Shonda Rhimes Shares Thoughts On Finale

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ATTENTION, FANS: We didn't kill Denny, but we can tell you who did.

Shonda Rhimes, the creator and executive producer of Grey's Anatomy, sat down with TV Guide's Michael Ausiello and discussed the show's compelling season finale. The woman behind Seattle Grace Hospital and its stellar staff talked about Denny, her favorite parts of the season-ending extravaganza, the show's move to Thursday night, and more.

No big Season Three hints, but one thing's for sure - what we saw Sunday and Monday was all part of Shonda's master plan, with more drama yet to come! We've posted the interview below!

TV GUIDE: Was it a difficult decision to kill off Denny?

SHONDA: Well, he was written to die. I knew what was going to happen when we created the character. But it was hard because he became such a part of our cast. Everybody loved him. Sweetest guy. He and Izzie have this amazing chemistry. And I personally was like, "He's my imaginary husband! He can't die!" It was necessary for the arc of the Izzie character and where she was going and what was going to happen to her for that moment to happen.

TV GUIDE: Did you ever worry that you were taking her meltdown and the whole cutting-the-cord thing too far? I kept thinking, "How will she ever be able to keep her job after this!"

SHONDA: No, because I know what's going to happen next. Everything's planned, all next season. There's a plan involved in everything. So, no, I didn't ever feel like we were going too far because that was the moment I've been leading her to all season long.

TV GUIDE: Do you have a personal favorite moment from the finale?

SHONDA: I'm really partial to the [Derek-Meredith] love scene, which was beautiful. [Director] Mark Tinker shot a beautiful love scene. And Patrick and Ellen both had a lot of fun and threw themselves into it. And also because of what it meant for Meredith and Derek. And I love the scene with the monologues, where everyone sits and talks to [the Chief]. Sandra Oh was unbelievable. They all were. The whole cast was better than I've ever seen them before.

TV GUIDE: How long is Kate Walsh sticking around?

SHONDA: Addison is here to stay. Addison is here to stay because I love Kate Walsh, and I feel like she brings something to the show in a way that was completely unexpected. We started out saying five or six episodes, and then I just kept on writing for her. She's too amazing. She's part of the family now.

TV GUIDE: I hear McSteamy (Eric Dane) is coming back. I know you don't like to talk about the future, but can you at least confirm that?

SHONDA: I don't know that. And if I did I couldn't tell you.

TV GUIDE: How do you feel about the move to Thursday night?

SHONDA: I'm very excited about it. I think it's going to be a challenge and I am not going to complain about the fact that [ABC president] Steve McPherson thinks our show is that good.

TV GUIDE: You'll be as involved next season?

SHONDA: I can't go anywhere. I spent too much time thinking about it, writing scripts and working on the show to ever, ever walk away from it. And I always really hate when shows have a creator who walks away, because it can really change the show. This is my baby. It's my first television show. I don't wanna go anywhere.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.

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Grey's Anatomy Quotes

[walking by Izzie's room]
Meredith: Hot.
Sadie: Horny.

Sexual sorbet? Hahaha! I love it.

Bailey