Joan Rater On "In The Midnight Hour"...

Original Airdate: 11-20-08

Okay, it’s a little crazy to try to take out an appendix.  I get that.  I think Lexie and Sadie and all the interns get that.  IT’S CRAZY TO TAKE OUT AN APPENDIX!  But here’s the thing – it’s the middle of the night.  And an appendectomy is the easiest surgery you can do.  And they’ve seen them done a lot.  And they’ve done them on the practice dummy guy, IStan. And they’re competitive and feel like their residents aren’t letting them do anything and, I think it bears repeating … it’s the middle of the night.  When all things are possible.  It’s not the middle of the night as I write this, but it’s late, 11 pm, and I’m feeling like maybe I’ll wake up early and exercise before work.  I probably won’t, cause like … um … I never have … but it’s late and under cover of darkness … all things feel possible.

Which brings me to Izzie.  I’ll get back to the interns because more needs to be said – THEY TOOK OUT SADIE’S APPENDIX!- but Izzie … Izzie just touched Denny -- talking, breathing, right here in her bedroom Denny – and she’s just sitting there at the beginning of the episode wondering what’s going on, it’s not possible that he’s here, because he died, but he’s here and he’s talking and now he’s walking toward her and now he’s unbuckling his belt and ….  Crazy.  Unreal.  Impossible.  But ….  I think Izzie is thinking that tonight she’s going to let this be possible.  In the confines of her room she’s going to let this be real. But it’s complicated and scary.  She and Alex are finally good, really good and so what is this, why is Denny here, why can’t she just move on?  And I think she thinks she will -- tomorrow, in the morning, as I’m exercising, she’ll be all moving on and stuff, but tonight …. Tonight why can’t she just let miracles happen, turn off her scientist brain and just be in that moment, the two of them, finally alone together?  And by the way, I don’t think she thinks it’s cheating on Alex.  I really don’t.  Because Denny’s dead.  Whatever this is, whatever he is, Izzie knows this isn’t real, she KNOWS that, but it feels real and she just … closes her eyes and, you heard the sounds coming from the room, as Meredith said, it sounded kinda porny, so whatever’s going on with the dead guy, the sex is good at least …  But by morning, in the light of day, when appendixes have been removed and you realize you can’t stay in your room with your dead ex-boyfriend forever, she chooses Alex and it’s sad as she looks at Denny who seems sad, but he gets it, after all he’s “here for her …”

Back to the appendix.  Sadie’s appendix.  Did you hear Sadie say to Lexie that Meredith is wrong about her, maybe Lexie isn’t such a priss?  And the look on Lexie’s face, “Meredith thinks I’m a priss?”  And that is what takes Lexie over the edge in the middle of the night and makes her go, yeah, we can do this, why not?  How hard can it be to take out an appendix? 

Sidenote-  I had these hedges, really overgrown.  And my husband, who usually trims the hedges wasn’t home, so I said to myself, how hard can it be to trim hedges?  I trimmed one side and then the other, and then I had to even out the first side and then I cut too much and had to go back and then the whole thing looked like CRAP but I had to fix it and then I just started whacking away like a crazy person and then my husband came home and said in a voice that he usually reserves for our 5 year old.  “Honey, put down the hedge clippers and step away from the hedge.” 

I think that’s what happened a little.  In the OR as opposed to my front yard.  Things were fine and then they weren’t and when Meredith and Cristina walked into that horrible scene and saw Sadie on the table and intern Ryan and Lexie just looking shellshocked and horrified, it was like, “Put down the scalpel and step away from the table”. 

Here’s what I love – Meredith and Cristina rocked that surgery.  They stayed calm, they did it, and in doing so they showed everyone – the Chief, Bailey, themselves -- how far they’ve come as doctors.  And Bailey was there to see it and take a little bit of pride in the fact that she raised her babies, she taught them right from wrong, now it’s their turn to do the same thing to their interns …

Speaking of Bailey, how about the scene with her and Callie where she talks about how she’s come to resent the appendix for getting infected and needing to removed?  She resents a surgery that our residents are so excited to perform.  And that gives her pause.  Seeing their passion, missing that passion in herself, makes her wonder if maybe she needs a change …

And Mark and Derek.  I love their friendship. And I think Mark does too, which is why he doesn’t want to mess it up.  But seriously – he didn’t think of Lexie in THAT WAY until Derek mentioned it.  It is Derek’s fault.  But when we find out how Derek’s mom took Mark in, took in a stray, we see a new side of Mark and I’ve got to say, I love it.  That he sees how in distress Lexie is and tells Derek to take her home … or he will …

Meredith and Cristina’s fight.  Cristina lost the solo surgery and feels that it’s unfair that she should take the hit for this, that Meredith should have stood up for her more, but I get when Meredith asks, “what did you want me to say?”  Meredith’s friend almost died, Meredith’s “sort of but not really” sister is probably going to get kicked out of the program … and Cristina knew intern fight club was going on?!! I like that they are both right and that there are no easy answers and that it’s complicated and messy. 

