Joan Rater On "The Becoming"...

Original Airdate: 5-8-08

Hi everyone, this is Joan.  Tony and I wrote this episode, "The Becoming" and I'd like to share some of my thoughts about it with you, but first I'd like to say ... OH MY GOD!!!!  I just saw some stuff that was shot for the Season Four Finale (that Shonda wrote) and it's soooooo good.  I don't mean to torment you and I really wish I could tell you all the cool things that are going to happen, and you should know the great restraint it's taking me not to give you even the tiniest little hint of what's to come (keep an eye on that champagne bottle from tonight's episode) because I have a big mouth and am really bad at keeping secrets so I can really relate to Izzie in this episode.

But enough about me and the Finale because first we have to get there and getting there is really what "The Becoming" is about.  Becoming who you want to be, who you know you could be if you weren't quite so screwed up or preoccupied with kissing when you need to be thinking about surgery.  All of our doctors are trying, really trying, to become these people they see in their head, the versions of themselves who are strong and successful and happy, their best selves.  Izzie wants to be a good doctor and keep the news of Ava confidential.  But how does she do that and be a good friend to Alex who is changing his life for this baby that doesn't exist?  Alex wants to be a good parent, but he himself didn't have very good role models so he's scared that he won't be able to do it.   George is trying to be okay with the fact that he has to repeat his intern year, and Cristina is really trying to make the best of a bad situation with Hahn.  And then there's Meredith.

Meredith wants to be a great surgeon.  She wants to succeed at this clinical trial.  But she keeps thinking about Derek.  Particularly his tongue.  Thoughts of kissing him keep interfering with the surgeries she loves.  So can Dr. Wyatt please give her some tools to make the thoughts stop?  Because Meredith feels like she has to choose.  Career or love.  She can't have both. 

I went to see my first therapist in my twenties.  She was this nice woman on the Upper East Side of Manhattan who told me, when I started whining about my lack of career, that most people she sees in their twenties are either good at career or good at love.  Not both.   And it makes sense, both things compete for your attention.  You want to spend time with your boyfriend but your boss asks if you can do some overtime.   How to negotiate both successfully is hard.  And I think when my therapist said it, she was trying to make me feel better, sort of like, "Yeah, you have no career but at least your boyfriend sounds very nice."  But it didn't make me feel better.  It made me feel competitive.  Because when I said, "Really?  You never see people with a good career AND a good relationship?", she said, "only a few."  Only a few.  That's all I could think about after the session.  Who were these FEW and how could I become one of THEM?  It was a subtle shift in my thinking, but I began to think less about my problems and more about how to fix them.  I started to imagine the new me in my head - she was a woman of action!  She didn't sit around all day waiting for things to happen!  She made them happen!  I'm making it all sound very purposeful and dramatic when actually it was ten more years of therapy that included much whining and many more hours of inaction before I had what could even be called a career .... but .... I think that Dr. Wyatt knows that Meredith needs to be pushed into action.  So Dr. Wyatt basically tells Meredith she's being a coward.  Derek's with Rose and it's not heroic to let the love of your life go.  It's cowardly.  How's she gonna handle it?  Because no one can fix this for Meredith but Meredith.  What's she gonna do?  I wish I could tell you --

And what about Mark?  When Bailey defends him to the assembly of nurses by saying, "You knew he was a whore when you slept with him, now you can't act all shocked when he behaves like a whore."  As everyone walks away, did you see the look on Mark's face?  It's like he's realizing what a whore he is for the first time and he's so sad.  A sad, sad whore.  What's he gonna do about that?  I soooo wish I could tell you --

I will tell you though that the Mark Sloan story was originally much smaller and much more a comedic runner until we had the read thru and Eric Dane brought such vulnerability and depth to his scenes.  We just had to expand that storyline.

And Cristina. Singing "Like a Virgin" while carving corpses. She just found out that Burke won the Harper Avery and she needs to not think. About how he's thriving while she's barely getting to do any cardio. And fo course, the girl who told depressed Meredith to 'dance it out' would sing in the morgue. And it works, she manages to get through the day without thinking about Burke until Richard calls her in front of the sexual harassment committee. She can't seem to escape Burke. And she lets loose. She's been so controlled, managed to stuff all her feelings about the Burke thing for so long but she can't anymore. She lets loose with her feelings and goes home and crawls into bed. This is a sadness that can't be danced off and I'd love to tell you what happens...

Also... for a while we had "American Pie" be the song Cristina sang, but it was weird, it's already sort of a mournful sad song we wanted something that really played against the corpses in the morgue thing...

So ... "The Becoming."

Season Four is about change.  Letting go of the old and embracing the new.  Redefining who you are and struggling like crazy to be that better version of yourself that you see in your head.  Becoming is hard -- it hurts like hell and can cost you friends and lovers and career advancement.  And some of our characters will succeed, and others will fail.  But all of them will try.  Because the alternative -- standing still -- just isn't an option. 

Like I said at the beginning of the blog, there's such good stuff coming in the next three episodes, and I'd love to tell you what's gonna happen, but I've taken an oath and must observe doctor/patient confidentiality, so I gotta go all Izzie on you.  You're just gonna have to WATCH!!!!

Comments

[matthew Rushing]

I have not done this in a while, so bare with me. This was a brilliant episode again. Grey’s is back, even though I never doubted it. (The strike was a blessing; the place that we thought we would end up is going to happen before we thought; seriously!)

Meredith is growing and that is something amazing. Therapy and a purpose; she is healing and you can see the wounds closing before your eyes. She is reeling Derek in and she does not even know it. She is showing him her growth and strength; she is becoming the person that is ready for the things that Derek has been asking her for. Derek on the other hand is hurting. He is still so in love with her and is trying to pretend that he is not. I don’t feel sorry for Rose; she had to know she was the rebound girl. Derek is just waiting for Meredith to tell him she is ready. The success that he mentioned connected with the champagne was not just the clinical trial; he is speaking of them.

Mark deserves a special mention here; he wants to be different. He has seen himself and he is not happy. He wants to be someone of depth and that is really a big step for him. I also like that Mark is the guy to tell it like it is to others. Mark is the new Addison.

Cristina is in pain. Burke is gone and becoming a surgical rock star and Hahn is totally ignoring her. Cristina is starting to come out of the malaise that she has been in and is beginning to fight and deal with what happened. It was good to see Meredith be a real friend to Cristina; push her to deal with what is happening.

Alex, man Alex, he is in for a rough ride; everyone else has had their hell, now it is his turn. I cannot wait to see him open up a bit. I think that he and Izzie may be on a road back to a really good friendship and maybe couple-hood. George and Lexie are just hysterical. George is getting some teaching attention and it is about time. I hope that George will get a chance to be good at something, a break; he deserves it. Lexie is good for him; she gives him some life and fun; he needs that. Loving Lexie! The chief is changing and becoming a better man; it is going to be a long road though, as is evidenced with foul up of Bailey’ s situation. I am hoping that Bailey will get some more time soon. I would like to see her get more story. Hahn is struggling with needing connection with people, but like Cristina, not knowing how. I have troubling seeing her and Callie actually becoming a couple. It seems out of place for Callie.

One more week before the finale and it is going to be good stuff!

[Again!]

Once again you do not speak about Cristina in the blogs. Shame on you, Cristina was the best part of this episode. Sandra Oh should be brought front and center as she is a fantastic actress (when you give her more to do than listen to the whiney one).

[miki]

derek is sooooooo DREAMY! the champagne??? OMG.

that is all

[kryss]

just wanted to thank you... I'm so glad to see Alex turning around, though very sad at the idea of what'll happen when he discovers there's no baby. especially if it comes to be that she knew there never was one and made it up all along.

I'm glad to see George standing up for himself and Cristina being okay with not being okay.

Although I hope Meredith gets her stuff together (as I am SO sick of her whining), I really feel badly for Derek and for Rose, who are each good people who are working towards happiness. I hate that it's likely Rose'll lose in the end when Meredith finally mans up.

Most of all, good for Miranda for standing up for her womanhood and her sexuality!

[Elizabeth]

Welcome back Grey's Anatomy! The show I fell in love with has finally returned. Thank you writers!!

[Mary]

Meredith doesn't have to choose career or love because she doesn't have love. Not by Derek at least. Any guy who can seem so in love with the woman he has been with for that long, only to sleep with the nurse is not a guy who loves her. And any writer who tries to tell the young women who watch this show that this is how a guy treats a woman he loves and another that clearly he doesn't is doing a terrible disservice. Sad to see the end of Meredith and Derek tonight and we still have two more episodes, but it's already over for me.

