek always bitching about his Meredith problems just is too much. Men don't talk like that all the time. I think maybe the relationships are too prominent. I like the friendships angle but what ever happened to the surgeries? They might have become too ornamental. I would like to hear more medical jargon, as I am a future medical student, and I enjoy it.

[Thankful]

Wonderful episode! Thank you for the balance and not shoving Mer/Der misery down our throats for 20 minutes. It was so good to see Alex, Cristina and others get screen time. Meredith & Derek's drama kill the show, its so much better when its less of them. Less is more!

Excited to see a new person for Derek, can't wait!

[K]

Suprise. A well written episode and a bigger surprise is a well written blog that doesn't annoy me. Thanks Mark.

I love a proffesional Meredith who doesn't whine about her "perfect" McDreamy. She can do better.

[AnotherGreysFan]

Wonderful awesome episode!! Greys is back!! By the time the finale of last season came I was seriously considering not watching this show anymore; but, I told myself I'd give it 3 episodes.

Thank you for your blog Mark, and thank all the other writers too! I'm looking forward to this season!!!

Namaste'

[Finally!]

This episode is what I have been waiting for, this was Grey's! Thank you Mark for a wonderful episode.

All characters had time tonight, it wasn't the Meredith & Derek show. Much appreciated. Thank you for giving Alex some time, he's overdue.

Loved everything tonight.

[Jessica]

I liked a lot of this episode. I just miss Meredith and Derek. But I loved that you stopped making Meredith so cold at least for this episode. She's my favorite character and she's never cold, so it was nice to have her back.

I really actually liked the Bailey/Callie moment in this and boy, Callie was awesome. I so felt for her and I don't want to see that character destroyed. She's wonderful.

Let's see Mer and Der work it out. Love all the characters on this show (even Alex) Will see you next week. Jessica

[Frank]

I love that you are giving Mark more of a heart this season, but seriously, he needs to quit pcking on Meredith so he can get close to Derek. It's like he's trying to destroy their relationship more than help Derek.

Other than that, love Mark, love Alex and LOVE Meredith and Derek. They light up the screen. :)

[maryrose]

Hey, usually I dig your promo's, but tha tnew one wasn't so good. But this episode had some nice moments (especially with the Chief) adn I liked Mer with Lexie. That was nice.

Good job.

[Claire]

a little less of that george and izzie nonsense and this show will rock again. It's not the George and Izzie hour. There is Bailey, Alex and Christina you know? I hope that ends soon as it's giving me a headache for sure.

[B]

I am very critical of Grey's Anatomy epsiodes... so I must say that I absolutely loved this one. It was funny and charming. My favorite scenes are the mer/der ones but I seemed to get along fine without them tonight.

[loving grey's]

I really liked the show tonight. I think coming off of last season, I might just be a little hard on it, expecting too much. It's no longer all the talk at my office anymore, but I still am hanging in there.

[Teresa]

Loved the episode. Have to say that I think Grey's is regaining the initial vibe that drew me to the show: dysfunctional, fun, funny, and wicked brilliant at using absolutely extreme situations to illustrate universal truths. Katie Heigl is quite possibly my favorite fake doctor now.

But side note, I know you guys have docs on the writing staff or at least docs that are associated with the show. I have issues with the Broca's area lesion causing nonsensical speech. Broca's area should cause expressive aphasia, that is, kid shouldn't have been able to speech efficiently. Him stuttering out short, sensical but out of context phrases would have been correct (ex. to the bathroom). Him saying something odd, yet having no difficulties speaking, is much more consistent with a receptive aphasia, or lesion of Wernicke's area. I don't buy the Broca's area lesion caused by hydrocephalus. Sorry, in my neuro block in med school.

But great job.

[Chiccolove]

I am getting impatient Shonda! 3 episodes and we have gotten a total of 5 minutes of Meredith and Derek?! What's the deal? Are you just setting us up? I hear a new girl is coming and she BETTER NOT be for Derek. Because if she is, I think you will regret that. Your show is treading water as it is.
I want growth Dammit! Either allow Mer/Der to grow as a couple or for god sakes just put Mer/der fans out of their misery already. 3 years we have put up with this. And I for one and not going to wait any longer! I don't care about Gizzie. I want Mer/Der. And I want them NOW!
At this point I believe you really don't give a crap about your fans. You talk a good talk Shonda in saying that you care what fans say. But do you? Or do you just like the fact that you think that making us angry is a good thing? WEll, it's NOT! Push us too far and we may never come back! I am tired of waiting for Mer/der growth. I give you til the end of this month. And then I am OUT!

[Dena]

This episode still made me sad. Please, please, let our beloved characters finally have good things happen, make good things happen, and actually get to have happy, functional relationships, please?
How long do Derek, Izzy, bitter Alex, George, Callie, Meredith, et al have to suffer? At least Cristina has a reason -that's mainly out of her control - finally someone who's not causing their own unhappy, dysfunctional relationship for no realistic reason.

Meredith? How long is she gonna be broken and whiny, devastated by her parents (or lack thereof), dark and damaged? All she wanted the whole first and second season was Derek. Despite her bad mom and absent dad, she loved him and was able to have a relationship with him!

Meredith told Derek to "love me, choose me, pick me!" She was all ready and eager to love him. Then there was Addison - who Derek unexplicably decided to stay with for a while. Then Finn, and Mer unrealistically not being able to choose. Then when Mer finally woke up and realized, "wait, all I've wanted is Derek, and now he wants and loves me too!" then he had to go and decide he needed space and didn't really want her just then after all!
For such amazing, talented writers whom I adore, please, enough contrived complications for the short-sighted sake of ratings, please?

When Derek and Meredith finally started over (yep, again), they got to be happy for all of 2 or 3 episodes. Wonderful episodes of finally being (or growing towards being) "bright and shiny."
Then Meredith goes from confiding in her mom that she is happy, finally really happy, to suddenly being depressed, suicidally depressed, broken and incapable of communicating with Derek. Could we pour it on any thicker than first having Mer almost let herself drown, then have her mom die, and then her surrogate mom die at her hands/on her watch? Oh wait, we can. Next Meredith's dad blames her, violently screams at her, and wants nothing to do with her (again - except this time yell at her). Her recently-trying dad does a 180 and bitterly insults her and cuttingly reject hers. Doesn't Mer need some good in her story line after her own meek father slaps her and tells her not to come to her surrogate mom's funeral? Instead, he pours salt on the raw wound, saying Susan wouldn't want her there, that he didn't want her there, and I believe didn't even want to look at her. He goes on that Susan trusted her, he trusted her, and Meredith killed the woman who was his life.

