Pete Nowalk on "Give Peace a Chance"...

Original Airdate: 10-29-09

So there’s a lot to talk about here – the fact that this was an all-Derek-all-the-time episode, that this was Chandra Wilson’s first time directing, that Izzie's still MIA...  But before I get into any of that, answer me this:

You’re on a road trip.  You’ve been driving for hours, your 3 kids all under the age of six are asleep in the backseat, when you realize you have to pee.  Do you…

A)    Stop at a gas station, wake the kids, and drag them into the restroom in order to relieve yourself?

B)    Use one of your kids’ diapers, thereby allowing yourself to keep driving and let the kids keep sleeping?

C)    Stop reading this blog because you’re so disgusted by this topic?

We played this game in the writers room one day.  Shonda had seen an episode of Oprah where a mother confessed to doing B.  (Here’s the link: http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090311-tows-mom-truth/3).  Naturally, we all went around the room debating what we’d do.  Would we really use the diaper? Or would we do anything in the world to avoid said deplorable action?  Some of us thought this mom was smart -- who wants to schlep a bunch of kids into a public bathroom?  Others were a little horrified. Diapers are for babies.  Or astronauts.  Not grown adults who should know better.  The diaper, you see, became a controversial topic around here.  

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.  "That's your job?  To sit around and have potty talk??  And now you’re admitting that to the entire blogiverse?????"

I don’t blame you.  But this is the way a writers room works.  You chat, tell stories, discuss Oprah...until an idea hits.  And then you work like mad to fit it into your episode.  Hence, the diaper.  

Do surgeons really wear diapers?  Well, depends who you ask.  Our wonderful medical researcher Meg found a blog that mentioned surgeons wearing diapers during particularly long surgeries.  And one of our consulting surgeons said dude surgeons sometimes wear condom catheters.  (Yeah, that's a real thing apparently.)  Point is, it wasn’t that big of a leap for us to go diaper.  Our doctors are hardcore by nature. Combine that with the threat they're feeling from the Mercy West residents and you can understand while they'll do anything to win.  As Lexie tells Jackson, if she needs to pee in a diaper to help Derek get through his impossible surgery, she'll pee in a diaper.  Which of course just drove Cristina crazy jealous...  

Cristina was a shoe-in to win that pen-in-a-cup contest...but then she choked.  Happens to the best of us. That left Owen having to cope with the fact that his girlfriend was fiending to put on a diaper.  Admittedly, it's not the sexiest thing to picture your partner wearing.  But I think it speaks to Owen's overall good nature that he found a way to be okay with it, even gifting Cristina her very own marathon surgery to cheer her up.  And then, when Derek thwarts that plan, he goes as far as to sexily teach Cristina the right way to work the microscope.  You gotta admit, the dude's a pretty awesome boyfriend.  

Speaking of awesome boyfriend...  I'm sorry, I mean awesome husband...  

Derek Shepherd.

This episode probably felt different.  I only say that because that’s exactly how I felt the minute we started working on it.  As you've probably noticed, we’re trying to experiment more this season.  And that’s probably uncomfortable for some of you.  It was for me.  When we first decided to focus this episode solely on Derek and his patient, I was a little scared.  Most of this patient story (inspired by a case told to us by Dr. Robert Bray, an amazing neurosurgeon here in LA) involves Derek staring at a tumor.  Not cutting, not operating, not talking to anyone.  Like I said, scary.  

In retrospect I’m really glad we told this story this way.  As Derek says in the voiceover, what drew him to surgery was the quiet.  The deep, intense, long-ass focus required to make it through a marathon surgery where any wrong turn can result in death.  And this episode really reflects that.  It’s quieter than a typical episode.  More single-minded.  Derek is our sole focus.  And really, what an amazing character to spend an entire episode with.  Watch Patrick Dempsey on your screen and you can’t help but be struck by how much he says without saying anything.  The guy can pretty much give you an entire soliloquy with just one look.  That’s a rare talent, and we really wanted to use that to our advantage in an episode about stillness and peace.  

It also seemed like the perfect time to do our Derek-focused episode since we had little time to shoot with Ellen Pompeo (8 1/2 months pregnant at the time we shot this one).  Typically, if Derek's doing a once-in-a-lifetime neurosurgery, Meredith would be at his side.  But since we couldn't physically do that, we had her be there for him in a different way -- by helping him talk through the problem, by holding a phone to her ear for 26 hours...  (I'm guessing Cristina and Meredith have an unlimited friend-to-friend calling plan in case anyone was worried about their minutes).  So Mer was there for Der even when it seemed impossible...and I'm very jealous.  That's the truth.  I’m jealous that Meredith and Derek get to work together and support each other and speak their secret surgery language together AND still actually love each other.  I guess they’ve been through their fare share of relationship crap.  They’ve earned a little peace.  Still, I'm jealous.  

