'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

[Mary]

I was so hoping they would knock off Little Grey. She's so annoying.
Otherwise it was a shocking season ender.

[Carol K]

Loved this episode! It was "24" meet Stephen King meet Columbine

[Suzie]

I think the finale was exceptional!!! It had so much raw emotion by all of the cast. It showed the vulnerability that even doctors have that we don't always see, they have to be so strong for their patients even if they are hurting inside for that person. That first shot made me gasp and then Alex, OMG!! And I just knew that Derek had gotten thru to Mr. Clark, then April just had to come out. And when he shot Derek, I felt it in my chest. I hate that Meredith lost the baby, but hopefully there will be another in the near future. I like all the others was glued to my seat and couldn't wait for the comercials to end to see what was going to happen next. I too thought that someone not killing Mr. Clark was kind of unbelievable, but the show was AWESOME!!! Can't wait till next season.

[Natasha]

I loved this Finale. Even my husband, who doesn't normally watch, thought that this was one of the best finale's he's seen. As far as the whole, it brought up memories of the school shootings bit, that was the furthest thing from my mind. As I was watching I didn't once think oh hey this sounds and looks a lot like the school shootings from years past. The show was sad and shocking in it's own way.

Every year Grey's has shows tht tend to lead up to the finale and you kind of know what to expect. This year they had to do something out of the box, something they've never done before. Yes, they did have shows leading up to this finale, Mr. Clark being extremely upset, Mer and McDreamy talking about having kids, but I feel like this year no one expected to see what they saw. Which, in my opinion, made it a great finale. To compare this show's finale to things that have happened in the past in reality is rude and just dragging up old memories. Instead how bout we reflect on the show itself and the actors. There were a lot of people who shined in this show and I feel this article took away from how good the show actually was and how much of an awesome job the actors and actresses did.

Great job Grey's on a great Finale. I cried my eyes out and I can't wait for the next season.

[Cynthia]

I thought it was an awesome episode!!! And for all of you people that think Grey's should've ended seasons ago are crazy! If you don't like it, then stop watching it. No onw is making you. But something tells me that most of you like it since you know every episode. Do'nt knock my grey's anatomy. It will be forever great! And this finale has changed the whole show. I can't wait till next season.

[Jo-El]

As a faithful fan of Grey's Anatomy, I was shocked and on the edge of my seat last night. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. As the show progressed, I kept thinking, "Who will be next?" The commercials were long and I couldn't wait for the next scene...totally gripping.
I am an educator and practiced "lockdown" with high school students.
Yes, it did remind me of Columbine but no place is safe anymore, not even hospitals.
There are people that walk and drive down our streets everyday that are suspect physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. People feel that they have a sense of entitlement to carry a gun, to settle issues on their own, and want to see their vengeful visualization carried out.
Last night was very "real" and I think that there should be more episodes showing people how to think in stressful situations in a post 9/11 age.

[sandyotanez]

AMEN Roger Hoyt...for your comments....Just what we need for our young people to watch....Unacceptable...

[Beth]

I loved the show and I have been a Grey's fan for a long time. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! We may not have lost any major characters but a lot happened that could change the dynamics of the show for a while. Meredith miscarried which is a major development shift to Meredith and Derek being parents.

[Sharon]

Outstanding season finale! As to the people who say it was "unrealistic", it's a tv show so it doesn't have to be realistic. Had the SWAT team come in right away, or doors been locked to keep the shooter out, there would have been no show. It would have been over in the first 15 minutes. It wasn't reality, just dramatic and emotional tv. View it for what it is.

[katherine k]

meredith's unborn baby..will be missed the most...she was so happy...

[SGNY2121]

I abosolutely loved the ending. I love the show to begin with. The only thing that gad me a little puzzled was "WHERE WERE THE COPS!" But then, I figured if the cops shot him quick, then the ending would not have been as exciting!! I loved the way Weber reacted. He shoulkd regain his title back as CHIEF OF SURGEON!! He earned it.
Loved it!!

[Robert VanEgdom]

This was the best season finale for a prime time drama I have ever seen. The plot was intense and full of suspense from beginning to end. The writer's creativity was only outshined by the acting. It did eerily remind me of the Columbine shootings, but I find no harm in being reminded about the destructive nature of humanity when characters fight for eachothers' survival. When Yang, Bailey, and Grey continue to fight to save lives dispite a gun to their heads, their characters shined. I love this show, and this finale was tremendous!!!

[Maria]

I really love Grey I this is one of the best show I ever seen and last night they proof me right again.

[Marti]

It was an awesome episode and should win many awards. They all went beyond on the acting...could have had more interaction with Merideth and Derrick.....everyone did catch Alex calling Lexie Issy...hope her and McSteamy get back together next fall. So are we going to have PTSD next year....? Cheif Weber is on the rise! I was so proud of him for pouring out that drink! Bailey was incredible as always...so many twists and turns! Did not see that coming, Carter in the surgery with a gun to Yang's head!! Could do without the lesbian part of this show. There is no reason for it to be crammed down people's throught...It is unhealthy and our young people begin to think that is acceptable and normal...and it is NOT. Wonderful show!!!

[Ashley Terrio]

i loved the 2 hour seson final! i think it was really emotional and it was epic to watch. i love grey's anatomy and i cant wait for the next season! thanks Caina MacKenzie for writing this. you explanined all the deatails really well.

[William]

Did anyone else catch the emotional Bailey when she asked where is all this water coming from ... And Mandy said Dr. Bailey you're crying ... It was sort of like the tin man in the wizard of oz ...

[Debbie McIntyre]

The show, albeit shocking to most, is becoming very much the norm working in a hospital. Hospitals are no longer safe places. I have been an ER Nurse for 35 years and have seen so much violence and in the last 15 years and the violence has changed from why the patients sought our help to violence against hospital staff. A day does not go by that I am verbally abused, if not physically abused. I don't watch the show for it's "medical correctness" for I ignore the many mistakes and I know that all the interactions between all the characters just doesn't happen for the most part, ie: sex. I watch for the character development and the strong acting and how the characters overcome their obsticles.

[LouGoo]

Dr. Baily's performance is emmy deserving. What an incredible actress she is. I will bet money she takes the Emmy this year.

[John]

I agree with Evie's comments (below re: the doctors falling to pieces), but only in so much as I found the staff's "shock paralysis" frustrating... I was screaming, "Bailey! Cooper is bleeding out three feet away from you! Pull it together!" Equally maddening was the lack of compassion that the security staff and police seemed to exhibit. Still, as frustrating as both ends of this spectrum were, there was a ring of truth to all their reactions. In the best of cases, police are taught to maintain composure, to refrain from charging in, guns blazing, so as not to escalate a situation. And as Derek attempted to reason with Mr. Clark - "I'm a human. I'm flawed." - so we saw that fragile humanity played out by those who faced imminent death (most poignantly by Chandra Wilson). The biggest message I took away from the episode was a cautionary tale about viewing physicians as gods... from either side of the scalpel.

[derby]

very hard to believe this show is still on television. it's awful it was good for most of season 1 and then it crashed - hard. i marvel that anyone wants to watch this nonsense. not too mention, it's a show aimed only at women. i cann0t imagine a guy wanting to watch more than an episode or two.

it doesn't remotely compare to 'er' or a number of other classic medical dramas.