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

[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!