Zoanne Clack on "Stand By Me"...

Original Airdate: 3-19-09

Yes!  Mer takes back the night!  I mean this literally (she’s getting back her man) and figuratively (using the reference of women empowering themselves because as I’m sure you know, March is Women’s History Month – catch the nearest parade in your city).  Derek says, “I love you” and Mer answers, “I know”… anybody remember that from somewhere else?  Come on, let your geek flow.  The writers here at Grey’s Anatomy have no problems letting our geek flow.  We like to think of it as being “geek chic” and we welcome you to join us.  But it’s not just the writers actually, everybody embraces their inner geek here.  The editor of this episode, Susan Vaill, emailed me all excited that we’d put it in and taken this exchange back for the ladies.  Okay, some of you may already know what I’m talking about whilst others of you are completely lost.  Anybody see a little movie called “The Empire Strikes Back”?  Princess Leia says, “I love you” to Han Solo right before he’s about to be frozen in carbonite (another reference we’ve used before… episode 416… season 4 finale… cement boy… ring any bells?) and Han Solo says, “I know.”  And he kind of says it in an “of course you do, look at me” kind of way.  So now, we’ve taken back that exchange and handed it over to the women.  And we’ve made it both feminist and feminine at the same time I’d like to think.  Feminist because Mer’s all “I’m woman, hear me roar” because she’s all that and of course he still loves her; but feminine at the same time because he’s vulnerable, and she’s not taking advantage of that moment, and she loves him, too.  She’s not giving up on him.  She’s not giving up on their love and she’s not giving up on him as a surgeon.  She’s standing by her principles and standing by her man.

And speaking of not giving up, is Cristina a freakin’ sledgehammer or what?  She just keeps pounding Izzie and pounding her until Izzie finally has to lash out and speak the unspeakable.  Not having treatment?  Why would she ever even go there?  She’s a doctor, she’s been through it with many patients and come out the other side, or watch them die… oh, I guess it’s pretty clear why she would consider not going through with treatment.  She has been on the other side.  She has been through it.  And like she says, she knows too much.  And going through the whole day with (the writer clears her throat for this hideous reference to be explained later) “Blowhole” has made it clear to her that the way doctors treat patients when the patients aren’t around, the way she treats patients when they’re not around (and even if she’s not doing it herself, she’s allowing it) – that patient will be her this time. 

And let me tell you, as a doctor myself, I know that we sometimes get caught up in all that.  Referring to patients as “room 12” or “spine guy” or “stinky drunk druggy chick” is a shorthand we’ve all used.  It doesn’t mean we don’t care, it doesn’t mean people aren’t going to get the best care, but it’s rude.  And for the most part unnecessary, but we learn over and over that to distance ourselves helps get us through it – it’s harder to feel the pain of “room 12” dying than to feel the pain of “Mr. Bickham, Kara’s father” dying.  Like Cristina says, it’s one of those things that helps us get through the day.  Which doesn’t make it right, but it is what it is.  I learned my lesson in the ER one night when I was stitching up this “lady” strung out on crack and had been picked up on a corner (who actually had “slippery when wet” written on her inner thigh – eww!) and I made the mistake of saying, “Let’s just get this over with, I don’t care” – or something to that effect.  She proceeded to rip off her sterile dressings and try to sit up with my needle halfway in her scalp and let me know that if I didn’t care, she should just go back out there and die.  I don’t know, something in me just sank at that moment.  Her outburst somehow let me know that she’s a person just like everybody else and deserves healthcare and deserves to be treated like a human being.  Maybe it was the hurt in her eyes or the tone of her voice, but I never forgot that, and even though I promptly went back to saying stuff like “gallbladder guy,” I never say stuff like that to anybody’s face and try to give people the respect they reserve as my patient. 

