Shonda on the Season Premiere Episode "A Change Is Gonna Come"...

Original Airdate: 9-27-07

So…change.

Change is good.  Change is everything.

Change is also what’s in the stomach of that guy who can’t stop eating weird crap.

Welcome to Season Four.  SEASON FOUR.  I can’t believe we made it this far.  We’re proud to have made it this far.  Let me tell you, Season Three was not easy for anybody and we’re glad to have it behind us.  It’s all new dawn, new day over here and people are happy as freaking pie about it.

The interns are residents now, with interns of their own.  Except for George, poor George, who is stuck repeating his intern year.  He’s a repeater.  And it’s not easy being a repeater.  It pretty much sucks being a repeater.  He’s the only who hasn’t gone through any change when we begin the episode.  But by the end, he has.  He tells Izzie that he loves her too.  Which takes guts.  Because he knows what he is getting into.  He’s a married man, he’s a married man with a great wife, and he never intended to be a married man who loved another woman.  Man, is he in for some change.

I’ve been reading the boards.  I know how a lot of y’all feel about the George/Izzie of it all.  But stay tuned because it gets really interesting.  And funny.  And sad.  And I’m pretty sure what comes is unexpected.

Meredith and Derek are “broken up” by the end of this first episode.  But what does that really mean?  Especially when break up means break up sex?  Are they really apart?  Poor Meredith can’t quite deal with all that is expected of her in this relationship but they love each other, they really truly love each other and so…how much can they really be broken up?

I gotta say, I’m really rooting for the two of them to make it.  For Meredith to get her act together and learn to trust someone.  Someone other than Cristina.  Whom she honeymooned with. 

That was my favorite detail.  That Meredith and Cristina went on Cristina’s honeymoon together.  Because that is so exactly what my best friends and I would have done (my best friends are named Cristina and Debbie – they are my Cristina and Izzie) if I had been left at the altar by a spectacular heart surgeon on the day of my wedding.  We would have gone on that honeymoon and tried to have a good time.  We would have been fine.  Which is what Cristina is – fine.  Or she’s trying to be.  Fine.  But she’s not.  She’s not fine and we know she’s not fine because when she’s looking at the internally decapitated man and his family all together at the end, she’s devastated. 

Bailey.  I love her.  And I love that she’s not at ALL about to let the Chief off the hook for not making her Chief Resident.  After all, she’s BAILEY.  She’s worked hard, she’s been the best.  And isn’t it just like the Chief to decide what is best for her?  It’s his flaw, the Chief.  He’s an old school man and like an old school man, he’s taking care of his women.  Whether they like it or not.  Whether they want to be taken care of or not.  This isn’t gonna be an easy pill for Bailey to swallow…

But my most favorite thing about this episode?  Mark and Derek kinda making up.  That moment when Mark professes his “intentions” to Derek about why he came to Seattle is priceless.  And charming.  And a little bit sweet.   They were the very best of friends, these two.  They grew up together.  So it’s so true that they would go back to being friends in the absence of Addison…

Addison, by the way, is living her life over on Wednesday nights.  It’s a good life.  And I’m not saying you should check it out.  But…you should check it out.

Back to Seattle:  Lexie Grey is here now.  And she’s here to stay.  I love that she’s a bit of a dork.  Being a dork myself, I am fond of the girls with verbal diarrhea.  Because it’s not easy to keep all your words in – believe me.  It’s the reason I identify so much with Callie.  Poor Callie.  She’s got a lot of unpleasant stuff heading her way in the coming weeks.  Things she never imagined she would have to go through.  But the one thing she will never do is keep silent.

Okay, this blog was late and now, it’s short.  But that’s because I have to get back to writing scripts for the show…

Thank you for watching.  I mean that.  We mean that.  All of us over here at Grey’s mean it.  We’re staring at a new dawn, new day but that doesn’t mean we aren’t grateful to every single one of you for watching…

Comments

[shadesofgrey]

you're saying everything is about to change. so i think you're implying that the fact that meredith can only trust christina is about to change. i sense a big upheaval in the hierarchy of friends this season. can't wait.
thank you for keeping the faith in your characters and in US.
love you shonda.

[Paige]

Loved the premiere. Especially everyone giving Bailey's 1st day speech to their new interns. Very clever! The only thing that really bugged me was Lexie babbling on to Meredith and Derek when she was supposed to have urgently been paging him for Cristina. Mad me a little mad. Thanks for saving the deer. It would've broken my heart if Izzy couldn't have saved it. Yeah, I'm a sucker for animals and for hope - just like Izzy! Keep up the great work and I can't wait for tomorrow night's episode!

[Haylee]

Shonda, you're my hero. <3

[Lynn]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for the break-up kiss and break-up sex!! It made the wait worthwhile!!!

[Meaghan]

Excited for a new season, loved Derek and Mark scene. MER DER :)

[Seung]

Great Job Shonda, I can't wait for the rest of the season!!

Very very interesting George and Izzie..I hope it's not too sad.

And really curious of what you are gonna do with Mer/Der..hehe

Thanks for the great show Shonda always!

[Jennifer]

I'm glad Grey's is back, and I'm glad I'm watching, because after last season's finale...well, let's just say my watching any more "Grey's" was not by any means a sure thing. You messed up...messed up big time. It seems as though the show I fell in love with is trying to get back on track, but it's definitely not there yet. At this point, I can't stand the character of Izzie. I'm sure Katherine Heigl is a terrific gal (she's a terrific actor, as evidenced by the fact that she's elicited--in character--such a strong response from me). But Izzie? Awful. Self-absorbed, self-destructive, and the worst part? Destructive to others. She nearly took down the careers of her closest colleagues with the thing with Denny, slept with "her best friend" when he was married (sorry, drunk doesn't make it okay), and now is trying to persuade him to leave his wife. Selfish. Awful. Nearly unwatchable. And the thing with the deer? I ended up fast-forwarding (thank you, TiVo!) through the last couple of scenes relating to the deer because it was so insulting to my intelligence and to the integrity of the show. I'm guardedly optimistic that the show is heading back in the right direction, but Shonda...don't take us for granted anymore. You've used up a lot of goodwill.

[Audrey]

Shonda, Shonda, Shonda.

We stuck through the bad times last season. We held onto that ray of hope. Thursday night was rocky but the

last 5 minutes brought GA back home. MerDer has to exist. I don't care on what plain, it has to exist. That

they couldn't resist each other made me whole again (isn't that really, really, really sad?!). I LOVED that

Derek summed up Mer's situation to a tee when talking to Mark in the scrub room. It was so gratifying that he

actually understood what she was going through rather than the dribble he was spouting last season. Has Derek

finally found a set of cohonies? Let's have MerDer have a happy relationship this season, eh? Yes, you've

stuck in a breakup now but they're really still together. Let's leave them together (officially). We need to

settle them down because the breakups are happening every other episode and are becoming very tedious.

I only please beg that Lexie be kept out of any love triangle. Enough already. She's getting a bond with

George and that's great as a friend. But enough with the interns/residents/attendings sleeping with each

other. Soon, we'll need to re-situate the show to the bogs of society with so much in-breeding.

Very happy that Mark & Derek are going to become friends again. LOVED Mark's comment that he came to Seattle

for Derek. Oh, I laughed aloud! The stars are aligning to their correct places.

My heart bleeds for Bailey but she's a tiger and will triumph. It's her nature. Loved that our new residents

used her rules. Also glad that Bailey isn't running to aid Callie. Bailey is showing who really was the

better candidate and standing up for herself. Loved it.

The deer was way out there and making my eyes roll more than once but I persevered. Shocking the deer on a

metal truck-bed was a slight oversight, I thought. Absolutely thrilled that Isiah Washington is gone. It's a

breath of fresh air.

Alex needs to shave the goatie. It puffs out his face and is not at all attractive. As a side note, please

don't concentrate on the new interns. I don't care about them. I've invested 3 years already and don't want

anyone else!! :)

Truly, I was ready to throw in the towel. So much rode on this episode. But you brought me back. You know the

winning formula, Shonda. We don't want reality. We want a credible fantasy. That chemistry & true love that

is "MerDer" is our fantasy. Keep it with us. Bring us our strong, lovable characters and you'll never lose us

again.

Well done.
Audrey

P.S. If Callie is preggars, it's going to turn into Days of Our Lives. Let's keep the focus on our (now)

residents & George. It's such a winning combination.