Speaking of complicated … um … Major Dr. Owen Hunt.  Complicated.  And tortured.  Words fail him all night, so that when he finally finds his words and tells Cristina he thinks she’s beautiful … it’s so surprising and nice and she gets this look on her face.  It’s like she softens for just a split second. It’s not what she was expecting to hear, he’s not who she thought he was, and I like that they are both complicated and they sit on the stoop as the sun comes up on a new day and they can just be quiet together.

Because that’s the thing about morning.  It eventually comes and when it does, your life and the people in it, who you’ve become, decisions you’ve made either look good by the light of day or just illuminate how far off course you’ve gone.

Izzie realizes she can’t stay holed up in her room, Ggeorge opens his eyes to the fact that Lexie has been in love with him and he’s been so preoccupied he hasn’t seen it, Derek realizes that he needs to “bring home a stray” and when he does, Meredith is grateful.  Alex tells Izzie, I can handle your crazy, if you want to break up with me, that’s on you.  It’s like the residents are growing up, especially in comparison to the interns who probably just wish they could take it all back. 

So … it’s morning as I finish this.  And I didn’t get up early.  The alarm went off and I decided I’d sleep in.  But tonight’s another night, filled with possibilities, and I bet I’ll set that alarm again and one of these days, maybe, it’s possible, I’ll get to the gym and work out.  How hard can it be?   

Comments

[bonnie]

More MerDer! That little scene with them and the kiss had me going the whole eppy through. But more MerDer please, Not bookends.

[Gabby]

LOVED Mark and Lexie. Please writers keep them going. They have a huge fan base. PLEASE!!!

[MsShows]

I am getting very tired of the show this season.

DENNY IS DEAD!! I love Jeffrey Dean Morgan, but this is getting more like All My Children every week.

And all the minor characters taking up screen time? BORING. And Sadie? She needs to go. Why do we need another person to bring drama to Seattle Grace? Like I said - Soap Opera.

I also think Izzie is the most pathetic woman alive. We know she still loves Denny and is still mourning him, but get over it already. BORING BORING BORING.

I'll give it one more episode to get back to normal. If it doesn't, I'll use the time to clean house instead of watching this crap.

[Izzie-at-Heart]

It must take something pretty special for me to stay so loyal to a television show. I love what you (the writers & SHONDA!) make me think about. It's food for the soul and I am so grateful.

- Izzie-at-Heart

[Binda]

why, oh why, did you ruin what could have been a good episode with necrophilia?!?!?!

i enjoyed the mer/der cuteness, but i wish they could be more than bookends to an episode. they do work together, you know. conceivably, they could run into each other at work. just a thought.

love that you gave mark more screen time. he's fun to watch.

i'm really starting to worry about george. why was he only on screen for 2 minutes tonight? he's not being written out is he? i think you guys forget what a great character he is. he's good for more than failing an intern test and falling in love with every female in the hospital.

i'm ready for sadie to leave. can she please quit the program and go back to england? pretty please? she can take Dead Denny with her. i'm sure they'd have a lovely time.

[may]

I find the Denny-Izzie thing very disturbing and unlikely.Unbelivable.I hope the producers will find a way to do away with Denny and focus on other characters...Owen-Cristina is on the top of my list!

[Silly Girl]

Joan
I thought that was a pretty decent episode, not perfect, but not as bad as last week.

First, I STILL HATE DENNY. I know you have to write this stuff but it is idiotica and embarassing and cheesy. I try to ignore it and hope it goes away or I go to the bathroom during these scenes. Just because I liked this episode does not mean you writers are off the hook for the stupid DENNY stuff. Make it stop.

Now, on to the good stuff.

meredith and derek are ADORABLE. I desperately want to see more of them. And, I'm dying for a hot scene between them. If they need to have a fight to have make up sex, OKAY, bring it on. I really want to see more with them. I know their story isn't a big part of the drama right now, but I miss seeing them together more.

Mark Sloan is too cute for words. So nice to see him have more going on this episode.

Meredith and Christina fight. LOVED IT. So long overdue. I hope they both take a step back and get their lives back in balance.

Lexie - she is growing on me and you know, Chyler Leigh is actually a really good actress.

Sadie - YUCK. HATE HER. It's not just that she is the new girl and manipulative. As an actress, she isn't likable. I'm guessing you don't want us to like her. Mission accomplished.

Final requests:

#1: MORE MER/DER. Lots more. More talking, more kissing, more nakedness, more Derek holding mer's face when kissing her.

#2: END THE DENNY DEBACLE. Admit defeat. Admit this storyline isn't working and that most of your fans hate it. End it. We won't ask why.