[Mona]

Listen up, we love George and Izzie and want them back.

No other couple comes close.

Three episodes have apssed and I just miss them more and more every single day.

I am not getting over this.

[hank]

worst character of the night tonight? Derek Shepherd. You finally retired that McDreamy title once and for all. Nice job.

[Jess]

Derek & Rose have SEX. NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo. Okay, I knew this was coming, but still, it shocked me that you'd do it. Very disappointing, but I suppose it has its purpose.

I can't comment on the whole episode yet because I only saw part of it. But here is my huge issue with you guys right now. You keep changing the problem with Meredith. First, she can't commit because she has trust issues. Now she can't commit because she's so focused on her career and she doesn't think she can do both. WTF?????

Honestly, pick and issue and fricking stick to it. If Meredith has trust issues (and I think she does), let's please DEAL WITH THEM.

Now, if she doesn't think she can have love and career like Ellis, that's an ENTIRELY different issue in my book.

Also, I adore Dr. Wyatt, but Meredith is NOT a coward. She has issues. So, let's get on with dealing with them. THe problem is not Derek and Rose per se. That is just a symptom. Meredith can't allow herself to be loved because every person in her life has let her down.

[B]

What a wonderful episode! Really, it was so good. Thank you for playing Meredith and Derek's song during the champagne scene. Thank you for having Cristina be brave enough to say her thoughts. There were so many good moments.

[Mana]

Alex is a jerk. First he forgets he slept with Lexie, then when George tells him, he doesn't even care he hurt ehr.

Then he treats Alex like dirt.

That is the guy some people want Izzie with, that guy to win over sweet, caring, loving George who loves Izzie heart and soul.

Because I think he deserves to be alone and miserable, Alex not George.

And george and Izzie deserve each other and to be happy.

[Jasmin]

Your episode was exceptionally well written.

All but one line, which ruined Derek's Mcdreamy image forever.

The scenes between Meredith and Derek, were spectacular, but I can't help but feel we were lambs led gently to the slaughterhouse.

I admit I don't care about the rest, but Crisitina, a character I dislike, was brilliant, she earned my respect tonight when she refuses to be happy for Burke.

Of course you're going to tell us how good the finale is. We've been asked to leap, we've leapt, we are getting promos from every direction and I cannot help but feel a heap of empty promises so we tune in. The ABC/Shondaland marketing team has been on its toes. Even the new photos for the last epi with Mer and a bottle of champagne, BRILLIANT, so we could stomach the elevator moment, of Derek letting us know he slept with Rose.

We have hoped.... and leapt... and kept our optimism.. but short of a broken Derek begging Meredith to take him back... it will not mean anything. If Meredith asks him to take her back, or in any way shape or form is the one to initiate that reconciliation...all of season 4 and her growth is for naught.

I hope you are right, and that what's coming is indeed going to make Derek worthy of deserving to be with Meredith, because right now, I am not even angry at him, I am truly sad and disappointed.

I hope Ellen Pompeo is finally recognized for the amzing job she's done this season, and her Emmy nomination has the "political" backing of Shonda's team.

[s.cali]

Fantastic! The soldier story line was great.

[Beartown Mountain Girl]

I love your show and never miss it if at all possible. My husband and teenagers know not to even speak to me during the show. However, as much as I love your show, it's time for Meredith and McDreamy to get back together and start working on some sort of future.Drama is good, but it is getting for the romantic in me to bear the hurt Meredith is going through. (been there, done that and don't want to watch much more of it) Meredith can have it all, a career and true love - it just takes work. Love adds a dimension to your live that makes all life's difficulties easier to bear. It's time Meredith gets to experience that instead of constant pain and disappointment. I've watched all the stuff ya'll have put her through, but if Rose turns up pregnant from this one night with Derek, I'm going to stop watching the show. Enough is enough. It's time to start working on Meredith's happiness!!!

[Misha]

Derek and Alex are jerks and I do not want Mer and Izzie with them, they do not deserve them.

Poor Lexie, poor Rose, poor Izzie, poor Mer, being treated like that by those two goons.

How can Derek continue having sex with Rose thinking of Mer?

Poor Rose, that is terrible, what a douchebag!

And Alex, I hate him.

The way he treats Lexie and Izzie and everyone.

Plus he and Izzie do not work, never have.

I do not want love and hate, I want love nd love like George and Izzie had.

I miss them, I want them back.

They never even got a chance ebfore you had them have bad sex.

I want them to find their chemistry back like they ahd when they had that hot elevator kiss.

[grey's fan86]

I just want to say, I've loved grey's since it started but I always hated meredith. sure, she's the main character, but she was just SO annoying and whiney! and there were enough other good (great) characters to keep me interested and eventually make me love the show insanely. and since the show started up again, i...don't hate meredith. i wouldn't say i LIKE her, but, she doesn't annoy me. i like meredith in therapy. i like meredith doing the clinical trial. i really like meredith\cristina scenes, especially when they have great lines like "no, cause we screw boys like whores on tequila, and then we either try to drown ourselves or marry them" (best line of the season). tonight's scene in the morgue was awesome. but anyways, i even like meredith when she's NOT with cristina or derek, when she's just talking to her patients and actually doing something interesting. i find myself thinking 'wow, that was a great scene'. and not 'wow is meredith annoying'.
so whatever you're doing, keep doing it. it might actually make sense that her and derek love each other now, which would be good timing since i think you're going towards a little rekindling...and i can actually applaud that instead of wonder why derek wants to be with a whineyface.

[Alisha]

I am so happy that the post-strike episodes are trying to fix many of the problems with this season of Grey's. For once, Meredith refrained from constant whining! I thank the writers for that one little piece of improvement.

[Alexa]

I hate Alex, I hate how he treats people. I hate that some people want him to get the girl and forgive him everything because he is supposedly hot (I don't find him hot by the way, give me Mark and yes George any day).

George was so cute and adorable and amazing, I love how he pointed out Lexuie to Alex when the jerk forgot her.

I love how he blushed when he was with Izzie talmking about sex. How they could not even look at each other, they are such an amazing couple, I want that back

[Anon]

Why is Meredith the coward? What about Derek? Going to therapy isn't being a coward. That is strong. McAss is the coward who ran to Nurse Rose to replace Meredith but Meredith is the coward who let the love of her life go? What a freaking crock.

[Alisha]

I am so happy that the post-strike episodes are trying to fix many of the problems with this season of Grey's. For once, Meredith refrained from constant whining! I thank the writers for that one little piece of improvement.

the season finale better be good...

[Ann]

Derek is not dreamy the man's a douche.I hope Meredith gets her stuff together and NEVER takes him back again.

[Ephraim]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL

[Darla]

How is Derek dreamy? He sleeps with a woman, thinks of someone else, and then offers champagne to another woman. That is low.

More like McDouchy.

Both he and Alex are portrayed as great guys and they make me sick.

Yet they get all the girls and a guy like George is relegated to being the comedic status guy, just because he is not 6,4 and looks like a model.

I have enws for you, many of us would give an arm and a leg to go out with a guy like George in real life.

Abnd he and Izzie were HOT despite your attempts to prove otherwise.

They are still hot, one look between them makes the whole show for me.

[Liz]

"Derek's with Rose and it's not heroic to let the love of your life go. It's cowardly. "

And.....what Derek is doing is what? Dreamy?

[Marie-Eve]

I have not watched the show since episode 4.7, the one where you hurt and betrayed all the George and Izzie fans.

But I do read up and I am devastated you are acting like Gizzie was never in love and going back to Alex and Izzie, whom I never liked.

Gizzie was why I watched, I miss themd esperately and hope one day you will give them a real chance.

The day you do, I will be back watching.

[Ephraim]

Absolutely beautiful!!

The patients serving as foils for at docs & everone else.

Dereck slept with Bailey? Or did I misunderstand? If he did, he's lucky.

I don't understand the piece with Callie & Hahn. What is a "couple?"

I'm stupid; ask my wife. POIFEC show!

[Megan]

The show was good, but one thing was missing: Gizzie. Those two lit up the show for me in a way no other couple ever could.

[fps]

Great episode tonight!!!
Everybody did wonderfull job!!!, I always love Ellen and Sandra i think both of them did a great job. I really don't like Rose at all, made me want to change the channel everytime seeing her face.
can't wait for next week episode.
Thank you writers!!

[s.cali]

By the way, Mark Sloane/Eric Dane is great.