[Katie Mc]

I hope that Mer.der do make it because i love them, and i am liking gizzie but then i feel so sorry for callie, she truley loves George :(

Anyway love the new season just like season 1 keep it up

katie

[Always b Grey]

I guess I'm one of the first to write to you, Shonda.
I really liked the show. I mean, the deer was a little odd, but healing it is what I would expect crazy Izzie to do so I guess it was in character.
I LOVE Mer/Der!!!
They are the reason I watch the show in the first place.
Thank you for redeeming Derek. I loved the fact that he "get's" Mere.
That last scene in the on-call room was GREAT!!!!
I liked that Derek was "just going along" with the break-up because that's all Mere can handle right now.Following that scene with Gizzie was kinda disgusting but when I re-watch, I just fast forward through so I guess I can deal.
I was sad and disapointed after the season finale last year but I am looking forward to a new year and a new begining for Mer/Der!!!!
Mer/Der forever!!!
That's my motto...

[T]

Shonda, this is my first post ever. I have been anxiously awaiting your post all week! I have to say I am a HUGE Gray's fan (as in I refuse to be a slave to my television. I watch tv one night a week and you guessed it, since Gray's started, my tv night is the night Gray's is on.) Last season, I almost became NOT a Gray's fan. I had decided to give this year three episodes. I was so disappointed in almost everything last year. By mid episode, I was seriously considering saying forget it, and in the last 5 minutes of the show, I was hooked again. I have to say, I expected to hate Lexi and now she is definately a fave. I am hoping to see the George/Izzy of it all make sense and I can't help root for both Mer/Der and MAR/Der. That was my favorite scene. Macho Mark wearing his feelings on his sleeve lately both over Addison and Derek has been awesome to see. PS My husband taped Private Practice in case I might want to check it out. I thought it was good. I may have to tivo it to watch after Gray's in the future. Keep up the great work!

[Cathy]

I am enjoying Meredith/Derek and Cristina, and to some extent Alex, but sorry Shonda - the George and Izzie of it all is becoming somewhat of a deal breaker here. Right now, what I do not expect is for these two idiots is to get what is coming to them - and I hope that they do get what is coming to them so I can enjoy this show in its entirety again. Sorry, this is wrong, just plain wrong and no matter how you sugar-coat it it will not be right.

[Karene]

Thank you Shonda for writing sucha great story for us to spend out Thursday nights with!
Sometimes Der/Mer fustrate me....they just can't seem to get it together! If they only knew how many of us are rooting for them!!!!
Keep up the great work!!!!

[Rachel]

I can't wait to see what this "new dawn, new day" brings!!!

[Sarah]

Thank you for posting! I have been compulsively checking for days =). And just FYI I like Gizzie, feel so bad for Callie, but LOVE Gizzie.
I also appreciate the dorkiness of Lexie.

Excellent show except for the deer part. That was lame.

I think Mark likes Mer. I think he was badmouthing her to Derek to try to get close to Derek and it backfired. Love the embarrasing "Get you back".

Lexie shares a trait with Mer. Horrific timing and blurting things out at the worst possible moment. I guess she is going to be the anti-Mer. Glass half full instead of half empty.

Love Bailey with an edge. "not my interns, not my business."

George: It's Callie,Izzy, Meredith and Cristina's fault? Come on George, man up.

Love Derek defending Meredith to Mark. I guess over the summer (17 days) Derek grew a pair and became less brainless. He knows Meredith so well. When Meredith says breakup, he didn't pout or walk away. She pushed him away and he kept on coming.

Alex: Love the new look. A man who is confident and in charge. A little empathy for Cristina.

Callie: Interesting watching her struggle with her new job. Bailey has their respect and Callie has to earn it.

Izzy: I can take her and George together or not. Bambie speech was horrible.

Cristina: Becoming human. She so misses Burke.

Meredith: I am a little uneasy about the speech to Nancy about better to be alone and a success than be in a relationship and feel like a failure. She could not look Derek in the eye when she tried to break up with him. I think she will be protective of Lexie if manwhore Alex or Mark makes a move on her.

Can't wait until tomorrow.

[Anon]

I loved the show!! It was a great season opener!!

Keep up the good work!

[1143dblanch]

The premier was amazing! I am happy to see the way the show is going. You did a great job!

It will be interesting to watch this season unfold...

It is also good to see some Mer/Der action (even better to know there is more on the way)!

I think the George and Izzie story is heartbreaking...and realistic. I understand some have problems with it--but I get it. They are best friends, he got married... its hard to take that step into accepting your best friend is married. Sometimes it causes interesting reactions (like believing you are in love with him, for instance).

[ctc]

I loved it! I may be one of the few, but I LOVE George and Izzie. I don't like the sound of it being sad, but you fabulous writers always work it out! Thanks!

[Enough Already]

Derek deserves someone better than Meredith. Someone he can be a real person with, flaws and all. Unfortunately, with her he has to be McDreamy ALL THE TIME or she can't handle being with him. Please end Mer/Der and let Derek move on to an adult, not someone that behaves like they are 14.

[josebajm]

I loved this episode, especially when George told Izzie he loved her too. I'm just glad that you finally have decided to give this couple a chance. I love them to no end and they are the main reason why I watch the show.

[M.T-Texas]

I LOVE THIS SHOW! You have an amazing staff of writers and I live for the next show :)

BTW..I love Private Practice too :)

WRITE ON!

[Vicki]

Loved most of it, really can't wait to see where it all goes.

[Lori]

I have to say that thoroughly enjoyed the premiere episode. It'll be interesting to see what happens between Meredith and Lexie (with a little McDreamy thrown in), Cristina without Burke and most of all the George/Izzie/Callie deal. I still don't see George and Izzie as anything more than best friends (they were like brother and sister for the first 2 seasons and even part of 3!) but I definitely want to know where THAT'S headed! Hey...will we get to know Alex a little more this season? The Alex we saw with Ava was a great start and he's basically the only character we don't really know too much about.
Thanks to you and all the writers...you guys ROCK.

[Shannon]

Shonda, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I had all but given up hope by the season finale of season three. Depressing is just too optimistic of a word to describe how it was or how I felt. I swore off the show all summer. Really, I did. I wasn't even sure I would watch the premiere. But, I did. OH MY, DID I EVER! With an open mind. And, a hand on your shoulder following your lead and putting faith in you as you asked. I'm so freakin happy. I wish I had something more thoughtful or poetic to say right now but all I can think of saying is that I'm FREAKIN HAPPY.
Meredith and Derek. WOW. We got more from them in their 'break up' than we did the whole time they were a couple. WOW. They love each other so much and I just hope he has the patience to stand by her. Meredith has never had anyone she truly love stay with her. Christina may be her person, but Derek is the love of her life. Derek is her connection to her heart. Thank God they seem to be on a more healthy, fun, loving and even more comical path.
GIZZIE! George and Izzie MUST stay together. The mere thought of them ending saddens me. Sure, there are thousands and thousands of people who don't like them but there are THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS that do and even more THOUSANDS that hop on the GIZZIE ship daily. The two actors have created incredible chemisty together. Their storyline is so intriguing. The joy and the pain that can come between two best friends falling in love. Not to mention, one of them is married. This is beyond intriguing. Gizzie is CAPTIVATING for me, oh, and those thousands and thousands that add up to millions and millions of other fans!
Thank you so much Shonda for bringing Greys BACK! Back on track.
Did I mention, I'm so freakin HAPPY. I am.

[chloe]

I love the season premiere, I'm really touched by the voiceover Meredith gave at the end of the episode. Oh, and Derek finally understands Meredith, I think it's a good start for both of them. I hope this season is really gonna be better than the last one, I love the intern moments and Merder storyline. Now with Mark and Lexie inside the story, I so hope that you could keep the Old Grey's alive...
Personally, I want to see how Cristina's gonna deal with the whole Burke leaving incident...I think it's gonna be interesting

[Team Mark/Derek]

Finally! The storyline that I waited all of season 3 to watch appears to be happening. Mark/Derek are the main reason I watched the premiere, the only "couple" on this show I find worth rooting for. Please make this a major storyline of season 4. Derek and Mark are far more interesting than Derek & Meredith. At least Mark can form a sentence and tell Derek how he feels.

[B]

It was a super fine episode, Shonda. Thank you!

[Marcie]

I can't beleive that the very first comment would be negative.
Ignore the negative because you ROCK.
Everything about the episode rocked and it was great. I love the show, I love you, and I love Meredith! Keep on Rockin!

[Ann]

Of course you made it to season 4 - you have the BEST darn show on television! Derek & Meredith can "break up" as often as they want, as long as you promise scenes like the one at the end of 4.01. They are a magnificent couple (a credit to PD and EP's fine acting talent) and the hook that keeps us tuning in episode after episode. We look forward to watching their relationship progress in a positive way this season. S3 is but a distant memory. The future looks bright and shiny!!!

[Audrey]

Loved the episode, but next time, can the blog be posted on Friday? It's part of my weeky ritual lol.

[Sara]

Love you Shonda! Love LOVE Grey's! The first episode was brilliant! I was applauding, and cheering out loud that the Grey's I love so much is BACK! Last season was soooo rough, and I was a bit worried about this season. But after the first episode, I know I'm in for a great ride.

