The End of the Beginning... Part II...

The end of Season Five?  Pitched.  I’m not teasing you by saying that.  Not teasing by saying Season Five will be the most exciting, fly by the seat of your pants/skirts, “Oh My God Did That Just Happen???!” Season of Grey’s Anatomy EVER.

But we’re not there yet.  We’re here.  At the end of Season Four.  Which, is technically over but personally, I’m still reeling from it as most of you may be.  So where was I?

Oh yeah.  The kissing.   The healing.  The extraordinary of it all.  And, the blood.  Lots of blood from Ava/Rebecca.  She tried didn’t she?  To be the woman for Alex.  She tried to be the person in his life that he could trust and lean on.  She wanted to, in a sense take care of him because we all know that Alex has never really been taken care of by anyone before.  He’s the kid we all feel sorry for.  The kid who had to fend for himself his entire life and fight for everything he’s ever gotten.  Ava wanted to be that one person for him.  The one person who, at the end of the day, could lay his head on her shoulder and let the weight of the world go.  And she tried you guys.  Tried so hard but just couldn’t fight what was taking over.  So Alex had to say goodbye.  And we all know Alex. Nothing gets to him, but this did.  And it broke my heart to see him crying on his bed.  I felt let in to Alex for the first time.  I feel as if I’m starting to know him.  And I realize that Alex DOES want more.  He just doesn’t know how to attain it.  He had some hope that this time, it would all work out.  This time, he would save her and all would be well in the end.  Because this time, he’s an adult, a man who saves lives, literally so of course he can save this one life that means so much to him. Right?  My heart breaks for him because he couldn’t.  And poor Izzie. Izzie, who puts friendship first and everything else second. The last thing she wanted to do to Alex, was hurt him.  But, it would have hurt him worse in the end had Izzie not stepped in.  Izzie is becoming an adult because the Izzie we knew a year ago would have helped Alex care for Ava until the end of time.  But the Izzie we know now protects her friends at all costs, even when it hurts them.  Even when they hate her for doing it.  And even though Izzie is growing up, at the end of the day, she held Alex in her arms and that is the Izzie we all know.  That is one part of Izzie that I know will never change.  No matter what, she will always hold her friends in her arms at the end of the day. 

And Bailey.  Bailey, who noticed Izzie’s growth because she gave Izzie her keys to the clinic.  Bailey.  Who, if she wanted to win her family back, HAD to give up something.  And Bailey is one person who loves her life.  Every inch of it.  But she had to let go of one thing to maintain it all.  And that’s what Bailey does.  She held all of these balls in the air and they all kind of needed each other to stay afloat.. But then came the risk of losing her marriage.  Her husband.  The love of her life.  And in order to save something so dear to her, she had to let all the balls drop for a second.  And in a mere second of chaos and crazy, she saved her marriage.  She’s not the only one either.  The Chief.  Yes.  He was ready to go home. Well, he’s BEEN ready to go home because really how long can a man who has had a wife for over twenty years – a woman who cooked and handled all the business and kept everything perfect in the household – live in a trailer and eat canned food every night?  He just needed to get out there and realize that there is no him without Adele.  I mean, how many women do you know would have taken him back after Ellis?  Not only did she take him back and carry on with grace but also she continued to love him.  That is what makes Adele part of a special breed of women that no longer exists.  She comes from a time when marriages lasted a lifetime.  I know because she is of my parents’ time and they are still happily, lovingly together.  That’s why I love Richard and Adele so much.  They remind me of what I grew up with.  That love, with all its flaws is what matters more than anything.  That’s why Richard went back and that’s why Adele, knowing that Richard hurt her and knowing that it’s possible he may not change – he may continue to work hours upon hours a week at the hospital – but, it’s more about the love than anything. And Adele may only experience it for a couple of hours a day when Richard drags himself through the door after eighteen hours, but she gets to experience it.  That’s the key.  Because things could have been different.  What if Richard had found out about Ellis’ suicide attempt?  Would that have been what he needed to go back to her?  What if?  What if Richard had known?   Oh, how different it would have all been.  For Richard.  For Adele.  For Ellis.  For Meredith. 

