Grey's Anatomy "What If" Episode: Intriguing or Idiotic?
Grey's Anatomy fans are buzzing - and in some cases up in arms - over the news the show is planning an episode taking place in an alternate reality, which will feature (among other things) Derek married to Addison.
After all Meredith and Derek have gone through, fans of the show's signature couple aren't exactly thrilled about a new installment revisiting the married Derek and Addison, however it's conceived by Shonda Rhimes.
Is this upcoming episode, reportedly titled "If/Then," a terrible concept designed as a shameless ratings ploy? Or is it a compelling idea, and based on something broader than fans are giving it credit for?
According to TV Guide, Addison and Derek may be the focal point of fan debate, but the triggering "what if" device is more about the impact Ellis Grey (Meredith's mom, played by Kate Burton) would have had.
The worlds of Meredith and of Grey's Anatomy as a whole would have been a whole lot different had Ellis not succumbed to Alzheimer's, and the continued marriage of Derek and Addison is part of that scenario.
This may well be another crazy experiment like the musical episode or the Seattle Grace reality show, but Burton's portrayal of Ellis was always powerful, so there may be something more complex at work.
What do you think? Do you like watching the show take risks in the name of delivering episodes that shake things up, or would you rather stick with conventional Grey's Anatomy? Vote in our survey below:
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Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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January 26th, 2012 9:26 PM
I thought the episode was going to be on tonight? It's a repeat... I was looking forward to it. It looked so good. I hope it wasn't pulled off due to fans being 'up in arms' if you are a fan of greys, you wouldnt complain!!!
January 19th, 2012 10:24 PM
I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be a nice change.
January 5th, 2012 12:24 PM
YAY!!!!!! I'm so excited about this episode! I WANT GEORGE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! And I think non-Alzheimers Ellis will be an interesting angle. It's only one episode anyway! It's fun! All those people complaining that Grey's is going down hill need to get over it. I still love it and will be devastated when it eventually dies :( But please please PLEASE let it not be soon!!!!
January 3rd, 2012 1:17 PM
idiotic
Shonda, are you gonna throw some credit at Jeff Pinkner, J.H. Wyman and JJ Abrams??
If this is a nod to their brilliance, I agree with you on that point. But this just doesn't work in the GA realm. Two very different shows. And it just feels completely wrong for you to take the idea.
Seems to ring about as true as, say, John Doe story/ER, don't you think?
Bottom line, at least pass credit where credit is due!
December 30th, 2011 7:36 AM
I hope it means we'll finally get to see Mer with someone other than Derek. I think the writers are starting to understand how much they've limited these characters in their development. Which is why I don't understand why some MerDer fans are so up in arms about it. Everything - every single thing - these two characters have done in the history of the show was always limited to each other. Derek had absolutely no chance to develop outside of his role as the eyecandy boyfriend. I find it so hard to believe that people find that appealing. Same goes for Mer. So much wasted potential. Should be a good opportunity for their respective actors to showcase that their talent extends beyond staring into each other's eyes too.
I'm excited to have Kate Burton on the show again and the other Kate, Kate Walsh, is always awesome too. Just sad we won't get to see Burke, Izzie or George again.
December 24th, 2011 10:44 AM
I am a huge Addison fan and I loved her and Derek together, but I think this a huge mistake. Grey's Anatomy is going downhill. It has been since Izzie and George left. I love the show but I think Grey's needs to call it quits. If they are at that point where they need an alternate reality episode because they are out of ideas then Its time to end the show. I will always be a Grey's fan and I will continue to watch every episode, but it makes me sad to think all of the best episodes were back in season 5.
December 24th, 2011 5:39 AM
@jude
My guess would be that none of the stuff you mentioned would have happened in this universe. I'm not quite clear on where Meredith will be actually, but if Ellis didn't get Alzheimer's then Meredith would have had no reason to come home and go to med school. I'm not saying she wouldn't have gotten there eventually, but I just think that this would have been the way it went: Mer doesn't go to med school as soon as she did on the show or maybe even ever. So then when Derek comes to Seattle to escape his adulterous relationship with Addy he doesn't meet Mer in a bar and doesn't go home with her and their relationship as we know it never happens. So then Addy follows him out to Seattle and he takes her back just like he did in the show except that he's not heartbroken and desperately in love with Meredith. I'm not saying he's happy with Addison, but I think they would stay together and go back to the way they were in New York which is usually described as Derek being distant a
Rank: Guest Star
December 22nd, 2011 5:29 PM
It'll be nice to see Ellis again.
December 22nd, 2011 4:18 AM
I don't even watch Grey's anymore, but I'll definitely tune in for Addison and Derek. Their chemistry... how do I even begin?
December 21st, 2011 9:49 PM
I WANT BURKE!!! WHAT IF BURKE HADN'T LEFT CHRISTINA AT THE ALTER AND THEN OWEN CAME ANYWAY????