Jenna Bans on "There's No 'I' In Team"...

Humor me. Just for a minute. Look around you, and find a someone – husband, wife, friend, dog, goldfish, anyone. And ask yourself – would I give a kidney for this person? You have two – you only need one to live. Seems like a no-brainer, right? But it’s a loaded question. It’s major surgery. You could die. More likely, you’d just be a little sore for a few days, but still. Major surgery. I’m looking at my husband right now. He’s sitting next to me, having no idea I’m blogging about him, eating a turkey sandwich that he made with cinnamon raison bread. Gross, right? Who does that? At this moment, I’m so offended by the cinnamon/turkey combo, it’s a hard decision…but in the end, yes, I’d probably give him the kidney. You kinda have to when you’re married to someone. It gets trickier when it’s a stranger. Giving a piece of yourself to someone you have no connection with, no shared history, no obligation to – and suddenly forming a bond that rivals family. Forming a team. With a stranger. Would you do it? We talked about this a lot on set during filming. And the consensus we came to, after the director lovingly promised the script supervisor that she was next in line for his kidney after his baby girl, was that choosing your team, choosing your peeps, choosing the ones who you want to have your back forever isn’t a choice to be taken lightly. It’s a huge decision. And we watched a lot of our characters struggle with it in this episode.

Especially Derek and Meredith. What I love about “The Shepherd Method” (how awesome was that American Neurosurgery magazine – props to the props people!) is that both Meredith and Derek have completely valid arguments. Meredith, as Bailey points out, did work her ass off on that clinical trial. And it was totally her idea. However, Derek is the attending and in the medical journal world, would absolutely get the credit. So it’s a classic professional standoff – complicated by the fact that these two people share a bed. Now if Meredith did the clinical trial with say, Erica Hahn, could we see her getting all riled up about the credit? Think about that. Not a chance, right? (Not like anyone in their right mind would ever pick a fight with Erica Hahn anyway) So it’s not just about the medicine, it’s not just about the principal of the thing, it’s also about Mer’s hurt that Derek never even said thank you. There are major miffed feelings involved. Big picture point is, when you fall in love and move in with your sort of boss, the personal bleeds on over into the professional, and it gets messy.  And happily for us writers who are constantly looking for ways to exploit the Mer/Der drama, there’s no easy way out of that.  As Bailey tells Derek in the end, he’s gonna have to learn to live in the mess. It’s not simple. But it’s fun to watch. And if anyone can wade through it and make a kidney in a jar look all fun and sexy, it’s these two.

Izzie and Alex, huh? I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt that kiss coming on for weeks.  Like a good flu.  Iz takes a huge leap of faith tonight – telling Alex, I’m on your team and I’m not going anywhere.  That’s a brave lady. ‘Cause saying that to someone who is as emotionally traumatized as Alex…watch out. There is a very good possibility he will slam the door in your face. And he tries - but Izzie doesn’t let him. Not tonight. You can trust me, she says. Which we know is not something Alex does easily. Especially after the saga known as Ava/Rebecca. But the truth is, Izzie’s always had his back – even when he’s down in the dumps and treating her like a pile of poo. So, to me, it was high time that that guy man up. And that kiss? That was some good man-ning up.

How incredible was Lexie in this episode? Chyler Leigh just kills me. She’s been quietly on George’s team for weeks now, just waiting for him to notice her. And when it finally becomes too much she explodes on him in the locker room. One of my favorite moments in the episode. That “you don’t see anything” speech is sort of what I wanted to say to every boy I quietly loved from afar in junior high. But never did. I’m proud of Lexie for finally having the cajones to tell George it’s not okay to treat her like an invisible doormat. And the look on George’s face is pretty priceless – that guy has no idea what’s been going on under his own roof.  Granted, he’s been all wrapped up in catching up to the others, becoming a resident, and getting his own interns. But dude needs to get a clue. ‘Cause even though Lexie seems like the kind of girl who’d wait around for him forever, I think somewhere deep inside she has more backbone than we give her credit for. 

