
(S05E07) "It's like a bouquet... of corpses!" - Izzie
You know, for a guy that died, Denny Duquette somehow manages to get more screen-time on Grey's Anatomy than most of the characters who are still living. Seriously, it must be incredibly frustrating to be a minor character on this show and know that two or three times a season, some dead guy who most fans are sick of will get more time in front of the camera than you will.
You know what though? I liked this Denny episode. I liked it a lot. I'm even going to go out on a limb and say that this was the best episode of the season thus far. While I typically moan when I seen Jeffrey Dean Morgan's name pop up in the opening credits, I got over it pretty fast once I realized why he was there this time around - so Izzie can finally get over him. Is she? Hell no - but this was a good start.
The decision to bring back the guy who Izzie stole a heart from at the end of season two was actually pretty brilliant I thought. Denny might be dead, but the heart Izzie tried to illegally steal for him is still pumping and thanks to the delays she caused, it ain't pumping so well. I will say that Denny's silent poses (he only had the one line at the very end) were a bit awkward, especially during the OR scenes. It was as if he wanted Izzie to fail; like he wanted the heart back. At least we heard the phrase "She cut his LVAD wire" only once.
Beyond Denny, the big story was Hahn. If you haven't heard it yet, this was her last episode. While I agree that it's a pretty shifty move to tell an actor that they're fired after they've filmed their last episode, after watching Hahn's exit and the circumstances surrounding it, I'm OK with it. It was ambiguous enough that she could have come back next week, but I personally think it really worked well as a good-bye. She had her blow-out with Callie and her lack of enthusiasm for the full-blown lesbian lifestyle. She had her blow-out with Webber regarding repercussions for Izzie, the Denny mess, and general ethics at SGH. Going into the episode, knowing she was done, this felt very much like a culmination of her time on the show. Don't forget that way back in season two, she was the one who operated on Denny - not Burke. So this was a full circle. I think it worked.
A few more thoughts on "Rise Up" --
- The whole ordeal with George working on the dummy got old very fast. This is the best story they can come up with for him? Being tormented by
The Wizard of OzThe Chief? - It's not often that this show brings tears to my eyes because it's usually so damn corny, but I definitely got choked up watching Rosie and Ed, the elderly couple. That was a heart breaker...
- I'm glad to see that even though Hahn and her high ethical standards are gone, it seems like Hunt is going to pick up that torch. He was disgusted with the residents and their games and he had no problem telling Webber about it! The best part was when he said that he didn't think those doing the teaching were any better. He's right. I just hope he stays.
- I don't really see how Yang holding her father as he died is an excuse for how she acts. Hunt was perfectly justified in saying that she (and Karev) were incredibly disrespectful while treating that one patient. I don't care if he thinks she's a rare single malt scotch - she still needs to age more.
- Sloan trying to sleep with Yang was pretty funny.
- Is it really that easy to take corpses from a hospital morgue?
- How exactly did Meredith go from being terrified and disgusted with her mother's diaries to being in love with them? When did that happen?
I'll be curious to see what kind of excuse we'll get next week for Hahn's departure, but in the meantime, I'm looking forward to Brooke Smith's replacement in the cast - Mary McDonnell. Apparently she has Asperger's disease. Call me crazy, but I'm not sure I'd want someone with Asperger's operating on me... isn't clumsiness one of the main symptoms?
Grey's Anatomy' Photos
Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of her new public service announcement produced by OTCSafety.org at Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City.
Joe Corrigan/WireImage.com
Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of her new public service announcement produced by OTCSafety.org at Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City.
Joe Corrigan/WireImage.com
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of a new public service announcement for OTCsafety.org at the Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Wilson
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of a new public service announcement for OTCsafety.org at the Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Wilson
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Actress Chandra Wilson attends the screening of a new public service announcement for OTCsafety.org at the Edelman headquarters on September 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chandra Wilson
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Actor Patrick Dempsey (R) and wife Jillian Dempsey arrive at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan/WireImage.com
Chandra Wilson and Debra Birnbaum, Editor-in-Chief of TV Guide Magazine, arrive at TV Guide
Chris Weeks/WireImage.com
Actress Chandra Wilson arrives at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Steve Granitz/WireImage.com
Actor Patrick Dempsey poss in the press room during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan/WireImage.com
(L-R) Actors Sandra Oh and Patrick Dempsey pose in the press room during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan/WireImage.com















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-07-2008 @ 10:03AM
laura said...