[jessicafreels]

I love Mark but I really loved Alex in this episode....and I just have to say thiank god you didn't let Izzie spill the beans. Im SOOOOO over Izzie and her do gooder attitude.

[ali]

I loved this episode because it wasnt all just cheap sex and thrills--there was real emotion in it. And I loved the Christina/Burke thing, I mean Im not even over that so I really hope Christina the character isnt lol. Its like the show kept jumping forward with these new outlandish stories while the viewers were still stuck on the old gold material. Lets return to the Greys roots--give these people real sides, explore why theyre hurting. This is the grey's I was addicted to and so missing, and Im SOOO glad its back. Keep up the good work with episodes like this please, the ones that are true to what grey's started out as.

Also, loved Christinas hair in this episode...Meredith was beautiful as usual.

[happy devotee]

OH. MY. GOD. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. It was AMAZING. Seriously the best episode you have had in over a year. You have found the Grey's we love again--please don't lose sight of it (especially as *other* shows go back into production next year...). The magic moments are finally back. Cristina's speech, the Mer-Der moments...perfect!! For the first time in a very long time, I can't WAIIITTTTT for next week. And I somehow have faith that what you have coming is going to be every bit as good as you promise it will be (at last!).

[Maria]

I would be fine with Izzie and Alex as friends, but nothing more. They do not have that chemistry.

Izzie has that chemistry with George and every episode makes me want them back together more.

bailey was amazing roaring at the chief.

I am glad George is getting to evolve. I love him and want him to be happy, with Izzie. I do like his friendship with Lexie, whom I love.

I hated both Derek and Alex and have for weeks now.

[Jenna]

So Derek leaves Rose's bed, stops at a store to buy bubbly to present to Meredith for a successful surgery. Seriously, what's wrong with this guy?

My favorite part is the playing of the Mer/Der theme song in the background that you played in S1-2 in Mer/Der scenes, nice job as we learn it means nothing to Derek because he slept with Nurse Plot Device. That Derek is one classy guy.

Please writers, give Meredith some dignity and let her move on to a decent representative of a male character and let Derek stay with the nurse who fans dislike because those two deserve each other.

Move Meredith on and quit kicking her while she's down.

[Gabi]

The show was good but it was missing more Gizzie and way too much on the Alex and Izzie and just Alex.

I do not like him, how he acts and while I usually think Justin rocks, I thought he was weak and irritating in that episode.

The George and Izzie scenes again made me brighten up.

Remember that healer saying Izzie brightened up Alex, well Gizzie together brightens me.

I want them together again, this time for good.

I love Mark and hate everyone is using him for sex, he deserves better.

Great episode tonight. Once again great job!!!!
OH.....I heard kathryn will leave GA????
Well.... I thought she should remember really hard, she's nothing without GA!!!!!! oh.... BTW
not like she's a big movie star already.......

[Issa]

George and Mark are the ultimate men for me. I love them and I want them to have it all: love, career, friends, happiness.

They are the greatest.

Oh and I want Mark and Callie and George and Izzie.

[Liz]

Rose deserves so much better than Derek, he should have stopped things if he was thinking of Mer.

I know I should feel bad for Alex but what he just did to my sweet Lexie makes me not feel bad for him at all.

I would feel bad for Izzie, but if she is stupid enough to pick Alex over my wonderful George, she deserves all she gets.

I have noticved I love Izzie with george, he makes her such a great person and all glowy, but I hate her when she is away from him.

I want George to have happiness. I want him to be a resident. I want you to take him seriously not treat him like a joke because he is not some conventional boring good-looking guy, he is so much more.

I want him and Izzie together.

I would be ok with a george and Lexie fling (not a Alex and Izzie one) as long as he and Izzie were together in the end.

I like Lexie and want her to be stronger and not let people like Alex get her down

[Canadian Grey's Fan]

I love your blog Joan but you didn't say anything about Cristina, she was awesome!!! one of the best part of the episode, she openned up like we barely see... ever!
The other good part was the champagne... I can't wait for the nest episode snd the season finale.
This is the Grey's that I know and love!!!

[Lynn Grant- Vancouver, B.C.]

Finally, another enjoyable Grey's Anatomy after a very long hiatus. I thoroughly enjoyed tonights episode. Very well writte and filmed.

[Beth]

More Mark

More Gizzie

Less whiny selfish Alex

More Lexie

More Bailey

And more Cristina

[Stephanie in MI]

Brilliant...Bravo *applauds you*

I loved that scene with Derek and Meredith in the OR. That was amazing the fact that they were so insync with oneanother. Then that beautiful moment with the champange bottle....oh my gosh :)I think that said alot about them both, no matter what they will always be Derek and Meredith. I heart my ship so :)

Cristina just kicked butt tonight. Loved the singing and her speech to the chief.

Mark...my manwhore is growing up :) I just loved him and thank you for giving us Mark. He truly is an amazing character.

George just rocked as did Izzie and Lexie. I cant believe Alex forgot about her, lol. Loved Cheif and Adele tonight...I hope they can work things out. I was surprised to see her there...never would have guessed she was a nurse...hope to see more of that :)

Bailey...my heart goes ou to her, She deserves a great man and how adorable was Baby Tuck walking???? I swear that is the cutest baby in the world!! Good job on casting that little one...I so want to have one of my own when he is on, lol.

Alex what can I say?? Loved him tonight. I am just nervous as to what will happen when he finds out the truth :( I hope that he lets Izzie help him.

Callie and Hahn..i love their friendship and I still cant figure out what is going on, lol. Very excited to see what is coming next.

Oh and beautiful job on the love story :) Made me cry and I was hoping he would have been able to say goodbye before surgery:( You did good Greys :)

You so rocked tonight...just loved every moment and I am sooo counting down to the end. Gosh you cant just give us a tibit of info???? Plese??? Oh well my countdown is on and I am ready for it!!!!! bring it...i am soooo ready!!!

[Tiana]

I throughly have not been enjoying Grey's anatomy as I have been in the past. You have all of the other characters going on their busy little ways and but what about Gizzie? Why are they such at a standstill right now. You know its frustrating as fan to get caught up in a storyline that you throughtly enjoyed to see be depicted on screen and for it to turn upside down in front of your eyes is really really disppointing. I just dont know what else to say.

[katie]

I absolutely love what you have done with the characters in this episode!
I can't wait to see Alex's character develop, because that guy obviously has a huge story he has been trying to hide. It's heartbreaking to see him all excited to step it up for a baby that does not exist.
And as for Meredith? Seeing her in therapy shows big growth and is so exciting. I just hope she can figure it all out before it's too late.
Great writing on this episode. Can't wait til next week!
Thanks

[jane]

Ahhh....each week I go crazy, not over Derek (although those eyes get me each time), no!!~ Just at the fact that I want to know more. I have class at night. So, I have to DVR the show and I always miss the preview to next week's show. I have to know more!!!

As a loyal Grey's Anatomy, I will be patient and ponder in my own head as to what possibly could happen next. AAAHhhhahahah!!!

GA Writers: you're doing a fabulous job!!! Can't wait til next week. Thanks. =)

[Mary from Washington]

Great episode. I don't feel like writing a lot this week, but just wanted to say that I love Meredith so so so so so so much. She's amazing. And although I was mad that Derek slept with Rose I loved that 1. He thought about Mer the whole time. 2. It will hurt Rose in the end. And 3. He came back to the hospital to be with Mer after. It was great and thank you for not showing them in bed. Many many thanks. And Mark was pretty great in the episode as well. Thanks for all of your hard work on the show. Can't wait for the next two episodes. Ciao Grey's workers.
---Mary Senn

[Jo]

Would have to say Hank above mirrors my thoughts fairly accurately. I really enjoyed the previous two episodes and can't say the DerRosie sex wasn't foreshadowed extensively. I just had hoped you wouldn't go for the cheap shot. We saw it before in S2 w/ Addie so nothing new here except this time he apparently isn't quite as fond of himself.

[Tara]

I am with the person who said she loves Izzie and Alex as friends, but nothing more. The two have good platonic chemistry but no romantic spark, IMO of course. I know they have their fans.

I think Izzie belongs with George and one day when the timing is right, they will find each other again and I will be celebrating.

Derek is so far from being McDreamy, why would any woman want him, more importantly we would we want our Meredith with him?

