Originally posted on 10/2/05
We made the pilot + 12 episodes last season, but only aired 8 of the episodes, holding back 4 to begin this season. These shows are terrific - but they were meant to end a season, as opposed to begin one, and, in looking at them, we felt they needed to be fleshed out a little. To that end, we did some re-shooting and added an episode, 201, that will air as the second show this season, between episodes shot last year. I was given the task of writing it.
The trick, of course, is to make it all seamless, both from an emotional/story arc level and from a purely production point of view. Hair color and style has got to match - and the performers have to remember what was going through their heads several months ago. It's not as easy as it sounds.
My primary goal was to spend a little time with Burke seeing what it was like to be Chief, while Richard recovered from his surgery. It was also an opportunity to meet Adele, Richard's wife, who will factor into his storylines later in the season, and explore the feelings of Meredith and Cristina, both in the thick of it with their men.
All of the storylines involve the concept of what is enough. Romantically, surgically, professionally and, in the key medical story. That story centers around a young man who has to decide whether to donate half his liver to his alcoholic, violent father. The cool part of this story was revealing just how much the young man and Alex had in common. And learning how Alex coped when he'd had enough from his own abusive father.
The theme of what is enough also informed George and Olivia's story. Her love for him isn't enough. But how do you tell someone that? George manages to finally do so - in his own bumbling but utterly charming way. My hope is that the episode will be both funny and moving, and tee up the wonderful episodes to come.