We can't even get Meredith turning to Derek, who should be her rock, the man who loves her and who she spent 2 seasons yearning for and mooning over. She went from wanting him more than anything to rejecting him, not even wanting him to support her at the funeral or telling him about the scene with her dad. What happened to the protagonist I used to respect and admire?

what happened to the smart, capable, knowledgeable, admirable, strong Meredith we fell in love with during the first season, the smash hit season we all miss?

The episodes are still more depressing than I can bear. I keep watchin in hopes of a "light and happy" season, but keep getting disappointed!

Poor long-suffering Derek. Poor Meredith. Poor love-lorn Izzie, poor jilted Cristina, poor miserable Callie, poor George (once again), poor wifeless Chief, poor demoted-feeling Bailey, poor lost Mark, poor bitter mean/jealous/projecting? Alex. Poor sad Grey's fans who get depressed after each episode, instead of entertained and made to feel good during their rare bit of "leisure" or TV-"enjoying" time!

I know you're all capable of better - of happier, funnier, lighter, more heart-warming episodes! please???????

[Sam (doc)]

What has happened to my beloved show? This is getting pathetic!!! I just posted regarding 4.02 and now am rambling about 4.03. I’m just so sick of Meredith and Cristina.

I’ve almost come to the conclusion that Meredith and Cristina have a very sick relationship. Meredith still predicates her relationship with Derek on Cristina – on whether or not Cristina would be hurt if she knew about them? How old is she? 2? How sick and childish is that. I’ve said this before. Cristina and Meredith are both enablers to each other and have an extremely unhealthy, codependent relationship (might apply to Mer/Der at this point, as well). Cristina is almost always so insensitive, warped and mean, it is almost scary and Meredith nowadays isn’t far behind. Can they ever show compassion anymore? They are both so self-absorbed. They both need to have long-term, ongoing therapy or have a mental breakdown in order, hopefully, to get their act together. (And don’t give the stupid excuse that they have been through year after year of science and school and haven’t lived, etc., etc. BS!!! I have been that entire route as have several of my dearest friends – going to prestigious undergrad and then Yale, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Washington University, Stanford, for med school. We are not emotionally retarded. We have compassion and warmth and know how to treat people well, all people. We know how to have great relationships with our spouses, significant others, have great families and kids, and know what is important in life. Bailey gets this. She is very firm when she needs to be, yet knows what exactly to tell the burned car salesman when he and his wife were worried about his face – that the most important thing is having people that love you and loving people back; that the one motherless girl who she explained tampons too (and life) was the only patient for that first day in the clinic and worth every penny of 8 million dollars. That is how you touch people’s lives and potentially change their lives forever – heal them wholistically and inspire. Help them feel the connectedness of the human bond, flaws and all. You GA people have a venue here to effect change, to touch so many people’s lives – for God sakes, do it. Look at S1 and 2. You did it then.)

Anyway, how do you think Derek feels when Meredith hides their relationship from her bf? How does Derek feel when Meredith says she wants to be a good friend, she wants to take care of Cristina – yet what kind of friend is she to Derek? NOT!!!!How does she take care of Derek, NOT, except for sex, which he will eventually feel empty and feel a void from, because they aren’t connecting emotionally and he always longs for more from their relationship. Derek was absolutely right when he said that Mer being with him to her meant she was “cheating on Cristina.” How sick is that? I think she and Cristina both need to undergo ECT (shock therapy) to stun them into feeling, into humanness. They should just forget about everyone else and go live together and take care of each other in their stunted way, totally in denial. Mer says that Cristina is her sister and her only family and her person, all she has. What an insult to Derek. Then, quit using Derek for sex and run off with Cristina.

I learned long ago that you can be the most brilliant, talented person around, but if you can’t relate well with people, have compassion, bond, then you’ll never be a “success” in life. Yes, they might become great surgeons one day, but live their lives in bitterness and desperation and be as cold as Ellis if they never learn to "let people in." It is really uncomfortable to watch them both be so stone cold. Bailey had to tell Meredith to talk to Lexie. Lexie’s mom just died. Her dad is an alcoholic wreck. She is a sweet, innocent girl. (Meredith should at least have some sympathy and compassion, knowing what a wonderful, loving woman Susan was. But, no, she is too wrapped up into her own issues to even think of anyone else's feelings. It was different with Ellis – she had Alzheimers and virtually died five years before. It is a blessing when Alz. patients die – I know from experience.) Even when Meredith talked to Lexie about her mom, it was still very mechanical and cold. Derek should dump Meredith’s ass right now. Sex is not worth it. It will become cheap and unfulfilling. She doesn’t appreciate him and needs to realize what she has – a willing partner who is presently ready to commit and work out their relationship (I know he has his faults, too, but he is at least willing to try and Meredith won’t even try to help herself overcome her issues.I can’t stand it when people know and won’t even try to better themselves!!!!). Cristina and Meredith deserve each other and I don’t mean that in a kind way. They need to get some help. It’s beyond uncomfortable to watch. If someone would have told me I would EVER have thought this about Meredith and Derek, I would have said NEVER in a zillion years -–how in three seasons could you go from the most incredible, passionate, adorable, flirty,in-love couple ever to grace TV to a wretched mess – Unbelievable!!!!!Shame on you!!! This isn’t FUN!!!! It’s childish, it’s immature! It’s sick, sick, sick, sick and getting way too hard to watch.