[Janet]

How much you want to bet that when Shonda said Mer/Der would be together for good, but perhaps not happy means the nurse will end up pregnant next season? When will this show stop the gimmicks and madness? Please make it stop writers. Please tell me that when Shonda told TV Guide that she stayed up at night with how she would bring Mer/Der back together for good, this was not what the outcome was going to be...

[Lea]

What are you doing to Derek? Right now, I am a Rose fan and a Meredith fan but not a Derek fan, they both deserve better.

Also, I 100% agree with the person asking why Gizzie is at a standstill.

We watched them fall in love, suffer, long for each other, we went through it all with them and fell in love with this couple and now you act like all the tears, efforts and love we put into this couple was for nothing and they never happened and you expect us to just buy Alex and Izzie insta love. I would say refalling into love but they never were,won't happen.

[Mindy]

I agree with the person who complained about what you are doing with Gizzie.

I put months of total love into those two, my whole heart and soul into them.

I do not do that, I have fancy fling loves and get over it, but not with those two.

I really gave them all my heart, and you just end it like that.

I know they had their haters, but they also ahd their fair share of fans.

Do our feelings not matter one bit here?

I have seen Gizzie fans write to you all season long with their love for this couple, do you not care about them at all?

We count too.

[Della]

I was so disappointed that Bailey called Mark a whore.

I think he has been really trying. He wanted with Addison and she cheated on him.

And now Callie is using him for sex, he deserves better.

Eric Dane does an amazing job.

Alex is annoying me right now. He needs to grow up.

George, Lexie and Izzie were amazing. I adore the friendship with Lexie and George and want Izzie and George to make it as a couple.

They are so cute when they cannot even look each other in the eyes.

Richard and Adele are great, I am so glad e got her back.

Yay for him.

[Claudia]

I love the friendship with George and Lexie, Now that I want him to be with Izzie romantically (yes I am not giving up on that), I want him to have a best friend again that can make him laugh and cares about him the way he deserves to be cared for an she does that.

I like her so much, she is a breath of fresh air.

Thanks for bringing her, and boo to Alex for forgetting her.

How can you forget a great girl like that?

[Gina]

Rose is a nurse who doesn't know the definition of "sex" Seriously, this character dumbs down more and more each week. Completely absurd question to George out of a nurse and the fact that this character continues to take up quality showtime from the regulars on this show is getting insulting now. What's next, she won't realize she's pregnant with McDreamy's baby next season until the baby actually comes out? Give me a break Grey's, you can do better than that.

[Marie-Claude]

Cristina rocked my world with that scene about Burke and Hahn, give her an Emmy stat!

Sandra Oh can break your heart and everything she said about Burke and Hahn was true. Make her happy again, make her show those two she does NOT need them.

Mark is HOT, period. More of him.

Gizzie, Gizzie, Gizzie, they make the show for me every single episode. They are funny, sexy, adorable and oh so hot. Thee will never be any couple as wonderful or that irresistible, so please put me out of my misery and reunite them.

Bailey is great, I love how she can put everyone in their place.

[Nancy]

Mary Senn, why would you want Rose hurt? I may not like her with Derek but she is a sweet person and she does not deserve t be hurt.

Like Lexie did not deserve to be hurt with Alex.

Alex and Derek are on my ht list with this episode.

I love that the chief got some from Adele, go chief, I always loved him.

And that Callie and Mark got some.

Now I want George and Izzie to get some again, some of the amazing sort of the beginning not the ridiculously and unbelievable bad of the end.

[Nickandtessfan]

If I had any doubt about hating Alex and Izzie, they ended tonight, he was a huge jerk. The cruelty with Lexie, the horrid treatment of Izzie, and plus the lack of chemistry between the two.

In their short scenes, when they joked together and blushed and could not even look each other in the eyes, George and Izzie made the show for me.

The show tries so hard to make Alex and Izzie all intense to build the chemistry, but nothing.

George and Izzie, they try to hide their chemistry yet it sparkles out so strong every time.

I hate Alex and Alex and Izzie more than ever and want Gizzie together more than ever.

[Amy]

Wonderful episode. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I dearly hope that the fact that Derek did sleep with Rose is not something that is simply overlooked, and that there was a deeper purpose to that single, heart-wrenching line than it appears at first glance.

[Nona]

if you want people to really care about what happens to Alex, do not have him be such a giant jack*ss.

The way he humiliated Lexie without a care, nice, sweet, amazing Lexie made me boiling mad.

The way he treats Izzie, the one all the A and I fans claim he loves so much is disgusting.

Are we really suppose to be rooting for this always destructive, sick relationship over the true love and chemistry and loveliness of Gizzie?

I don't think so.

[Walla]

I am so sick and tired of the shrink telling Mer how amazing Derek is. He is not, he is a major douchebag as some mentioned.

The way he tears women is abominable.

I don't get why you are selling the McDreamy angle so hard on us.

Because you have a thing for him?

Is that the same reason you are selling the Alex can do no wrong, he is just a misunderstood underdog thing? Because it is not flying for me, neither is Alex and Izzie's unbelievable, and not in a god way, connection.

They will not ever come close to Gizzie. You trying that is laughable.

I am tired of George always ending up the loser and being the only person, guy, to pay for his mistakes just because you don't happen to have a crush on him.

BTW, many of us do.

My sister and I are in love with George's gorgeous blue soulful eyes, his sweet smile, hot lips and hot hands.

Tell him that if you see him for us, how many of us love him and how many of us are devastated Gizzie, the best couple in the show, is being thoroughly ignored.

[Meredith deserves better]

Did you REALLY HAVE TO GO THERE WITH ROSE AND DEREK???? It was not necessary. At least Meredith never slept with Finn because she loved Der too much. This only proved he doesn't love Meredith.
And I hope you are not planning on having her pregnant with that pathetic guy (yes Derek is just pathetic) baby, because if your ratings are already down you will be left with noone to watch your soap opera.

[Donna]

I am not surprised, we have been telling you since the beginning Eric was amazing, he is the one who makes Mark so sympathetic.

I wish patrick and Justin could do the same, because they are making their characters, or you are but they cannot rise above it, insufferable jerks.

It was so bad I wanted Mer and Rose to gang up on Derek kneeing him and going all Kill Bill on him and I wanted Ava to die right in front of a devastated Alex and for people to laugh in his face.

I am not a violent person usually and I do not think those are the reactions we are suppose to have towards Derek and Alex.

But then silly me, I never read the directives right.

Because I am suppose to think Derek is the perfect guy.

I am suppose to believe Alex is the wounded soul and he and Izzie have so much chemistry (though I do not see it at all).

I am suppose to think Gizzie is better as friends and not notice the sizzling sizzling chemistry they still have in their every scene.

What a bad fan am I being!

[Karina]

Have you not noticed by now nobody is buying the whole Derek is McDreamy? Most people, including MerDer fans, are getting more and more turned off by him.

To be honest, Derek was never my McDreamy though Patrick is great, Derek never has been.

As for us being enchanted by the finale, the one thing that could make me do a victory lapse of joy and really excite me would be if the kiss was George and Izzie.

I waited all season for a repeat of that hot steamy elevator kiss.

But I forgot you think nobody wants to see Gizzie kiss even though many of us do, so this will never happen.

So I already know I am not going to love the finale, especially if Alex and Izzie do the kissing, I do not like them and I am being respectful here because it goes much farther than not liking.

[Melissa]

What a wonderfully written episode. The depth of what each of the characters are going through came through brillantly. Every episode seems more and more like the Grey's Anatomy I fell in love with years ago. Thank you for getting back to that.

I only have one problem, Derek sleeping with Rose. I can see the big picture. I may can even see how this could wake him up to how he really feels and that he has many issues himself. But I just can't believe that the Derek Shepherd you have written up until now would sleep with someone else so easily. Dating her, perhaps, but actually taking it to that level and realizing that he was thinking of Mer the whole time, I just have a hard time buying that. My only hope is that this will lend to some growth in his character, some realization of his own mistakes.

I love the Meredith and Derek moment in the OR, that was written and acted perfectly, so much was said without a word and the scene with the champagne, that was amazing. That moment was McDreamy at his best, unfortunatly it was ruined by Derek's admission later in the elevator. Please don't let Meredith go crawling back to him. She is growing, she has strength, she deserves Derek to finally own up to his problems in thier relationship as well.

Also, I loved Cristina tonight. She was brillant and moving when she admitted she wasn't happy for Burke. I loved seeing her stick up for herself and her feelings!

Looking forward to the finale and hoping that it will be worth it!

[Sabrina]

Adele is a nurse? I didn't not know that. So glad she and Richard seem to be on the way to recovery, fell in love with them last season.

