'Grey’s Anatomy': Izzie and Denny forever?

Last night’s installment of the back-in-the-headlines drama “Grey’s Anatomy” raised a couple of big questions and a multitude of smaller ones. Let’s get right to them, shall we?

Does Izzie have a brain tumor after all? Last summer, rumors swirled that Seattle Grace’s uber-sensitive doc would be facing that very medical crisis this season. Now, here she is, two weeks running, seeing a whole heckuva lot of dead fiancé Denny. That’s one of the symptoms of a brain tumor, right? At least it always seems to be in the TV world. 

Izzie’s dude greeted her the moment she walked into the hospital, complimented her on the sassy new-ish haircut and barely left her alone the rest of the episode. There was no getting rid of him no matter what she tried, whether it was the silent treatment or a heartfelt I-will-always-love-you-now-please-get-on-with-the-whole-resting-in-peace-thing speech. Not even getting Alex to burn the sweater she’d made for Denny during his ill-fated Seattle Grace stay worked. (Speaking of which, being around women in trouble sure does turn Alex into a lil nurturer. First Ava, now Izzie.) After all that, Denny was still waiting for his love in her bedroom, assuring her that he was real enough to touch. Which she did. Right before he enveloped her in a kiss his old ticker never would’ve been able to take.

Maybe Izzie’s just losing her marbles. That could be interesting -- except “Grey’s” just did that with Alex’s last girlfriend. It seems more likely to me that something is physically off. And that it’s perhaps life-threatening. Denny told Izzie more than once that he was there for her. Could he have meant that in the whole “I’m here, perfectly tanned and hot, to help you realize there’s something wrong that you need to diagnose and take care of” kind of way? Or even the “you’ll be joining me on the other side before too long” way? So far, Denny’s not telling. Whatever the case, this is shaping up to be the kind of juicy, emotional storyline even Katherine Heigl would feel deserved Emmy consideration. 

What happened to Dr. Hahn? Cristina raised the question several times but we never did get a satisfying answer. Which kinda just makes the whole mess worse, dontcha think? I mean, even if Callie didn’t see Hahn again after their parking lot argument, how hard would it have been for the chief to fill in some blanks? Surely Hahn had a conversation with her boss before she left her job. And surely said boss could’ve slipped in a couple lines about the former cardiac surgeon in that scene where he was talking to Bailey about wooing the hospital’s new one, Dr. Virginia Dixon (Mary McDonnell).

At least we got to see Callie break down in grief after the homeless patient flatlined on the operating table. That scene was a keeper, in part because of the way Mark and Cristina were also affected. Those two aren’t exactly sensitive types, yet they came together to protect their mutual friend in her hour of need. I admit I was a little surprised that Cristina didn’t immediately run off to blab to Meredith the moment she learned of Callie and Hahn’s romantic involvement. After all, as Derek has increasingly learned, those two share every blasted thing. But it was a pleasant surprise -- and one that, considering Cristina’s own painful past with a lover who suddenly bolted, made sense.

A less welcome development: Callie’s quick interest in Sadie (Melissa George), Meredith’s old friend and Seattle Grace’s new pouty-lipped intern. Sadie wasted no time in stripping down to her bra and slicing open her shoulder so that Lexie’s secret intern society could have something to stitch up -- a move, I take it, that was meant to illustrate how up she is for anything. But Callie is nursing a broken heart, right? Or at least she was two scenes before she hit Joe’s bar. Maybe she could’ve waited until the next episode to start looking for a rebound.

A few other questions: What do you think Meredith told Derek about her past adventures with Sadie? Are you a fan of Mer’s Sadie-given nickname, “Death,” or were you as annoyed by it as Cristina was? And what about that hot little kiss between Cristina and Hunt, a.k.a. new series regular Kevin McKidd?

-- Shawna Malcom

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Ann]

Last night was the WORST, most PATHETIC episode! The Izzy/Denny thing has got to STOP! Why are they doing this to Katherine Heigl?

Bring Hahn back and get rid of McArmy....the guy is annoying!

[Justin]

Face it - Grey's has jumped the shark, big time. Every episode is BIG and every interaction is weird. The writers have gone so far off the deep end, it's laughable. I mean, that's what we did last night. We laughed. Which make's Izzy's visions of Denny and impending doom nothing more than chum.

[Carol]

I'm tired of Denny. I didn't like the story line the year it developed. I like it even less now. I think Shonda Rhimes must like Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Denny, and I'm sure he's a likeable, professional actor, but I don't like his character. If he's going to wandering in and out of an entire season again, it will make the show a lot less appealing to me.

[Jim]

grey's has sucked ever since meredith semi-died in the puge

[Spoiler Alert]

To Ann --

Denny's appearance is due to the fact that Izzie will be gone soon. The stories about her being unhappy with everyone at the show is resulting in her being written out of the show. No matter; she's a movie star and will do just fine, and may just snag an Emmy in the meantime.

I have indirect insider knowledge of this; a family member is working with the Denny actor on a movie and he sorta spilled it.