(You have to remember – most people who go into medicine are compassionate people who want to help others. Out of 5 interns, you have 2 ½ who are asses (George and Izzie have always been warm and compassionate, at least to their patients) – ½ is Meredith because she used to be kind and compassionate. Alex is mean again, cruel – what he said about George being a repeater and how he derogatorily talks to his interns– and Cristina is an ass (the same demeaning behavior as Alex with her interns, Izzie, etc). She can barely relate to any of her patients except in her cold, hard-hearted way. In 1.03, Bailey tried to teach her how to talk to Mrs. Stevenson and her daughter when her husband was brain dead from the Dead Baby Bike race and they wanted to harvest his organs. There have been numerous other examples of her being so cold and mechanical when talking with patients. I know she does have a softness somewhere deep inside, but it is exhausting watching her constantly cover it up – same with Meredith. They are both just becoming too exhausting and Derek feels the same way with Meredith. When someone is so locked down, it’s really impossible to relate to them on anything but a very superficial level, hence the current status of Derek and Meredith. If now, it is just about sex and mockery, he’d be better off looking at porn than trying to deal with Meredith. She will barely even talk to him and treats him like crap most of the time. It is much worse to be lonely in a “relationship” than to be lonely while alone. Derek will have no problem finding someone who can truly love him – his whole person, not just his penis, at least until Meredith (hopefully) gets shocked into getting her act together.

P.S. I have done a residency. You run into the occasional surgeon who is an arrogant SOB, but not most of them. Believe me – medicine is NOT the field to go into just to make money or be on an ego trip – there are easier ways, i.e., business, law etc. that don’t take nearly as much schooling and ridiculously long hours before you can even start to practice. Most doctors do have compassion. But, the take home message you are sending out is it doesn’t matter how emotionally stunted, warped, uncaring, self-centered you are as long as you can learn the techniques, you’ll be a great surgeon and doctor. Think again – this is the farthest from the truth. (Remember - even Cristina said that George was the best intern.) People heal not just physically, but intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. They heal by feeling that people care about them, sincerely care, not just mouthing the words. And before you can give to others and really be the best physician possible, there is a huge lesson to be learned here in the case of some of SGH docs: “Physician, Heal Thyself!”

[Jeffrey Bryan]

Christina's LVAT line....

BEST

QUOTE

EVER

[dave]

love the Old Guy! Wish u guys didn't kill him.....and i like the lighter/funnier side of Greys mixed with memorable moving/touching scenes....no soapy and dragging drama plz.....great job!

[Sheri]

First, thank you for getting this blog up so quickly. I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates it!

Second, thank you for the best episode of Grey's Anatomy in a really long time! I LOVED it!

I love that Bailey is coming to terms with the Chief Resident situation and wanting to work as a team with Callie.

I LOVE that Meredith really is growing as a person. It gives me hope for her character and for Meredith and Derek as a couple! The scene with Mer/Lexie at the end with Mer explaining Susan's last day was so amazing, beautiful and heartbreaking. I love that Mer told Lexie she was fond of Susan.

I'm also really glad that Derek is not giving up on Meredith! It all feels very promising to me!

I could go on and on about how great this episode was, but I'll just end by saying thanks again for this one!

[Anne]

Can Izzie finally get a little happiness and requited, at least semi-lasting love, please? I'd rather it be with an even slightly reformed, humanized Alex or McSteamy. but I'll even take George for Izzie if he can treat her better and more compassionately, less 'it's-all-about-what-I and Callie are going through," and more "yeah, you've stood on the sidelines desperately wanting for long enough for me to at least give you sincere reassurances."

Izzie, our rock star who kicks ass in so many ways. She overcomes her "model" reputation, stands up to Bailey by the end of episode 1, puts Alex in his place w/ the Dr. Model stuff, and does brain surgery with a power drill! But the painful Denny saga is only the most notable of her short-end-of-the-stick story lines.

Izzie has a mom who used up the money Izzie herself saved up waitressing for college. She overcomes teen pregnancy, giving up a daughter who now doesn't even want to meet her, a trailer trash background, and puts herself through med school debt free. Yet instead of getting rewarded for her determinedly positive optimism and compassion, she gets dumped on.

Izzie gets cheated on by Alex (after he can't seem to get it up for her), the ends up not only losing Denny, her fiancee who she thought was the love of her life, but being partly responsible for his death! Thought she'd find comfort in Alex, who was so sweet and tender toward her, so heart-achingly poignant in saying, "Iz, a man who loves you like that wouldn't want you to do this to yourself," as he scooped her up and cradled her to him... what happened to that?

George? suddenly being the man she loves, seriously? or for shock value and unexpected, unpredictablity? seriously??
At this point I don't even care, I just want to FINALLY get to see Izzie catch a break! Her and Mer and Der, please!

and why is Alex such a world-class jerk at times? When do we finally get his backstory? where'd his humanity go?

[Amy]

Callie and Mark <3

Callie and George were great together when George needed a woman like Callie.

But now they've CHANGED as people. Change is a good thing remember? Now they don't fit together as well anymore.

I'm not pro nor anti Gizzie. I just want O'Callie over.

[Suzanne keller]

More Meredith and Derek happy, fun, light-hearted moments, PLEASE? My friends and I are losing patience which will soon be losing interest (as a self-defense mechanism)...

And will we ever get Alex's backstory?

[Joyce]

This epi was really, really great. I am pro-GIZZIE, but it was kinda painfull to see Callie this way. I am not sure if GIZZIE will really happen. And in a way it makes me wonder if GIZZIE is even a good idea. Despite the fact there is a Callie in the picture.

I missed MerDer-time. I really, really missed it. I was hoping to the last minute that there would come a MerDer-scene. I haven't seen the promo for next week yet, but as far as I can understand from the comments here, there is some suggestion about Der/Lexie. DON'T. Please be so wise just NOT to go there.

I am almost begging you to let MerDer happen. Please. Let them happen for once.

Loved Izzie/Charlie. Loved Bailey/Alex (loved them last week too!).
Loved Mer/Lexie, this was really needed. Mer made a right decision by sitting down and talking with her. About Susan.
And how I loved Christina and her remarks. "Couldn't find his L-VAD-wire?" Oh my God, that was so funny! "Find your own fake emotion!"

Anyway. Very, very, very nice epi.

But give us MerDer!

[Lisa]

Mark, first of all let me tell you I think you are an amazing writer, I've loved all of your episodes, and this is not against you.

But.. SERIOUSLY?? That's all we got on MerDer? We're getting back to S3, they didn't have any movement at all, and no screentime.

Izzie, please please please, can you make her like she was in S1 and most of S2, she has become so annoying, oh! and Christina was so selfish today .

I love this show, and I'm so dissapointed I'm speechless.

[Vy]

Rest in peace, Really Old Guy. I will miss you.

