'Grey's Anatomy': It's not a finale without a body count

"Grey's Anatomy" has a history of strong finales. With the exception of Cristina's wedding -- which I'll excuse because that was the year of the writers' strike -- each season-ender has been poignant enough to move me to tears. This year, I was too stunned to cry.

The finale, "Sanctuary / Death and All His Friends," turns the hospital from a sanctuary into a battle field. Mr. Clark returns, still upset by his wife's death at the hand of Webber, Lexie and McDreamy despite the board's ruling that the doctors made the right decisions.

This time, he wants revenge of the "eye for an eye" variety, and he's got the jacket full of ammunition to prove it.

It's been 11 years since the Columbine High School massacre, and only three since the Virginia Tech massacre. Despite the fact that "Grey's Anatomy" takes place in a hospital, not a school, the episode couldn't help but recall those memories. Like a school, a hospital is a safe place. It's somewhere people go to be taken care of and nurtured. To be honest, this episode was hard for me to watch.

Death is a common occurrence on "Grey's Anatomy;" someone dies in nearly every episode. However, it's never been a violent, intentional death at the hand of another human being. I don't know what the body count was from Mr. Clark's shooting spree, but I expect we'll find out next season. What I do know is that Seattle Grace will never be the same.

The good

Even in the midst of hospital chaos, the Seattle Grace doctors never lose their signature "Grey's" style of speaking. Arizona's line, "Do not alarm the makers of the tiny humans," was spot on. Later, when things got more dire, Cristina still sounded like Cristina. "I can't do this if you're in there staring at me with big, sad, don't kill McDreamy eyes." The best thing about "Grey's" is that the characters remain consistent. They may be consistently childish or consistently boring ... but they're consistent.

As always, Chandra Wilson blew this episode out of the water. The range of emotion Bailey experienced in tonight's episode was epic, for lack of a better word. The work that Wilson puts into her role really comes across on screen. You get the impression that the emotions are genuine, when in actuality, an enormous level of thought and commitment must go into each scene.

I was thrilled to see Callie and Arizona reconcile. I've made no secret of the fact that I think Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw are the strongest actresses on the show, and their interactions make for some of the most emotional scenes, and some of the most funny. My only concern is that a reconciliation in such a time of crisis can't last.

Dr. Webber really shined tonight. At the beginning of the season, I was so disappointed in him. We'd invested so much in his character just to see him let the hospital down. Tonight, he proved himself a Chief again, and I hope that while Derek is recovering, he cedes the throne to Webber. When he told the officer, "I'm the Chief -- I'm the former -- look, this is my hospital," I truly believed him.

The bad

I've been a fan of Mandy Moore's for years, but I don't think her performance added much to the episode. As this week's big name guest star, all eyes were on her. So why was her dialogue so unnatural and so exposition-heavy? Though the writers remembered to keep the regular characters witty, Moore's character fell flat. I hope she returns for an episode or two next season to redeem herself. After enduring a trauma like this, it would seem odd for her not to forge a relationship with Bailey.

I'm probably going to get reamed for saying this, but I think that the episode would have had more emotional weight if one of the regular doctors had died. Reed and Charles were the only people killed that we recognized, and not only were they the new alien Mercy Westers, but they were also our least favorite Mercy Westers. It almost feels like they were introduced just to be killed.

After Columbine, rumors spread that the shooters asked victims whether they believed in God, and shot them if they said yes. Those rumors were later disproved, but when Mr. Clark asked the hospital staff whether they were surgeons and then shot them if they said yes, it hit a little bit too close to the mark. Since when is "Grey's Anatomy" the show that's "ripped from the headlines"? There are ways to establish fictional tragedy without borrowing so heavily from real tragedy.

This season has been jam-packed with big changes. It seems like a lifetime ago that we were wondering (well, sort of) whether Izzie and George would live or die. Certainly, such a tragic and traumatic event will make even bigger waves. I have a feeling that the Seattle Grace we return to next season will be a very unfamiliar, very scary place.

What are your thoughts on the episode? Were you as shocked as we were by the death toll? Who will you miss the most? Chime in with your expectations for next season in the comments below.

--Carina MacKenzie
twitter.com/cadlymack

Photo: (top) Ellen Pompeo, left, as Meredith and Sarah Drew as April.

Credit: ABC

Photo: (bottom) Mandy Moore as Mary. 

Credit: ABC

Comments

[Ronnita]

I have not actually watched Grey's Anatomy in while but when I saw the previews for this episode I could not resist so I watched. I was happy to see Meridith happy and not annoyingly melancholy and Christina well Christina. However, that changed with the first brutal shot of Dr. Ried. I really like the episode but I don't think it is the right time for me to come back to Grey's during the dark time that will definitely follow next season. I did not know what to expect. I did not expect so many casualties that's for. I agree that the scene with Lexie and Mr. Clark was completely unrealistic. It the episode was filled with drama and I cried a little as Bailey tried to save Cooper but could not.

