Shonda Rhimes: Watch What Happens
Shonda Rhimes speaks! The Grey's Anatomy creator and executive producer posted some thoughts on last night's premiere on her official blog. But basically, she's content letting this terrific episode speak for itself - and telling us we ain't seen nothin' yet ...
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So Derek got dead, Mer and Cristina got old together, and Izzie showed Denny her prom dress.
Such is the stuff of dreams. Which was kind of my theme. For this episode. And this season. Dreams. And whether or not they come true.
This is Season Five, people.
We, the writers, we call it our all in, go for broke season. We’re like the Chief – the bar has been raised and we’re the ones raising it. For us, Grey's Anatomy is new again. Full of chances and possibilities. Our characters are new again, starting fresh. We’re hopeful again.
And we’re enjoying being hopeful. All the rules are changing.
I know you are wondering, “Okay, what does this mean?” And I could tell you. But I’d rather you watch and see for yourselves.
Watch what happens with Meredith and Derek, Cristina and that guy Owen, Callie and Erica, Bailey, the Chief, George, Lexie, Mark, Izzie and Alex.
All the clues for this season are right there in this first episode. Nothing happens without a reason. Every line of dialogue has a point.
At least, I hope it does. I’m pretty tired but I think I’m right.
That’s all I’m going to say. Because we’re shooting the eighth episode right now. And I’ve got to get to the set to watch a scene being filmed.
So you’ll have more to watch.
I’ll try to write more later. Thanks for sticking with us. We’re going to do our damnedest to make it worth your while.
The bar has been raised, people. Consider yourselves on notice.
September 26th, 2008 11:47 AM
Hi - I thought last night's episode was horrible. Terrible. The show definitely lost a fan.
September 26th, 2008 11:48 AM
Yeah, I agree - it was painful to watch. Lots of nonsense but no bang!
September 26th, 2008 12:51 PM
I LOVED last nights episode... Grey's is back, and even though Meredith was a little whiny, the 2 hours flew by. Can't wait for the rest of the season!
September 26th, 2008 1:02 PM
I liked last night's episode, but in all honesty, I thought that there was a complete lack of mer-der.
September 26th, 2008 2:08 PM
I just watched the episodes and personnally I did not like them I am very sceptic about what the future holds for this serie. I am desenchanted in a way you can't imagine. But that's just me!! I was never in the subject. I probably will drop out of this serie can't waste time anymore it has been down for 2 seasons in a row now. I still think there are some good actors playing in GA but it ain't enough for me to keep watching. Shonda ain't what she used to be.
September 26th, 2008 2:19 PM
The new Doc Owen made the whole show worth it......hottie......move over Derek and Mark
September 26th, 2008 2:52 PM
Am I the only person who thought last night was SO FREAKING BORING?!
September 26th, 2008 3:09 PM
I agree. I love Grey's, but I was bored. There were some great moments, but all in all it was a disappointment.
September 26th, 2008 3:34 PM
Grey's is always great to me. I thought that last night was wonderful. I think that Dr. Hunt is going to be a great addition to the show. The Alex and Izzie thing gets to me though. I would like to see them together. Bad. And Alex really needs more screen time. Christina couldn't be greater. She is hands down the best part of the show.
September 26th, 2008 3:36 PM
I thought that last night's episode was actually pretty good.
Hm.
September 26th, 2008 3:43 PM
i thought it was a great episode.
September 26th, 2008 3:47 PM
I thought last nights episode was lacking something and boring too! What a let down. Hope it gets better...
September 26th, 2008 3:55 PM
well it was like... neutral for me, not too good not too bad
I liked the erika and callie turned.
of course I'd like more merder scenes but seems like they were trying to show all characters stories so...
I'll just be patient with them one more time... I think it has potential... I'll see
September 26th, 2008 4:21 PM
you go Shonda!!
GREYS ROCKS!!
September 26th, 2008 4:38 PM
I will always love Grey's no matter what!!
The episode had it's times but I think that's because it was so long... I don't know.
Overall however I LOVED it!!!
hopefully it will get a little more funny. a little more MerDer affection. and some more Hunt?? I HOPE SO!!!!
September 26th, 2008 6:19 PM
I thought it was a good episode. I am hoping they make Meredith less whiny. I always thought Cristina was better without a guy in her life. I know Mark and Alex play cocky way to good. I don't think we will ever get back what we had in season 1&2 but it's better than the end of season 3 and the beginning of season 4. My big disappointment was Denny was on less than a minute. Didn't really seem worth the effort to have him on. Now we have to wait 2 freaking weeks for another new episode.
September 26th, 2008 7:50 PM
Last night sucked. Bad writing, bad acting, it was the worst I have ever seen! Talking at the wrong times, to little concern when the focus should have been on the patients. It was totality unbelievable. I hope they improve the writing soon or this could get canceled mid season.
September 26th, 2008 7:59 PM
I was very disappointed with last night's 2 hour Season 5 Premiere. We didn't see much of Derek and Meredith, and when we did, they were more like friends than a couple.