Thanks so much Shonda, and all the wonderful writers and CAST!

*mwah*
Sara

[Nik]

Well I gotta say... I was pleasantly surprised with the MerDer of it all. Although I want to see more depth to them and ro see them grow, you can certainly feel how much they want to trt and how hard it was for them to "break up" They are magnetic and incredibly hot while I can't wait for their relationship to progress, I will certainly enjoy the hot sex and flirting. As long as they are together and working on being happy together, I'm happy. I absolutely loved Dereks speech to Mark and the fact that they are working on repairing their friendship.

As for Lexie, I was fully prepared to hate her, but now that I know there will never be anything between she and Derek. I sort of like her. just as long as she doesn't try to take Mers place and she works on a good relationship with her.

I have the feeling the Greys I fell in love with is back and I couldn't be happier. Thank You

[Saddie]

Shonda, thank you for blogging. I guess. I am really sad. I so don't appreciate you constantly putting us, George and Izzie's fans, down. It's like we don't even exist. We write, we explain, we do everything and even more in order to let you know that we're heeeere, helloooo, and bang! Every single time you talk about G/I you just HAVE to explain yourself to the ones that hate the pairing. Ok. You know what? After a whole summer of angst and hope, now you have to hear it: you're almost RUINING it for us who love these two, too! I mean Katie and TR are so great, their moments together are so incredibly amazing, they have so much chemistry and yet, every time we get a good 5 seconds, we have to hear one thousand times after that they're gonna pay for it and we're gonna pay for loving them. Give those two a break!!! They are interesting, sparkling and a great couple! I know, I know there must be drama, angst and hate and whatever, but can't you just admit for once that they in fact ARE a beautiful couple and that you love or loved them together, because for goodness' sake, you WROTE them as a love story! What are we, fools? We're not even unreasonable. We don't want happily ever after RIGHT NOW, as so many MerDer fans keep asking for. But we want to to admit the obvious: George's marriage to Callie is a mistake, Callie deserves better, George deserves better and he loves Izzie, Izzie loves him back and how can LOVE just stop because your friends say so??? Oh, Shonda. Try to be yourself. Try to be fair. PLEASE!

[aphrodite]

shonda and other writers:

don't change your original script because of the fans. if people really are fans they will follow the show regardless of what you do. we still watched after that crazy ferry boat heaven crap and we will still watch if george and izzie end up together (i, for one, am rooting for them since callie totally pushed george into marrying her).

you are the writers. you are the creator. don't get lost in the boards.

- aphrodite

[Casey]

Let me just say I loved the Mark/Derek scene...classic.

["leaping"]

Had my doubts, but SP felt like old grey's was back...so I'm going to leap with you for now. It was a very well written episodes, regardless of whether we like gizzie or not. .."the more things change the more they stay the same" loved that line, at least for mer/der, please keep it going in that direction. Trusting your statement below, and that you will continue to allow these characters to nurture a relationship that neesd so much nurturing. McDreamy redeemed himself from the can't breath for you epi and she, in my opinion showed all her vulnerability in that last scene. Loved that he gets it... and is in it...

"Poor Meredith can’t quite deal with all that is expected of her in this relationship but they love each other, they really truly love each other and so…how much can they really be broken up?gotta say, I’m really rooting for the two of them to make it. For Meredith to get her act together and learn to trust someone."

[:) Ange]

My favourite scene was the moment between Derek and Mark. The smiles!!!!! I wanted to leap out of my seat and cheer at the glimpse of someone being HAPPY for a fleeting moment. I want more happiness on the show. Sure life isn't always happy... but it is SOMETIMES and even better if I have to "suspend disbelief" to watch a show, I'm more willing to do so for a show that pretends that people CAN be happy in a crappy world, instead of a show which thinks of every possible way of making Meredith miserable. She's flawed... but let's let HER have some hope too... please.

Yay for Mark and Derek. :D

[Over It]

Mer/Der may not be over for them. For me? Its over. Its so over.

[Elizabeth]

I absolutely love your show and can not wait to see what happens next! I look forward to Thursday all week!

[Angela]

Great episode!
LOVED the last scene with George and Izzie, they're just PERFECT together!

Good job!

[Lynn]

Alright, I was worried, I admit it. After the ripping everything down at the end of last season, I wondered how on earth you would encourage us to keep watching. I lost a little faith. I'm still hedging my bets, but I am hopeful again. #1 I am glad to see that Mer/Der are not being destroyed again after all. I mean, obviously all is not bright and shiny in their world, but they aren't being destroyed. That is enough for me....for now. #2 As for Izzie. Yeah, she's selfish. Yeah, she's destructive. She's also one hell of a true to herself, put-her-heart-on-her-sleeve, absolutely realistic character. People may hate her, but it is only because they have never been in her shoes. They have never had the balls or the desire to profess their love for a best friend---even that friend isn't available. #3 I LOVE Lexie!! She is beautiful and hilarious and a perfect fit into our self-absorbed, damaged people. She has lived a bit of a charmed life which just got swept out from under her for the first time in her life. She is not steady on her feet and she isn't sure what she should do or where she is going. She doesn't strike me as a person who likes the feeling. I think she is going to prove no end of fascinating to watch. #4 Love the effort but for god's sake stop putting veterinary medicine into your show. Or if you refuse to do so, do as much research on it as you do for the human medical aspect. It is insulting and ridiculous to those of us with veterinary backgrounds to watch scenes such as those with the deer. It was sweet, but so incredibly impossible and unrealistic that I was completely let down in the show. Deer are not tame. They do not walk on halter and lead. If they go into cardiac arrest from a hit by car accident, they are not coming back. Animals very very rarely go into defib and it would be insane for the deer to be "all better" after going into cardiac arrest and being shocked. Please do not insult us with any more animal storylines unless you are going to do some research. Stick with the people. You're really really good with the people. With complex emotion and relationships and with insanely fascinating and witty dialogue. Keep it up!

[annie]

I just want George and Izzie together and hope the i-love-u-too scene is a harbinger of that not a deceitful hope-giver.

[B]

the blog poster said "quite soon"...but that was not quite soon it's the day before the next show airs! Just please don't lie to us Mister Blog Poster. Also, for me, showing the deer's face is what made the story go over the deep end. I liked the idea of the deer...but next time don't show the fake deers face. However, Izzie's face was priceless when that deer jumped up! I also like the road Merder seem to be taking... I was wondering how you guys were gunna fix them. Good thing you pulled through.

[fabz]

I FREAK'N LOVE GIZZIE!!!!!!
please, with a cherry on top, keep them together... they are sooo cute

[Angelique]

Shonda my faith in you is slowly being restored. I have faith in you to fix Mer/Der and make sure they make it. I understand Mer needs to get her act together and you're letting Derek give her that opportunity. So please make sure you keep them together and make them stronger individually and even stronger as a couple. Let her let Derek in and trust him. Thank you for the great eppy.

[Sara]

Gizzie is amazing and I know it seems that not many people like George and Izzie together, but it so much easier to complain about something than praise it.

[Barbara]

Shonda--need to go take a shower and then off to the dentist--ugh--but before that I just had to check and see whether you had posted yet and FINALLY--you have really spoiled us with the writer's blog you see. That's why we GA lovers are such a whiny bunch--we are so spoiled, we feel we OWN this show, and you are patient with us just as we have to be patient with all of you. Anyway, I am a GIZZIE fan and also a Mer Der fan and I loved Derrek giving Mark what-for about Meredith. Finally he gets it and seems to be getting over feeling sorry for HIMself and taking it all personally. Good that they are going to pretend to be broken up since that is the only way they can be happy without all the attendant angst of an avowedly committed love-of-my-life relationship. I have faith that eventually they will both grow into it. Meanwhile, glad to see they are going to have a little fun and not be all boo hoo all the time. I don't believe that Mark came to Seattle to win back Derek, but who knows, you could be right. Either way, the exchange was a stitch. Hope Eva/Rebecca shows up soon and PLEASE let us delve into Alex this year. He is SUCH a fascinating character. Last of all, I LOVE IZZIE and am tired of hearing her get beat up on. Yes, she is self absorbed. Yes, she is sometimes selfish. She is also a lover and a giver and impulsive. Sorry, but I see myself in her, maybe why I don't blame her for anything she has done. I would have done everything the same as she has, despite being able to see from the sidelines how wrong she often is...so don't listen. Just do it.

[BamaBelle]

One thing I forgot, how in the world could George keep his repeater status from the other interns? Obviously, the residents all know him well AND, at least for now, he's married to the CHIEF RESIDENT. Does he think they won't find out who he is? I would think the CR's husband flunking would be hospital wide gossip fodder.

[Aubrey]

I was worried! I didn't think I would like Lexie..But George was right-she IS kind of awesome! Love the new dynamics with the interns becoming residents. So glad the show is back! I have missed it!