[McAngry]

I think it's actually Shonda Rhimes or her show runners that could have the brain tumor. Grey's has become such a disaster that even the Red Cross would be tested to their limits. It's so obvious they're setting Catherine H up for a shove off, most likely at her own request given she's one of the few people on that show with any talent and knows she has a career in film. As far as the replacement of Grey's new "old" Aussie buddy, please!!! Was the cutting of her own back suppose to shock? I lost my breath from laughing. Great drama guys!! I think it's time to bill the show as a sit-com --- or take it off the air all together. Yes, that's how bad it has gotten.

[Disappointed Viewer]

A few other questions: What do you think Meredith told Derek about her past adventures with Sadie?
Answer: Who gives a crap? Seriously, who cares what Meredith did in her past?

Are you a fan of Mer’s Sadie-given nickname, “Death,” or were you as annoyed by it as Cristina was?
Answer: Annoyed...the Sadie storyline sucks and the character acts just plain silly and erratic.

And what about that hot little kiss between Cristina and Hunt, a.k.a. new series regular Kevin McKidd?
Answer: It wasn't hot...it was angry and lacked passion. The guy has issues and I can't believe he's permanently part of the show.

Grey's is really going down the tubes...what a DISAPPOINTMENT! My friend is boycotting the show next week because last night's episode was so bad. If they keep bringing Denny back, then I'm gone too.

[Monique]

Grey's has gone down hill! I don't understand how the writers went so far off the deep end on what started off to be a good show with good actors. They're trying too many new things with bad character development.

This show should be transition to a during the day soapie

[MaryLiza]

If you're old enough to remember, this smacks of Dallas and Pam Ewing's big dream...

[Deb]

I found last night's offering interesting.... I think Kevin is a great addition to a team that is otherwise way too "touchy feely"...with the exception of Sandra Oh. Not feelin' the Sadie character at all or the whole "death" thing. For me, the verdict is still out on the Denny storyline. What ever is driving it should surface soon....it doesn't have the legs to drag on for long.

[Jerry]

Heigl felt nothing was Emmy worth last year so they gave her the same story from 2 years ago (Denny's death)? Stupid. This better pay off other than an unbelievable retooling of "Ghost." The addition of Mary McDonnell's character brought the drama into the "let's be funny like Ally McBeal was" territory with shades of Peter MacNicol's character. What next Shonda, dancing babies and pet frogs. Dumb dumb dumb.

[Mr. Potter]

Meredith--Mer-a-dith--dith--death. Isn't this obvious?

[cats]

Does shonda even read comments on the internet.... EVER? Last night was just sad and desperate.

[James]

Okay here is what I thought about last night's episode. I thought that it was pretty good, it keeps me wanting to see what is going to happen next week. I am sure they will kill Izzie off which makes me sad because she is my favorite, as for the whole Denny thing I am glad he is back on there because I think Izzie/Denny is the best story line on GA. It just shows that Izzie, even if she is dying, thinks about Denny still and that she truly did love him! As for Dr. Dixon, I didn't like her at all, I thought that she was a waste of my time listening to her, I want Erica back!!! Oh and I think that Sloan and Lexi will hook up soon, as much as I hate to say it. Also is it just me or have they just kind of cut George completely out! Seriously! Seriously! They showed him like for 40 seconds last night... Ever since he passed his exams it seems as though they have pushed him out of the picture which is a shame because he is another one of my favorites! I don't like the military doctor. he seems strange and needs to leave! Anyway so I know this was a long post but I had to say what I felt.

[Jen]

My favorite scene has not been mentioned at all - the one where Dr. Dixon tells Bailey off for manipulating her.

[Kim]

I love Denny/Izzie, but he needs to go into the light and let her get on with her life. I don't want them to kill her off, because she makes Alex a better person. I don't think Katherine Heigl is a movie star yet, but whatever movie audience she has, she owes directly to "Grey's". Very few people (those of us who watched "Roswell") knew who she was before this series. She should be grateful it put her on the Hollywood radar. I can live w/o Sadie. Mer already has a best friend, although Christina can be nasty. HATE the "Death" nickname! I'm hoping that with Kevin McKidd's character, Christina will stop being a b**** to the interns. I will watch this show til the very end, because I love it. It makes me laugh, cry and think. Not a lot of shows do that. Thanks, Shonda.

[LA]

This episode was abysmal.

For crying out loud, let the corpse of Denny Duquette rest in peace.

[Sarah]

I agree that they need to get rid of Army Guy. He is really annoying - and not in a good way! I like the story line of Izzie having a brain tumor causing all these delusions. It could get really interesting! But, they should not kill Izzie off because she is a big part of Grey's and I could just see that being the start of a downfall for Grey's Anatomy. I've been an avid fan since this show started and I don't want to see it end any time soon!

[j]

I loved this show, bought all the seasons on package DVD's but they will lose a fan if they kill off izzy to a ghost. Very stupid storyline. They are losing crediablity by introducing this. I think "little grey" is a closet actor and she needs a few new storylines with depth. Where is George and why do they keep bringing new doctors and "military man" over acts. Lame and each episode gets a little lamer. Sorry shonda maybe time to move on for you.

[denizfan]

Loved that Denny and Izzy got back together again. Even if it's just her imagination. So what?! Shows creativity, and one way of dealing. Why can't you use a a little willing suspension of disbelief every now and then?!? I see no reason why this has to be anything else than a one-time event. The creative romantic writer can take it anywhere she wants, and why not enjoy the experience and novelty? It's nice to be surprised sometimes, and not always have everything always be boringly predictable.