[christel]

patrick Dempsey said he would like to see Derreck marry meredith...Shonda, Mark, listen to him please !!

[i.i.]

Shonda, enooooough with the alex and ava. It's just embarrassing. He misses Addison not Ava, we all know he misses Addison, this Addisex denial thing is just ridiculous, and frankly a little bit creepy for someone who's intimately familiar with censorship – what's next, an Addisex Denial Conference? You gave us this great story and now you're pretending it never happened. He should at least be missing her as his mentor is all I'm saying.

[Where's the surgeries? and the nurses]

The love plots thickens and it's getting ridiculous! I thought this was a medical drama.. its starting to verge on soap opera. I enjoyed this episode but it's still lacking the razor sharp wit and writing from the first two seasons.

Oh and enough of Meredith and Derek.. it's like beating a dead horse.

[Paulo]

Thank you.
Thank you.
Just Thank You.
Finally, a episode worth watching, finally a writer who know's how to write a coherent sentence, who actually gave us some insight to the characters, who wasn't acting like a 14-year old (yes Shonda, I'm looking at you), Mark, you have given me and countless of other people hope. That's what we needed, hope.

[jenna]

Good Eppy. Now if you could put mer/der back together and happy you might save ALOT of fans

[MerDerTrueLove]

I hate what they're doing to Meredith and I hate what they're doing to Mer/Der. This ghost that they have right now is not the Meredith we know. That sneak with them in the supply closet has left me in pain and furious. I can understand Derek's pain. Meredith is taking it too far. She's now sneaking around to shield Cristina? From what? Cristina could care less. As a matter of fact Cristina is playing her.

With 401 I leaped onto Shonda's boat and slapped myself for ever doubting her. After the premiere I was doing the slide because Shonda surprised us all because she showed Derek getting it. She showed that verbally they said they were broken up but their actions spoke louder than the words. The love was there. Her blog and podcast backed it up. It was a rocky road but we were gonna get growth. Mer/Der were going to be ok. Meredith was going to face her problems. We got spoilers saying they would flourish and grow closer. NE was giving us the proposal. 108 WINTERS. YAY!!! Now the rug is being pulled with the simple words 'potential love interest" and "the relationships will get closure so new ones can begin." STRETCHER NEED TO BE PICKED UP FROM THE FLOOR.

Shonda Rhimes is a brilliant writer with so much talent. As a woman and a woman of color to rise as far as she has makes my heart so d@mn proud because she broke the barriers of a male dominated Hollywood. So I expect so much more and better from her in the treatment of Mer/Der when the chemistry and the potential are there. I expect better treatment of the Meredith character with the talent of EP. I get it its her vision, it's her story and she's leading the journey. Who am I to question her? I even make excuses and explain certain things to swallow them and accept them and move on. But the pain has become physical. Yes it's just a tv show. It's just a tv show. It's there for enjoyment. Why am I whining? BECAUSE SHONDA IS JUST THAT D@MN GOOD TO HAVE ME HERE CRYING OVER FICTIONAL CHARACTERS!!! AND I HATE THAT I SOUND LIKE NANCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kelly]

Loved, loved, loved McSteamy. I adore his scenes with Derek, they're the best part of the show. About time someone outed George on his idiocy, glad it was Alex, who rocks.

Gizzie stuff has become so annoying that I want to scream everytime they're on screen. How much more selfish and bitchy can Izzie be? And the same applies to George, who also has no spine, but that's nothing new. Take that relationship off my screen ASAP and bear in mind it will take you a VERY long time to redeem both characters.

And please, let Derek be happy with someone else. He was much better this episode without Meredith than he ever was with her around. Meredith saying something because Bailey smacked her is not real growth to me, but better than nothing. Derek needs to stand up for himself, glad he started to but it's not enough. He needs to tell Meredith off.

I'm very happy a new love interest for Derek is coming up. Him and Meredith don't make sense anymore. Let him be happy with someone else, at least for a while.

[Tara]

This episode was simply phenomenal. There is really not much more to say than that. THANK YOU for getting back to the things Grey's does best! I loved pretty much every second of this episode and cannot wait for next week. I hope things blow up deliciously for George and Izzie next week, even if I'm rooting for them to make it long-term.

[Thomas R]

Some good things some bad things. Bailey and Christina are pretty much always good. They're the best on the show. Callie was also pretty good, more on that later. I like that you had the actor who played the guy in a coma be the same as awake guy. I never paid much attention to how "really old guy" looked so I think you could've gotten away with any elderly actor doing Charlie, but good consistency in not doing that.

On the Gizzie thing. I still don't really like them as a couple, but at this point George's marriage should break up. It's just bad for Callie to be in a marriage with a man who loves someone else and considers their marriage a mistake. I don't even believe in divorce, but I don't see how that's something that can be "fixed." It's almost fodder for an annulment. I hope she doesn't get in a "cage fight" with Izzie though as that's too silly. I am slightly hoping that Callie's father screws with George's head a bit though as I think he'd be the type to defend his "little girl" that way. Also the actor who played her father can do menacing quite well.

[Isobella]

Oh my, Grey's is going amazing right now. Wow, i loved this episode very much. My family and I sat and watched and laughed like crazy. Really old Guy was hilarious, and i really liked his interaction with Izzie, and her effort to properly say good-bye. The end was just so in your face, i loved it. I wanted to see more so badly, i cannot wait until next week.

This show is brilliant again, and of course you cannot please everyone, but I'm there. I also have to say that it made me more content without focusing on Meredith and Derek at this point in time, because honestly, the show is not all about them. Yes, it is Meredith Grey, but there are many characters with important stories, and theirs is just one. Her journey this season hopefully will be growing up, though her actions toward Lexie at the end of this episode were surprisingly mature. All the complaining about Meredith and Derek is ridiculous. You're doing a great job and a little VARIETY will not kill anyone. CHANGE.

Anyway, great job, i cannot wait to see Callie's reaction to the whole George/Izzie thing.

I'm loving Bailey again, last season it almost seemed like she was lost but now she's found and back into action as the old Bailey!

Lovin' it!

[Amanda]

That was THE BEST Episode of my beloved Grey's since Season 2!!! It was the Grey's of old and I am so, so, so, happy about that. Loved the feel and the vibe of the entire episode. Thank You so much!!!