[Dani A.]

First of all, Thank you Shonda, and all the writers. I absolutely loved the seaosn premiere. So did everyone I know. we are still talking about it.

I am not liking what I am reading on some boards on the internet from the fans that Lexie Grey is a possible Meredith replacement on the show. I know you will never do that to Mer. She's Meredith, she's our girl. "The one" you know the Grey in Grey's Anatomy. And I can't see anyone playing that part other than the gorgeous ever so talented Ellen P. (someone please give her an award already).

Anyway, I am not really liking Lexie yet. Maybe as you said, its that dorky thing. Don't know, she's just hard to swallow.

Meredith and Derek, I loved the breakup story. Making it easy for meredith to grow into a relationship with Derek by believing they are not in a relationship but enjoying the "sex and mockery" of it. I like it, and see a lot of funny dramatic moments to come from it. and hopefully help Meredith deal with her fear and insecurities and grow towards Derek since they have the most amazing on screen chemistry on TV. And Love each other so much.
And its great that Derek showed us he gets Meredith when he defended her to Mark. Loved that scene, and the later scene between those two.

Not a fan of George and Izzie though. but interested to see how it goes.

Thank you for a great show indeed. If you only knew how many people are watching this show where I am. I live in Jordan, Middle East. And you have a HUGE and I mean HUGE fan base here. We are loving every minute of it.
Cheers.

[kammommy]

Love the show - welcome season 4. I will follow along even though I may not always agree with your plan. Isn't that the point though. To scream angrily at the characters on your TV wondering what is going on. And to cry and smile when something wonderful happens to them. Thanks for all that you do.

[trn219]

I understand that George is married, but the hatred for the George & Izzie pairing seems to go beyond that and I don't understand it. Who doesn't want to fall in love with their best friend? I think they have more chemistry than George & Callie. And, Derek was married in the beginning too...Callie doesn't deserve to be hurt, but why can't anyone cut George a little slack? He made a poor decision in the wake of his father's death.

[Liz]

Loved the first episode... can't wait for the rest of the season! The whole connection between the deer and George was pretty obvious... Izzie was able to save the deer, therefore she believes that she can save George. Also the conversation between Christina and Alex at the end was really nice. Can't wait for Thursday's episode!

[~ Lo]

Grey's is back!!!!! I cannot begin to tell you how freaking excited I am!

I loved the priemere. I thought it was awesome, save for the deer thing. I so could've done without that. You know what else I could've done without? Gizzie. Eww, I like the characters apart (well I like George, Izzie, I'm a little annoyed with this second) but as a couple? Just eww. I know you keep saying in interviews that you guys never touted Gizzie as the love affair of the century. The thing is, I'm just not sold on the fact that Izzie all of the sudden slept with him, and then bam! she was in love. Not after how she dealed with Denny.

Ok, onto more positive things: MerDer!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the "break up" kiss and sex! That was the hottest thing ever! I'm very optimistic about these two, and I beg you, please don't kill my hopes for MerDer. Last season? I liked last season, but I didn't love it as a whole b/c you damn near killed my MerDer, and that's just a no-no. Please let Meredith begin to trust him and communicate with Derek. I want her to be happy.

I feel so bad for Cristina, and I absolutely adored the Cris/Alex scene at the end where they confess to missing Burke/Rebecca respectively. And I look forward to the evolution of the Derek/Mark friendship. Both of their scenes last episode were wonderful.

And Lexie- well at least I don't hate her anymore. She seems genuinely nice, and all, but she's annoying. I just don't do perky and dorky. And I guess I'm having a difficult time liking her b/c she's had everything Mer was denied her whole life. Until Mer's happy, thne I could work on actually liking Lexie. However, I do hope she and Mer are able to form a bond. Actually, I'd like to see more of Molly. I really liked her.

Anyway, I have procrastinated enough on my stupid homework. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's episode. Here's to a funner and lighter season 4 in which you hopefully give Ellen Pompeo the material so that she can finally be recognized for her amazing talent. (yeah I'm still bitter she wasn't nominated...freaking blind emmy people)

And please, Shonda & Co, listen to us. Listen to your fans!!! Especially the MerDer ones ;)

[Dani A.]

First of all, Thank you Shonda, and all the writers. I absolutely loved the seaosn premiere. So did everyone I know. we are still talking about it.

I am not liking what I am reading on some boards on the internet from the fans that Lexie Grey is a possible Meredith replacement on the show. I know you will never do that to Mer. She's Meredith, she's our girl. "The one" you know the Grey in Grey's Anatomy. And I can't see anyone playing that part other than the gorgeous ever so talented Ellen P. (someone please give her an award already).

Anyway, I am not really liking Lexie yet. Maybe as you said, its that dorky thing. Don't know, she's just hard to swallow.

Meredith and Derek, I loved the breakup story. Making it easy for meredith to grow into a relationship with Derek by believing they are not in a relationship but enjoying the "sex and mockery" of it. I like it, and see a lot of funny dramatic moments to come from it. and hopefully help Meredith deal with her fear and insecurities and grow towards Derek since they have the most amazing on screen chemistry on TV. And Love each other so much.
And its great that Derek showed us he gets Meredith when he defended her to Mark. Loved that scene, and the later scene between those two.

Not a fan of George and Izzie though. but interested to see how it goes.

Thank you for a great show indeed. If you only knew how many people are watching this show where I am. I live in Jordan, Middle East. And you have a HUGE and I mean HUGE fan base here. We are loving every minute of it.
Cheers.

[Sherri]

I'm one of the minority out there that LOVES "Gizzie". Sometimes you can find true love and a best friend all rolled into one. They complete each other. Also want some happiness and truth talk from MerDer. Great show, and I have checked Wed night out - it's pretty good. Forgot how much I missed seeing Amy Brenneman on TV.

[Ben]

Shonda! Keep The George/Izzie stuff going! They are the best! I think more people love them than you think. Hope it doesn't get too sad...

[StephRo]

Okay, so I was about to say I was disappointed with that season premier, but then you gave us that beautiful Mer/Der moment...which was-well, beautiful! When Meredith wasn't making eye-contact with Derek, you could just tell how much she didn't want to break-up with him, and it showed that she really does love him! YAY! and then George confessing his love to Izzie! I have to admit, I was not a fan of the "Gizzie" thing, but after that one line, my heart was theirs. It was so great! Even if I didn't agree at first, they do love each other, whether it be as friends or more, I have to say, you sold me on that.

Oh yeah, and I was thinking, since it is the start of a new year, does that mean another DEAD BABY BIKE RACE?! actually, I think I'm saying, PLEASE bring a dead baby bike race! I'm not gonna lie, I loved Viper (the guy with the ruptured parentanethis thingy)! Because he told Meredith she'd be seeing him again, and I know she saw him again later in the episode, but how great would it be for him to come back?!! or atleast brnig someone from the Dead Baby Bike Race!!!

Anyway, well done on that season premier, it was very very very good!

oh yeah, and did the Deer (bambi) represent George (also bambi)? Is Izzie going to save George somehow? Are you foreshadowing again? Izzie isn't giving up on George even though everyone else thinks she's crazy, or does Izzie literally save George's life? Or does Izzie help George save his marriage? AH! I'm SO excited for the rest of this season!!!

[Patty]

Gizzie is still despicable

TEAM CALLIE ALL THE WAY!

[Suisan]

You're back! And looking a lot like the first two seasons. There has to be change, else how can a series go on. Along with everyone else, I'm happy to see Meredith/Derek being themselves again. I actually loved the deer scene - the good side of Izzy. It's been a long wait and I thought it would never arrive, but you are back. I welcome you and Betsy, doing what you do best.

About the other though..PP..I couldn't get beyond the first half hour. I hope you will bring Addison home to Seattle Grace.

[Brigette]

When you say you know how we feel about the George and Izzie of it all, who are you talking to? Just the haters, or the people who LOVE IT LIKE ME?! AHH! I must have re-watched those last 2 minutes when George comes to Izzie's door 5,4728 times! I know you're totally going to put my heart through a meat grinder before the season- heck, before the SERIES is over with those two- but thanks for not just droping them like a sack of potatoes. I hope you writers give them a chance...someday at least!!!

This was a fun episode, made me laugh. I'm excited to see where things go next!

[Mary from Washington State]

Hey Shonda. Just wanted to let you know that I'm loving the new and improved Grey's. Season 3 was hard for me to stomach and I was depressed a lot, but now Mer's hair is lighter (not so dark and twisty) and I'm excited for some smokin' hot MerDer. Can't wait to see what you deliver to us. Have a great day. And I want to thank everyone else who works on the show too. I know it wouldn't happen if it weren't for the little people. Keep up the great work.