Love George as Richard's intern.

I am sorry but I ff all of Alex's scenes, especially the ones with Izzie, those two really bring out the worst in each other, which is why I always hated them so much.

Izzie and George as always bring out the best in each other. I hope when everyone gets over the affair, Callie has it seems, they get a chance to be together with a real romance.

If they do, as someone on another site said, they will be amazing, even more amazing than they were the first time around and they were pretty up there even if the critics sadly never saw that.

Cannot wait to see Ava back next week, I think she will break my heart, Elizabeth Reaser is so amazing, I will again be ff all the Alex and Izzie stuff though.

Watching him yell at her is not hot, it is disturbing and scary.

[bonnie]

why did you feel like you had to have derek and stupid rose have sex. That was the only disappointment of the epi. i wish you didn't go there. Mer was amazing as always. christina rocked.

[Jsamine]

Meredith never slept with Finn, but a still married Derek calls her a whore on the wrong assumption she did...

But Derek sleeps with the "nurse" and thinks of Meredith the whole time, just as he did when he slept with Addison), and still he's "McDreamY"?

Seriously Grey's writers, what am I missing here?

It's a messed up world at SGH when Mark is called a whore for mutual sex with co workers, yet Derek skates for being a complete scum. There's just something wrong in your thinking here and yet you do it almost weekly on this show. Truly dissapointing.

I wanted Mer to sort out her life not for her whole to center around that idiot Derek. He is the one to blame, not her, and I would much rather hear her talk about her parents.

That therapist is a joke and an insult to women.

You seem to get off on abusive men. First Derek who is emotionally abusive and then Alex who is abusive to Addison, Izzie, Lexie and Ava by treating their feelings like they don't matter and judging them.

I cannot stand him.

But you are showing all those a and I scenes as so hot and true love and it disturbs me.

George and Izie had the real dea

[Aubrey]

I wanted Mer to sort out her life not for her whole to center around that idiot Derek. He is the one to blame, not her, and I would much rather hear her talk about her parents.

That therapist is a joke and an insult to women.

You seem to get off on abusive men. First Derek who is emotionally abusive and then Alex who is abusive to Addison, Izzie, Lexie and Ava by treating their feelings like they don't matter and judging them.

I cannot stand him.

But you are showing all those a and I scenes as so hot and true love and it disturbs me.

Then Burke who treated Cristina like his thing, I am so glad she blasted him today, Sandra was amazing.

George and Izzie had the real deal despite the affair, they had love, respect, trust, chemistry, laughter, unconditional love and support.

Your one sane relationship and you ended it, why?

Do you hate women so much you always make them pick the supposedly hot assholes over the great nice guys?

Most of us do pick the nice guys, especially when the nice guy kisses like George.

[Adele]

I love Lexie, she is amazing, I want more of her, with Meredith, and in her friendship with George.

I hope Alex dissing her makes her realize what a huge loser he is.

She deserves better, they all do.

I want George and Izzie back together SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much, cutest best couple ever.

I want Cristina to get it all.

I want callie to not be using Mark.

Callie and Hahn are disturbing.

I want Bailey, George, Lexie, Izzie, Cristina to be happy.

[Treavpr]

You touched on a lot in this blog, but I really wanted to hear about why the soldier storyline was chosen. It was great but sucky. I wanted them to be together. Just like I'm ready for MerDer to get back together AND STAY TOGETHER.

And yes, the Cristina story was awesome. Sandra Oh is magnificent. I was expecting Adele to jump up and clap for her.

It seems like the hiatus worked magnificently for you guys. Glad to have the old GA back.

[Marah]

Mark, Mer, Cristina, George, Izzie and Lexie made the episode for me.

Derek and Alex and Hahn were my most hated characters again for the last three weeks.

George and Izzie make me squee like a teenager, I want them to kiss so badly.

George was so cute as the intern and I really like his friendship with Lexie.

[liz]

Yeah, it's MEREDITH who has to fix everthing, right?

You people disgust me. It's an insult to all women to think "oh what a great man!" of that jerk! McAss doesn't even covers it. And this show is written by women??? One has to wonder what happened in your lives to think that being treated like THAT is SOO great!

And while the scene with the champagne was nice, it totally disgusted me. I hope he showered before he came to see Mer. There is no such thing as soulmate on Grey's. Mer at least never slept with Finn, the one she was in a relationship with, the one she was supposed to move on with: because she loved Derek. (wonder what Derek will do when he finds THAT out! After all, he called her a whore for that! AND slept with Addison..).

No soulmate anymore. I'm really sad.

[Mallie]

Bailey was great, loved her. Her son is so cute.

The show was good but I am not into it as much since you broke up George and Izzie, they were my real love on the show.

Always will be.

[Corina]

Can you please stop blaming Meredith for the breakup? When do we see Derek working on his issues?

And when do we see that the therapy actually helps Meredith to solve problems she had for ages like her abandonment and father issues?

God I hate that it is all about Derek. And he is not perfect at all.
Such a jerk. Sleeping with Rose to realzie he still loves Meredith?
How weak is that?

So dissappointed in Derek and Meredith's therapy!

[Cordy]

Please do not have Izzie move on to Alex, she should be with George.

Alex does not deserve her and there is not an inkling of chemistry there.

You never gave Gizzie a chance, and they had an amazing amount of chemistry, they still do, and you never giving them a chance and never acknowledging all of us who love them is what makes it so impossible for us to let go of them.

You need to address us and you need to tell the critics to stop spreading lies about Gizzie being universally hated.

You need to tell them yes they have a lot of haters, but they have as many fans.

Because right now we are angry and bitter and we feel like you do not respect us at all.

I miss Gizzie more and more each week and I am terrified you will go for A and I again.

I will tell you now and it is not a threat, I have almost not watched sine episode 4.7, I will not watch at all if A and I are reunited.

Talk about spitting in us Gizzie fans's faces.

[Noreen]

So Alex is yelling at Izzie like a psycho? Those are the two we are suppose to root for. George would never do that to her.

But it seems you have listened to the part of your audience that has a thing for damaged bad boys.

I never did, great adorable guys like George have always been the ones I love.

was hoping for once the great guy would get the hot girl.

Especially since George and Izzie equal 100 000 billion times the chemistry of Alex and Izzie.

[Vivianna]

So Derek made love with a woman letting her think he wanted her, while thinking of another? God, what a sick man!

And Alex not mentioning Lexie then brushing her off that coldly, he deserves every hell he gets,we love Lexie in my family.

Are you purposely sabotaging Avalex, Alexie and my beautiful Gizzie to prop up your boring overrated Alex and Izzie?

It is kind of sad you have to destroy three couple to sell them and so many people are not buying it and still wanting Gizzie.

I am glad you are at least mending one marriage with Adele and the chief, let have one honest loving relationship. The Chief has learned his lesson.

[Tess]

I want George and Izzie as a couple, for real this time, that is all I have to say.

[Jade]

really beautiful episode.
thank you.

Phenomenal Ellen Pompeo and amazing Sandra Oh.

can't wait till next week.

[DEMI]

love it
More Meredith screen please.
shes the heart of this whole show.

thank you for a great job.
Ellen Pompeo, sandra oh and Eric Dane rules this epi.

[ted]

Amazing Epi, in every way.

Meredith and Derek scenes, breathtaking. I love Meredith and how she got into this trial, how she convinced herself to move on in a way, in a way she think she can. And I love Derek admitting he thought of Meredith all the time when he was with rose. finally their true feelings appearing.

Ellen Pompeo blew me away. every episode she just gets more amazing than before.

My favorite was her scene with Dr. Wyatt at the end.
I think she is amazing in those scenes, she needs more of those powering strong, let it all out scenes, shes amazing in them.

Again, thank you.

[Amber Lee]

So I have just a couple of comments...nothing too earth shattering...just thoughts.

Loved Baby Tuck walking at the beginning of the episode with the meaning behind Mer's voiceover. Very good and very cute!

[Mich]

I loved it. I just...I can't even begin to explain how amazing and goose bump-inducing that Meredith and Derek champagne scene was. I cried...literally for the rest of the episode, then I went back and watched it again and cried for another 20 minutes. EP and PD did that scene amazingly. It was truly perfection. I really love all the symbolism, like the injection being in sync. I am SO glad that they are getting back together for good. I know Shonda said, "i never said they were going to be happy." I understand if they are not happy all the time, thats a healthy relationship. That is what I ask for, a healthy relationship. I have faith that you can do it.