So the Callie/Erica saga got a little interesting, hmm? I have to say, Shonda and I got more a little crap for “The Sloan Method” – or as some people interpreted it, the idea that Callie Torres had to go to a man to learn how to please a woman. But that wasn’t the intention at all. Here’s the thing. To Callie, Mark Sloan is not just a magic manwhore, he’s a person. He’s her person. And who do you go to if you’re going “down there” for the first time and you’re freaking out and you need some good old-fashioned sex advice? You go to your best friend. Which for Callie, HAPPENS to be Mark Sloan. Who HAPPENS to be a man. A man who HAPPENS to have an excellent reputation between the sheets.  That’s all it is, I swear. We’re all pro women getting down with women over here at Grey’s. We’re pretty much pro anyone getting down with anyone. Yay, getting down!

You know who’s not getting down? (segue…) Cristina Yang. And Cristina Yang…I gotta be honest with you, Cristina’s feeling it these days. She’s lonely. Really lonely. And can you blame her? Meredith’s all happy and relationshippy with Derek, her roommate Callie’s hanging out with Erica Hahn 24/7…I have a feeling that for Cristina, there’s been a lot of drinking alone at Joe’s lately. And that’s okay. Somehow it makes me feel better as a human to know that even someone as strong and steely as Yang isn’t above throwing a little pity party for herself sometimes. There’s no shame in it. And then just as she’s about to throw a Molotov cocktail at Joe’s and take out all the “lame interns and weird lab techs” in a fell swoop …Kevin Mckidd as Major Owen Hunt walks in! Blink and you’ll miss him – it was practically a cameo.  But I love that look on her face at the end – it’s like a combo platter of yay/oh, crap, I’m in trouble now.  Which she totally is, by the way. In trouble. Oh, it gets good…

One last thing before I go. To me, this was Bailey’s episode. A love letter to Bailey. Because with all the different kind of teams you may find at Seattle Grace – I believe Bailey is the ultimate coach of all of them. This domino kidney swap, this was her project. Her baby. In her final scene with the Chief in the conference room, we ended up cutting a couple lines for time that for me, epitomized Bailey’s journey in this episode. I will re-enact them for you now. It went something like this: Chief: “Oh, and Dr. Bailey? You’re not gonna drag us all the way back from number 12 by yourself. But you did a hell of a job trying today.” And Bailey says “Thank you. Sir.” Translation, this number 12 ranking thing hasn’t just rattled the Chief – it’s rattled Bailey too. Deeply rattled. But at the end of the day, it’s gonna be okay cause Bailey knows the Chief’s got her back. And Richard knows he’s got Bailey on his side, in his hospital, working her little heart and soul out for him. They’ll get through it. With each other. Which brings me back to the point - we all need our team. To give us kidneys. To make us feel better when we drop kidneys. To push us on when life becomes humiliating and painful. Or just to greet us at the door with offensive turkey sandwiches. I hope you all have a good one in your corner, rooting you on. Thanks for watching!

Comments

I never post here. NEVER. But that was the best episode in a long time! I laughed so hard when Mer dropped the kidney and Bailey screamed "5 second rule!" and I balled my eyes out at the end. Thank you for bringing Grey's back!

[Chantal]

Hi Jenna,

Thanks for the AWESOME episode!! This is why I love Grey's Anatomy - because it is about doing your best, struggling, with work and yourself, your emotions, it's about forgiveness and people who don't give up on you. About love, friendship, team work and just being human.

I have an entire list I loved:
- The Mer/Der story. Indeed they were both right. Mer did all the hard work but it was Derek's reputation that was on the line. But he is McDreamy for wanting to write the authors and in the end giving Mer this kidney in a jar! That was just THE BEST!! Marvellous writing, how you come up with that is just.. amazing.
- Izzie/Alex! Since season 1 I've been waiting for them to become a couple. And after all the whiny stuff finally Izzie's I'm-not-giving-up attitude will pay off, with Alex! LOVED that 'I care about you. I care about you!' scene! We all can see Izzie will untie the knots in Alex' heart and soul. (Alex' talk to PJ)
- I'm really looking forward to Cris/Owen. We all can tell they will be a great couple.
- Derek/Mark friendship. Derek knowing who 'assisted' Michael Jordan, hilarious! That's why he's McDreamy. He notices people. Loved that he saw Mer's making a face.
- Bailey's kidney speech! THE BEST!! She didn't cross the line but made clear what was important. Brilliant!! Bailey is just brilliant.
- Lexie/George. I LOVE Lexie! I'm on her team as well. Wonder if George/Lexie will become a pair or not.
- Richard and Bailey. Great team!! They both are like guru's who come up with answers. Bailey to Derek: say thank you, and Richard towards Mer: Forgive yourself.
It was just an awesome epi! I don't like Erica/Callie but hey, I had a lot to be happy about!