[Charlotte]

Shonda, I like the first episode, very entertaining with the new interns. Amazing how atitudes change in one year. I am glad to see Mer and Der haven't lost it all, yet... I'm very interested to see how they will work out their problems, and how maybe Mer will finally learn to trust Derek. The whole triangle between Mer/Der/Adison was very akward for her. Maybe she will honeymoon with Derek next time, and not Christina.

I am looking forward to see how George and Izzie will work things out. Feel sorry for Callie, she is such a great person.

Loved the deer, hopefully the new interns will learn something like integrity.

[Megan]

That speech that Izzie gave her new interns at the end after saving the deer was the best thing i've seen in a while. great episode. keep 'em coming!

[DixieGirl]

Well, it's better than last year.

Shonda, you and GA are still on probation.

Keep the writing sharp. Funny. Poignant, not sappy. INTELLIGENT!

Keep the characters IN CHARACTER. You built some amazing people in S1 & S2, well defined, 3 dimensional, DEEP characters. And in S3, you played with cardboard cutouts of those characters...and spilt a lot of that good Seattle coffee all over them too, by the way.

I'm not going to tell you how to develop your storylines - but when you tell us that two people are soulmates - then your storylines should substantiate that, not make us scratch our heads and wonder who those clones are and why they are acting so stupidly...

Finally - SHOW us, don't TELL us. You get a B+ for 4.01. Use your words, use your actors, use your sets. Show us how they relate, what they say, what they feel, what they think. If I have to read about it here, then you have failed as a teleVISION show.

Best scene in 4.01 - Mark and Derek in front of the OR board. It had everything that a GA episode should have in that single scene.

Worst scene - Izzie in the pickup bed. C'mon Shonda, get real. The message was ok, the portrayal was lame. Give KH a break – Gizzie’s enough of a cross to bear.

Favorite scene - (what can I say - I love Mer/Der) The oncall room. It's a good start.

I totally agree with one of the earlier posters - you sucked up a lot of love with the mess from last season. 4.01 was THIRD in ratings. Want to get back on top? Get your act together, Shonda, and keep it together. Forget about MUST!SEE!TV! and treat our characters with some love. We don't need a ferryboat disaster or a bomb scare...just a credible storyline for the INCREDIBLE cast to bring alive for us.

[Carli]

George and Izzie must die! i'm so not kidding that I won't watch if they are together and Callie isn't happy, which is inevitable for a couple of weeks and I understand that, so I'm giving it until episode 8 for you guys to give Callie some sort of happiness. And seriously where did kicking ass and taking names Callie go because the woman I saw on my television was not her. I want her back! And Bailey, WTF!, she was absolutely mean to Callie for no reason, it's not Callie's fault that she got CR over her, she should go yell at the Chief and leave Callie alone. But aside from all of that the one, well two things that saved the episode a little bit was Mark and Derek-seriously the best line of the episode came from Mark, can't wait for them to be friends again and MER/DER I know a lot of people are freaking out that they are "broken up," but I don't care all that matters is that at the end of the day they're in the same bed.

Final Note- Saw the promo and I have a really good feeling that I'm gonna be crying the whole episode next week because of what is going to happen to Callie and the fact that george is all gung-ho to break her heart.

[Christy (ckcpurple)]

LOVE IT!!! I think the #4 is off to a great start. Once again I wasn't sure how you could top last season and once again I can see you are going to do it!!!

Glad to see Derek thought long and hard for 17 days. His speech to Mark - THE BEST. (Though Mark's comment later to Derrick about coming for him did sound true after last season with Addison; however, I would like him and Derek to be friends again....at some point...maybe!)

Glad too that George took his time even though that meant torturing Izzie with 17 days of waiting and means adding to Callie's eventual hurt because she had 17 more days of hope.

Loving Lexie. Her speech to George was awesome and love that she's like Meredith without being all dark & twisty.

Bailey was SUPER fantastic. Less is more!!!

And finally, Cristina. Well, Cristina and Karev. Things really are over for them (unlike Mer/Der). Thanks for showing the fine-yet-not-fine moments. Can't wait to see what is in store for them. For everyone.

Thanks for a STELLAR kick-off!

[Sarah]

I thought it was great. It got back to the funny, while still bringing me to tears (with the decapitated man and his family). LOVED the direction of mer/der and hope this evolves into a healthy relationship this time. Gizzie...well it's Izzie and George, and a little weird, but whatever's done is done, so I can handle it. I hope the funny stays this season. I hope the mer/der STAYS this season (how about a season finale that doesn't leave their relationship hanging in the balance?)

Anyways, good job!

[Kelly]

LOVE the show. Seriously. A lot.

But just one comment on this: "I gotta say, I’m really rooting for the two of them to make it. For Meredith to get her act together and learn to trust someone"

This is true, but even more than that, I hope Derek learns to stop being a jerkoff. I hate him. Not in an "I hate this character and wish he didn't exist or was written differently" kind of way.. more in an "if he were real I'd punch him in the head" kind of way. He's verbally abusive the Meredith, and I'm so sick of everyone ignoring that and acting like he's all perfect and great (I did love Cristina's line, "I don't like you because you're you"). He's an arrogant SOB and needs to work on that, while Meredith works on her trust issues.

[Amy - SkullFlap]

I loved everything about the episode. Gizzie kind of makes me sick but I am willing to deal with it because I know all will be made right in the end.......right?

One more thing.....PLEASE give us more Eric Dane this year...he's so funny....and hot. Patrick and Eric together will send the ratings soaring:-)

[Taylor]

I think I have probably been one of greys anatomy's biggest fans since the pilot, I remember sitting on my couch and right away knowing this show was going to be different. It started off with this girl and this guy whom everyone came to fall in love with. It was everyone's perfect escape every week for one hr you could sit down and just watch these people and relate to every single one of them. The first two season were fantastic and the season finale for the 2nd season was sensational, the writing was so witty and left you with that feeling of sadness yet total excitement to see what the next season would bring. Though I really don't know how to describe the 3rd season. Merder were finally together in a relationship, but I some how felt like they were more together in the 2nd season when der was married to addison. They were like an old married couple that just bickered, and that was definately not the merder that I had come acostomed to. I always thought of merder as fresh, filled with passion but I can remember in the 3rd season where it seemed like they maybe had 2 minutes of onscreen time together and when they were onscreen they were really not even talking. I understand what you are saying with it was a hard year for the interns, but in all reality in was just downright gloomy in everything. It felt like the finale didn't have any real cliffhangers, it was everything everyone expected. I was very leary about the new 4rth season because I felt that you may have dug a hole to far down, but I am happy to say that GREYS ANATOMY MAY BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought they premiere was GREAT it felt like the interns we are used to. Izzie and the dear was priceless, and all the new interns with the residents was very fresh. I like that der and marks relationship seems to be slowly coming together and I definately loved how der defending mer against mark. The end was great with der and mer I think I really liked the new spin you put on merder relationship, because mer needs the big sign of relationship lifted off of her head for awhile and by doing that I think there relationship will be able to grow by doing this. I am not sure about George and Izzie I don't really think I like the idea of them, but in a way I understand it, I don't necessarily like Callie with George either that being said. ANYWAYS I am glad that greys anatomy is back and I look forward to the upcoming eppys.

[from the philippines]

hi shonda,
i checked this post everyday since last week to see if you posted anything.thank God you did. i wanted some explanation on gizzie. i'm afraid for callie. i'm afraid for george. whatever happened to his belief that he's not into divorce? i'm afraid that if callie will fight for george, and she takes him back, she's settling. and thats not callie's character. she's strong, beautiful and smart. please don't destroy her dignity. and the residents disrespecting callie, callie, please put your foot down. no, they have to respect callie. can callie threaten them with a failing eval if ever? so what what if they all hate her? and please dnt degrade callie in front of bailey.
and lexie? thank you for not making her character a bitch. thank you for her patience and her kindness. i was expecting a lexie who wants to steal derek and someone who wants to make meredith's life a living hell when she "killed" her mother. i thought she came there to rub it in her face. and izzie, please, i pray i never be that shallow, self absorbed and just downright mean to callie (i saw that smile when callie said she's having a hard time) i'm starting to hate her. redeem yourself gizie. oh, and if in the end of the gizzie, izzie will do the "self less act" and do what's right by giving up george but is secretly pining for him,and george doing what's right and therefore going back to his wife? die. thats so not the right way. settling? please no. i want george to leave izzie and willingly go back to callie.

greys anatomy forever

p.s i could feel the non-presence of adisson and burke. what a loss.

[lilkatie79]

Great job with the season opener and Private Practice.

I have always enjoyed the show, regardless of the heaviness of the last half of last season, but I do have a few quick comments in relation to the upcoming season:

Just because we lost Burke, we do not have to lose Mama Burke (write her in as a hospital board member or something).

Please at some point follow up on the Izzie/Daughter storyline (we, well I, would like to see her mother, too).