[I wish everyone would quit whining about Denny!]

Every time you turn around someone is complaining about Denny. Enough already. Sit back and watch the story unfold. Have none of you ever lost a loved one? Have none of you ever had to grieve? I know we can't figure out how this is happening, but stop the dang whining already. I'm sure it will all make sense in the end. Who wouldn't want more time with a loved one who's passed away? I, for one, can't wait to see how this plays out. Thank you for letting Izzie get some closure with Denny.

[JR]

Yay for Joshua Malina and his contribution to fecal bacteriotherapy!

Seriously? Wiki it.

[Camille]

Loved the Owen and Cristina scenes. I honestly think the two of them alone brought the show back. As someone else had mentioned, Owen Hunt was like a breath air on the show. Which brings me to Sadie. Her existence is totally pointless. I hate her. Can't stand her at all. Anyway, back to Cristina and Owen. I love that they're both complicated and although their connection is undeniable, they struggle to realize that and how to actualize that connection. I seriously loved it when Owen said to Cristina "I think you're beautiful." I also loved it when he was at a loss for words when it comes to Cristina. He clearly likes her, but he is broken and fragile. He thinks he's not yet ready to form such attachment to anybody anytime soon. So is Cristina, as she still haven't completely gotten over Burke. They really are complicated as it is, and I like that they both recognize that. I can't wait these two characters' progress to unfold in the following episodes.

I just would like to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing in Kevin McKidd as a regular cast member. From the bottom of my heart, I am really thankful.

[Gela]

Let me just say that Owen Hunt and Cristina Yang made me look forward to this show once again. Please don't make a mess of this pairing this time. Thank you.

[Lo]

Loved, loved, loved the Cristina/Owen scenes. They're why I HAVE to watch Grey's these days. I also thought the MerDer and Izzie/Alex scenes were good too. But, please let Denny rest in peace. That story seems so much more suited for a daytime show like GH.

[mary cherry]

Lack of Derek screen time, good. Lack of George screen time, bad. :( Where is he? I would hate to think his character is being sacrificed for a character like Sadie, who doesn't seem to serve a purpose and is more grating than edgy.

I love the Denny/Izzie stuff, but I love a good mystery. Can't wait to see how that resolves.

I still feel like SGH is too crowded these days. And I feel like because of that there are too many storylines and no one story is getting the attention it deserves.

[ILoveGreys]

Great blog, thanks for posting so soon! I appreciate the writers blogs so much and enjoy reading everyones comments as well.

I liked this episode much better than last weeks, I could have lived with out the fecal transplant tho...

I agree with many of the posters, I kinda wanted to see Sadies char die too. I really don't like her much, am not interested in seeing SL's evolve around her. I hope she isn't going to become a permanent fixture around SGH.

I haven't really liked the new interns either, except when Christina refers to them as numbers, I sorta think of them like that too... fillers... less screen time the better.

Loved Mark tonight, loved Alex, cried with the Denny and Izzie scenes. I think she needed to say those things to Denny. I'm still conflicted about the whole Denny/Izzie thing, but am still trusting you the writers, please make sense out of this SL. I read somewhere that JDM will be on for 5 episodes... again, I hope this doesn't end with Izzie being sick with a brain tumor and leaving the show. Losing one of the main original char would be a huge loss!!!

I miss Erica Hahn, she was a strong char. I thought Brooke did an awesome job acting, if you guys can find a way to bring her back...do it!!!

Loved the scene with Callie and Bailey!!! I bet surgeons feel that way some times, I thought the writing this week was honest and real.

Sandra Oh rocks Christina, love love love her scenes with McHunt!!

Excellent writing tonight, despite what some posters say, I think Greys IS back.

Thank you writers, cast, producers and crew for ALL that you do!!

I'm going to watch it again, and can't wait for next weeks epi!!

Namaste'

[ea]

please get rid of denny. its getting a little bit boring.. and please develop the merder because they must be the core of the show.. well i did like the owen/cristina.. and i liked the lesson on this episode..just fill in some merder, because they are starting to feel empty fr us..

Words of advice from a loyal, but exasperated fan:
Enough with the Denny thing.
Develop the Izzie/Alex relationship. In fact, all of the original characters could use better storylines.
Don't waste any more screentime on the new interns and Sadie.

[RT]

Ok so I am apparently in the minority here when I say that I LOVE DENNY! Yes it is a bit weird with him being dead and all, aside from that I keep thinking about all those years ago with the Bobby shower scene from Dallas.
Creepy huh? I have no idea where this story line is going and if it ends up with Izzie gone or not I am very happy that they got their moment together.

[webster]

Please have the next patient who dies on the table grab Denny's spirit and tell him it's time to let go. PLEASE. Up or down doesn't matter to me, but he needs to be set free. And so does Izzy, for Alex's sake - because he'll have to pick up her pieces when Denny leaves her, finally.

