S11.E21: How To Save A Life

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Derek witnesses a horrible car accident and springs into action to save lives.

 

So are they going to play that song by The Fray nonstop for the entire episode?

[BBG]

Nobody really gets a good death on this show.

[stopthestatic]

I just watched the episode and honestly, regardless of what happened it was a poorly executed episode. Awful writing and pacing. We got so much of the doctors at the other hospital, what was the point of that? They ate up so much of the screentime. Why that quick flash scene of Amelia and Owen at GSMH? Meredith's reaction to her husband's death was way too placid. I hated the episode regardless of Derek's death.

[statsgirl]

I thought the point of sweeps was to get more people to watch.  Now that I know Derek's dead, I have no desire to watch the rest of the season, and I'm not even a Mer/Der  shipper.

[Artsda]

The flashbacks was the best part. Byebye Grey's Anatomy.

[stopthestatic]

I said I'd watch through the finale and then quit the show but now I don't even feel like returning to tune in next week. Truly a new low for the show.

 

If it wasn't for the EW article, I'd have thought they were gonna make Meredith have early onset Alzheimers in the finale and retcon the death.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Are you fucking serious?

This is bullshit and I never cared much for Derek.

SMDH...

[Erratic]

Cheap emotional manipulation.

Works every time.

Sobbing like a bitch baby through my annoyance!

[CleoCaesar]

If someone cut open one of my veins this past hour, do you know what they would find running through it? Ice water. I don’t care that McDouchey is dead. Patrick Dempsey is and was always very, very pretty. But his character was a smug, condescending jerk to pretty much everyone, including and especially Meredith. No mopey cover of “Chasing Cars” is going to make me sad about this.

 

HA loved the promo about how “nothing has rocked these doctors like losing one of their own”. Uh, anyone remember George? Anyone? Bueller? OR MARK AND LEXIE?

 

I didn’t realize JUST how irritating and superfluous I find the usual, bloated cast until there’s an episode without it.

Edited April 24, 2015 by CleoCaesar

[Chicken Wing]

They went there. They actually fucking went there.

 

Bye bye, half the audience.

 

 

 

HA loved the promo about how “nothing has rocked these doctors like losing one of their own”. Uh, anyone remember George? Anyone? Bueller?

 

Perhaps that's their way of saying "George who?"

Edited April 24, 2015 by Chicken Wing

[BloggerAloud]

What a terrible episode. The only good parts were the "Give me the papers" scene and the flashbacks. The rest was just a whole let of meh. The only death on this show that I ever thought they truly did well was George's.

 

I never was particularly invested in the MerDer relationship but it just seems like a huge disservice for people who have been invested in this couple for a decade, especially the incredibly gross  use of a fakeout scene.

Edited April 24, 2015 by BloggerAloud

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Thought Dempsey was signed on for two more seasons.

If so, he broke the contract.

[Brian Cronin]

Yeah, I honestly did not care either way about Derek living or dying (as in, I don't have a problem with them killing him off, except I guess a little bit in the whole "Way too many people Meredith has known have tragically died" sense of things) but I still couldn't believe how poorly they handled it. 

 

Just hackneyed all the way through.

 

 

 

Thought Dempsey was signed on for two more seasons.

If so, he broke the contract.

 

Yeah, that was one of the only surprising things about it, that they didn't hold Dempsey to his contract. Shows usually hold tight, even when actors want to leave (in a general "you signed the deal, live with it" way), so I guess it is kind of nice of Rhimes to let Dempsey out a year early. 

Edited April 24, 2015 by Brian Cronin

[againstthewind]

Peace out, fuckers.

 

I know there was ton wrong with McDreams. But dammit, I loved him. It reflected my choices in men and my life. It stuck with me from ages 18 to age 27.

 

I'm so fucking done.

[bybrandy]

I know that time with the show Merdith is probably the only one people want there, but um, shouldn't she have called his sisters and his mother?  I know, less emotional resonance but seriously, in real life?  She'd call his sisters and mother.   

[Greysaddict]

I am still processing...but BIG kudos to Lakelover for calling back to the season premiere.  The opening monologue was exactly the same!!!

[Laurie4H]

I thought the episode was bad also. Why do people always tell their life stories strangers on this show? Although I was crying during the final scene.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Laurie4H

[Chicken Wing]

I'm going to amuse myself with Derek's imaginary reunion with George in heaven:

 

"Hey, what's up, O'Malley? Hey, you know how you died saving someone's life? Well, I saved four people, so suck it!"

[Brian Cronin]

If this were earlier in the series, I think it would make more sense to me. But there's probably only one season left, so how does this even open up that much more in terms of story potential for Meredith? I mean, perhaps Dempsey was just so miserable there that Rhimes felt she "had" to make a move, but boy, weird stuff. 

[airbefore]

I don't really care that Derek died but I honestly never thought Shonda would kill him, regardless of her apparent love of character deaths. I was certain they'd let him languish in a coma until the series finale and then bring him back for a miraculous recovery.

