We Begin Again

So Derek got dead, Mer and Cristina got old together, and Izzie showed Denny her prom dress.

Such is the stuff of dreams.   Which was kind of my theme.  For this episode.  And this season.  Dreams.  And whether or not they come true.

This is season five, people.  We, the writers, we call it our all in, go for broke season.  We’re like the Chief – the bar has been raised and we’re the ones raising it.  For us, the show is new again.  Full of chances and possibilities.  Our characters are new again, starting fresh.  We’re hopeful again.  And we’re enjoying being hopeful.  All the rules are changing.

I know you are wondering, “Okay, what does this mean?”  And I could tell you.  But I’d rather you watch and see for yourselves.  Watch what happens with Meredith and Derek, Cristina and that guy Owen, Callie and Erica, Bailey, the Chief, George, Lexie, Mark, Izzie and Alex.  All the clues for this season are right there in this first episode.  Nothing happens without a reason.  Every line of dialogue has a point.  At least, I hope it does.  I’m pretty tired but I think I’m right.

That’s all I’m going to say.   Because we’re shooting the eighth episode right now.  And I’ve got to get to the set to watch a scene being filmed.   So you’ll have more to watch.  I’ll try to write more later.

Thanks for sticking with us.  We’re going to do our damnedest to make it worth your while.

The bar has been raised, people.  Consider yourselves on notice.

Comments

[Claire]

Wait, Wait, Shonda. I thought last season you started all over again new..Because remember when you said at the end of season 3 that you had to "burn it all down" to start the show over again? (meaning S4). Gee, I'm so confused. By the way "together for good" that means permanent. Not just until the end of the season(USA Today Mer/Der) I'm just saying....

[Rachel]

I used to be the biggest fan ever of this show. Now? The spark is gone! I know you think you're going for broke this season, but it's still missing that special little spark that made it extraordinary. Please, please, please do whatever you did while writing seasons one and two. Pretty please?

[elizabeth]

I enjoyed it...a lot! I was in anticipation all week and the wait was worth it. Loved it!

[Jessica]

Ellen Pompeo was so endearing in this episode. TV Guide's Matt Roush was right when he said she is "one of the most interesting leads on television today." You just write for her great and I really do identify with her and root for her. Like Christina said "Meredith, I'm on your side" Me too. Just a great episode. Thank you.

[Luke]

I want to see more of Alex and Izzie. Please make their lovelife story remarkable as you are planning rite now I believe. It's the fifth season already and they need to be together for good. I know you always make a beautiful story Shonda.....

[ali]

SUCH A GOOD EPISODE.

I so, so, enjoyed these past two hours. I love the feel of this season--it feels defiantly in context of last season, but, still, something new. Which is exciting... Thanks for all the excitement and sentiment, new and old: I'm thrilled by this new doctor, and ever more excited at the prospect of Meredith and Derek really working at their relationship. I loved all the honesty, loved the history built upon in this episode, from Denny to the George-Meredith fiasco. I love that, five seasons in, this is still so very much Grey's.

Funny, touching, dramatic, compelling.

...I just wish that we didn't have to wait two weeks for the next episode:) Oh well. A great start.

I'm so excited. So excited.

[Tara (San Francisco, formerly of Santa Cruz)]

Oh my god I have missed you so much. That was a really really long summer with no new Grey's. The episode was great; very bittersweet, because it was about life after the fairy tale, which isn't always easy. The guest actresses playing the socialites were fabulous, and to the director and your director of photography, the one moment where Sarah Beth grabbed her friend's wrist after seeing that Betty did not have her memory back nearly stopped my heart--it was perfect.
There were also some moments in the episode that really made me wonder how much you listen to people talking online--it seemed like you were including people's biggest fears (Derek in the accident, Rose pregnant), but they weren't real...
Callie and Erica... that was beautiful. I think the moment where Erica tells Callie to breathe and just think about the research, that it is okay to try something new--it was a great moment showing Erica's humanity, her feelings for Callie, and her actual ability to do some great teaching. And as always, those two actresses are just phenomenal. Their chemistry is amazing and they feel so real. Brooke Smith can also express so much emotion without words I am continually blown away--watching her reactions as she is trying to figure out what Callie might be trying to say about their relationship was amazing (and heartbreaking for the second that she thought Callie was telling her she didn't like it). Please continue, and please--more screen time for both those wonderful women.
I really thought I wasn't going to like having a new doc introduced, but I have to say, Owen Hunt and Cristina was SO hot. I loved that courtship for them was the mutual infliction of medical pain. It was so right, and so right for Cristina.
I am rambling, so just to finish--love George's new leaf (angsty George = not good), Lexie liking George is super-cute so long as it remains unconsummated, can't wait to see more of Sloan, really like the interactions between the Chief and Erica (developing friendship at some point?), want to see more of Erica and Sloan (I love how they goad each other), need more Mark + Derek, and finally--yay for Meredith and Derek trying to make it work in post-fairy tale land.
Thank you.

[Love a Man in Uniform!]

PLEASE find a logical, rational way to bring back Dr. Hunt! As soon as possible!

He was so great at kicking some of the characters in the a** when they needed it most...his headbutting against all the other doctors' egos was just awesome, and often very funny.

AND HOLY MOTHER OF GOD that scene between him and Christina near the end of the episode...

I replayed it, um, maybe 10 times on my DVR. heehee.

[need to see the episode]

please can someone tell me when i would be able to download the new episode from itunes??? iam from south america and here they are still playin last season!!!...iam waiting for so longgg...please answer me!!!