[karen russum]

I thought the last eposide of the season of Gray's Anatomy was WOW. I don't think I have seen a show that was so intense. I thought that is was fantastic. The fact that 2 of the main characters got shot was enough. I thought that the actors did a great job and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. After 20 minutes I had to call a friend (who was watching the show) just to vent because as I said before it was that intense. There were some parts that was questionable such as when the shooter got shot by SWAT. Why would they shoot the gun arm or kill him? But who cares. Best finalle ever. Great job!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ann Marie]

I LOVED the season finale..........I DID NOT think of the Columbine shooting either......It was far from it, I thought "My God, this could happen in real life", I thought the cast was GREAT!! Owen chose Christina,"little Grey chose Alex, and Mark and Teddy will be together.....And I'm hoping Richard gets to be Cheif again. I thought Charles death scene was so good...I cried. Can't wait until next season.......

[gail evans]

It was very difficult to watch, but more impossible to turn away from... I did not even recognize Mandy Moore, whom I am a fan of - - - you are correct that the role was very thinly written.

I am baffled about the flip-flopping, both of Little Grey and of Owen. Lexie clearly still loves Mark, but she professed love to Alex despite the fact that he called her Izzy. Owen is a head case and a pain in the ass and deserves neither Christina nor Teddy. I hope that Christina turns to the intern who helped her with Derek's surgery (I can't remember his name, is it Spaulding?) - he clearly loves her like she deserves.

[George Lowe]

My jaw dropped when Reid was shot in the head and how graphic and cold that scene was... terrifying. I did enjoy the episode but agree that it would have been better had we lost one of the original characters. I was thinking maybe Owen or Teddy.

[DB]

Will Derek live or die? Live, but still a cliffhanger.
The most heartbreaking moment was when Meredith hadn't told Derek she was pregnant and he could die without knowing, and then later when she has the miscarriage.

Arizona/Cassie While I support same sex relationships, and I like both characters, I could do without the passionate kissing. I was hoping we would get a break from it if they stayed split for a while. It's not fair, but those are my least favorite moments.

I think Derek will not only give up the chiefdom temporarily but decide he doesn't want it sometime next season.

[Samantha]

I think this episode was brilliant. Everyone is complaining how the writers did a bad job but i disagree completely. half of you didn't even know percy's first name. it's charles not cooper.
i don't believe the doctors fell apart during this episode. sure they were shocked and upset, because there's a shooter in their hospital, where they are supposed to feel safe. where they fix people, not where they are taken down by a derranged man.
this episode gave the season a nice end. and it'll give the next season a good beginning. weber really shined in this episode and should become cheif again, because derek is not doing a very good job. weber was tempted with vodka, and poured it out. he's grown stronger over the season and deserves to be cheif again. avery also did an amazing job in the finale. he is really coming out of his shell and portraying himself as a real surgeon. he saved derek, christina, and meredith's lives.
i'm also glad that no main characters died. i wasn't upset to see izzie leave. but george was upseting. the only other person i would want to see go is owen. christina is better off without him. and so is teddy.
again this finale was brilliant and i cannot wait for next season to come around.

[Tammy Justice]

I thought the episode was awesome. I sat on edge of the couch while watching the whole thing.!!!! I hope Callie and Arizona stay together. Shame about the miscarriage. Oh, and Bailey, Chandra Wilson, emmy award please!!!!

[Greyswatcher]

I was disturbed and crying like a baby...but it hurt so GOOD. The past couple of seasons have been disappointing, mediocre at best and I was "this" close to giving up on the show. But watching this episode, seeing all of the characters threatened by death, made me realize how much I've come to care about each of them. Hopefully the show as a whole experiences a resurrection of sorts next season and for seasons to come!!!

[REALbarbwire7]

I thought it was awesome and frightening, and surprising from beginning to end. Mandy Moore's character had to be what she was...there had to be a "patient", and she did as good a job as possible, considering there was so much going on. Will Derek ever know about the baby? That will be an issue. The whole episode/s was nailbiting and this cast always shines as beleivable, as though they really are friends, and they really care about their patients first. I love this show..

[Grey's Fan forever]

Loved the finale, they could have gotten rid of the stupid girl April, goodness she is the worse. First she is infatuated with Derrick, then she causes him to get shot... Also poor Meredith loses the baby and has to explain what is happening to her... Mercy West go back where you came from.. Loved Lexie and Alex but felt bad for McSteamy. I guess Teddy and McSteamy need to comfort each other. Can't wait for the babies to start coming... Meredith needs to get pregnant and keep the baby full term come on writers....

[Lonnie]

I must say I was on the edge of my seat. When that man showed up in the O.R. I was like WTH? How did this man get around so fast if all the elevators were turned off? He was everywhere!
I did not like the miscarriage part, why can't she have a baby? That's what happens in a relationship. It was just not real enough, she's happy about it but not one bit of sadness over losing it. I want a baby McDreamy!
Dr. Webber, is back now, he faced that man and poured out his vodka, it's time to put him back as chief. However that scene was not needed, finding Dr. Bailey would have been good.
Dr. Bailey was my favorite, I could feel her pain, she is the woman who fixes everything and yet she couldn't help that poor man. That will play great next season as she struggles with that.
Christina I love ya! as always she stepped up and delivered. Put a gun in her face and she doesn't stop.
And lastly a swat member is to take a suspect down, not allow them to wander off. If he was going to shoot him in the shoulder the next step would have been handcuffs and dragging his ass out of there, COME ON! These scenes were all messed up. But I loved it, can't wait till next year!