I dont know ANY Greys fans that are ever sick of seeing Denny come back in one way or another. I couldnt wipe the smile off my face when he was on screen.
George got the dummy to work on, and the chief to mess with his mind because he is the only one who wouldnt have just walked out on it, and that is important, George cares about his work EVEN if its on a nonhuman. I think anyone else? would have given up.
Hahns departure? I dont know, is she gonna squeel about Izzie and Denny? or will we hear from her as in "Hi we are from a review board Dr Hahn came to us" and thats it. Or will she and her complaints fade into the sunset?
Christina is now "SMS" single malt scotch to me.
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11-08-2008 @ 1:59PM
Ryan said...
Grey's fan here. Hate Denny. Not the character. Just the fact that Rimes feel as if she needs to bring him back every damn season.
11-08-2008 @ 1:59PM
Brandon said...
I'm with Ryan on this one.
11-12-2008 @ 12:57PM
SB said...
Me too- big Grey's fan, hate Denny and hated that entire long, sappy, and overly drawn-out story line. And the fact that the guy gets a paycheck for one stupid line is ridiculous. Just move on and let him go, Shonda.
11-07-2008 @ 10:03AM
Belle98 said...
I'll never get sick of seeing Denny and last night's episode worked for me--all of it.
The fans were screaming for more Denny after he died and they got it. I think last night's episode was well written.
I'll take Denny over some of these othere characters any day of the week.
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11-07-2008 @ 10:03AM
killer_twinkie said...
I really like Hunt. To me he brings a breath of fresh air to the show because he is just there to help people who need it and isn't childish in his methods. I also love seeing Denny every time he comes on although now it is kinda difficult for me to not see him as The Comedian from Watchmen. George operating on the dummy did kind of get old but he didn't give up until he had it solved after everybody else had already walked and I think that is the important thing. Good episode and a worthy sendoff for Hahn IMO.
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11-07-2008 @ 10:03AM
Jen said...
I really liked this episode. I'm almost ready to label it as the best thus far in the season.
The Sloan/Yang idea was hilarious. She actually laughed in his face. I kinda hope they carry this story line another week. Does Sloan give up or does he persist until she REALLY humilates him?
The elderly couple was heart-break and heart-warming. It's rare that you see any real love exemplified on this show.
I'll take all the Denny I can get.
I don't think the idea of Yang holding her father's heart when he died was an excuse of "how she acts". It was her explanation as to why she's a surgeon. Or at least wants to be.
I am so glad the Hahn/Callie thing is over. I hated Hahn's character. And it frustrates me that the one person who takes a stand on the show is now kicked off. Maybe Hunt will take her place. I love me some Hunt. But I don't know if I love me some Yang/Hunt. We'll see.
I thoroughly enjoyed the George/Dummy story line. Of course George would spend the entire day trying to save a dummy. He's dependable. Almost to a fault.
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11-07-2008 @ 10:32AM
Brian said...
If they can write the Asperger's in to the character, that would be interesting. This coming from one diagnosed with it.
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11-07-2008 @ 12:04PM
Justin said...
Hahn leaving isn't really bad though reading the reasons why she was pushed out the door bother me.
However, her character was hateful and short-sighted and despite how much I like Smith (such as her stint on Weeds) Hahn was so unlikeable that I doubt she'll be missed. If I'm going to put on a happy face and watch this show with the fiancee, I should enjoy most of the characters. Hahn I did not.
Now if Sloan is ever axed, that'll ruin this show (assuming it isn't already ruined after last season's terrible writing).
I'm glad the writing is beginning to focus on just how selfish, unfocused, and short-sighted Gray, Yang, Alex, and Izzie are. How can they ever become good teachers when they never paid attention to the teaching they were receiving and spread it to their interns.