Back to the very different nature of this episode, helped along by the fact that there's still no sign of Izzie. She's still off god knows where and not telling Alex squat.  Which is just harsh.  Sure, the guy tried to pretend that he didn’t care whether she’d show up for her IL-2 treatment, but we all know that's just his way of coping.  Who doesn’t show up for their life-saving IL-2 treatment?  Especially a doctor??  That’s just irresponsible.  And crazy…  Yeah, I could go on.  Poor frigging Alex.  If I was Reed in that last scene I would have wanted to give the guy a hug.  And I think the look on her face said pretty much that.  But they just met.  They’re not even friends.  Or frenemies.  No hugs allowed.  Which is why that scene at the end with Alex sitting in the support chair with no one to support just kills me.  WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO IZZIE???  

Okay, it’s a little insane for me to pretend I don’t know where she is.  I do.  And eventually you will, too. Onward...

Last but not least, I'd like to applaud Chandra Wilson.  She acts, she sings, and now she directs... and sometimes all at the same time.  I have a feeling Chandra’s the kind of person that’s good at everything she does.  You know the type from high school – the classmate that’s all quiet and unassuming and not saying anything about the Algebra test you’re freaking about because she already knows she’s gonna ace it.  Cause that’s what Chandra did directing this episode.  And it wasn’t an easy one to direct, let me tell you.  All those scenes in the OR are very hard to shoot – very technical, very hard to dramatize -- and she rocked it.

Alrighty then, I'm off to set to watch some scenes for episode 610 (our holiday episode, written by the awesome Krista Vernoff.)  The end of this blog means the official end of episode 607 for me.  In other words, my own sense of peace.  I'll sleep well tonight.  Hope you do, too.

Comments

[Julia]

I loved this episode!

I am so glad Derek finally got his own storyline. I hope you continue to focus on his character. And I love his interaction with Meredith. It was so nice to see them as a supportive couple.

My only small complaint was the focus on Izzie. She's gone...let's move on. Maybe if you stop focusing on her she won't come back. :)

[Dee]

Thank you, I loved this episode. I loved the whole tone of the night, the zen quality. I love where Meredith and Derek are in their relationship. I love that even though the Chief still holds the position of Chief of Surgery officially, Derek embodies that position within himself and shows it in how he does his job and interacts with others. In the way, that everyone supports him so that he can complete the surgery. Again fabulous episode.

[Jess]

I have to echo something that was posted last week - the background music seems too loud. I had a really hard time last night catching all the dialogue! Just a thought.

[Leigh-Anne]

I'm sure you'll get your share of Lexie Haters and people dissecting the episode, but I hope you turn a deaf ear. That was one hell of an episode and it was made evn better for me after hearing Chandra directed. It was FUNNY, it was intense, it was PERFECT. If ever there were a perfect Grey's episode, that was it. Sure, we miss Mer and Izzie, but that crew can hold down the fort like no other. Chyler Leigh rocked this one out - I love Lexie more and more every week. Arizona was PERFECT, telling the Chief to back off, then crying. She's just so...Arizona. Justin Chambers, once again, has proven he deserves a friggin Emmy. Sandra Oh is the funniest woman on television and she's on a drama. I don't know how she does it, but she's amazing. And Patrick Dempsey...oh Patrick, you can do no wrong. And the gentleman who played the played the patient - LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM. I can't say enough about this episode. GREAT WORK!!!!!!

[TR]

I just need to say, if Izzie comes out of this marital situation as the injured party instead of Alex (as is ALWAYS the case), you will lose me as a viewer. I watch primarily for these two and I have NO reserves of sympathy left for Izzie and her complete selfishness. She seems to become more and more unlikeable every season.

[Jenna D&T]

When I read this eppy was all about Derek I have to admit it drew me in right away. I had only hoped that Grey's would get back on track. It did more than that. In all six seasons I think this was the best written and directed eppy. And that's saying a lot because I'm hardcore MerDer and there wasn't much Mer of course with her being preg. This eppy was all sorts of amazing and just had you on the edge of your seats. Patrick Dempsey did a amazing job.

[sherry]

now that's what i'm talkin about.

[Tina]

Why do you want to make us hate Izzie? Is it so that we'll like Alex and Reed as a couple, because guess what? NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. It'd be one thing if you hadn't written Alex and Izzie as "meant for one another" for over five seasons, but you did. No new person can come into that union just like that.

STAY AWAY FROM ALEX, REED! And please, for the love of some seriously loyal viewers, SOMEHOW redeem Izzie and let her make it up to Alex. This is just uncomfortable to watch anymore.

[Kelly]

Loved it!!