[Kime]

I think I might have an understanding on Izzie-Denny thing. I think her seeing Denny stems from the Mer-Der thing. She seems taking the steps she missed out on with Denny. I think sleeping with Dead Denny somewhat proves it. She didn't even get to do that. So, perhaps in her mind she created that situation because deep down inside, she has unresolved issues stemming from his death. And the man who she basically stole the heart from to give to Denny, brought them to the surface forcing her to deal with them the only way her mind is allowing her to and that's to see him.

I think I would have loved to have seen another character brought in that looked and perhaps acted like Denny but in a sense not be Denny. I think I would have liked to see her try to get over the obstacle of the new guy looking similar to Denny and seeing where it might lead.

As for Izzie-Alex, I'm glad its moved past of him using her as a sexual outlet and is seeing her as a human being with shall we say some emotional baggage. I think at this stage, Izzie needs him to get through this mental struggle. Without him, I think she would go over the edge and when Alex pushed the intern against the wall proves how much he really does care about her.

[saywhat]

OMG. MORE GEORGE PLEASE!! MORE MORE MORE. and RIP denny. alex and izzie? sweeet.

please... okay. when i try really really hard, i believe that the writers believe that they have a point about izzie and denny. i'm sorry, that's just about as far as i can stretch it.

loved, cristowen. *sigh* so cute. "i think you're beautiful." he is slowing getting over himself and she is well, being cristina. i love it.

callie ♥ sloan. adorable. i liked that way better than callica. really. i want hahn back ; i really do. but marcallie. amazing couple that should stat sorta friends but also sorta lovers.

merder. they are growing up. i think its adorable ; but some more action is NEEDED. more merder action please!

now for sadie. sadie sadie sadie. she brings out the rockstar; i get that. that's great. i believe that the writers believe she has a purpose too. i dont mind her ; i just dont get her YET.

i love that residents are growing up. it is amazing. they are.. teaching their interns! YAY! as for those interns. stupid . but necessary. that's like izzie's lvad incident except without the engagement. and cristina's coverups for burke... they messed up too!

LEXIE. amazing amazing.. she IS little grey. issue-ridden and twisty. i dont know about dark. she's hopelessly in love with george ; but can we ever get a slice of what he really thinks? PLEASE? MORE GEORGE? PLEASE?

anyway. enough commenting. it's 220 am here. i really need to conquer my demons and sleep.

[Audra]

I can understand that people don´t like Izzie having sex with a ghost... but it´s so great to see these two together!!! They´re the best GA couple ever, it´s a wird plot but seeing Denny again worths it. Hope there will be a good finish for this.

[Mary]

It finally felt like the magic of Grey's Anatomy was back tonight. I loved the comparison between how Mer and the rest of Bailey's interns handled the LVAD wire incident and how they now handle their own interns gone astray.
I'm really glad that we got to see a different side of Mark and learn a bit more of his background. Still a bit confused about the whole Denny being back thing, but it made for some good drama with Izzie.

[J.J. in L.A.]

Here goes...

1) I didn't like Denny when he was alive, I'm hating him dead.

2) Dead Denny sex? I suppose the sex noises were supposed to be funny, but it just made me cringe.

3) Sadie making the incision herself? Give me a break! I was hoping she'd die on the table.

4) I enjoyed seeing Callie get cold-cocked. Call me sadistic. I don't like her.

5) I'm ticled that Hahn is gone. She was a one-dimensional character.

6) Where's my George??????

Two good thing...

1) The dad and daughter. It was heart-breaking that she couldn't sleep because she thought she had to take care of her dad. I'm not fond of Mark but I liked him with the daughter.

2) Christina and Dr. Hunt on the stoop. Awww!

[Lotus]

Loved the episode, especially the scenes with Mark! He is so adorable! Also loved Callie/Mark, Callie/Bailey, Mer/Christina, Der/Mark. Christina/Hunt. I still have to get used to sadie more I think, but it is to early make the decision wether to like or to hate her. Eventually she's likable I think.

I just don't like Denny. And that's putting it mildly. Please kick him back into the bright white light! He ruins KH's career as well. Everybody is gonna hate her for this too. I liked her being this strong, optimistic, independent trailerpark-woman. That's completely gone now..

Nevertheless I liked the episode very much!

[Dana]

OMG! I LIKED this episode. Like...REALLY liked it! I still think the Denny thing is disturbing and very soap opera-ish but the rest of the episode felt like the Grey's I knew and loved. There wasn't too much detail about the patients which was great, you didn't get the feeling that every patient HAS to have a story that fits perfectly with what the doctors are going through at the moment which really bothered me in episodes past, and you got to feel that the doctors were actual humans with more than just emotions related to sex.

My favorite parts were the Hunt and the Mark scenes. Once again, very cool episode!