[Katherine Marie]

All I can say is that I'm happy Grey's is getting better. I thought I'd have tos top watching, but after last night's episode, things are coming together.

Still don't like the MerDer situation.
Still don't like Gizzie/Callie situation.

But things ARE progressing.

[Lena]

Excellent episode! Finally!! Thank you

[K]

Gizzie is LOVE. MerDer is LOVE.
Bailey is LOVE.
Alex...not so much.

[Sal]

ALL ABOUT MEREDITH AND DEREK FOR ME!!!!

That's my truth!

[Lisa]

you do realize that I saw more of Alex sticking a needle in somebody's eye ball thta I couldn't even watch than I saw of your two leading characters together? That is what happened in season 3, Mer/Der were pushed to the side and we are all recovering from the depression of season 3

[GraceKay]

I thought last night's episode really had the light feeling of season 1; while still touching on some serious topics. I loved it. Laughed at loud a few times. Hoping for more Mer Der but happy to have a light episode that could make me laugh while still moving the storylines forward.

[Aliza]

Thank you, Mark! I thought this episode was another step in the right direction. At first, like others, I was hoping for some more meredith/dereck interactions but now that I think about it, what meredith really needs to do is heal, and she can't do that with derek in her face all the time (or with us watching them face to face, which would probably not be completely pleasant and lead to more irate fans). To make a long story short, I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

[Hannah]

Although an overall good episode, in my opinion there was too much George and Izzie and should have been more Meredith and Derek. just like last season we only get 5 minutes of them together when they need about 5 whole episodes to talk about everything you haven't had them discuss. Love the Mark and Derek friendship, Alex was a jerk tonight, and Bailey is just awesome.

Seriously...we need more Meredith and Derek!

[Cortney]

I hope the rumors are wrong and Derek is not getting a new love interest- I mean he couldn't even leave Meredith for his wife, how would he leave her for some random person? They love each other, FACE IT, you created it! Hate you guys for making me fall for a couple that all the writers take lightly- takes the enjoyment out of the show knowing that this rumor could be killing my show!

[Laila]

Allow Mer to grow, allow her to be with Derek in a relationship. We are all tristed and damgaed in our own ways, that shouldn't mean by any means that we don't deserve happiness. They love each other, Most of the fans love them, I don't understand what the problem is.

In Us Weekly I saw 87% of teh people polled want Meredith and Derek together, that's a large number not to take seriously.

[Tiffany]

So this week's episode felt like real Grey's to me. I've been watching since day one and it was kind of nice to see them acting the same. Anyway, Kinda of sad that "Really Old Guy" die, but his scenes with Izzie were great. George FINALLY told Callie, which is going to cause all kinds of weirdness between everyone.

Mer talking to Lexie was probably one of my favorite scenes of the episode. And seeing Cristina almost come to terms with the fact that she's not okay with Burke being gone. I still kinda wish that someone would acknowledge the fact that not just he is gone, but Addison is too. Yes, she's got a new show. But Alex? Mark?

And how Alex made George admit the truth that he was a repeater-he was kind of a jerk there, in my opinion. I still love Alex though...Is it Thursday yet?

[Happy]

Thanks for a good episode and blog!!

Happy to see that Mer and Cris were able to communicate. Also, Mer was able to communicate with Lexie. When will Mer communicate with Der??? I am still holding out hope that MerDer will work things out.

Question/Observation: Where do all the new interns disappear to? It seems there are a lot of unsupervised interns floating around SGH.

[Shannon]

I'm here sitting in my home office, paperwork, bills and anything else I can find to avoid the truth. I avoided watching the show last night because of last week. But, as we all know, the truth will come out! So, pushing my mundane but busy paperwork aside, I came here. A transitional truth, have you will. Metaphorically, I'm sitting on the bed wating for the truth to walk in the door, just as Callie was last night. I'm reading the comments. I read your blog. Honestly, I feel a bit better. I think the truth may sting, but at least it won't kill. I'm going to head over to ABC.COM now and watch the episode because the painful truth is, I missed watching Greys Anatomy last night. Much like Derek's comparison, it was all I could think about. Whew! I feel better already. The truth is also one more thing you did not put down. The truth is freeing.
Just as the lies kept George and Callie and Izzie in limbo, the truth will set them free to possibly start new paths. Free them of their imprisonment. Ah yes, the truth shall set you FREE.
I can only hope Meredith becomes strong enough to own her truth. Sift through the pain and let Derek turn the light off and go to sleep.
Their love is the truth [not an addiction as was stated last week]. Why do we enjoy the pain? Because it feels so good when it stops hurting. Let Meredith let Derek love her. Please...

[Sharon]

Please give us more Mer/Der. that is why we started watching the show and is what makes the show so great. They were on very little on this episode and we want more. Of course I need to be careful what I ask for, because you could give us more of them, but with other people. We want these 2 characters to be together and be happy. Please give us fans that. I truly loved this episode, minus the lack of Mer/Der. Loved the Really Old Guy Scenes, was sad that he died, but understand the reason. I am addicted to this show.

Watched-->liked-->much better episode. Hate George and Izzy as lovers. Alex--back to being Alex. Mer/Der--???? Why can't they have a relationship instead of just sex. Get them a dog--get them out at the trailor--or building a house together--then let them have REAL fights about that..A REAL RELATIONSHIP is all we ask! CONVERSATION!! Love Bailey--hope she and Callie kick ass at that hospital! Love that "Mr. Gilmore" is now on Grey's--congrats Ed Hermann.

[Karen]

Thank goodness for a more realistic episode this week. And thanks for actually writing a blog worth reading, did not agree with Deborah comparing meth to love.

Truth be told- although a fairly good episode, I miss Meredith and Derek. Their screen time is right back to what it was in season 3, 5 minutes. That's why I enjoy your show, and without them together I am missing something while watching it. I hope you guys don't choose to end them, and let Derek walk away, I don't want to stop watching this show, but will have to because all my enjoyment will be gone.

[Joseba]

I don't like Alex at all. I'm so pissed at him for revealing George's secret. It's none of his bussiness, he's just confirmed what I was thinking: that he's still a very disgusting person.

I liked that George told Callie the truth, hope they break up so George finally can start a relationship with Izzie. I love Gizzie!