[Brian Cronin]

I don't really care that Derek died but I honestly never thought Shonda would kill him, regardless of her apparent love of character deaths. I was certain they'd let him languish in a coma until the series finale and then bring him back for a miraculous recovery.

 

Wow, that really DOES sound EXACTLY like something she'd do, so I guess credit to her for not doing it? But perhaps she figured Dempsey wouldn't return for the final episode? 

[tomorrowgirl]

I can't believe they actually killed off Derek.  I thought it was going to be a big fakeout after seeing the previews last week.

 

It makes me sad.  He loved Meredith and his children.  It's too bad that Patrick Dempsey didn't want to stay through to the end of the show.  And I hope the end is this year.  This has been my favorite show for as long as it's been on, but they've killed off or sent away too many good characters, and saddled us with other annoying, unnecessary characters.

[HughOS]

I have been a fan of Grey's Anatomy since the very beginning. I've basked in the Mer/Der relationship for 10 years, always enjoying the dynamic between Ellen and Patrick. They have been a dream romantic storyline. One that always put a smile to my face.

 

This episode was complete and utter trash and I am so angry.

 

To have Derek die in such a pathetic, undignified way due to other doctors screwing up. To have him be left braindead and narrating it as some kind of bitter irony. It is a disgusting slap in the face to fans. Disgusting. Patrick may have wanted off the show. He and Shonda may have clashed but the way she has orchestrated his characters exit is so petty and so downright mean to viewers.

 

Most of all it is such a wretched and unpleasant thing to do to the character of Meredith. She has been my favourite character on the show from the very beginning. Through the dark and twisty to the bright and shiny. This is just too dark. It doesn't even fit into a proper story ark. It just feels like external factors between the production and PD have brought this about and that is no way to write a show. An absolutely despicable, appalling exit.

[CleoCaesar]

Are we supposed to hold the Sloan-Grey doctors in higher regard now, since the other hospital was so inept they didn't even do a CT after a head trauma?

 

I love how "we're not a trauma hospital" was supposed to be a realistic excuse. Hon, it may not be a trauma hospital, but it's also not a KFC. You're doctors. Do basic medical things.

[redsox7819]

I have always been a Derek fan but over the last few seasons I could have cared less about this show and watch it on and off. Mostly off so I do not really care that he died. But the end, when the played How to Save a Life I started crying.

 

Love, how there where enough cars on that road to get in an accident but at the same time not enough to drive by and get help.

 

Not buying the lack of trauma ones in the area. Or the ability to get a helicopter to get him to trauma one.

Edited April 24, 2015 by redsox7819

[shoegal]

Why couldn't Derek just go to DC? Happy long distance relationship and we never have to see him. I'm over the dying.....attention Shonda, you don't have to kill EVERYONE.

I'm done with this show.

[ByaNose]

So, exactly when Dempsey & Rhimes have their falling out? Man! Doesn't anyone know not to cross Rhimes?

[SnoGirl]

That was awful. Seriously, Derrick is an original and THAT was his swan song? I figured something was up after they showed the pilot, but that was just awful.

I'm so done with Grey's. I gave it up during the Addison era, came back with the plane crash, but now I'm done for good.

[curlygirl]

Not terribly bright of Derek to pull his car out into the road and then just sit there while looking for his phone. I knew as soon as he stopped there that he was going to get nailed.

 

I don't feel all that bad that he died. He'd become such a miserable, angry guy.

[nolieblue]

You'd think Meredith would have called Derek's SISTER who also happens to be a NEUROSURGEON.

I think Shonda was just jealous that The Good Wife got so much attention for keeping Will's death a secret.

Crappy episode just in execution. Meredith was too calm.

[PrincessTT]

The death scene and flashbacks made me cry... However I don't really care that Derek is dead. 

[dabronx]

Meredith has always been a funny bunny but come on! She wouldn't have Derek's sister and fellow neurosurgeon - who also lives in her home still (right?) be there? Or his mother? Very crap writing.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Feel bad for MerDer fans, he dies due to medical incompetence.

Also initial indifference, aside from the lady doc and those he saved.

The other doc had NFTG until learning Derek was a Surgeon.

[BloggerAloud]

You can't tell me that there wasn't some shade being thrown at Dempsey when the basic action that started this whole debacle is a car speeding down the road like a race car.

[MissL]

Wow. That was awful. As soon as it finished I took Grays off my DVR. Stupid stupid move Shonda.

[Chicken Wing]

I love how "we're not a trauma hospital" was supposed to be a realistic excuse. Hon, it may not be a trauma hospital, but it's also not a KFC. You're doctors. Do basic medical things.

 

The Colonel would have ordered the CT...

[MrsRafaelBarba]

The poster that mentioned George's death.

Now that was a great episode and send off and they used the perfect song.

Chasing Cars made think of McKidd's crappy singing, during Callie's near death.

Edited April 24, 2015 by MrsRafaelBarba

[BizBuzz]

Seriously?