But things play out the way they should.  Life plays out exactly the way it should.  Which brings me to Rose.  She’s the girl that Derek would have fallen for had he never laid eyes on Meredith.  Right?  She’s THAT girl.  That perfectly cute, little heart shaped face, innocent brown eyes, would smother you with kisses and cuddles kind of girl.  Yeah well, the reality of it is, life didn’t play out that way for Rose.  She didn’t meet Derek before Meredith and I have to tell you, her instincts about being intimidated by Meredith were dead on.  I feel for her though because when a man meets the love of his life, there is nothing else out there for him, no matter how great the girl.  I don’t want to be Rose right now.  Because seriously, we’ve all been Rose once or twice and it’s not fun.  And seeing it happen to someone else is like the fingernails scraping against the chalkboard. 

Okay, who has her mojo back???!  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  I was wondering when Cristina would get out of that funk.  What happened with Burke winning the Harper Avery was what Cristina needed to move on.  Cristina needed that time of sadness and solace to come back better than ever. It’s good to have her back.  And how much did we love Cristina for standing up to Hahn?  Okay, yes Hahn is a brilliant surgeon and is great with her patients but her teaching skills?  Well, let’s just say she can use a little more loving care with her students, particularly Cristina.  Because Cristina was taught by Burke, and Burke is brilliant. Couple that with the fact that Cristina is brilliant in her own right and you have someone is who is going to be a dynamic surgeon one day.  A surgeon who will save countless lives.  A surgeon who will find cures for things.  She’s THAT surgeon.  And you nurture this person.  You don’t hold her back. You don’t humiliate her and give her mundane tasks.  So I was kind of glad that the Chief backed Cristina. Of course I felt sorry for Hahn because Hahn grew up in a surgical world that included even fewer women than there is now (so Hahn is accustomed to a “dog eat dog” kind of surgical world).  But all that matters now is Cristina has her mojo back! And the Chief made more of a difference than he thought he ever could because Cristina is giving back to the community by teaching Lexie.

And the last discussion of the day brings me back to the beginning: Kissing.  Ahhh the kissing.  Lexie getting kissed by George.  George, who is so excited about taking his exam over that he didn’t know how much that one little kiss would affect Lexie.  I love them as friends. They make good friends.  We all have that friend we met in school or the gym or somewhere – we just hit it off right away.  And right away there was no pretense or airs.  Just pure honesty.  That’s Lexie and George.  They’re really good friends and I can see the friendship evolving into something even greater.  At least, that’s what Lexie is hoping.  She is my kind of girl. The girl who likes the guy because he is a GOOD guy and that’s what George is.  He is a good guy and that’s something that Lexie could use now.  She’s going through her own challenges what with Meredith and losing her own mother and trying to keep things afloat. I’m rooting for Lexie.  She’s my kind of girl and I hope that she gets what she deserves: love.  And more kisses.  There should always be that.

Well everyone, I think I’ve said it all. I will see you in Season Five.  Have a great summer and do lots of kissing.  Kissing makes it all better in the end. 

Shonda

Comments

[dclar3100]

I truly loved the episode. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for giving me my wonderful Mer/Der ending. Oh how wonderful and grand was that gesture for Derek from her. I do love that she did it though in Meredith's way...kicking and screaming like a fishwife! You totally had me cryng. I have rewatched the season over again. I subscribed to get the shows sent to my computer each week and it is a godsend. I know have 4 seasons of Grey's that I will be watching over and over again. I do it every year during the summer. I truly dislike this time of year for TV. Because the only thing on is the reality tv stuff that clearly doesn't take any thought process. Not like the great work that you do. I love that you don't have alot of cussing on the show. Because I think you are right, it shows way more intelligence and thought to search English language and come up with other great words to express the characters! I personally. That shows great intelligence and talent. I wish that you could influence other writers and shows to do the same thing.

Well, I went off on a bit of a tangent there, but I sure am excited and can't wait til season 5. You know what would be great! Maybe mid summer, you could put a special episode together for us that would give us a small taste of what we can expect for season 5. Something to latch our hopes on to.