[Brianna]

We need Meredith and Derek! If you have watched the series from the beginning, you know tehse two love EACH OTHER! Give them some good conversation, some coversation that will put both of them at ease. There is no way Meredith could have gone through all that she did and not be dark, he fell in love with her even though she was dark, she remained in love with him even though he was married. Sit down and think of all the scenes between them and you will realize that they are MEANT TO BE OTGETHER!

[Grey_mike]

I see Callie pulling a "Scarlet Letter" routine on Izzie. Public denouncement and humiliation in the Cafeteria. Izzie will now officially be the newest member of the 'dirty mistress club'.

I can't even imagine what's going to happen to George but it'll hurt and it'll probably be funny.

[Amy]

Do you see how you have turned some people against meredith and derek as a couple? that makes me SO sad, give us back the merder that we enjoyed watching, not the painful one you have now. people don't like it. this epi, honestly, most of the time bored me. i felt like i was watching steven's anatomy. but, i did see some of the old spark that was the grey's i love, so there is hope. the whole izzie/callie/george thing is getting really old, that is what bored me. just kill it either way already. i miss my fun merder, the angst really is dragging the show down. just put them back together in an adult relationship, don't bring in a new love interest because that will just add more angst and more dragging the show down. merder used to be the BEST thing to watch on this show, but what you are doing with them now is painful. please fix them so the show is not painful to watch. if they weren't together and seeing other people, it wouldn't be worth it for me to watch. honestly, i could even handle gizzie if we just got our merder back. with this painful stuff you are actually starting to create merder haters in former merder lovers, is that your goal? to kill the main couple? i surely hope not, because them my greys would be gone.

[Miami Fan]

Excellent episode, excellent acting excellent blog. Thank you Mark for both and for always posting so quickly after episode. How can we forget you wrote Where the Boys are & desire. There's really nothing I disagree with in what you wrote in the blog. Loved pretty much all the scenes you wrote.

Going in to watch last night certainly had a lot of mixed feelings given the rumor mill, especially the new potential love interest for Derek, for me, it's a deal breaker. Think you get that we love mer/der and don't take lightly Dempsey's & Pompeo's starring role and our expectation of their character's development. . Having said that loved what you did with the show tonight. Your episode willl be a hard one to follow. Epi 1/2 were good, much better than last season, but left us feeling a bit unsettled.

Now, it would not be me, if I did not mention what I did not like, as well as many of us that chatted immediately after the show last night. This, has also been mentioned by others already, the fact that apparently ABC/Shonda feel that promos with mer/der will get us to tune in, and yes they do. However, what a shame that once we watch the promos, we've pretty much seen of all of mer/der that there is to see during the 43 minutes of a show. Last night we saw in the opening scenes of the show, exactly all we had seen all week with Derek & Meredith, someone even said, last night, better to have no interaction than bad one. We are having the proverbial carrot dangled in front of us all week long & then when we tune in, there was no more. We did, however, get horrible amount of screen time of Gizzie & old guy, which could have been cut 40 seconds for one more mer/der scene that shows the potential growth in their relationship, which is where we want it to go. I HATED that Mer thinks about being there for Cristina, and tells Derek in fact, but why does she not consider that she needs to be there for him. Does he not even merit the same sensitivity and consideration as Cristina? THANK YOU for not mentioning S & M, hate that mocking phrase. Doe

In your blog of Nov 6, you said " Meredith and Derek. Who wind up together at the end of the episode. And as much as he thought he needed space, at the end, he’s where he’s always wanted to be. Pressed up against Meredith. With next to no space between them"

That statement was exactly how we, what I believe is the major fan base, felt at the time & guess what? We still do. I hope the rest of the writing team & Shonda are going to live up to that and so many other comments, about Mer/Der, and show us on screen time of their relationship growing and being nurtured by each other.

[Kimberly]

This episode was pretty good, I enjoyed Really Old Guy and how they said goodbye to him. I loved how Cristina had her pretend emotion. I was pissed to see Alex was still being "Alex" (but still drop dead GOURGEOUS!) and busted out O'Malley in front of the Interns, but he did do his job even if it meant he had to yell at Norman. Maybe Alex might finally learn something from him...about Life.

I can't wait to see the Gizzie/Callie story unfold next week...it's gonna be a THROWDOWN!

[Noel]

Tonight's show ROCKED! Loved all of it...even the end when Alex called out George. It's typical Alex.

I know everyone wants more Mer/Der... but I'm loving the entire cast and all the different angles. I can't wait until next week! HOLY AFTERMATH GEORGE!

Great job guys! FABULOUS!

[Melisa]

I know what the fans say doesn't matter much, I mean if it did, season 3 could have turned around before it burned to the ground, but seriously need Meredith and Derek to be together. REally, their chemistry is a HUGE dynamic of why we love Grey's, with that missing, you are just ordinary

[Christina]

Derek doens't need a love interest, he has the love of his life. Wasn't it just two days ago that he was defending her and why relationships are hard for her to Mark? i thought so, so although the scene was nice between him and Mark, if Meredith can't be in arelationship, her character is going to be this way all season? not something I look forward to. You need Meredith and Derek to survive, just as much as we need it

[BeachFan]

Thanks for the early post. Still loving this season's Grey's and looking to more on screen time between DerMer; but for the moment, what we have is not so bad. SO much better than last season!!! Loved the really old guy story line and all the original interns at his bedside at the end. Great 'first season Grey's touch!! Also loved Derek standing up to the Chief and Mark. Every line - perfect McDreamy. I believe you, the writers, will give us what we are looking for this season with a happier, more committed Mer/Der. Will keep watching for it for sure!! Bailey - still love Bailey!! There is no one that makes me laugh more than her. Thanks for her dialogue with Callie. Feel sorry for Callie and certainly know this is not going to end well. By the way, the promo of Izzie in the cafeteria. Oops. Hair was down then up in a ponytail? Maybe there is somthing we haven't seen yet. Christina - looking more like herself. Alex - he has been doing so well. But being mean to George - I think he will have to get his own for tha one. Don't think Lexie will think too much of him after the elevator scene either. Happy that Meredith ended the evening talking with Lexie. I do look to seeing them in a good relationship. Afterall, Meredith so needs a good, normal family relationship. Great music as always!!Thanks again for the early post!!! So far - Grey's BACK!!!!