 

I have given this show over ten years of my life.  OVER TEN YEARS?  And they end a main characters death with the same song they used back in season two? 

 

I am at a loss. 

[william0102]

Is there an article I'm missing saying PD is out? I can't believe he's really dead, not with that atrocious dialog throughout the episode and anvils the whole season. I would not put it past Shonda to troll everyone and have this all be some hallucination on Meredith's part. At the end of the two hour episode, we'll find out that she imagined all this the first time she was waiting for him to call her back.

I mean, I have no love for Derek, but that really can't be how he dies in the show, right?

[Chrissytd]

Are we supposed to hold the Sloan-Grey doctors in higher regard now, since the other hospital was so inept they didn't even do a CT after a head trauma?

 

I love how "we're not a trauma hospital" was supposed to be a realistic excuse. Hon, it may not be a trauma hospital, but it's also not a KFC. You're doctors. Do basic medical things.

That KFC comment has me cracking up.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Chrissytd

[LakeLover]

You can't tell me that there wasn't some shade being thrown at Dempsey when the basic action that started this whole debacle is a car speeding down the road like a race car.

 

 

It was a disgusting move. I'm sad he's gone, and he's gonna miss a paycheck, but if that's what your boss thinks of you, he's better off gone from the poison.

[HughOS]

What is the point in even watching this show any more? Any characters that have been on and I've grown attached to have just been slaughtered because SR can't come up with a plausible reason why characters might leave. George (and Izzie), Lexie, Mark, Derek. There is no payoff for fans who invest time into these characters and the storylines over the last 10 years. Mer/Der are the foundation of the entire show. Derek rubbed people up the wrong way over the years (myself included) and some people never took to Meredith but FGS they are the rock, the centrepiece. Where is the reward for fans who have been watching this show for ten years? This is starting to sound like a tantrum. It's not. I'm just evaluating if theres any point in continuing. Next week tune in to watch Kepner, 2 interns and Dr. (letter retracted) unt. I don't think so. SR has no loyalty to fans. No commitment to storyline. She just fills her own agenda and to hell with everyone else.

[Laurie4H]

Maybe Meredith dreamed the whole season like on Dallas (for those of you old enough to remember).

Edited April 24, 2015 by Laurie4H

[againstthewind]

I grew up with this show. I am so disgusted. Maybe I'm off base, but they just shat on me.

Edited April 24, 2015 by againstthewind

[chrisvee]

Boy was that crap.

Derek narrates his own death?

The doctors are too inept to order a CT?

Mer takes the kids with her and doesn't call Amelia?

Meredith"s phone call killed him??

I would have thought Derek deserved a better send off. What a cold, sterile episode. I'm going to block out the second half hour and pretend he died at the scene. EP looked constipated in her scenes when she wasn't lecturing the hospital staff.

Just...ugh.

Edited April 24, 2015 by chrisvee

[shoegal]

Maybe Meredith dreamed the who season like on Dallas (for those of you old enough to remember).

Mmmmmm, Patrick Dempsey in the shower. Thank you for that idea.

Edited April 24, 2015 by shoegal

[Tooch]

I think Shonda was just jealous that The Good Wife got so much attention for keeping Will's death a secret.

 

 

That would only make sense if they'd had any interest in keeping this death a secret. Sure it wasn't officially leaked, but I'll be pulling anvils out of my front yard for the next 100 years. Pretty much every episode all season long has had big dramatic flashbacks to MerDer's greatest hits, then we had Stupid Amelia's big speech to Meredith about how she doesn't know shit until she's cried over the love of her life's dead body.

 

They telegraphed this for months, and then dragged it out over three pathetic episodes. You know it's bad when Chasing Cars doesn't even get a tear out of me. I thought Denny was annoying as shit, and I still sobbed until my eyes were shriveled, sunken pits over his death. It was that well done. This? This was bullshit.

[dabronx]

What is the point in even watching this show any more? Any characters that have been on and I've grown attached to have just been slaughtered because SR can't come up with a plausible reason why characters might leave. George (and Izzie), Lexie, Mark, Derek. There is no payoff for fans who invest time into these characters and the storylines over the last 10 years. Mer/Der are the foundation of the entire show. Derek rubbed people up the wrong way over the years (myself included) and some people never took to Meredith but FGS they are the rock, the centrepiece. Where is the reward for fans who have been watching this show for ten years? This is starting to sound like a tantrum. It's not. I'm just evaluating if theres any point in continuing. Next week tune in to watch Kepner, 2 interns and Dr. (letter retracted) unt. I don't think so. SR has no loyalty to fans. No commitment to storyline. She just fills her own agenda and to hell with everyone else.

You owe me a diet coke. Dr. Unt. LMAO!!!

[MrsRafaelBarba]

That Neuro doc strolls in, over an hour later?

No others on staff, he's their prized unicorn in that Department?

No Neuro Chief resident on call?

What the fuckety McFuck?!

[TVAddict]

Grey's, you are dead to me.