Now for the part I just really need to rant about, DerPlant sex. I am surprised it wasn't written about in the blog, hopefully it will be in the podcast. Although it makes me want to vomit, I am a lot more okay with it then I thought I would be. I am happy that Derek truly looked disgusted with himself, because he really should be. A lot of my friends were really upset that they slept together, saying you have officially killed McDreamy. I on the other hand, see it as a wake up call to him. He needed something to wake him up, just like the therapist woke Meredith up.

Anyway, keep up the good work. Congratulations.

p.s. I am really glad you had that gay couple on the show. Its truly great that you did that. Many people appreciate it.

[KB]

Well the old Grey's is back... I can now get back to watching each episode twice(just in case I missed anything!).
Love the direction the show is heading. The medical story lines are wonderfully acted,chuck full of metaphors, and last nights was extremely sad.
Keep up the great work.....I'm glad you're back. Thanks!!!!!

[Jackie]

I loved the episode. Chritina was amazing. Bailey always love her. Meredith and Derek my favorite. I think people are missing the point with Derek and Rose. He has been dating her for weeks and it's not like Meredith is showing that she wants him back. He slept with her but thought about Meredith. He feels bad, he said it, all I could do was think about Meredith, who is the bigger whore. He feels bad, he's trying to move on, but he can't. That just proved it. I'm not mad at Derek for sleeping with her. Sleeping with her, I think, made him relize that he can't move on from Meredith. Another thing we have to remember is he has no idea what Meredith is thinking. In the end all I want is for them to be together and to watch how they get there. Again, Love the show.

[sarah]

What an amazing episode can't wait for the season finale for the Meredith Derek reunion gonna be amazing

[CJ]

There were some great moments in this episode. Funny, charming, triumphant scenes. And then scene in which Bailey stands in front of a crowd of nurses and calls a coworker a whore. Truly cringe inducing. So out of character, unprofessional, and unnecessary. Bailey almost specializes in telling people to set aside their bedhopping drama and treat patients, and she has always managed to do so in the past with class and dignity. I would have expected her and the chief to actually hold Mark accountable for his incessant sexual comments and come-ons to his coworkers. I would have expected Bailey to try to make sure patients were still getting treated by giving a few effective speeches. I did not expect her to simultaneously dismiss the problem of Mark's unprofessional behavior, attack him for his sex life, and belittle him and the nurses she was speaking to. So strange and disappointing.

[raprilc]

As I watched this episode, I just kept smiling and smiling and smiling. I've been disappointed by Grey's lately. But post-Writer's Strike, it seems to have found it's stride again. I love what you all are doing with the characters and plotlines. I feel like the old Grey's is back. Seems like when Shonda's attention isn't split between two shows, Grey's is much, MUCH better.

[Amanda]

I find it hilarious that the few Gizzie fanatics now have to resort to saying how much they hate Alex and how they think he's such a bad person just to then pimp their Gizzie ship. You guys need to grow up. Stop spamming the blog with the same type of posts. It's ridiculous and pathetic to see the same behavior week after week. You guys seems to be something out of "Fatal Attraction". At least TRY to discuss the episode.

I really enjoyed this episode with the exception of a few things.

Meredith in therapy was very much needed but her problems aren't just about Derek. They came long before he ever showed up in her life so reducing everything to Derek makes the therapy seem pointless to me.

Derek is not perfect, so please stop pretending that he is. It's not all Meredith's fault the relationship didn't work. This season is already in the can but next season, please have Derek acknowledge that he's done and said things that have given Meredith a reason to not trust him and fear committing to him.

Finally, we got the much needed insight into what Cristina has been feeling about Burke. That speech she gave on the conference room was so heartfelt. I'm looking forward to seeing how she picks up after this episode.

Alex... he's trying so hard to do the right thing and he really wants to be a good father. It's scary enough as it is for him to see himself as a father so for him to have his good friend Izzie always putting up objections on why it's all a bad idea for Ava/Rebecca to move with him and all that, I get why he got so angry at her. He expected her to be happy for him and supportive but she's coming off as someone who disapproves and thinks Alex isn't capable of being a good father. We know why she's acting that way, but poor Alex has no clue. It kills me that he's so excited and making all these plans and then when he finds out the truth he's going to be completely devastated. I really feel for him.

Izzie, as much as I sort of wanted her to break the rules and tell Alex the truth, I think she did the right thing by not telling him and being a good doctor. She's in a tough spot knowing what she knows and seeing Alex excited and happy about something that isn't real. I felt for her too for being in that situation and wanting to tell Alex the truth and not being able to so she came off as being a bad, unsupportive friend to him.

George and Lexie are cute together. It's interesting that George seems to take a bit of a "mentor" role with her which is good for him to have someone look at him for guidance sometimes. I like seeing George getting back to being his goofy, awkward self. It was hilarious to see him be the sex police and going around getting everyone to fill out their form.

I'm so looking forward to the next episode especially to see Alex learn the truth and how he's going to deal with that.

[Lia]

Great episode...finally some good old Grey's. Patrick and Ellen are amazing, they're seens give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. I can't stand Rose, not because she is with Derek but because she is annoying and immature. Two downsides of the episode: is it really realistic for Bailley to be walking the halls of the hospital with Tuck and Derek sleeping with Rose after he practically begged Mer to ask him to stay with her.

[Nikki]

The episode was brilliant. I fall for Meredith harder every epsiode. The champagne part was so sweet. I am more in love with this couple than ever.

It broke my heart when Derek admitted that he slept with Rose. Thanks for sparing us the torture of actually watching it.

I cant wait for the finale!

Thank you! keep up the great work!

[Kate]

LOVE Meredith and Derek, LOVE the fact that they are what makes me love this show. Even happier of what Shonda said about them getting together for good. They were amazing in this episode- after the patient dies and the look on their faces when they are talking, BEAUTIFUL!

Loved the episode, I have come to the conclusion that I like the show better when there isn't so much medical to pay attention to, but can really enjoy the characters.

Get rid of Rose, her stupidity is drowning the doctor's brain cells.

[Brit]

Everything was wonderful except Derek sleeping with Rose, Bailley bringing the baby to work at a hospital and didn't really care to see the Chief and Adele in bed together.

Other than that it was good ol' Grey's. Loved the monlogues that Cristina and Dr. Hahn said and Lexie cutting in on Cristina's song. Oh and George's eye movement when Alex forgot about sleeping with Lexie.

Looking forward to MerDer getting together for good, kinda can't wait for season 4 for that reason without even seeing the finale. They are simply amazing! Even in his movies, Made of Honor which I just saw, he doesn't have the same chemistry as he seems to have so easily with Ellen.

[ex fan]

My couple is dead. I was loyal MerDer shipper. I gave to them some chances but now... My prediction? A Derek/Rose baby soon.

I want Meredith happy. Only this.

[Tiffany]

So Derek can't have sex without thinking of Mer. Kinda like in season 2 when he had to see Mer walking down Finn's steps wet and in his shirt to have hot sex with his wife? Hopefully you guys can make it be that they actually communicate and get all these things out in the open. Him sleeping with Rose was the one downside to this episode. After those intense scenes and him asking her to ask him to stay with her, he sleeps with her? She is so annoying, asking George what actually needs to be written on the form and then sleeping with him after what Mark says. Well, wasn't Mark right, as soon as they slept together, he thought of Mer adn lost interest in Rose. Can't stand the character! Loved not having the heavy medical drama and seeing our characters be them. Great job!!!!

[mamaloa]

I can't understand how someone can be so thrilled in hurting a person, fictional or none fictional, as Mary said, she's glad that Rose will get hurt. I'm disgusted. I'm almost with the people who say that McDreamy is not so McDreamy. He lost his Dreamy. He hurt Addison and now goes on to Rose. How can he sleep with her and think of Meredith at the same time. Once again, mush brain over Meredith. Get over it. Move on. This needs to be fixed. I hope Rose does get pregnant. Serves him right. I don't think Rose should have paid much attention to any comments coming from Mark. He's the one that loses interest after sex. I started watching the show for Derek's character. He better get fixed soon. I loved the start of his relationship with Rose, and now very disappointed in the outcome. I don't think I can take another year's worth of Mer whiney and obnoxious. This episode, I have to admit was the first episode, that the Meredith character did that shows someone at least trying to grow. I'm with most of the posters who say that Meredith needs to move on without Derek. That whole champagne thing made me sick. Because, once again someone is going to get hurt. I know most people hate Rose, but I think they are being unfair. Sure, Meredith was hurt, but after she new he was married and after he went back to his wife, she still ended up having sex with him. She's hurt a lot of people. That's something she should acknowledge too. It's not just poor little Meredith. A lot of people have been hurt because of her.