And hell, I can’t even say it’s just doctors.  I, too, have been on the other side.  I straddle the fence between “doctor world” and “writer world”.  The name “Blowhole” actually came directly from our writers’ room – even before we saw Mr. David Young (the patient)!  While we’re breaking story, before we name the patients, we usually reference them by their malady.  “Face transplant guy,” “the stomach cancer trio,” “cement boy” – you get the general gist.  Well, one of the writers (who shall remain nameless, as Blowhole was faceless) started dubbing him “Blowhole” in the room, and then somehow it landed in the script!  But it actually worked really well in the script because it was a perfect thing for Izzie to react to.  Of course that brings it all home for her.  We always knew she wouldn’t want to feel like the patient, but for her to keep hearing that term (I’m going to stop using it now thank you very much) really brought it home (I mean, even Alex was saying it – that had to hurt since she was taking it personally herself).  It was art imitated life which imitated art… or something like that. 

There were a lot of things we knew going into this episode.  We knew Izzie was sick (duh), we knew we wanted the theme to be “friends” (Cristina and Izzie coming together on that bench was such an incredibly awesome scene I can barely stand it.  The first time I saw it cut together I just sat there with my mouth agape and my eyes filling up.  They are amazing together.), and we knew our face transplant guy would be a recluse because when I was researching face transplants, the doctor who led the team at the Cleveland Clinic where they performed the most extensive and only American face transplant (to date), Dr. Siemionow, said, “it’s hard to face the world without a face.”  I just love that quote.  Anyway, when we were trying to figure out how to show his reclusiveness, the room came up with this orchid idea.  And when I tell you the whole room erupted with glee at this idea, I do not exaggerate.  Yet another example of our geekiness.  Or shall I say, in this instance, their geekiness.  I had no idea what all the fuss was about.  Until I started learning more about orchids.  It’s crazy the things that those freakin’ flowers do!  They actually adapt to look like the insects that pollinate them so that they can continue to exist.  I mean it’s really crazy.  If you get the time, read about them.  I personally am going to have to go back and see the movie “Adaptation” again to really get into all the double entendre of that title and the movie.

But I digress.  The interns.  Ahh, the interns.  Thank god for the interns.  They added so much fun to this episode – gave us a reason to stop and laugh through the tragedy that is our friend Izzie’s life.  In the room we called it our little intern telenovella that goes on in the background while we follow our main residents.  But in the end it turned out that it took on a life of its own and I love how Pierce, Megan and Steve (Joe, Molly and Mark) went for it.  And I love the interrogation of Ryan (Brandon).  I think the lesson to be learned from their story is: check to make sure you don’t hit “reply all” when admitting that you slept with your co-worker’s significant other over email.  Or  maybe the lesson is not to email such important information at all.  This same kind of thing happened during my residency once.  An attending took one of the interns down to the Bahamas while the intern was dating one of the residents.  That intern had actually come to our program because she and the resident had been dating for years – had planned to get married in fact.  Believe me, it was a major scandal.  See?  This kind of stuff does happen in real life. 

The other part of this episode that was real was the stories that Callie and Owen told out in the woods.  I won’t go into them in detail because I think they said enough and I’d rather not live through them again, but suffice it to say that those stories were vignettes from true occurrences.

But I can’t end the blog on such a sour note.  Let’s see, what am I missing from the episode?  Oooh, Derek’s rage.  Wait, that’s still a little sour.  Although fascinating, right?  To see that side of him?  And for that side of him to turn into the vulnerable mess of a man that we see at the end of the Chief’s speech to him at the trailer?  To see him like that just made me want to go and comfort him.  Anybody else have that feeling?

Oh snap, I know how to end this on an upbeat note!  Bailey convincing people to go out into the woooods.  Yes, I meant to put that many o’s, it’s not a typo.  She was so funny every time she said that.  And we realized it’s really the first time she and Owen have ever really talked at all.  Before this episode they had about one interaction with each other that was about a second long.  I vote we put them together more often.  They’re a good team.  Although Bailey makes a good team with just about anybody.  Derek, the Chief, Callie… she strolls in, takes names, and heads out again.  She’s Superfly.  Or maybe I meant Superman.  Or… she’s Bailey.  A superhero in her own right.