Something else I wanted to mention too. Your show helps me in my work. Do you know how many times during my medical transcription that I knew what something was or what they were referring to because of your shows! Well, I just wanted to give you a small picture into what Grey's does for me on a daily basis. (Truly daily, Patrick Dempsey is my wallpaper on my computer! Love him!)

[Rachel]

Amazing Finale!!

Loved Lexie and George!
Loved Derek and Meredith!
But I do miss Izzy actually performing surgery, because she is a kick-ass surgeon who deserves a chance to be brilliant.
I hope we get to meet some of Alex's family next season, need to see more of Alex!!

[Ephraim]

Not a word about Callie & Erica?

[Julia]

i think you're amazing... for creating this show... for showing us that there can truly be such beauty in the imperfections.. your out of the box thinking leaves me so speechless... i love the characters, i love the way you play off our emotions, i love how real and relatable your show is... and can i just say you got the perfect actors for each character. i can't imagine anyone else playing any of the parts. oh and the writing, amazing. i am awe struck every show. so thank you shonda and all of your staff, you guys rock and i truly believe your potential is limitless. that is all, my lovefest in your honor is now over. i really hope i didn't come off as a creepass. lol. i just wanted to let you know that i admire your work and that you do make a difference. i can't wait for season 5!

[Lila]

I like George and Lexie and I love George and Izzie, so a triangle between the three could be good. I want Gizzie in the end though. nd I want Alex far far away from Izzie.

[Adam]

I hope that Lexie and George get together. I'm George, and I've been waiting for him to find Lexie. Go George!

[Get rid of Rose]

" She’s THAT girl. That perfectly cute, little heart shaped face, innocent brown eyes, would smother you with kisses and cuddles kind of girl"
Oh, please STOP IT! We don't like Rose, we want her GONE. She is not funny, not nice, she is ridiculous and pathetic. I really hope you are done with new triangles and I hope we don't have to see her next season. If you like her so much create n spin off for her so she doesn't ruin Greys more than she already has.

[Carly]

didn't rose know about merder BEFORE she started dating him? why would i feel sorry for her? i feel sorry for meredith cause the guy who told her she was the love of his life was having sex with a nurse.

[Matthew Rushing]

Thank you Shonda for never letting me down, I never lost faith!

[Jenny]

Having to watch Rose is like the fingernails scraping against the chalkboard.

[famousArtist]

oh. i am so happy you talked about the george/lexi kiss. also that you love the spelling bee. i feel good about Grey's.

[mamaloa]

Well, I wouldn't want to be Rose either, and I've been that girl too. That's why I can't help but root for someone like Rose, especially when someone like Meredith is so irritating, not to mention her morals shot to hell. Maybe she'll eventually grow up but that last scene, I don't think so. The same old whiney Meredith. I still wish that Rose can win out over Meredith, but I wish Addison could have won out even more. Now that'd be interesting. Maybe Derek will take a trip to LA, and go on PP. It might even boost PP up a little. I know I'd be over on that show in a flash, if he should go over there. I shall see how Mer grows up next year. I seriously doubt it, and I seriously doubt she became whole overnight. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[Val]

If there was nothing else out there for Derek why was he with Rose? He cares so little for the love of his life he dumps Meredith to be with the cute and innocent? I didn't see anything you talked about with Alex and Ava. They had sex and then she'd go away that was it. I haven't been Rose, I ain't psycho enough to go after a man clearly in love with someone else.

[Laurie]

great blog - thanks for the insights. i actually hadn't thought about the "old" izzie would have quietly and secretly helped Alex with Ava. true point that somehow i missed.

[Jayne in MI]

THANK YOU SHONDA!

Last year I wrote and asked you, no begged you, for a love story. I wrote: "America needs a love story, not a broken heart."

Shonda, THANK YOU! You never let us down, and this was an amazing end to Season 4! THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE STORY!

I can't wait for Season 5!

[tets]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Grey's that we all learned to love would be really back. No more grosstatic Plant kisses, shock-me pairings, and over the top shark jumping events. The finale showed that fun is back and the characters showed some forward movements. More focus on the patients never hurt as well. This is the Grey's that I loved. A group of people trying to become good surgeons amidst dealing with their messy personal lives. And since I root for Merder I hope they show Mer really becoming a great surgeon while trying to commit to a relationship with Derek. PD also needs to be given a deeper Derek storyline and characterization. EP and PD's chemistry is just too magnetic to ignore. I hope the show would capitalize on that. I'm pretty sure that as long as the writers and producers keep it up, viewers and top ratings would be back.