[Tommy]

So who was coaching the SWAT Team? Art Shell?

I haven't watched a Grey's episode in 2 years, and I watched this one out of morbid curiosity.

Carina, you limited your "The Bad" to Mandy Moore and the shooter being a little too close to the Columbine shooters?

Really?

Not the absurd dialogue in the face of a seriously scary situation?

Not the fact that these DOCTORS are completely histerical in the face of a crisis (and not funny histerical)?

Not the fact that the girl who trips over the dead girl still has the time to launch into a long-winded, nonsensical monologue before she tells McDreamy that someone's just been shot?

Oy vey.

[Jules]

I loved this episode! I only had two issues: 1. Mandy Moore. Her dialogue was so cringe worthy. When she called Miranda Doctor B, I almost fell off the couch. Really? Doctor B? This was the first time we saw Mandy Moore's character and yet it seemed like she had been on the last 6 episodes. Her delivery was not believable. 2. The SWAT team. Really? The whole building is surrounded and only 5 SWAT members are in there. And why when Mr. Clark was shot the first time, did they not shoot him a second time? Or not go after him? Why did it take an hour later and Weber to find him? Grrr! Besides those two points, I thought it was a great episode and I can't wait for next season. Chandra Wilson deserves an Emmy!!! For her character to not show emotion often, she did AMAZING!!!! And I thought Ellen did a great job too! Love it!!

[William]

Yes ... everyone it was a lot of flaws in the show ... If Mr. Clark wanted Derick dead so bad why did he only shoot him once .. or why did he keep telling Wang that if she keep trying to save him he would shoot her .. He shot everyone else with no mercy (Come on remember he shot the first woman in between the eyes because she would not take the time to give him attention or directions).. But he kept giving Christina idle threats .. hummm .. Yes It was good T.V. but not ment to be reality ...

[Trish]

Carina, first of all to compare this to columbine and other shootings is ridiculous. Maybe you missed the beginning where they stated that there was extreme violence. I think if I didn’t want to see any killing I wouldn’t have watched the episode. There are so many TV programs that show killing, should Americans not watch those episodes because of what happened years ago? This is life welcome to it! On a positive note I’m glad they didn’t kill off Derek. I’m really getting tired of the gays and lesbians on TV shows. America needs to stop trying for us straight people to think this is normal and to except it. Sorry I pissed you people off but, it’s disgusting watching two men or women kissing. Let them keep it in their homes, not in public. You are right Mandy Moore performance sucked. I like her but they could’ve left her out of this episode. Yes everyone that was new did get written off but last season they wrote off George and Izzie so I don’t think taking anyone else out would’ve been good. I would like the Chief Webber to get it together and take back over the hospital. Leave Derek to surgeries, he looks good, just not good as the Chief. I wish the writers would put Lacy and Sloan back together. He’s a freak (which I like because he is fine) but needs to settle down. Put Izzie’s ex with someone else or hell they could've written him off. I wouldn't have missed him.

[kiara]

it was the best episode ever. he was on a rampage. taking innocent lives.

[REALbarbwire7]

And to commentor TED: Come on! Saw V? This was not just killing and random violence. This was a story about how someone can break from reality when distraught, and the consequences to the people who see death every day, but not in this way. This is different than seeing illness and death, and blood as a doctor. This was personal. Do you think a doctor who loses a patient is going the feel the same as that same doctor who loses a loved one? One is a job. One is life. I thought it was an amazingly well-done, frighteningly realistic episode. Happens ever day. Thank God not to us, so far anyway. Yes, the swat team would have taken him out much sooner, but remember that it was a television episode. Let's keep reality and fiction separate. It was a portrayal, and probably a very good one.

[LindaB]

I absolutely loved the finale!! And yes I was shocked at the body count. When he pulled Bailey from under the bed I became so sick to my stomach, I felt her anxiety. I thought it was very well written, but at times it was very unclear how the shooter kept getting away especially after they shot him. It was truly a nail bitter episode because you never knew where the shooter was going to pop up and the fact that he never even hesitated before he shot those people......it seemed very REAL!!!!! Good job Grey's Anatomy!!!!!

[Gbaby]

Grey's totally blew me out the water. My heart began racing the first time Merideth encountered Mr. Clark in the hall. the killing of Reid was flooring, I just could not believe it. I haven't seen any episode that poerful sin the episode of ER when the young ladey was shot on the operating table by a rival gang member. Last night proves the Grey's is number 1. I hope the real chief makes a full recovery and I wanf Little Grey and McSteamy back together. I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for the new season