As the rare, outdoor behind-the-scenes photos from the set proved without a doubt this week, the cast of Grey's Anatomy is giving George O'Malley his official sayonara.
We knew it was coming, but some are having a hard time coming to grips with the prospect of no more O'Malley. He was not just an original character, but a fan favorite.
Spotted on the set were Katherine Heigl, who plays Izzie Stevens, George's best friend, and a very pregnant Ellen Pompeo, who plays the title character, Meredith Grey.
A few of the men were also back to work: Justin Chambers, who plays Alex Karev, and Patrick Dempsey, who plays Derek Shepherd. Others may have been there, too.
The demise of George O'Malley was not scripted this way initially.
It turns out that Grey's Anatomy creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes originally had a different opening sequence planned for the 6th season of Grey's Anatomy.
A flashback was supposed to take viewers to the hours when George was missing, from when he left the hospital to when he returned later on as a disfigured John Doe.
However, Knight reportedly declined to make a brief cameo and instead of seeing George's split-second decision to save the passerby's life that cost him his own, viewers will just have to watch Shonda Rhimes' alternative idea, the funeral scene.
Which brings us to the characters and George's coffin.
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115 Comments
July 30th, 2009 4:06 PM
Did you have to post that photo? It makes me want to cry seeing my wonderful George like this.
July 30th, 2009 4:17 PM
TR never cared about his fans, he's like a spoiled child... that is not professional, good that he's gone! he didn't care about all of us!!!
July 30th, 2009 4:28 PM
Oh please. He didn't care? He stayed five seasons for us. If anyone didn't care about the George fans, it's Shonda. She's the one who didn't use him for two seasons and she's the one who killed him. If TR had done the guest starring episode, George would still be dead.
How is he a child for wanting to do something else after five eyars? He finished his contract. He even came back to do that elevator scene that wasn't filmed.
If you want to be angry at someone, be angry at Shonda.
She's the one who made george the living walking ghost of Seattle Grace the last two years.
Even if she hadn't, this is TR's life and career. He ahs every right to leave a job where he is no longer happy.
I'm pretty sure you do too if you're unhappy somewhere.
July 30th, 2009 4:30 PM
I understand that TR didn't want to do that episode (he seems to really don't want to do anything with the show anymore) but it would've been an excellent episode. The very last day. Maybe later in the season it can be squeezed while TR reconsiders.
July 30th, 2009 4:31 PM
This photo is making me depressed.
I will never get why Sjhonda decided to throw TR under a bus. That's what she planned to do since the beginning of the season, even if he hadn't quit. I don't get this. Why would she think we would want to see sweet George's face all smashed up?
I wish you didn't post that photo. It's too sad.
I'll miss TR. He was the best, and he always gave us fans so much.
I hate that Shonda forgot how special George was.
July 30th, 2009 4:34 PM
Anuflas, I don't believe at all Shonda had any intention of ever writing an episode for George.
She hasn't written anything for George at all since IW left. Why would she write for him now that he's dead?
It's ridiculous.
I think she is just saying this to try and make people blame him for not coming back when she's the one to blame for him leaving in the first place.
He told her in December he was elaving.
If she wanted this story, then why didn't she make him film those scenes when he was still on contract with Grey?
It's not like TR wouldn't have the time. She gave him nothing to do.
That's why I don't believe her.
Besides, she said she wanted TR to come back for there episodes a month ago, now it was just for one.
I'm with everyone on TWOP and on EW who says the woman lies so much she can't recognize her lies.
July 30th, 2009 4:38 PM
The reason why TR didn't do this episode is because he thought the last George scene in the elevator was beautiful and perfect not because he wanted nothing to do with Grey.
I hate how Shonda was saying TR had emotionally walked away like this was the reason when he didn't come back because he loved the elevator scene as the last scene.
I also thought it showed what a huge manipulator she was.
She's the one who emotionally walked away from George the minute he failed his intern exam.
He continue to give everything he got to George and he succeeded in making his 5 minutes of airtime this year truly memorable and amazing just by the sheer will of his talent. It sure wasn't the writing.
She's the one who let us George fans down.
We begged ehr every single week on Grey matter to please give George a story, and she wouldn't.
Because of her, we lost George, and I don't think the George fans will ever forgive her for it and for what she did to TR.
July 30th, 2009 4:40 PM
Julia,
She may have planned it but when TR decided to quit, it was when the writers decided to end his life as well. Everyone knows how sweet he is, why do people need the approval of the writers for us to remember him this way? As much as this sucks, it's already done. We should be able to remember him for what he was and not how it ended (yes, I know it's a TV show, whatever) and whose fault was it. It is done. Let's move on and remember the good George.
At least he went out by being the hero and Amanda (the girl he saved) made sure that Mer knew it and the rest will know it too.
Aside from that, I have the weird feeling that we will see Mark redoing his face before he is buried. Like in 2x18. I just want to see a proper send off to George.
Why wasn't Izzie the one to go? :(
July 30th, 2009 4:43 PM
I'm glad TR refused. I didn't even want George to die. I certainly didn't want to see him being smashed by a bus. It's hard enough as it is just to watch that photo of him all hurt.
I can't believe Shonda said she wanted to show us the moment he got hit by a bus.
Why would anyone want to see that except if they hate George?
If he had to die, I'd much rather be left with him all beautiful and gorgeous with Izzie, his true love.
July 30th, 2009 4:45 PM
Oh my God, my poor George. I'm crying right now.