[Day1Fan]

Thank you for showing a little light at the end of the tunnel for Meredith. I know Ms. Rhimes wanted her to be flawed, but I am pretty sure she didn't want her to be pathetic!! I was a huge Mer fan at the beginning, now I ALMOST don't care if she is given any screen time. I'm not in "the business" but I think that's a bad sign for the show's title character.
And for the love of you know who let's stop the MERDER on again off again. Put em together, give the other really HOT guys a chance to get a girl.

[Christa]

Thank you for bringing back ALEX. Thank you so so so much. Who ever wrote that scene with Alex and George in the elevator deserves an Emmy and a Golden Globe. :) I have been waiting for the return of my favorite character for quite some time now.

I am an Alex/Cristina/Mere lover and seriously...they were great tonight. The LVAD comment from Cristina was FREAKING awesome. I loved the Mer/Lexie scenes too.

I am DVR'ing this show now so that I can FF anytime I see Gizzie together. It saves me from getting a bit ill. I am glad that Callie knows, and I hope she makes Izzie look like an idiot in the cafeteria next week.

Oh, Mark and Derek in the same room together....so delicious. :)

[Krista]

Your promos were for Mer/Der, yet, I saw very little of them last night, they are what I tune in for. Way too much Callie/George/Izzie, Not very much Christine at all, Christine is another character I tune in for. All and all not much for me to watch last night.

[Tania]

I found myself getting easily distracted while watching this episode. That never use to happen when I watched Greys, I would be glued to the television and impatient when it came to commercials. There were some good scenes in the episode but I'm afraid Greys still needs some work.

[anatomylover5]

I felt it again! That feeling I got the day of Grey's Anatomy waiting for 9 pm for the start of my favorite show. I missed that feeling last year. This year it is back. Loved last night's episode. Really Old Guy brought back the humor and light-heartedness that was missing. I really liked Izzie's interactions with him. She needed a person to talked to, and he was it.
I especially liked all conversation between Mark and Derek. With Addison and Meredith out of the picture, their relationship is growing back to best buds. You can really see that they were good friends before, and both of them want to be again. I liked how Derek had to "save" Mark and the Chief. It's his MO.
Callie needs to ask for a divorce before George does. She needs to save face. Fighting Izzie would not solve anything. She should take George out into the parking lot and beat him up. She is married to him, not Izzie.

Can't wait for the excited feeling of next Thursday!

[TORONTO]

Loved this episode, i laughed so hard. Great Mer and Christina, loved Alex (he's back)...

BUT...sorry, there is a but..

MORE MER/DER...seriously they got 5 secs.
Anp PLEASE no more Izzie/George, let it be over already, it is like thre Izzie and george show.

[Michelle]

I like that Mark and Derek are talking more. I'm rooting for those two. I really dislike how Christina is dealing with things. She is using Meredith for surgeries. Its cold and its just wrong. At least have her cry like she did when she lost the baby...Burke left, we get that he wont come back for obvious reasons but dont undermine their relationship. Also, wasnt Dereks sister coming in for a visit? If Alex is clearly sparking it up with Lexie, I would love to see Tiffani Amber spark it up with Mark. It'd be interesting. Anyway maybe she can help Christina and Meredith and Izzie from being ridiculously stupid?

[Chelsey]

I LOVRD this episode. Cristina faking sadness was so funny, and I was really proud of Mer for talking to Lexie the way she did at the end. That was good. :D

[A.L.]

Alex outing George was the first great moment of the season because it accomplished so many things at once:

* Karma for George -- he deserves to be smacked down for his treatment of Callie
* Return to form for Alex -- "good" influences Addi and Ava are gone; moreover Bailey just lectured him on not getting too soft
* Instantly put the kibosh (for now) on flirtation with Lexie
* Instantly changed dynamic with Grandpa Intern
* Interns will now stop admiring George and start thinking he's Losery (at least until he performs another typical George surgical miracle like heart surgery in an elevator)
* Regresses George/Alex relationship back to earlier more antagonistic era, which nicely sets up the potential for Alex to move in on Izzie and/or Callie once one or both women realize that they have thrown away all their self-respect and dignity for DirtyLiarCheater!George
* And yet, it also showed George's growth -- he took the hit and didn't lash out at Alex.

[The Honest Truth]

The Honest Truth:

1. Really Old Guy Rocks! He was really wonderful in this episode! Right before my Grandmother died, she was the same way he was...really ornery, stubborn, and determined. I guess that's why I actually had tears in my eyes when Izzie came back and Charlie actually had died. It kind of reminded me of my Grandma - and it really hurt when she died.

2. Christina is NOT a very good friend to Meredith. When is Meredith going to trust someone else instead of putting all her trust in Christina??? Why isn't Christina telling Meredith to wake up, grab Derek, and never let him go! She should be yelling at Meredith to not end up like she is - alone! She should be telling her that all of the sudden, you might wake up and he will really be gone...

3. We've really missed ALEX - you know, the "know it all, conceited, ass" that we all love that is Alex!!! We haven't seen this Alex in a long time. It was actually refreshing!

4. I still detest George and Izzie. There's something about it that is just really wrong. I guess George has so absolutely betrayed Callie that it's almost impossible to imagine he can ever redeem himself. It was very good to see him finally act like a man and accept responsiblity and be truthful. The moment when he told Callie - and the screen went blank - just perfect!!!

5. Miranda Bailey Rocks! I loved how she just put everyone in their place - but then she also showed her vulnerability with Callie. Why don't you send her to have another talk with Meredith...this time about Derek...and how she needs to open her eyes and let him love her!!! Have her tell Meredith that she is being such a fool!!!

6. And my final thought...
We've been waiting so very patiently now into the beginning of the fourth season...and we know that Derek loves Meredith...and we know that Meredith loves Derek...and you may think you've actually put them together and all...but you really haven't ever given them a real chance...to grow and love each other. They have the very same fear: that one of them will lose the other...that one of them will walk away...let them conquer that fear together. Because the way it is right now, neither of them has each other at all. And we want this so badly for them! It's the honest truth! Any other triangles or ridiculous separations and we're going to give up on this show. Which would honestly be terrible...but it's the honest truth! AND SOMETIMES THE TRUTH STINGS!!!

[w e n d y]

I really enjoyed last night's episode.