[Bella]

Really great scenes, some downers, but mostly great! Derek needed to have sex with Rose to realize his love for Mer? I don't get it, hours before he was asking her to have him stay and then he can sleep with Rose? And Rose didn't want to sleep with him until it was serious and then after what Mark said and seeing Der and Mer she didn't think she'd going to get hurt in the end? PLEASE, the woman is just so dislikable. Her with her filling out the paper and stuff and not getting the point of what needed to be written.

PD and EP are great, they are beautiful and their chemistry is exactly what every producer in Hollywood wishes to find! Don't forget that and use it to your advantage, believe me, your fans will more than appreciate it and you won't be disappointed. Hopefully Shonda does stick to her word and it will be for good this time and we can see a tv couple make it through diffucult times to be with one another!

[Beachfan]

These last two episodes have been great!! Thanks so much. Loved each and every spotlight on our fav Seattle Grace doctors. It has become quite clear that we will truly end this season with a smile on our face. Whoo Hoooo!!!

[kathy]

You know what the writers have made me LOATH Derek. Leave him with Rose she a village idiot and match made perfect for him. Let them get married build his house he was forcing down Meredith's throat and have babies.

Let Meredith find love with someone deserving.Someone who won't leave her cause she's not ready fast enough. Derek is a vile disgusting man. You can trash Meredith all you want, call her all the names in the book it still won't brainwash this viewer .

Meredith and Mark would be awesome together. He wants love and she needs real love (not Derek's warped version of love)

[RKDB]

Yay! Alex and Izzie are on their way back together! I'm so excited!

[Susan Hanson]

Seriously do you all think it is ok for a man to sleep with one girl while thinking of another?? Loving someone else? That was just wrong! Derek and Rose should never have had sex. It was truly jarring. I believed all your hype and now I am sadly disappointed.

[Cate]

I love this show. I really do. The writers' strike was so painful on us fans, but I'm so glad it came to a resolution. I just have one bone to pick - can't something get resolved??! This seems like the tenth episode in the row where we just know more secrets, but nothing gets told. When is the truth just going to be laid out there? I'm really looking forward to the next episodes, if only for a few strings to get tied together!!!! Please please just give us some resolution!

[Sandy]

Great Episode. I love that all of the originals seem more like the characters we fell in love with. I don't know why they all had to go nuts and unrecognizable for a while but I am glad they are on their way back.
How can anyone be upset for Rose. She was brought in temporarily for another ploy to keep Meredith and Derek apart. I am so glad you did not show Rose & Derek sleeping together. I wish they hadn't but it was a smart move to not rub it in our Mer/Der loving faces. Meredith is the best and it is so good to finally see her as we fell in love with her. Strong and Intelligent.
I haven't liked Izzie in a long time but she too seems like she is moving back to her old self.
Mark and Bailey don't have enough air time. Callie is ok but Hahn could leave and not upset the show.

[Julianna]

More Callie and Mark....please?.......LOVE?.

[Vstewart]

This was great- I cried pretty much throughout the last 20 minutes of the episode. And you earned it. It made me think of the fact that the last two episodes have been great and bubbly, laugh-out-loud funny and so this episode really earned the deep emotion (as opposed to last season where we were just punched in the gut again and again). Christina's speech, so good. And Meredith and the gay soldiers. And yes, even Sloan. Loved his new friendship with Bailey. Also loved that Izzie didn't tell Alex. All the kids are growing up so fast!

[Vstewart]

One thing tho. I applaud your decision to maybe have a lesbian/bisexual couple on the show but if Hahn were a lesbian, she would know it. It wouldn't be some big surprise at 40. And it's 2008, not 1952.

[Mer/Der52fan]

Thank you for a good episode, especially the Mer/Der scenes. I am a die hard Meredith & Derek fan and can't wait for them to be together.

Oh, and TOO MUCH ROSE. I cannot stand that character--probably because she is after Derek.

MER/DER FOREVER.

[Diana C]

Great Blog and Episodes Joan! I enjoyed it very much. I loved the writing. You guys don't get paid enough. Writing is so difficult. A lot of people can interpret a script but so few can write to entertain.
I love that you say you don't want to give things away but there were clues in the episode. The old Grey's is back.

I loved Christina's speech. She finally spoke up especially about how Hahn is treating her. I loved the scene with Mer and the shrink.

You are very luck. In my twenties I did not have a great love or career. I just finished grad school and hope I can finally have a great career. I don’t know about love.

Lexie was funny yesterday. She is such the female George. The qualities they both share are cute in women and whippy in men.

I can’t wait for the next episodes. Have a great weekend and keep on writing.

[George]

Excellent Episode.

Meredith Grey ... AMAZING.
Ellen Pompeo is Phenomenal. She shows so many emotions brilliantly on so many levels.
BRAVO.

loved it.

[Diana C]

OH YEAH.. Thats for having Derek refer to himself as a whore. That was brilliant. He finally sees it.

[Debra from the Bahamas]

You have finally ruined Derek for me. Sleeping with Rose was the last straw. Shonda, you must come good in the season finale. Derek has to literally beg Meredith to come back, work on what he has broken. He is the one with issues and needs some sort of intervention. His sleeping with Rose and thinking about Meredith makes him much more than a whore it makes him a stupid whore. Why hype us up with the scene of the champagne because his saying that they will get it right bore a true reflection of their relationship and then allow him to sleep with someone he cares nothing for- pathetic. I was broken because I have watched this show from day one. I am not a t.v. person but this show caught my attention and won me over. Shonda, the season finale better be good!

[Karen]

Give McDreamy some credit . . . he has tried EVERYTHING to get Meredith to say she wants to be with him. He told her he woud stay if she asked him to stay. She did not ask him to stay. She told him to go be with Rose. What's a doctor to do? Wait around until she finally decides that she wants him? What would you do in that situation? The road to true love is never easy!

[Melinda]

I like this episode..after the strike, there seemed to be a different vibe...almost like something is missing and it seems a little scattered..which ironically makes me want to watch each week. I actually got my boyfreind to watch and he liked it...What is going to happen with Cristina, is Dr. Hahn gay? Is the chief and his wife getting back together? This is agony....I gotta know I just gotta know!

[PamelaJaye]

Meredith may not be a coward, be she *is* an Avoider. She said so, and she's proved it many times, including that day in the locker room when Derek asked her to commit and she said she had to go "help" Cristina get married.

I don't think Mer thinks about her career nearly as often as she ahould, but Derek, like Denny, never should have pursued her, when she was, as Mark called her, an Intern. She really needs to focus for a few years.
But Derek is a selfish jerk. The only time he was not one was in Who I Am, when he walked away.

that said, I look forward to seeing how you all can make happily ever after be interesting.

and I find George/Izzie to be virtual incest. I'd rather see Jusrin and Rebecca (Brothers & Sisters)

[Kat]

What an absolutely, on every level, fantasic episode.

I am loving the growth in Meredith. I am loving her being able to look outside her own crap and have empathy for others.

The scene in the OR between Mer and Der was just unbelievable. Such a connection.

My other fav scene, Yang talking about Burke.

AND,I knew something was up with that champagne bottle! LOL

[Tracy]

I watch for Mer/Der. But Christina...WOW. Those scenes were incredible. GREAT job!!!

[Cara in NJ]

Oh my heck!!! You guys rocked this episode!! Really! The old groove is back.
I loved the scene with Cristina and the Cheif. Sandra Oh ROCKS!! I am not over the whole Burke thing, so it was refreshing to see that she isn't either. Cristina has a very hard time with feelings and emotion. Tonight she is facing her demons. She has every right to be angry at Burke!! I am too!!
I also love how you are making Meredith face her problems. She is a woman with ALOT of baggage. Getting her in therepy is the only way this woman is going to survive. She is NOT a coward though. She just needs to put her past to rest in order to see that she is a brilliant surgeon and can have the love of her life too.
I am in minority though about the whole Derek thing. I think it is normal what he is going through, He didn't want this thing with Meredith to end, she didn't know how to make it work. How long can someone stand by and watch the woman that he loves not know how to love him back? Of course he is with Rose (althought I hate it). She wants to love someone and he wants to be loved. The only problems is that he wants to be loved by Mer, not anyone else. But life had to go on. I think this step in having him sleep with Rose to only be thinking of Mer is normal. This is the only way that Mer/Der will work!! Good Job on this story line!!!!
Bailey rocked the house!! I love that she filled all of those names on her sheet!! Then she hit the Cheif!! LOL!! ROTFL!!! True Bailey style!!!
Thanks for a great episode!! I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for next week!!!!!