[Stacey]

Tonight's episode didn't raise the bar for me, just my boredom level. I've never been a fan of Alex or Alex/Izzie and, at this point, I'm not interested in why he behaves like such an a-hole most of the time. He went through a rough time with Rebecca and cried on Izzie's shoulder but other than that I didn't see any real opening up on Alex's part. He wrapped a blanket around her when she was cold and joked around with her about "no memory" lady and I think I was supposed to be rooting for them and going awww but I just couldn't. Maybe because I knew he would turn into a-hole numero uno in no time. At least I thought there would be a reason I could maybe sympathize with at least a little bit, like last season. But no, he turns into a raging jerk all because Izzie had the audacity to tell Meredith he was a good person. If Alex is too big of a big of a baby to deal with his emotions that's his problem. Quite frankly, Izzie/Alex gave off an abusive relationship vibe tonight. He can be really sweet at times, but then turns into a monster truck rally ass at the slightest provocation. When Izzie kept asking him what did "she" do, I cringed. I loved Dizzie. I thought the fantasy, taken on it's on, was really sweet. But I'm not sure what I was supposed to take away from that scene, when it comes to Izzie/Alex. Was Izzie so devastated because Alex isn't a prince, so she conjured up some fairytale moment between her and Denny, because with Alex being an ass she'll never have that kind of love again? If I'm supposed to be rooting for Alex to be that man for Izzie, epic fail on the show's part, for me.

Cristina and the new doc show promise, but I'm not going to get sucked into another romance on this show.

I'm tired of George being stuck on the island of Gexie. I didn't enjoy a single George scene all night. I enjoyed George and Lexie's chemistry for most of last season, but I can't take it anymore. They're such a Gizzie/Merge clone it's unbearable. Every moment George has on the show now seems to be solely for the purpose of shining a spotlight on Lexie and whatever she's feeling. And if Mark's being a, rhymes with tick, to George but sparkly with Lexie(and those two had chemistry. Please put them together and leave George and Lexie as friends) is setting up some godforsaken triangle, I'm going to rip my hair out and send you the clumps. The only scene I enjoyed all night was Cristina's dream about her and Meredith as old ladies. I miss good Grey's Anatomy. I can't hang with this show anymore if the stories just keep going in circles and no one sticks to their guns and follows through on anything.

[Laura]

Grey's is back and better than ever!!! Loved it... Hope this season is as amazing as this episode!!!!

[Lisianne]

George needs some love whether from izzie or Lexie. He is great with both women and they have hot chemistry.

I'd rather have Gizzie though.

Alex and Izzie? As boring and wrong as ever.

[Trena]

And I sure do love that Jeffrey Dean Morgan...Oh yes thank you for that it broght tears to my eyes.

I love this show and the cast
Owen's a keeper sign the man...lol
keep up the great work

[Andrea]

Why can't George get true love too? he deserves it. I want him and Izzie together so badly. They are the best couple ever.

You have insulted us enough without pairing her with a louse like Alex. They have no chemistry.

And Mark and Lexie? No way.

Why not a George, Izzie and Lexie triangle?

[I think I'm done]

Where is the Meredith & Derek chemisty? Has it gone down in flames with the show? I constantly find myself wondering what the heck has happened. For the first time in years, I didnt buy the DVD. I admit I was excited for what was to come for Meredith and Derek, despite what I read in USA Today. Now, after watching the episode, I'm really beginning to wonder why I even waste my time.

How are we supposed to have any hope with your comment about them not lasting past season 5 and the doubt we saw in Meredith the entire episode.

Are you really that synnecial that is shows through Meredith? Poor Ellen, she doesnt have a shot in h#ll in getting any type of award. Thanks to you!

[KATHI]

LOVED IT!

[pleassse still waitinggg]

please...i need to download the episode from itunes!!!!...when it will be possible?

[Cara]

OK I am done with the show. You kiled gizzie, act like George is some extra on the show and try to make me believe the porn abuse that is Alex and Izzie is true love enough. I am also so over you having George lose out in love (Callie, Izzie, Mer and now Lexie) and being humiliated in his job all the time. You are shallow and twisted. This will never be posted but hey, I needed to say it.

[tigggrl]

Welcome home....Thats kinda how I felt, like I was gone for the summer and missed all my friends!
LOVED the new start to the season, and I especially enjoyed the guest stars.I always love to think what comes next, and you always well exceed my expectations! Thursday night is one of my "don't even THINK of calling or bugging me in any way while Greys is on!." Nights again. Thanks for whe warm welcome home.

[Alice]

I think the epi was great.I love Alex and Izzie so I hope they can have a nice(romantic) future together.

[Worried fan]

I have just read Joe's blog and I just have to say, please, don't mess this up, you have put Meredith and Derek back together, so now just write some good storylines for them. Bring back strong and confident Meredith not the insecure idio* we saw tonight, give them good scenes, some adult conversations... I am begging you, don't let Mer-Der become another TV failure.
Thanks!

[Jean]

I felt the SP was amateurishly contrived, but since you've stated here that each line was a hint of what's to come, I can accept that and look forward to the season now. Just please, less of self-centered Meredith. She's beginning to remind me too much of Ally MacBeal, may her character forever rest in peace.

[Paula]

I think Shonda's version of "for good" and the rest of the worlds version vary A LOT. Maybe in her podcast she could explain how "for good" could not mean what we all think it does. I just listened to last seasons finale podcast and Rhimes says Mer/Der will be together quote "for good" no less than three times and Betsy Beers says it as well. How could the meaning of "for good" go from one that has a definite meaning to the all new meaning Shonda has now given us? Did you just say that to get ratings last season to because I'd hate to think we were being played. Please tell me USA Today misquoted you.

[Angelina]

Cristina and Owen? YES YES YES
and he is soo hot by the way!

[Brittany]

Amazing. So glad Grey's is back. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to in the week and making my Thursday nights fun again. Great work, this is going to be a great season.