I loved Mark & Derek together. I can't wait to see that friendship continue to re-build. They are great together. I'm glad Mark came to Seattle to get Derek back :)

I loved the moment at the end with Lexie & Meredith. I want to like Lexie, and you're doing a good job of getting me there.

I LOVED Izzie & Charlie. So great together. Such a great story. Which of course brings me to my favorite part of Grey's Anatomy...

GIZZIE. How amazing are those two together?! I loved the MATURE argument/discussion they had. And please. Tell me that Izzie's speech about determination and patience is a shout out to the NUMEROUS Gizzie fans. That if we have patience, you will bring us THE most amazing, lovable and believable couple to ever grace the small screen of Grey's Anatomy.

George + Izzie <3

Thanks.

[Audrey]

It's bbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!

Oh how I missed you, my GA! Last night was the first real glimpse of the show I fell in love with. Loved all the aspects, loved the silent drama, the constant humor. The only person who cried was Lexie at the end and thank God because I was sick to death of Meredith or Issie crying.

There was more growth with the characters in the past episode then there has been in the last 15 episodes.

One question: Why did Alex snitch on George about being a repeater?

JOB WELL DONE!

I'm a happy camper.

[Kadizzle]

Much improved! Definately the best episode in a very long time. Props.

[Nonna]

I love George and Izzie and I am 32, and all the people I know who love them are uin their 30s, so the 12 year old line gets old. The Gizzie haters seem to be much more immature than the fans so they must be the 12-year old, saying things like they want her with Alex because Alex is a hotter guy is not that mature.

Gizzie forever!

[Marie]

First of all, I hate Alex, what the heck was wrong with him doing that to George. Is he so jealouys of him? I wanted to slap him really really hard! Loved Lexie's disgusted look.

I am so glad George told Callie the truth and I hope you are not planning on keeping him with Callie.

He belongs with Izzie, they are each other's soulmates, and I love how they can argue and you can still see the connection and love between them. I loved how he got closer to her when she was upset. You don't see that with him and Callie, there is always this distance and he and Izzie, there is always this closeness, this link between them.

So please keep them together

[Jody]

Great as always... LOVED that Bailey yelled at Alex TO yell at the interns.. hated that Alex was a jerk to George and outed him as a repeater.

Loved Mer & Cristina, always some of the best moments. Loved Derek scolding Mark & the Chief.

Derek & Meredith... please give them a break. Believe it or not, we WON'T get bored if they could be together and happy!

[Nina]

I love Callie, I really do, just not with George, they never clicked to me. I see no connection there, nothing, almost an anti-chemistry. George and Izzie, on the other hand, just seem to connect on a really deep level, and always have.

I don't want Callie to be hurt but I do want George and Izzie. So I hope Callie realizes she cannot have George and go after a man who will love ehr like she deserves.

Not all Gizzie fans are anti-Callie, a lot of us like her, just not with George.

[Donna]

Am I the only one who didn't like this episode? I didn't see much that was light hearted and fun about Izzie -- our sweet Izzie who cares about ALL her patients -- getting really cranky with "really old guy" because he told her the truth about some things. And the sweet Izzie that baked muffins to deal with her grief has gone where? To George? I'm not opposed to Gizzie, but I still don't understand it. When did Izzie fall in love with George? When exactly? Is it when she saw him naked? Or after they had sex? This has never been explained to me and it's so frustrating that SUDDENLY this relationship is THERE and it's only a month or so after George got married? What? ????

There were very few light moments in this episode, and practically no relationship development. I'm sure I'm in the minority, from the comments received, but I was seriously disappointed and if we get more episodes like this, I may have to stop watching. The best part of the show was Baily -- in fact she was the ONLY good part. How pathetic was it to see Sandra Oh wasted acting all sad and helpless? To see Izzie turning into a shrewish brat beause George isn't doing what she wants him to do soon enough? (Isn't that what Callie does to George?)

I sincerely hope that we finally learn more about Alex, that Mer/Der continue to act like grownups and that Meredith gets her act together and is not quite as broken as she has been, and that some cohesiveness occurs soon. Perhaps Addison will decide she's a surgeon after all and come back. And I still miss Burke . ..

Hoping for the best, despite everything.

Donna

[Holly]

I am , again, impressed with this season. Loved last night's episode- can't wait for next week.
One little thing,though.
Alex. He was being so gentle, so sweet, so good - then BAM- he turns evil. I didn't see that coming and I think that needs to be addressed further.
Other than that, great episode!

[Chelsea]

God, I so hate Alex, what a total jerk doing that to George, I could have killed him, and that smug sick smile, aargh!

I thought the George, Izzie and Callie story was so well told again. I could relate to all of them. George trying to tell Callie the right way without hurting her too much. Izzie not wanting to be the other woman and just wanting to be with the guy she loves. Callie scared of getting her word destroyed.

QAs a big George and Izzie fan, I was disappointed at first when George only said he slept with Izzie, because it is so much more than that, they love each other, but then I understood he didn't want to rub it in Callie's face too much, which is why I love him.

I know George and Izzie have to suffer some consequences, but when that is done, I really want them together, they are so in love. I want them to be the cute, funny couple who puts a big smile on your face when you see them. We have MerDer for the drama but we need a strong other couple who can just be happy and prove true love does exist and can be happy. When his marriage to Callie is over, I know they can be that couple, just do not give them up, a lot of us are totally in love with them.

Oh and TR and Katie rock in so many ways!

[Radin]

loved this eppy!! and yes, the truth just sucks sometimes. i loved the lexie/mer scenes. good job all, love ya later!!

[Tina]

I am looking forward to next week and hoping George does not suffer too much. I can't help it, I really love him no matter what he does, there is something so likable about him.

I loved that old guy was honest with Izzie but I do love that he told her he could be wrong.

A lot of amrried guys do not leave their wives, but George is different. He is not the guy to string a woman along, and it is really obvious how much he loves Izzie.

I love how Izzie can put her heart on the line though and risk it all for love, while other people like Meredith are terrified of it. I love that about Izzie, and I love thta George took his courage in his hands and told Callie th truth, both Callie and Izzie deserve that.

I really really love George and Izzie and hoping they get a chance.

Okay so..why is it every thursday night at about 10:05 I am wishing the rest of the week away becuase I can't wait to see the next episode?? Seriously, this is closley brushes the edge of cruelty.

Any