Anyway, I'm looking forward to all of the wonderful scenes and situations that you, the writers, cast and crew will create for us!!!

You're back, baby!

[Jen]

Shonda, you are amazing and I love you. Grey's is amazing and I love it.

Thanks for making such a great show. I am so excited for season 4!

[Brittney]

I am so glad that Season 4 has started. I could hardly survive without my weekly Grey's fix! I am defititely looking forward to all the "change" that this season will bring. Thanks for writing a great Season 4 premiere.

[C]

Shonda,

Thanks so much for being you and being human and loving your characters. Thanks for loving Meredith and Derek and for knowing that they really truly love each other. I love that you love them but you are not afraid to make them complicated. But I also love that you know they will make it through this (and you will make them make it through this) because their love is so real.

I love that Lexie is smart and articulate. And that she wants to have a relationship with her sister. And that she is friendly with George.

I love that Izzie is Izzie and she will smile and be compassionate and rescue a deer in the parking lot, and then make her interns feel bad that they didn't jump on the boat a little sooner. Izzie's going to be such a great teacher and her interns are going to ROCK.

I LOVED the Mark and Derek scene and Derek saying what he needed to realize (or already knew deep down) about Meredith.

I love that George is just this absolutely fantastic person and amazingly loyal person who found himself in a situation that is totally unlike himself. Because sometimes things like this happen to people who never mean them to happen. It's a good point to make...but I'm still sort of luke warm on George/Izzie. I'm still not sure that they're right for each other outside of that bro/sis absolutely-best-friend-in-the-whole-world type of relationship. I want you to convince me one way or another. Are they meant to be, or are they not? They may not be the relationship of the century, but it might take some of the best writing of the century to persuade such a divided audience one way or the other. I am so excited to find out how this mess gets cleaned up.

And what's up with Alex? He's starting to look like Sloan...

[Sophia]

Shonda - you're doing a great job! Loved the first episode of the new season and I think you were very clever with sorting out where MerDer is heading.

I personally don't understand just when viewers started thinking they are entitled to demand that storylines go where they want them to go. It is YOUR decision as a writer to send YOUR characters on whatever journey YOU want them to go on. If people don't like where it is heading - switch off! The negativity and sly comments aren't necessary.

I don't like Gizzie, but I understand why they had to happen. I think that when you need love in your life and don't have it (either because your real love is dead or you are in a marriage with someone you don't truly love) the love you have with a best friend can become confused and you can think it is something more than it really is. It's not the love of the century, it's just a moment of almost rebound and denial with someone you can trust completely. It really happens.

Good luck for the rest of the season, looking forward to watching what will happen to each of the characters. Can't wait to see what you have decided to do with everybody.

[with you]

Derek deserves someone better than Meredith. Someone he can be a real person with, flaws and all. Unfortunately, with her he has to be McDreamy ALL THE TIME or she can't handle being with him. Please end Mer/Der and let Derek move on to an adult, not someone that behaves like they are 14.

Posted by: Enough Already | October 03, 2007 at 09:19 AM

total word

[Julie]

Whatever you do, do NOT put Lexie and Derek together. That would be wrong, wrong, WRONG on so many levels!

[sick of them]

END George/Izzie PLEASE!!!

[Alison]

You made me fall in love with Lexie in one episode. One episode! Brilliant. She is great. Christina looks amazing, but the way. I'm rooting for Mer/Der and Gizzie.

[Mar]

Yay for MerDer and MAR/Der and please give Mer a reason to believe. She needs it. And so do I.

Peace,
Mar : )

[T]

Awesome episode. I kind of love Mer and Der's new relationship. As long as they get some interaction and some screen time together, I won't care if they are "broken up." Their ending scene really made the whole episode. I didn't like the deer...especially shocking it on the back of a metal truck while they were sitting on it. They say "clear" for a reason. Gizzie is ridiculous, especially when it is put into perspective. So it has been one year. In that time, Izzie had the hockey guy, Alex, in love with Denny, and now in love with George. George loved Mer, got the syph, got married to Callie, and now is in love with Izzie. Considering these people work 80 hour weeks, they certainly have a lot of free time. Anyway, I can't wait for season 4 if it is going to be as fun as the premiere. We need some happiness... and so does Mer. Please give her a break this season :)

[B]

LOVED LOVED The season premier!!!

Is Lexie the same sister that had a baby?

[Carrie]

I am a HUGE george and Izzie fan, and I must tell you, Shonda, you are making me evry angry by constantly belitting us Gizzie fans. You keep talking about the backlash and people not liking them, again here you are saying I went to the board and I know how you feel, making it seem like you went to the boards where they are hated and everyone hated it. Well, I have enws for you, they aare a LOT of us who love george and Izzie together. Who want them together more than anything. Have you taken a look at the Grey Anatomy Insider poll? 56% percent of people have said they wanted them tiogether, that is the nmajority.

The ABC poll has the fans and haters 50-50 after 38 000 votes.

In fact, all the polls asking which one is your favorite couple has Gizzie ins econd place behind MerDer and far ahead of all the other couples. yet you still act like we don't exist and we don't count.

We have signed petitions,l voted everywhere we could think of, written everywhere, and still you don't hear us.

You are trying so hard to please the vocal minority fo haters you are angering all of us who do love this couple.

Katherine acknowledges all the Gizzie fans, would it be too much for you to do the same?

[Sara]

I loved the show. Seems like it's getting back to the lighter tone of the first season. Love love love Mer/Der. I must say I didn't like Gizzy at first but now I love them. I want them together, I really do.

[Buffy]

Loved it...hated it...loved it...that's why I watch! Miss Adison, wish she was on right after Grey's but will deal with it. Not liking Lexie but love the Mer similarities in her character. Excited for the rest of the season. Thank you, Shonda, for letting live vicariously through Seattle Grace!

[Huge Fan]

Firslt of all, season 3 wasn't all bad. There were some really good storylines

[Greta]

Thanks for a great episode Shonda.

I personally don't think that the George/Izzie thing is the worst thing ever. I think it's realistic. It's hard and messy but it's something that happens. SOmetimes people sleep with their married best friends. I hope it plays out naturally - I would really hate for it to end abruptly because some fans are annoyed with it.

[Chelle]

Callie *never* pushed George to do anything. He is the one who proposed. She is the one who broke up with him MANY times and he still chased after he like she was chew toy and he was a teething puppy. She's the one who told him point blank, "Don't chase me anymore ... unless you're ready to catch me."

Gizzie supporters just love to try to fling mud at Callie, but what has she done? Besides fall in love, get married, and try to be happy!?

George himself even told Izzie that in the aftermath of the thing that must not be named because it is so gross. He said that Callie didn't deserve it because she'd been good to him.

I freaking hate the message that is being sent out that if you're bold, assertive, and *curvy* ... then you will lose your husband to a schizophrenic Super Model/Co-Dependant who has terrorized you for months.

It's not okay.

Callie has no blame here.

And to try to quantify emotional abuse from both George and Izzie toward Callie because Callie *gasp* fell in love is beyond reproach. Callie has loved George back to life (literally after Meredith), she's been there for him, she walked out on a career making surgery to go be with him while Harold was sick (And Izz-me just sat there watching the operation), and Callie forces George to be a man.

Izz-me? She zips his jacket, powders his ass, and tells him to bury his poop. Yeah, that's romance, y'all.

[Barbara]

I loved the episode except for Gizzie. Gizzie made me not watch any episode after desire last season except for the season finale and I wasn't the only one... but all the other stories in the SP were good enough to make me watch them and just change channel on Gizzie's.
I looooooooooove Lexie so much, thank you for bringing the better new regular ever! Your show is great, you are great, but please, end this Gizzie! It's terrible skip channels during a show... and I can't control... it's disgusting to see it....

[klbblu]

Shonda,
I LOVE U
I LOVE GIZZIE
And
I LOVE LEXIE

Keep up the great work.

P.S.
I LOVE Private Practice too.

[TJ]

Shonda, Congrats. You're a role model, it's impressive how you keep your cool with all the "feedback" (good and bad) coming your way.

Episode 1 is great. Each scene takes its time, not just trying to power through (like end of s3). Best things: how Derek's growing, how Lexie may actually break through Mer's (boring) isolation. The scene where both Derek and Lexie confront her is great.

The deer worked for me. Totally consistent with Izzie and should set up some good "management challenges" w/her new interns. Also - the kid with the deer is one of the best child actors to come on the show (at least post Breslin).

Want to see Cristina date someone outside the hospital, maybe even someone un-smart.

Agree Alex needs to lose the goatee and hairgel.

Peace!

[Gizziefanforever]

I adore Gizzie and Shonda, they might be hated on TWO and ABC, but those are not the only boards that count. There are tons of boards where George and Izzie are loved and adored. If you baded your opinions on two hateful, imnmature boards only, I have lost all respect for you.