[Brittany]

See you for Season Five!! I have no doubt that it will be just as great as the last four!!

[MarryhimBlondie2]

Thank you!

[Paula]

Seriously Shonda...

Rose is your kind of girl..Lexie? Ava? When is Meredith going to be your kind of girl. You indirectly (or most times) directly seem to knock her in every one of your blogs. It's good thing Ellen Pompeo is as wonderful as she is in her role. She has managed to gain compassion from fans despite you tearing her down or making her come second in your blogs.

As for Rose? Simply a character I don't care about no matter how hard you try to push her on me. She takes up time from the characters I DO care about. You have an over bloated cast as is, and this is one nurse/character/plot device that is simply not needed.

which is exactly why I fully expect to see her pushed on us again next season huh? Oh well...Sad but true that we can all see this coming from a mile away.

[Tom Beaumont]

While I enjoy the series on the whole, it's the relationship between George and Izzie which made the show for me, pure and simple. That their close friendship was finding its way to something romantic had initially surprised me, I admit, but I found myself becoming invested - truly invested - in these raised stakes. Then, to see these two characters so cruelly torn from each other, and then kept at such a distance that it bordered on the ridiculous, was - and continues to be - something that hurts my affection for the show. George and Izzie deserve their shot at happiness together - a chance to prove their chemistry, and to find their 'timing' - which can't happen if they don't spend even a few moments in actual conversation with each other.

[Jamie]

The Rose character was so mismatched with the Derek character it isn't funny. The scenes were painful to watch and yet still here is a whole paragraph where I would have liked to learn more on the regular characters where she is just put out on us.

Why? She added nothing to the story and I do not believe for one minute the Derek Shepherd character would have ended up with her had it not been for Meredith. The character speaks inappropriately in surgeries...does not know the definition of sex and moves in on a man clearly still involved with a woman whom she CLAIMS SHE KNOWS ALL about. What that says to women in general I can't even go into now except to say, it's as poor of a message as can be.

Wow..is this a build up for bringing her back. I'd give a million of her just to see Joe again, but if you spend this much time pimping her out needlessly on a blog, the writings on the wall and I'm less wanting to come back next season because of it.

Rose...you hated her,now you'll love her...Wait a minute..wasn't that Addison..or uhm..Lexie...

We've seen it. How about trying something new.

[Daniel Madsen]

I hated Rose when you introduced her and I like the character less now that you've drooled on her. She's pointless and adds nothing to the show. I would have appreciated a paragraph on the parallels of Mer and Alex's story or what The Chief and Mer were going through.

Thanks for the needless drooling of the plot device character. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

[EL]

First post!

Gotta say that I will be rooting for Lexie/George all next year. The cuteness factor would just go off the charts.

[Christine]

Thank you for a season with a happy ending... FINALLY. What with Addison coming at the end of Season 1, Burke getting shot and Denny dying at the end of Season 2, and Cristina getting left at the altar and Meredith walking out on Derek at the end of Season 3 I was prepared to yell and scream and cry and be all sorts of melancholy after Season 4 ended. But alas, it was everything I didn't expect and everything I was hoping for which made it perfectly fantastic. I love Love LOVED how everybody found themselves in one way or another at the end of it. When Mer and Der were searching for each other I swore that if they were the one couple that didn't find each other I would never watch another episode of Grey's in my life. Glad that that won't be the case.

That was my very verbose way of saying thanks for the happy endings, at least for the time being.

P.S. I loved how at the end of Season 4 we see Izzie picking up Alex the way he picked her up at the end of Season 2. Hopefully that will help bring healing to their friendship.

[Ruthie]

Thank you so much for a great finale, Shonda. I have grown to love these characters. I can only hope that one day I will be able to work on a show like this, one that has so much depth, growth and hope. Thank you for giving me characters that I actually want to watch.