And then there’s our own Justice League of superheroes (yes, I realize there are more than 5 of them).  Our 5 musketeers at the end of the episode.  Yes, I realize there are really only three of them, but how else would I get to their motto “all for one and one for all”?  As they all learn of Izzie’s fate, they band together.  And all is right with the world.

Comments

[John]

I enjoyed tonight's episode. I thought the look on Alex's face when he learned Izzie was ill was heartbreaking. I am glad the group is coming together to help Izzie. The Chief needs to get it together. I am glad Meredith came to see Derek and let him know he can't quit. Being a doctor is not a job for him but a part of who he is. Also I like seeing Lexie and Izzie scenes. I like when they work cases together. Lexie and Izzie are great with patients. The interns behind suck. I am glad Lexie who works her butt off and is good at what she does did not let them influence her. "They think that you're taking advantage me, they think that I'm using you, but they don't know us. They think that we're ugly, but I know that we're beautiful
and we can adapt to a hostile environment" was the best quote and so true. Lexie and Mark are beautiful together and hot. That was one steamy kiss Lexie gave Mark. It was cool to see Callie and Shepard interact. More please! Meredith and George make a great team.

[Kerry]

About time George finally gets something to do. We george fans have just been asking all season long.

He better have a huge role in this but the fact you don't even mention him here makes me doubt that.

You do remember they are BFF right?

And for the love of all that is sacred and beautiful, drop Sloan and Lexie. I can't stand the little perfect Mary Sue sleeping with her boss to get all the favours and rubbing it in everyone's face. Mark is disgusting doing this. What kind of teacher is he?

And when does George get some love of his own?

[Kelly]

Grey's Anatomy was phenomenal tonight. All the actors and actresses are at the top of their game. Their performances are mesmerizing. I liked getting to see Callie and Owen have scenes with Derek and I just knew Derek would be on Izzie's case. I adore strong Meredith. I liked the parallels between Meredith dealing with the interns and how Bailey dealt with Mer's group. The interns are a hot mess. Too childish and they don't seem to care about patients or medicine, except for Lexie. Lexie needs a person, that group is a mess. Although I like the parallel of Lexie getting the same childish comments from the interns that Meredith got when she was the intern dating an attending. I love that the Grey sisters both work their butts off and know their worth. I just would really like to see their bonding onscreen. I love that when we get Lexie and Mark talking and laughing scenes and finally a kiss and it was HOT! I saw the Lexie and Mark pairing coming since the season five premiere. I loved the build up and totally buy the pairing. They are sizzling together. I just would love more scenes. Chief and Derek scenes are always amazing but I wish the Chief would start appreciating his other doctors. The past two weeks I have felt bad for Mark in that regard. Justin Chambers facially expressions killed me. Poor Alex. Poor Izzie. I'm so excited about this story, especially with it finally moving forward. Can't wait for the next episode.

[Holly]

Oh, the tears at the end of the episode only reflect that you writers did your job well. I don't want Izzie to die. Yes, I know, she will, but I don't want to let her go.
The storyline with the face transplant patient was excellent.
I have no complaints about this show; except, I don't want Izzie to die...I know I already said it, but it's what's on my mind right now.
Great writing, as usual.

[Mylene]

George running to his Izzie. I cried. That made me cry more than anything.

TR was amazing. And then that smile he gave her.

Oh my George is so sweet.
P.S: Could you please end Mexie? the show would be perfect then

[S.Cali]

SO GREAT!!

I haven't been this excited for Grey's since season 2! I pretty much loved everything about this episode: angry Derek, then sad repentant Derek were so great, Christina was awesome, George (yay for finally seeing George! Can we PLEASE have more of him??) and Meredith as the good cop/bad cop were so fun, and Bailey getting to be funny and sassy again was so welcome.

Yay! Great job!!

[Shenaigh]

Yay! Great episode. Thinking about Alex broke my heart. I can't wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds. And thank you for letting us see George again. He is truly wonderful and will hurt as much as Alex throughout the whole Izzie-debacle. Oh and Sloan and Lexie are really starting to grow on me so koodoos! One week is too long to wait!