Have you ever been to that board? Check out the Gizzie fan thread:
http://www.fanforum.com/f210/beautiful-geek-love-ga-i-53-change-good-change-everything-62814696/

We have 237 fans there, second behind MerDer and the most threads of anyone with 53.

After the I love you too scene, we filled almost 2 threads of 200 posts each of celebration, we love our couple so much.

Or the George O'Malley and Izzie stevens shippers thread (http://community.livejournal.com/george_izzie/profile). We have 439 fans who love them there, more than any couple, including MerDer.

Or that poll? http://www.usmagazine.com/i_us_i_poll_i_greys_anatomy_i_couple_swap

We have a thousand more votes than George and Callie.

Thousands and thousands of people love Gizzie and we are sick and tired of being ignored by you.

[Linda]

George and Izzie totally rock my sock. We squeed so loud when he said I love you too and started jumping up and down in glee. It is funny because all my friends love Gizzie except one, but after the I love you too scene, she is firmly in their camop now.

Do not disappoint us Gizzie fans, Shonda, or I will never forgive you for it!

[Susan]

I've been looking forward to the new season all summer. I loved the premiere. It was so good to see these characters again. And can I just say that I miss Burke. I miss him a lot. The show lost 2 grownups in Burke and Addison and it has left a gap.

[Eastern WA]

Shonda,
I originally was going to watch the first episode and if Mer/Der were done, than so was I. You've manged to hook me back in to watching which is no small feat. Thank you for creating a great character like Derek Shepherd. He is a good and honorable man and truly works to know Meredith and give her what she needs. So many people these days are just into themselves and wouldn't go to the trouble to help and love Meredith like Derek does. Thank you for creating such a positive male character on televison who puts others above himself. I believe that is what is truly groundbreaking about these characters. Eventhough he is just a character, it is my sincere hope that other men might emulate the kindness and compassion that he shows to those he loves.

[Rianna]

That episode was a bit on the boring side, but you totally redeemed yourself with the beautiful love declaration with george and Izzie. Just when I think I can't love those two anymore than I do, I do. TR and katie have the most amazing chemistry on the show and no couple compare to George and Izzie.

MerDer is getting boring to me, sorry. I know they have a lot of fans but I attribute that to them being the main couple because seriously they are a bore.

[Sandy]

I loved our interns/residents back in the basement together. Poor George. Meredith was able to retake her exam, why couldn't George? You and your friends would have gone on your honeymoon, so why didn't they invite Izzie? She should feel hurt and left out.
I loved Mark, Derek and Bailey, the deer story was a bit ridiculous. Why is Alex reverting back to his first season attitude? I really don't think Residents call their Interns morons. Izzie is still obnoxious and selfish. We all knew George was making a mistake marrying Callie but why did he have to sleep with Izzie who was mourning Denny the week before? I also do not care one bit about the new interns. If Lexie has to stay please just give her little parts like the nurses. In fact, I would rather see the nurses from previous years. Don't make Lexie more likeable than Meredith. A lot of people (not me) do not like Meredith because her character became so whiny and stupid. She is nothing like the intelligent Meredith from season one. Even working with the mother who lost her arm she just didn't have the compassion she had in the first two seasons. Meredith is the lead, she is Grey's so how about giving her some outstanding writing so she can shine and win an Emmy? Please keep Meredith and Derek together. Again, their relationship in season one was so strong, season two she said pick me, choose me, love me, last year she wanted to live for Derek and yet she pushed him away every chance she got. She doesn't need to look to Christina, she needs to grow up and look to Derek. I really want to love Grey's like I did the first two seasons so please go back to that and I'm sure you will be back for many seasons to come.

[Rachel]

Shonda, loved the show. It has restored my faith in Grey's, which was badly shaken at the end of last season. I loved the Mer/Der of it all, and I look forward to them growing stronger as a couple, as well as individually. It's very heartening to see Derek step up and "show up" now, instead of just letting Mer break up with him, when he knows how damaged she is and seems to understand what she needs.
Loved Mark/Derek. I am anxious to see that friendship grow again. And as far as Alex, he has always been one of my favorites and I desperately hope to see more backstory on him this year. I like that Cristina is showing some emotion, and that Bailey is showing a bit of her old self. As far as George/Izzie/Callie goes...it's a storyline I've never cared for. I have desperate hope that you will end George and Izzie...like it or not, George took vows and what he showed when he had the affair with izzie was weakness in not honoring those vows. Callie is a great woman, a great wife, and he couldn't ask for any better. Now, if she weren't in the picture, I may be more okay with the Gizzie thing. As it is, though, I just can't condone the affair. Not at all. And on top of it all, I don't see this chemistry other people are talking about with Gizzie. They had marvelous chemistry as best friends. I just don't see this "true love forever" type of chemistry. It frankly just seems a little creepy to me. I've seen them forever as brother/sister...

Excellent show, keep up the good work. The deer made me laugh, though I understood the underlying meaning to that plotline. Can't wait to watch tomorrow!

[Oncetherewasaway]

Loved....loved....loved the ep!!! Quite without a doubt you are is back, and proving you never really left us. This episode reiterated just how complex your characters are. We see that all our interns and docs alike are fragile as well as flawed. Quite human and quite real. Change, some embrace it...... some go running. Oh so true IMO. You know this is how I see things....... Poor Mer is kinda ...... well ..... stupid when it comes to couply things. This kind of change is scary for her. All her life she has walked around with 2 friends...... yeah perched right on each should are her good friends..... Denial..... and Avoidance. They have been there for her and have enabled her to get through sticky uncomfortable situations. Been there for her when life just knocks her down....... when life sucks. And here comes Derek..... all McDreamy....... he's there...... he's everywhere. He's hard to miss (he’s hard for Mer to miss and avoid) But he is in this. He is determined. And he's not going anywhere. My take is it's only a matter of time until Derek brushes Mer's little friends off each shoulder and leaves Mer to cope with change...... Sometimes change is good..... Sometimes change is everything. And just sometimes change can be everything good. Shonda....well you rock the SP.... can't wait for more.

[Francois]

YOU ARE THE WOMAN. You saved Mer/Der. The love is there so is the passion. Cultivate it and make it even more beautiful please. The chemistry on the screen melted my TV. Lovce it Shonda. Keep them together is the right direction. Develop them and mold them into the hottest couple ever. Rock on Mer/Der. Also Mark/Derek scenes were awesome.

[Lesley]

I really liked teh premiere...

I have to say, the interaction between the ex-interns/residents is one the best things the show has... they are so great and funny together..

Mer/Der, OMG, that IS the best thing the show has. I watch the show because of them. This break-up situation, great idea! I think it woud be really interesting... but please keep them together, i dont know if I could stand seeing them aspart again...

Gizzie, OMG, that IS the worst thing the show has! I don't know how anybody can like this "couple"... they were so great as best friends, and now that is ruined. It's a shame. Seriosuly, everytime I see them together is like "eew" they are like borther and sister... for 3 seasons they were like that and suddenly they are in love with each other? worst decision EVER!... I hope this doesn't evolve, it's bringing their characters and also Callie's down... they are just boring.

I absolutely LOVE the Mark/Derek relationship! I've always wanted them to be friends again because lets face it, hey were like brothers!!... Mark's line in the premier, lol, best line ever.. so so funny!! excellent idea to bring them back together again!!

cant wait for tomorrow!!

[carrie]

I love george and izzie. they are the heart of this show right now!

[FROM TORONTO]

Loved it...so glad you are back..it was a little bright and shiny for me (im sick, i like to cry at TV shows)but it was GREAT.
And i get that you are building up and repairing and i cant wait fot the journey.
Love Der and Mark
LOVE Mer/DER
HATE GIZZIE(please fix this)
MOER MER/DER of course!!!

Love you all

[nancy]

When you say you visit boards, I hope you don't mean that immature ABC place where people are actually shipping for patrick to dump his wife and have an affair with MerDer and where most people posting seems to be 12 and are obsessed with MerDer only. Or on TWOP where they hate everything that is not MerDer. Because those re3present a very minor portion of what people are thinking.

You know, I still fail to see where those majority of Gizzie haters you are seeing. All the polls I am eeing on Gizzie lately have the Gizzie fans in bigger numbers than the Gizzie haters, heck even the poll on the ABC board (the mini-TWOP) has the loveres and haters of George and Izzie pretty much tied.

Everyone I know offline loves them together and we would all be royally pissed at you if you drop George and Izzie. I can seriously never see myself watching your show again, and I know many of my friends feel the same, if you give in to a few vocal haters and betray all us fans like that.

George and Izzie are amazing, they have it all : chemistry, love, passion, funn, angst. I know you love them, doN't change your mind to please some people who are not as many as you think.

