In our previous Face-Off devoted to Denny Duquette, we debated whether a chance at Izzie was worth a potentially fatal heart condition. Since Denny's untimely death, we've focused on an entirely different, far more important issue: Should he be brought back to life in Season Three?
YES
He can't be gone. Denny Duquette was probably the sweetest, kindest man ever to Grace this fictional Seattle Hospital, not to mention one of the best characters on TV.
Blending warm charisma with unbridled masculinity, the bed-stricken patient won the hearts of Dr. Izzie Stevens and millions of fans across the U.S. The ailing character was so believable that viewers almost (or maybe legitimately, see below) forget he's not real.
In any case, the writers have to find a way to resurrect him! For the last half-dozen episodes of Season Two, the most compelling, driving force of Grey's Anatomy was not Meredith's self-loathing, the Shepherds' problem-plagued marriage, or even the incomparable coolness of Dr. Burke. It was Denny. Every time the scruffy transplant patient's heart skipped a few hundred beats, legions of fans followed suit.
The outcry over his untimely passing shows that Denny was much more than a guest star. He was (or should have been) indispensible. Below are real, unedited excerpts from fan reactions received by the Insider:
- "I am devastated that Denny died. I loved him & Izzie together... I am as inlove [sic] with Denny as Izzy was!" -- Ally
- "Denny! No, Denny! Denny where are you? Where did you go? COME BACK!" -- Angel
- "His character was so awesome and he portraid [sic] him excellent." -- Kristi
- "THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!!!! ... Denny was he reason I watched this show!!!!" -- Denny's Girl
- "The Izzie, Denny story line was what kept me watching. He is so HOT and now I need to find somewhere else to watch him." -- Tonya
- "It broke my heart to watch her lay there on his ned [sic] with him." -- Brittani
- "I WAS ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED WHEN I SAW LAST NIGHT’S SHOW. THE WATERWORKS WAS [sic] FLOWING LIKE CRAZY." -- Natalie
- "How upsetting. They killed off one of my favorite characters... Bastards." -- Mara
- "They should seriously have an alternate ending or SOMETHING! I LOVED DENNY!" -- Roxanne Duquette
Amen to that, Roxanne Duquette (what a coincidence that you and he have the same last name, incidentally). Perhaps this is all part of Shonda Rhimes' master plan, to transform the heart-wrenching hospital prom/Denny death scenes into a bizarre dream sequence. If it's not, it should be. For Grey's Anatomy to build upon its success, it must do more than endlessly stretch out the annoying MerDer love triangle. The show wasn't just better with Denny. It needs him.
Just tell us it was all a dream, Shonda. We know you can make it happen. As much as such a plot twist smacks of jumping the shark, we'll overlook it if it means we get Denny back. Or, failing that, maybe he could find a way to communicate with Izzie from beyond the grave. After all, Jeffrey Dean Morgan has experience with Supernatural beings.
NO
First, there was Goose in Top Gun.
Then Warren Justice in Up Close & Personal. Now Denny Duqette has joined the ranks of honorable would-be husbands whose time on earth ran out long before viewers were ready to bid farewell. It's heart-breaking, it's wasteful - but it's a necessity in order to singe lasting impressions of valor and kindness into the minds of the audience forever.
It's difficult to deal with death. Everyone reacts in his or her own way. Maverick jumped on a couch and hypnotized a beautiful young actress; Michelle Pfeiffer stalked Gotham in a cat suit; Izzie Stevens quit her internship and a number of Grey's Anatomy fans have threatened to revolt. Does this mean the show should resuscitate Denny in the first ever pulse transplant?
Of course not. First off, who would perform such a surgery? Dr. Burke's hand isn't functioning at full capacity. Dr. Shepherd is seeing Grey at the moment, I don't think his focus is where it needs to be. Dr. Webber will be tangled in a marital mess for awhile and Dr. Bailey is really short. Would you trust an intern with such a task? Neither would I. George's nervous tic could really hurt Denny.
Moreover, we can't just give viewers everything they want. Chaos would ensue. Izzie would never wear a shirt. Meredith may or may not fall through an open elevator shaft. Dr. Shepherd would make house calls to the entire female population. The show needs conflict. It requires loathsome lows in order for the heavenly highs to be appreciated. This isn't The Brady Bunch, people.
Look, I miss Denny already. That twang, that smile, the way he made you believe in unadulterated love. Now, at least, those traits will remain etched in my heart forever. His image won't be tarnished. But what if he and Izzie had made it to the altar? The sad fact of the marriage matter is that half of unions end in divorce. The odds just weren't in this couple's favor. I'm glad we never had to witness such a demise of Denny.
His place in our lives may now remain untouched, patient perfect. I'm grateful. Please, fans, let him rest in peace.