[Kim]

It's about time one of the writers or other staff members acknowledged in writing what we fans talk about constantly--Patrick Dempsey can talk forever without saying a word. It is such a turn on to watch him in action with his nonverbal expressions. How can it be that it took the powers to be in Hollywood forver to find that out?

[Cheryl L]

Loved this episode!!!!!!!!

[Ingrid]

very excellent episode. very intense. loved these last two weeks. loved the way Derek flipped the bed around and diagram on the bedroom wall to have Meredith help talk him through this surgery. Lexie rocked and Arizona (i'm smiling now) stands up to the chief, and cries when he walks away. so many great scenes... two intense weeks... way to go

[Priya]

This episode has been my favorite this season so far! It was written extremely well and directed beautifully! I am glad we got to see Derek's vulnerable side, but also were able to see him come through successfully in the end. Very good, indeed.

[Hallie]

Thank you for finally showcasing PD! And it was the first time this year that I cared about a patient!

I am not sure what you are doing to Cristina though. I would have liked her to be in the surgery instead of always on the screen now Lexie.

I really thought this episode was well done with one exception and that was the diaper bit. I know it’s “ripped from OLD headlines”, but it seemed to dumb down the otherwise outstanding episode. I’m not sure who you think your target audience is, but it was a juvenile stunt although I understand it happens.

Thank you for having some intimate and tender Meredith and Derek scenes. I am so missing EP this year!

The chief is the one who has gone rouge this year. I expect him to be drinking soonish. Congrats CW.

[tanja:)]

a wonderful episode! i applaud the whole cast and crew.

i thought it would be really hard to keep us on the edge with the episode following "i saw what i saw", but you did it and you did an incredible job!

keep it up:)

[Chantal]

WHAT AN AMAZING EPISODE!!!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!! I LOOOOVED IT 100%!!! It was incredible, amazing, a rush, a joy, a thrill and almost delicious to watch!!!! Loved EVERY SECOND of it!! THANK YOUOUOUOUOUOU!!! xxx

[Donna]

I freaking LOVE this show. You top yourself every week. THANK YOU!

[Barbra]

Loved, loved, loved this episode. The story was dramatic and I loved how each character was woven in and out of the Derek-ness of it all! Patrick Dempsey's expressions while in surgery were magical and don't get me started about his voice during the voiceover. And finally, we got some tender Mer/Der moments. Here's hoping that this gets Patrick Dempsey his much deserved Emmy nod next year!

[Aruna]

Show Rocked!. I Love the new format. Didnt even miss Izzie and George. But I do want Izzie back though!. I really really really want Burke back and see Chritstina choose between Owen and Burke and the whole range of emotions. All 3 of them especially Christina will ROCK it out of this earth!. If u give me Burke I will be okay if Izzie come back and George NEVER ever comes back as a GHOST!. And I sincerely hope Denny's has been ghost whispered into light!

[val]

THAT was the kind of episode that reminded me why I watch this show in the first place. And it's been a LONG time since I've seen one that made me feel that way. BRAVO.

[vstewart]

Loved the episode.

[heynow]

Please don't let the thing with Reed and Alex turn into a stupid affair. Please. I beg you. Alex and Izzie are married, not dating not engaged, they got married. I don't care if it was a spur of the moment they thought she was gonna die decision. Can't you guys make it a difficult marriage on that fact alone. Can't the bumps in their relationship and break-up(Though I love them and hope a break up is not gonna happen) be due to the rushing aspect and not a third person. They are married! Can't they fight for their marriage does it have to be all crap and unhappiness?

I love the episode it was all Derek. I freakin loved it. But the Alex thing with Reed just brought it down for me. I don't know if I just hate the character or what but in my opinion she should have been anywhere else but my screen with Izzie's husband.

[Sophie]

This was an amazing episode. The episode did feel different but I enjoyed it.

Derek and Meredith. What to say? There was something just so genuine about them last night. They've been through so much as a couple, so this season, to see them as a married couple is just sort of refreshing.

I felt for Alex last night. Izzie is his person, he needed his person.

On an entirely different note, I was hoping some cute retort from Mark after Lexie joking and rather nonchalantly said "you love me..." But that's the selfish part of me that wanted more M/L.

And last but most certainly not least, Chandra did an amazing job directing last night.

[Mari, from Brazil]

Wow. No words. Wow. Best ever. Wow.

We know Bailey rocks. We know. She rocks.

[Chinyere]

I don't understand why Grey's won't bring Burke back because they are wasting Cristina's talents as an actress.

Why does Derek get to talk to the Chief (his boss) with a condescending tone? It really baffles and annoys me.

This show needs to dump all these new characters and work with the ones they had because there is not enough pie for everyone to get a decent amount of screen time.