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11-07-2008 @ 12:05PM
Christina said...
The heart Izzie stole for Denny is dead inside Denny, not puping in this living guy.
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11-07-2008 @ 12:05PM
Megan said...
I don't think the heart patient guy ever got the heart before. Denny got the heart and then died of an aneurism. The heart patient still has his same old bad heart that he always had.
And this is one Grey's fan who will never get tired of seeing Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I cry at the sight of his face!
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11-07-2008 @ 12:05PM
michael said...
I am just wondering what is the title of the song being played when Hunt was scolding the residents and lexie because they were like vultures.. anybody?
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11-07-2008 @ 12:29PM
collin said...
Dear Ms. Rhimes:
Although I seem to be in the minority here, I have a few simple requests:
1. NO MORE DENNY SCENES. EVER. Talk about milking a dead cow. And you hand the poor actor, what, two lines at most??!?! Come on already. Why not have visions of someone Holy instead?
2. Oh, and NO MORE ALEX AND THE PLASTIC SURGERY GIRL SCENES. EVER. Because they were irritating as well.
3. And while we're at it, NO MORE IZZIE ANGST SCENES. EVER. It's basically time to cut Katherine Heigl loose already. She is ungrateful, annoying and not that good of an actress.
(p.s. I was about to say something about Meredith and Derek, but I don't want to push my luck)
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11-07-2008 @ 3:19PM
bekcy said...
why would we be sick of seeing Denny?? every fan i know LOVES it when he returns! =]]
i
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11-07-2008 @ 2:28PM
Anita said...
OK, I'm an old school GA fan and I always hated Denny. I'm sad to see Hahn go. I liked her character but hated the development of her Callie relationship. Also, I disliked the way ABC let her go. I think if they kept her as a strong character, but broke off the Callie relationship there was no need to bring Melissa George in. Or if they did, MG and Hahn could've hooked up, leaving Callie with Sloane -
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11-07-2008 @ 2:57PM
Gina said...
It looks like I may be in the minority here, but I don't think they really dealt with Hahn leaving well. This way it just feels so open ended to me. You don't think she is gone for good with her just walking off. We know she is because Brooke Smith was fired. That's different. Patrick Dempsey said it was an organic exit for the character, but it felt like anything but. As for Denny, I always love when he pops up, but this episode was weird with him just staring.
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11-07-2008 @ 2:57PM
tle041 said...
I for one am definitely sick of Denny and the writers dragging out the Denny/Izzie storyline. Enough already.
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11-07-2008 @ 3:13PM
Lynn said...
I think since Denny is dead, they need to KEEP him dead. Every time he comes back, I roll my eyes. It's been two seasons since then and she knew him (only from the bed) for a month, tops. Izzie needs to be over him. It's just ridiculous. And to think, I thought the episode where Meredith dreamt about him would be his last appearance. It's not like he even does anything to progress the storyline at all. It's just too much and it's annoying. Continually bringing him back (combined with a few other catastrophes) is honestly bad enough to get me to quit watching once and for all.
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11-07-2008 @ 4:30PM
Susan Halpern said...
Jonathan,
"Call me crazy, but I'm not sure I'd want someone with Asperger's operating on me... isn't clumsiness one of the main symptoms?"
It's a clever ending to your story, but it's untrue. There are a certain number of people with Asperger's who have decreased gross motor coordination. Then there are others, like my son, who have no such problems. He was a champion wrestler in middle school and now does a pretty fair imitation of Eddie Van Halen on his guitar. The interesting thing about Asperger's is how unique it is to the individual. Just thought you'd like to know.
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11-07-2008 @ 5:21PM
Patti said...
I agree with the first poster. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face either. I love Jeffery Dean Morgan, he is just a doll! The more Denny Duquette on Grey's, the better, dead or alive.
Why do the posters here who can't stand to see Denny again even watch Grey's? Its part of the shows history, and the second season is still by far my favorite because of the Denny storyline.
Otherwise, great show, it reminds me of the Grey's of the first season, actually, this whole season has been way better than the last one. I almost will miss Hahn in a strange way. She was much more hardcore than Bailey in certain circumstances.
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