[Denise]

Great episode. I always have loved Cristina and tonight she was fantastic. Cristina and Izzie's scenes were so amazing tonight. I also loved the scenes in the woods and Derek and Richard. Patrick Dempsey has been amazing since the whole storyline with Addison and the patient Jen began. Its wonderful that you are finally giving him a storyline, its been a long time coming.

"To see him like that just made me want to go and comfort him. Anybody else have that feeling?" Yes I did. Too bad Meredith did not. She was so cold and detached. I didn't like her telling him she wouldn't love him if he wasn't a surgeon. I know he said hurtful things to her but unless she is blind and stupid (and she's not) she would have to see how hard a time he has been having, long before his drunken outburst. I know she is too, with Izzie sick, but I hated that she didn't even hug him and said "no" about still loving him if he wasn't a surgeon.

I am most looking forward to a scene with Izzie and Alex alone as well as scenes with Izzie and her friends. An Izzie & Alex scene or a Cristina & Owen scene would have been much better then the stupid interns (sorry, don't like them at all).

Glad to see George again.

[frankie]

I LOVED this episode!!!!!
I cannot WAIT for next week, and I just loved the moment between Christina and Izzie, I love Christina so much. She rocks it every week, her and Bailey. I am rambling, anyway, I loved how you tied everything together, derek, the woods, callie, owen, the chief, that was so well done, and so heartbreaking. I love that we are slowly cracking into the shell of Owen, he is a complex, interesting guy, and i love the romance with Christina, keep it up!! Loved the face transplant story, and the way it tied in with Izzie, poor thing, I have pretty much been done with Izzie since the whole Gizzie situation, but you actually are making me care about her again, and that is a tough thing!! KH is doing a great job, I am just freaking out wondering what the heck is going to happen to her!!!! Loved the geek thing, I TOTALLY got the star wars reference!!!! LOVED IT! Almost as great as when bailey revealed that she was a sci-fi geek herself in season 4 (cement boy). ok, this is way long and rambly (is that a word haha?) just had to say how much i loved this epi!! thank you zoanne!

[Laura]

Please don't let Izzie die. I love her and Alex together.

[sapient]

I hate you, you made me cry

[Linda B.]

The last two episodes have been the best. The character development we've been waiting for in so many characters is actually happening...Seeing Christina mature is particularly rewarding. But also enjoying seeing McSteamy have more depth. I wish we could see more of Callie.

[Anne]

Thank you for a wonderful episode!! I have to say my favorite part was the end with Mark and Lexie. I was starting to really worry since the other interns were clearly talking about her, and I totally fell in love with them as a couple all over again when she grabbed him and kissed him in the hospital. Seriously, my heart did a little flip flop in my chest, and I do not have that reaction while watching television anymore, even Grey's. Thank you so much for keeping them safe!! They are my favorite relief from the rest of the drama on the show, and as long as they are happy, I will keep watching.

[Bella]

I watch the show for MerDer and that last scene kidn of left me confused. I believe you are saving Meredith's "I love you" for a special moment and I liked it. But what left me with a strange feeling was the whole "Would you still love me if I weren't a surgeon" "No". I love Meredith, she's my favourite character but that was a thing I wouldn't expect from her, principles or no principles. The man she loves is broken, you would think she would at least make sure he knows she loves him anyway but that she really needed him to do this surgery. Idk, I think it could have been a way better scene, specially since we had such a powerful and amazing scene last episode.

Thank you Derek for telling the Chief all we had been wanting to say for a while.

I really enjoyed Izzie and Cristina's interactions. Very, very interesting.

Meredith and George were great together but please, please just kill those interns. NO, they are not funny, they are pathetic and they make me want to change the channel. Let me see more Meredith, more Alex, I don't care about the chick that got pregnant. The only thing that I liked about that storyline was bossy Mer.

Ugh, I hate Mark and Lexie with passion. I used to like them but they have become this pathetic excuse for a couple. I can't stand them. And it's such a shame what you have done with Mark. I loved him but now he's such a selfish man. After all the things that he has done to Derek and he has forgiven him anyway you're telling me that he can't swallow his pride and go to visit him? That's just incredibly selfish and low.