[Janice]

Thank yuo for a great episode and not making me see any sex scenes between Rose and Derek! Although not really what I wanted to see, the Chied and Adele was a much better choice than Rose and Derek. Love what you guys are doing with Meredith's character, not to mention the chemisry between Ellen and Patrick. AMAZING!

Def. like the episodes where there isn't so much medical drame and heavy storylines, love just seeing the characters being themselves.

[Marsha]

Grey's Is Back!!! Last night's episode rocked. Each actor was brilliant in his portrayal, but Sandra Oh....Oh, Sandra!!! If she doesn't win the Emmy for this performance, well, there's no justice. Welcome back, Grey's!!!

[Jill S.]

Cristina was absolutely brilliant tonight. The singing was awesome -- Lexie was cute -- but we knew our Dr. Yang was going to shut her down. I love Meredith was the only one to be able to get her out of her funk to lead her to her brilliant monologue at the end.

George and Lexie are totally cute together. I wouldn't mind seeing George finally snag a Grey woman. I've seen the potential for them being together since the first episode of this season.

I do not want to see Hahn and Callie together. Mark does deserve a good relationship.

Alex needs to learn the truth about Rebecca as of yesterday. It's so not fair to him to go through all of these emotions, and I've never liked this whole Ava/Rebecca storyline, especially with her abandoning her other child.

Meredith knows her issues and has always known her issues, and she's NOT the one who needs a therapist.

Derek needs to be the one to come crawling back to Meredith. He's the one who said he loves her and will wait all of 5 seconds for her, and then goes and gets with Rose -- I can't even believe Rose let her get herself into this mess by Derek, by Mark ... I can't wait to see Rose go, and I need Derek to take responsibility for a lot of Meredith's pain and trust issues. I need to see that growth from him, otherwise it doesn't make sense for only Meredith to grow and Derek not take any responsibility.

It's good to see Izzie by herself focusing on growing as a doctor right now.

I've missed seeing scenes of everyone at Meredith's house.

[clarissa]

this episode made my heart happy.
i'm so glad grey's is back.
i can't wait for next thursday!

[Michele]

The look on both Derek and Meredith's face as he talks about the champagne and them having success was WONDERFUL! You can see their love in their eyes- PD and EP are terrific actors. They bounce off of each other to the point that if I were their spouse I wouldn't be able to watch or contain the doubt that their may be true feelings. Their love is so believable!

[thanks for bringing it back]

Brilliant

[ZannSue]

Um, doesn't Ava/Rebecca have a baby at home? Where is it? Is she abandoning it? Surely Alex can't approve of that...

[Canada Loves GA]

Wow....amazing, sad, funny, thought provoking episode. I LOVED every moment.Thanks for the greatest show on TV.

P.S.Put Der in therapy!!!

[Maybe later]

There was alot going on with different people but will have to wait to comment maybe later.I am too sad and disappointed that you had Derek sleep with Rose. Maybe later.

[Ellen]

ok, now I hate that rose more than never. people, we should have given a change to derek, he committed a mistake, as well as mer in S2 committed when it had sex with george, the persons comment mistakes, and it will give it in the end he saw that it was a mistake. in my opinion seriate much more difficult to see derek saying that it had liked sleeping with her.
so when mer told der she was okay and he could leave, in my mind derek again figures she doesnt want him- so he did the unthinkable (i was so angry- but then again he is a guy). honestly- this is good. he thought of meredith the whole time.
for me this means:

1- however much he tries to follow in front, he does not get because he loves to mer more than completely, when even mistake did this one he saw that it will never be happy without her.

2-I think that he saw that the marriage, house, plant, children, does not do sense it will not go away with to mer. At this moment he saw what he prefers to mer to his dreams.

3- persons comment mistakes, we human persons, for times we have of ' to crash our cars in the ground ', to carry out what is important for us. Derek discovered again that the important thing for him is to MER.

room scene when derek comes back because the pacient dies and hes consoling meredith you can see the look of guilt on his face. he regrets it. derek is now going to realize he made a lot of mistakes.

for this, we are going to give an opportunity to OUR FAVORITE COUPLE. derek and meredith already committed many mistakes, now it is a height of thinking about the present and about the future, we are going to leave that they resolve his questions together. HE COMMITTED A MISTAKE WHILE SLEEPING WITH HER, BUT, THAT ALSO SHOWED US THAT HE IS NEVER GOING TO BE HAPPY WITHOUT TO MER.

I AM GOING TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEREK; BECAUSE THE PERSONS COMMIT MISTAKES, AND I THINK THAT HE WAS THIS THAT THE SHONDA WANTED TO SAY TO US, NOBODY in the WORLD IS PERFECT, DEREK ALSO Not. HE IS A HUMAN PERSON, ALSO IT WANDERS. MER/DER FOREVER

thanks for this episode

[ang]

Okay... the fact that you have to tempt us with how great the Season Finale is going to be should tell you something. You lost us. You freaking seriously lost us. Derek slept with Rose? But thought of Meredith the whole time? That is definitely NOT McDreamy... but more along the lines of McWhorish. Derek even admitted to that. And if you let him come out of this as the knight in shining WHATEVER.. without him dealing with his serious problems and weaknesses.. then SHAME ON YOU. SHAME ON THE WRITERS. SHAME ON GREY'S.

[Holly]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! What a fabulous episode. I know that alot of fans are bashing MDreamy because he's acting like a jackass (I mean...come on it's a fictional TV show...I don't think people should be recommending role models for their children from watching). But, you guys do tend to blame Mer (who's at least trying to change) for all the issues between them. Derek has issues too. He jsut isn't facing up to them. He's doing a "typical guy thing" and trying to get over Mer by rebounding with someone else. That's fine. But he need to own up that he caused some issues and shouldn't blame Mer for having trust issues (umm....Season 1...meet Mrs. Addison M. Shepard). Bottom line though...I LOVE IT> The fact that they both can't think of anything else, the in "sync", the champagne...I can't wait.

My favorite- was Cristina. She deserves an Emmy. Her speech to the Chief, her singing...great!

Loved Izzie- and how hard she's trying not to tell Alex. And...Bailey...loved her too. She's hurting and like Cristina, can't get it out.

Fabulous George- the Chief's intern and how he called him on it. I think he needs a new love interest--not Lexie or Izzie.

Poor Alex- he's so trying to get over whatever he's been through to help this baby he isn't going to have. So sad. I can't wait for more.

The Manwhore? I love Sloan...

Thanks for bringing the Grey's from Season 1 & 2 back- the quick funny, hits, the emotions of having a life and a career.

[Shannon]

It's like the Hills in a hospital.

[FL Fan]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for another episode without the gore. I feel that the show started as glimpses into the lives on the characters, but strayed away from this becoming more of a hospital drama (ie: ER). I hope they will contine keeping the gore to a minimum!

[Cruzin]

I don't think a lot of people here understand Alex. I totally get that he's trying to convince himself that he's a good father. The only person he really has faith in is his ex girlfriend who he really never had a chance to be with. He doesn't know what Izzie knows so she's his last glimmer of hope and it looks like she doesn't support him.

I love where you're taking Alex and Izzie. It's nice to see Izzie care about Alex and resist in telling him. It brings them closer in their friendship and hopefully a new relationship.

[Jill]

I have to point something out... when George and Izzie were together all of these comments said "Get rid of Gizzie - they're so awkward" but now that they are apart everyone wants them back?? I personally love George and Izzie working the brother/sister relationship and hated them as a couple... sorry but George is kinda awkward as ANYBODY'S lover. Anyways... as for tonight's epi: loved both Christina's speech about Burke and Hahn's moment with Callie about making friends! And thank you for FINALLY having someone put Meredith in her place!! Can't wait for more :)

You didn't mention it but I think it was also very powerful for you to include the gay soldier in this episode about "Becoming" who you want to be. He wanted to be an out man to his father and share his love for the other soldier with the world, but he could not. So what you said about Becoming who you want to be being hurtful and hard is absolutely true. And the kiss.... rocked my world! It was great!
Everything else about the episode was great. And just so you and all the other writer's know ... I've loved each and every episode of this show, everything a