ELLEN POMPEO IS SUCH AN AWESOME ACTRESS!! WHY DO YOU, SHONDA, INSIST TURNING MEREDITH INTO A WHINY CHILD UNABLE TO MAKE A DECISION ON HER OWN CONCERNING HER LIFE WITH DEREK???? WHY DOES SHE NEED TO HEAR CHRISTINA SAY THAT IT WILL WORK OUT WITH DEREK THIS TIME? DEREK AND MEREDITH will always have some STRIFE, but they will work out whatever the problem is and go on with their lives. They are DER-MER. They belong together.
In the finale of Season 4, after some much needed therapy, Meredith knew what she wanted and went after it...a home and family with Derek. Why have you made her revert back to being whiny again?
NOT ALL OF YOUR CHARACTERS HAVE STARTED NEW, SHONDA. YOU ARE NOT GIVING A MEREDITH THE CHANCE TO START FRESH. WHY ARE YOU TREATING YOUR "STAR" SO SHABBILY? YOU HAVE DONE SO SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS SHOW...
Seattle Grace has a "foremost, world reknown brain surgeon, the best in Plastics, the best Drs. etc. So why is their rating a lowly 12? The Chief is suddenly treating Meredith like the enemy and blaming her for the low rating? This is the same man who promised Ellis Grey that he would watch over Meredith for her? He used to treat Meredith like a daughter, and now she is barely tolerated? Is he finally starting to feel guilty about the part he played in her life by having an affair with her mother?
Last night's premiere was very boring, and even knowing that Rose is leaving didn't excite me at all...and I waited 4 months to see her leave,,,
September 26th, 2008 8:21 PM
Ok, I loved last nights episode, but i hated owen. I really think that it did lack merder though.
September 26th, 2008 9:10 PM
I loved loved loved the show! I think that it is definitely raised the bar. It was great to see Meredith and Derek together. They are so wwonderful as a couple. I hope that they can work out things this season, what a great journey to see them go through. I hope that Sondra and the gang decides that is the journey for them.
I understand that they have to make Dr. Webber meaner. But this is the man that has doted on Meredith since she landed at Seattle Grace. What right does he have to blame her for being soft...What about his marriage? Niece? It not Meredith's fault and she doesn't need anymore guilt being placed on her shoulders.
Alex...is only hurting himself...
George needs to be a resident....
Mark and Lexie....Hot!
Bailey got her Groove BACK!
Izzy got a stylish hair style...Loving the Denny! Will she dream some more? Please!
Hahn and Callie...Did anyone think that they were going to join Christina and sing Modonna? (Like a virgin....Touch for the very first time...)
Flood in two weeks....yay! Karma for the rant Dr. Webber consider yourself on notice...Ha Ha!
September 26th, 2008 9:11 PM
Oh yeah.... Uncle Sam rules!
September 26th, 2008 9:55 PM
I agree with der_mer_2_gether 100%. If Meredith gets to have her man, I would like to see some happy romantic times between them, not whiny neurotic dialogue. We got 90 seconds of romance at the end of last season and NOTHING between them that remotely cemented their relationship in the first episode. She wasn't even concerned that his ex stabbed him for pete's sake.
The best scenes with those 2 is when they are speaking from the heart to each other, and we haven't seen any of that from Meredith since season 1. Meredith needs to find that place where she knew with all her heart that he is the man she wants. Der-Mer are supposed to make us want to believe in the fairy tale, not want to off ourselves from depression!
I had secretly hoped that Der-Mer would come back this season as a married couple and the story would take them through how they keep committed to each other while dealing with the new relationship with their friends and colleagues. At least Meredith would have made the leap and shown how much she has grown.
Shonda has disappointed me big time with this much hyped season opener. I hope that she can pull it together for the rest of the season, I am barely hanging on by a thread.
September 26th, 2008 10:30 PM
Yes, it was too much typical whining for Meredith. Please don't make her THAT bad again. She's going to have troubles, but does she have to talk to EVERY person in the hospital with an 'it won't work story?' SERIOUSLY?
Why is George Mr. McStud that everyone has to sleep with him or want to sleep with him? No way.
Callie and Hahn....they're both freaked out, have never dated women and because of ONE DAY in the hospital they're both magically ready and willing to get into each other? Give me a break. If at least one were gay I might buy it, but stop forcing it. Two straight adult decide because of working together on one surgical drama that all the taboo is gone, let's get it on? Sure, writers. The angst isn't gone that fast if they really never had gay feelings growing up. All of my gay friends took YEARS dealing with it, not hours. I know you want your precious storyline to progress because you feel the need to MAKE characters gay for your own ends, but this is ridiculous. Yeah, there's _obviously_ way more angst in getting into a straight relationship than a gay one on this show. Nice.
September 26th, 2008 11:22 PM
i agree. last night...i expected MORE. what's up with the show. i'm confused, i don't even really know what 2 comment here. where were the SPARKS?????? What happened?? well i haope it gets better.. i liked and i didn't!!WOW
September 26th, 2008 11:36 PM
I was disappointed in the season premiere. It had some good moments but only moments. I'm still holding to a optimistic attitude about this coming season. Although, I am mad that I have to wait two weeks to see the next episode and see if my optimism stays.