I enjoyed the Callie/Owen/Derek interactions :')

Please let us see more Meredith&Alex, they are my favourite friendship on the show <3 And I'm glad to see the fab five back together :')

[Raegan]

Katherine Heigl continues to act the hell out this storyline, and Sandra Oh was fantastic tonight too. The scene between Izzie and Cristina in the ambulance bay, man... Glad to see the other four members of the Fab Five rally around Izzie. I'm now invested in this show like I haven't been for ages. Props, writers.

[Jamie]

This episode was excellent. All of it was so good. Meredith rocked. The Derek/Callie/Owen trailer scenes were funny and touching and Christina did the right thing. Thank you for giving us George. Outside of the cringe worthiness of Mark and Lexie and that whole contrived pairing, the episode was really quite perfect.

[Monika]

Totally agree Bailey is amazing with ANYONE!! Show stealer! I have to say though, I hope that the producers and Katherine H. reconcile because Grey's needs Izzy. and not someone to come in and take over the empathetic role. It is Izzy's character that balances both Christina and Merideth. Her and Alex talking in 3rd person??? That was hysterical! Ok I will stop the rant. I just Love this show and I hate it when producers mess with a good thing. Branch out by all means but keep Izzy.

[Rizzie]

Very nice episode. The title just goes perfect with it "Stand by you" because at the end of the day, we all need someone to be next to us, whether is to help us go through an operation, treatment, a relationship or a life crisis, we all need our friends. And I loved the way you brought the subject on tonight's ep. Izzie and Cristina on the bench, telling her thank you, was awesome... I love those two.

And Meredith and Derek! yay!! it's nice to see some girl power on Meredith, and not the old "love me, choose me" Mer. He loves her, and she loves him, and she's not letting him quit... now he just needs to find that ring!!!

Great episode, but I'm finding it harder everyday, I'm very sad over the possible idea of loosing Izzie...

[Nicole]

Let me be the first to say...this episode was amazing! Thank you.

[Megan]

Wow that was a great episode! I really liked it. I loved Bailey in this one. She was amazing as always. I kept saying during the MerDer scene at the end "Derick You better fix Izzy." I love this show and look forward to see how it plays out in the future.

[Patsy]

I didn't appreciate the 'transplant face guy". Seeing him so much on screen was just to graphic for me. I don't recall another time it has been so graphic. I had to turn the tv off several times so my daughter (teenager) wouldn't see it. It was over the top.

[Karen]

What, no comment about the kiss? The Mark and Lexie kiss of awesomeness!?!? I loved it! I really loved everything about this episode- especially the ending montage and the last shot with Izzie's support group surrounding her after she accepted she needed her support group to get through it- like the face transplant patient realized. I'm interested to see how Alex handles this situation, seems like every woman he gets close to ends up sick in some form.
Again, good job!

[Yang_Fan]

Can I just first say that this was an amazing episode. I loved all the drama and all the moments from George and Meredith dealing with the interns to the darkness had enveloped our doctors. But I have to say the part that I enjoyed most was the Yang and Stevens moments, because seriously I think Yang is amazing and Sandra Oh is a wonderful actress who just pulled off the reveal to Bailey and Karev. Yang who was so consumed with Izzie's sickness and how devoted she was to fighting with her and teling her that for what's it's worth she wants Izzie to fight. <3 That moment, wonderful acting and facial expressions that just pulled you in to the turmoil that each person felt made the episode.

[ang]

love the Star Wars reference... I knew it sounded so familiar and I just could not place it...

[Amy]

Yay to have more of George! And he was so George and I loved him with Meredith! Yay for no Callie and Arizona! I really loved Callie's interaction with Derek tonight. Loved the Meredith and Derek moment, although short and would have loved a kiss goodbye, but it was nice to see them together and vulnerable. And yes, loved Christina and Izzy, a very touching moment with those two. The whole episode was great, looking forward to next week.