[Jess]

better than anything this season!!!
thank you
write more episodes

[Liza]

Loved IT! Best Grey's since I cant even remember.

[Sara]

Like the show but Derek is a scumbag she didn't deserve credit? Egomaniac should remember there would be no trial without Mer and he wanted to quit Beth not Mer. He becomes more an a$$hole everyday.

[chris]

Look at that more than just 2 seconds of MerDer. What a concept, thank you for that.

[Whyvoni]

Great job guys! Loved the episode...

and by the way. Those turkey sandwiches? They totally rock. Anyone in Chicago, head over to Macy's 7th floor and order one from the Frango Cafe. It's to die for. =)

[ithinkyourewonderful]

Yaye for getting down indeed!

Thank you guys for letting the show, and its characters grown up. Mer grew up, Lexie grew up, Yang (is starting to) grow up, even Sloan is quietly growing after turning over his new leaf!

As for Callie/Erica - I'm curious why what was cut out (if anything) from the episode. Callie admits she left Erica alone that morning, dumps her, and then returns... It's very curious indeed. It wasn't the Sloan Method that made me raise an eyebrow but that Hahn was more of a prop to Callie's angst... I'm with Rachel a few posts above - Hahn is on a TOTALLY different page than Callie on this relationship and it's going to hurt when they realize this... But Brooke Smith?!? Broke my itty bitty heart...

Can't wait to see what you all have in store for the whole cast of characters next week!

[MaryAnn]

Great Episode and GREAT blog!!! Thank you!! Loved it all (watched it twice so far) especially when Derek knew enough HOW to say "Thank you" (with a kidney in a jar!!) AND thanks for taking the time to write a great blog and giving us the "kidney in a jar" We do matter...

[Rachel]

Thank you for the love letter to Dr. Bailey. Dr. Bailey is such an inspiration on a professional level and as a person. I would like to see more of her baby though. I like seeing how a professional woman has to juggle work and a child.

Loved the 12 surgeries and how they were all entwined, how everyone had to help others and in turn were helping themselves.

But, McDreamy is McJerky. It is clear that Dr. Bailey would have given Mer credit had she been in Derek’s position. Dr. Bailey even had to point out to Derek that Mer worked her ass off on the clinical trial and it was her idea in the first place. But, why does Bailey have to tell all this to Derek? He should be keenly aware of all of this.

If Mer did the clinical trial with any doctor, male or female, she absolutely would be upset about not getting credit. It is a professional thing, not a relationship thing. Mer would probably get more riled up at Derek though because as her lover she would expect that he would be watching her back even more.

Izzie and Alex. Love them together.
Love the Lexie character.
Callie/Erica. They seem to be trying so hard to be a couple.
Cristina Yang. Hope she gets down. It’s been a long time for her.

[Susan in St. Louis]

As always, great writing. It is so nice to see these amazing characters going in the "right direction"!! Oh what fun is to be had!
Thank you for making this so good!

"But the truth is, Izzie’s always had his back – even when he’s down in the dumps and treating her like a pile of poo."

will it since S1 when he plastered her modelling photos in man magazine on hospital elevator and locker room but she forgave him and when Alex was being a pain in the assed to her friends back then she told her friends to give Alex a chance 'he's sweet once you get to know him' and she forgave him when he slept with a Olivia on the same bed minutes after he shared it with Izzie minutes before as a new year resolution 'to forgive and forget' but then even with that big speech I think that where she stop having expectation when it comes to Alex as the man she could love and love her in return' but she never stop defending him as we see in S2 Izzie defended Alex when Dr. Montegomary comment on Alex as useless and unreliable intern in S2. Izzie scofed and corrected Dr. Sloan with 'his name is Alex Karev' when Mark refered Alex as 'what his face' in S3. I find she has put up with his crap and callous act towards her but not anymore when Denny came along. And I'm still not sure if Alex never stop loving Izzie because he did move on with Ava/Rebecca and then Addison and then Lexie when he accepted that Izzie still mourning over Denny in fact he didn't deny to Izzie that he has move on that night as he turn down second helping to Izzie's pie because his hot date was waiting for him (little did he know nor us that very night he move on with Ava, George and Izzie has a drunken sex that lead to 'ILY') but Alex too has been Izzie's hero supporting her professionally during her second chance as intern. What I love about these two they always have each other's back and I want to see them happy and for Alex to stop being rough on Izzie he do loves her, that is, if he really do love her. I'm may be in the minority but told you the truth as hot a man as Alex is he do scared me when he was so rough and callous on Izzie with all the verbal abuse he thrown at her, when I saw that I'm scared for Izzie safety.