And if you want a good site where people really love the show and don't whine, complain and think they can do a better job than you, check out Fanforum. There is a whole LOT of George and Izzie love there. The beautiful geek love thread, which is their fan thread, is always bumping with a lot of fans, and no hate is allowed there, so we are alld evoted Gizzie fans.

[Rachel]

The season premire was really good. I don't know why everyone hates Gizzie I think they look good together. Granted George should have never cheated on Callie but I also don't think they should have every gotten married to begin with. I think think that was a mistake. Granted I sorta like Callie just not with George I hope she gets to see there realtionship full on soon.

[Lina]

I really loved the premiere.
I so enjoyed the "I love you too" scene... I want George and Izzie together!!

[Calia]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE George and Izzie, they are the best thing that has ever happened on this show and frankly, the only reason why I am still watching. george and Callie are disgusting and their marriage is wrong, wrong, wrong, and sorry I will never feel for Callie. She tricked george into eloping, now she has to deal with it!

[Mylo]

Thank you, Shonda, for Meredith & Derek. Their scenes together are fantastic. Thank you. Thank you. Keep up the good work! I loved how Derek defended Meredith to Mark also! THANK YOU, SHONDA, FOR MEREDITH & DEREK from a 50 y/o Mer/Der addict.

[mimi]

After Season 2 ended, I was completely hooked...crying, falling off the couch in agony, rewatching on my DVR, rewatching Friday nights on TV, reading every scrap I could on the internets, professing my love to Grey's to anyone who would listen, calling it the finest TV I have ever watched....Then, Season 3 happened. By the end of Season 3, I was watching the epi on FF with my DVR. I was sad, really really sad, to see what happened to my favorite show ever. Needless to say, when you premiered last week...I was terrified. Real scared. Hoping and praying I would not have to find a new show.

You did not disappoint!! The show had tastes of vintage Greys...I loved the ensemble scenes, the humor, the touching teary eyed moments, Bailey being tough as nails...MER AND DER. I am hoping you really mean it when you say it is a brand new day. Please keep heading in this new direction. Do not return to the dark. I am keeping the faith. I am along for the ride...still. Keep up the good work...my faith is slowly being restored.

P.S. Please keep Lexie out of any love triangles. Please no more deer.

[Jan]

Loved loved loved it!
Congrats!

[Kendra]

Shonda, just to let you know, I don't care about MerDer at all, they bore me to tears. What I do care about are George and Izzie, I love them more than any couple on TV. If you abandon them to please a few bitter people, I can assure you you can count me out as a fan. I have already noticed watching the premiere, I don't really care about the rest of the show anymore, so it will be a very easy decision to make.

[Betty]

The I love you too scene and the Gizzie sneak peek were put up on Youtube, and most of the reactions seemed very positive and ecstatic about them being together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMEyIL1CsOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq54MQZhK_k

Youtube is full of Gizzie fans and full of Gizzie fan videos.

Just type george and Izzie and you get this:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=george+izzie

So much for the theory they are universally hated, I know a lot more fans than haters

[bunnies]

The episode was okay. But a few things are really p*ssing me off:

- Callie used to be an awesome character; outspoken, self-confident. But this Gizzie storyline and how Callie is completely unable to handle her job as a chief resident is destroying the character. Why is everyone so friggin mean to her?? And now she'll probably be pregnant and then either lose her baby or her job so that Bailey can become chief resident. Ugh.

- Mark telling Derek he came back for him. Yeah I get the purpose of the scene, funny and building up their friendship. But how can you just disrespect the entire Mark/Addison arc of seasons 2 and 3 where Mark kept saying how he really loved her and wanted her to come back to NY with him and even in season 3 he wanted to give them another try as a couple. Now all of a sudden, since Addison is gone (not fond of PP btw, no matter how much you keep advertising, Shonda) you change everything around so that it seems Mark actually came to Seattle for Derek? Please.

Another thing about Mark: I always kinda liked him and thought he was underused, but him badmouthing Meredith was awful and out of character. She was always nice to him, why would he talk badly about her?

- MerDer: Why do you always have to mess up cute, romantic moments between them by letting them tear each other's clothes off?? The break-up kiss was sweet. Why not leave it like that? And how can they both grow relationshipwise and learn to trust each other when again, AS ALWAYS, they don't talk about their problems, they just have sex. How is that gonna change anything, make anything better? I don't want my favorite tv couple to be reduced to a few booty-calls.

- too much Lexie. I love the approach with Lexie looking for Meredith's approval and wanting Meredith to like her. But please don't make the Ally mcBeal season 5 mistake when Ally mcBeal turned into the Jenny Shaw show for a while and it was awful. The main character is MEREDITH Grey, not Lexie Grey. And please stop making Meredith be so friggin impolite and rude to Lexie who is portrayed as this innocent, nice, dorky little girl. Because that makes Meredith seem like a monster.

- Gizzie. Yuck. That last scene made me want to throw my tv out the window. Like a lot of other people, I intend to fast forward all the coming Gizzie scenes because I can't stomach seeing any more of it.

The long-awaited blog was completely pointless btw. Nothing new or interesting. No statement whatsoever concerning the 5000 comments made over the summer. No acknowledging that the last few episodes of season 3 were indeed a mess. Nope. The world doesn't need blogs like this. If you don't have anything interesting to say, just don't blog at all.

[Vicki]

I totally agree with everything Jennifer wrote (7th blog entry). And I will add that if I see ONE MORE INJURED ANIMAL on this show, I'm done with it forever.

[Erin]

Great job on the season premiere! I loved it all. Even the stuff about the deer. I love animals and I would've saved it too. ;)

The Gizzie "I love you" scene was great. I'm glad he told her. I hope you keep the Gizzie storyline going.

And of course, my favorite was the MerDer scene at the end. Totally awesome! I think this is going to help them. Oh, and I loved Derek defending Mer to Mark. It shows that he understands her.

Thanks for the blog and I can't wait until the next epi! :)

[MrsMcSteamy]

So this is my first post for a show that has completely captivated me with witty episodes and undeniable chemistry between its leading actors. I love Grey's. I feel like I need to add that aside from loving Mer/Der, I love Gizzie. I do. I just hope that you eventually acknowledge that are truly are thousands of Gizzie fans, and you give them a real chance. Having said that, I used to like Callie, but I quickly changed my mind because she never treated George right. She becomes infuriated with him everytime he says "boo" to her, and their marriage was nothing more than an attempt by George to skip over his grief. Keep Izzie and George together!!!!!

[Caitlin :]]

Shonda,
This is my very first post on one of your blogs so hopefully it all goes well. I know you don't want to hear about my obsession towards Greys Anatomy but I would like to say that I LOVE IT. :)

I really really enjoyed the season premiere last thursday, and thought it reached all my expectations. Now down to everything that is going on at Seattle Grace..

Gizzie. Well maybe its just me but I don't enjoy seeing them together. If its not making me disgusted (I have ALWAYS looked at them as SIBLINGS) then its knowing how crushed Callie will be when this is out in the open...I really believe that if George DID want to divorce Callie, that he would have done it a while ago. Yes, he might have jumped to marrying her but that doesnt excuse the sex with Izzie. Poor George at some point, he is going through all these things with work too. I feel that he's also under a lot of pressure because he never pictured himself being THAT guy. The guy that would cheat on his lovely wife with his best friend..I'm honestly very curious how everything will be situated with them, along with everyone elses reaction. FYI, I probably wouldnt have such a problem with Gizzie if George wasnt already married. The fact that neither of them seems to be upset about what they are doing, yea it deeply upsets me.. I do have faith that you will fix this up however you prefer. :)

Meredith and Derek, I love them together fyi. They have a connection that I dont think anyone else has had on the show with another. Its truly wonderful yet sad that they have been back and forth for 3 seasons. They need to be happy even, truly happy because they both need that. It has to work for them, Derek wont leave her and Meredith loves him too much to walk away...What can i say I love my merder<33

Looking foward to tomorrows episode!
Cait

[Ginny]

I love George and Izzie, and thta love declaration left me breathless. I want morwe of them!

[w e n d y]

Shonda, Shonda, Shonda. Please don't tease us with the "I love you, too" from George to Izzie. I am so in love with that amazing couple. You can't dangle them in front of us like that and then tell Michael Ausiello such horrid things involving...what you told him.

I just have to tell you that I have never, ever believed George confessing his love for anyone before (Meredith, Callie). But Izzie? He ACHES with love for her. Even if it can't work out right now because of his stupid marriage to a woman he didn't even really love in the first place, please someday bring us back to their happy ending. Please?

Oh and I loved the rest of the ep as well :)

[Mina]

All my family and I really love George and Izzie. The haters are not the majority, they are just more vocal that's all. I know I would be heartbroken if you abandoned this couple. I think they are beautiful together and they just touch my heart like no other couple has ever done.

I know that there are people who don't appreciate George and Izzie, but I lov