[tori]

fantastic episode!!! but more, what i really needed to comment on was the turkey sandwich on cinnamon bread - my favorite combination...... and yes, i realize to others it may seem gross, but it's delicious...so you can have no arguments about giving your husband the kidney :)

[JP Texas]

Great episode!!! Can not wait to see what Dr. Army will bring to Grey's Anatomy!

[zvi]

Re: Callie and Erica

The problem I am having is not that Callie went to Mark for advice. I've been *expecting* Callie to go to Mark for advice, since he's practically board-certified in sex with women.

The problem is that Callie did not seem to WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH ERICA until after she got a practical lesson from Mark. This is particularly problematic for me, because with Erica is the very first time we've seen Callie be sexually tentative. With both George and Mark, she was forward if not aggressive.

As a viewer, I have been left completely confused as to whether or not Callie really is sexually attracted to Erica, or if she's just acting on Addison and Mark's suggestions.

[JJ]

I really really hope that Erica isn't screwed over. Because last season we saw her start to go from a cold hearted harpie, into someone who clearly wants to drop her guard but only to the right person. She is dropping it for Callie and it would suck if that was rewarded by heartbreak. Just once, please only this once, can we have a relationship that works out.
Im not big on getting all attached to fictional characters, but I can't help but feel a tug on the heartstrings for Erica, she looks like she is trying so hard, and it would suck for her to be hurt from it.

[Cindy]

I'm not sure what you others have been watching, but I'm totally bored with Grey's. HATE the Callie/Hahn storyline, think the romance is gone between straight couples, the chief and Bailey are odd now, and the overall magic is just gone. My love affair with GA is history. Sorry, but you need to do better--I'm not alone in feeling this way. Lots of my friends and co-workers in the medicine field feel the same way.

[Amanda]

"We’re pretty much pro anyone getting down with anyone. Yay, getting down!"

OMG YES. <3

[Andres]

I did like the episode but I have only one question. Is Meredith and Derek's relationship going to be the same week after week? I mean, the only way that a couple faces what comes after hapily ever after is not fighting over something and then getting back together.

[Yogi]

I am in the minority here. I did not like the episode. Eric Dane's talents are being wasted big time. Where were my Slexie scenes? Loved seeing McKidd in the bar at the end of the episode, and Lexie finally letting George have it. That was it.

[San Clemente Girl]

One of the best in a while - finally some really life stuff with izz and alex! yeah! Yeah to better writting!

[Lisa]

Thank you for Alex and Izzie! For those of us who have been fans of them since Season 1- it's about time! We've watched and waited and now, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just leave these two together! Like you said, they so clearly have been there for one another! Let's give them their shot at a REAL relationship this time- no cheating, no interruptions! They deserve it, and JC and KH's chemistry?...WHEW! HOT!

[Amy]

Jenna, i LOVED this epi, thank you so much for a WONDERFUL show!!!! merder were amazingly perfect!!!! merder fans, including me, could always use more screentime, but i was so happy to see them THROUGHOUT the epi, not just book ends. it was wonderful, i loved it. rock on!

[Shelly]

My daughter and I have never missed an episode. We really enjoy the show and the blogs. Although we're fond of almost all the characters, each time Bailey has a scene, either my daughter or I always says, "I love Bailey." Her character and her portrayer are priceless!

[AngieLaLa]

I will get to the ep in a second. But first I wanted to thank you for actually writing a blog entry that I wanted to read. So many times we get "sorry I'm busy so here's what I want to write about" instead. But what makes this site unique is we get to learn about the impetus for the ep and how you, as writers, feel about the characters. That insight makes this site invaluable to viewers. So thanks for not shirking that this week :)

Regarding the ep: YAY! I love Bailey. Like LOVE love Bailey. She is the heart and soul of the hospital. She is the only one who comes to work to work and leaves her personal stuff at home. And I hated Derek last night. Not what you wrote, but him. How could he not get it?? He is SUCH an ass sometimes! And the end. When they showed Cristina alone in the bar, I was like, Where is he? I know he's there...show him...and then I cheered out loud when the "cameo" appeared. YAY!