Grey's Anatomy Funeral Scene Raises Questions, Emotions
As the rare, outdoor behind-the-scenes photos from the set proved without a doubt this week, the cast of Grey's Anatomy is giving George O'Malley his official sayonara.
We knew it was coming, but some are having a hard time coming to grips with the prospect of no more O'Malley. He was not just an original character, but a fan favorite.
Spotted on the set were Katherine Heigl, who plays Izzie Stevens, George's best friend, and a very pregnant Ellen Pompeo, who plays the title character, Meredith Grey.
A few of the men were also back to work: Justin Chambers, who plays Alex Karev, and Patrick Dempsey, who plays Derek Shepherd. Others may have been there, too.
The demise of George O'Malley was not scripted this way initially.
It turns out that Grey's Anatomy creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes originally had a different opening sequence planned for the 6th season of Grey's Anatomy.
A flashback was supposed to take viewers to the hours when George was missing, from when he left the hospital to when he returned later on as a disfigured John Doe.
However, Knight reportedly declined to make a brief cameo and instead of seeing George's split-second decision to save the passerby's life that cost him his own, viewers will just have to watch Shonda Rhimes' alternative idea, the funeral scene.
Which brings us to the characters and George's coffin.
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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Meredith: So I poop on the table. It's part of the miracle of life.
Rank: Extra
September 3rd, 2009 12:15 AM
-ressurects dead comment page-
Characters cycle...in EVERY TV show, they cycle. Besides, George DID have a storyline up through half of season 5. First off, needing to pass the intern exam, and secondly, there was wrapping up Lexie's feelings for him. You have to consider the other storylines that are going on at the same time. Nobody got as much screen time as Izzie did, and for obvious reasons. In season four, the focus was to get Meredith where she needed to be in order to finaly get to be the person that she dreamed of being. We don't know what would have happened if TR hadn't walked out on the show. Isn't it possible that he might have been introduced with an amazing storyline about the aftermath of the accident? We'll never know what the original intention was.
August 26th, 2009 8:03 AM
i was really shock with this episode,,george was hit by a bus,,!! and his friend wasn't able to identify him,not until he mere, got george signal of 007..:(
August 13th, 2009 6:42 PM
george is dead i will not watch gery any more
August 7th, 2009 4:19 PM
Toast to the century - he was one hell of a man
but the man who potrayed him is an a**! Although I completely realize that he is his own person and that Grey's Anatomy is in fact like any other beloved television show from the past - it wont last forever. He had an amazing 5 Season run, and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace George O'Malley
Season One - Season 5
August 6th, 2009 12:18 PM
That's the thing. The whole show used to be good but since season 3, George (and Gizzie) have been the only good things on the show. Shonda ruined all the other characters.
From what I hear, we will be getting tons of new interns this season and we will get to see George's organs being taken away from his body in all the gory details in the premiere.
I don't call this good stories.
Then I hated season 5. The show doesn't have any heart without George and the fab 5.
August 6th, 2009 10:52 AM
oh my godness its not real life does it actually matter in the grand scheme of things who stays in the show and who doesnt so long as what continues to happen in the show is good!!
August 5th, 2009 11:20 PM
That's because Shonda is completely to blame. Given Patrick's recent interview about his frustrations with the post-it wedding and his lack of airtime, she should be careful more angry stars don't walk out.
With TR, she has wanted him out since Isiah but with PD and others, she actually wants them to stay.
Her recent interview about Chyler replacing Meredith tell me Ellen is the next one at risk.
Most fans blame Shonda and see TR as the victim because she is the bad guy and he is the victim.
TR stayed in the show after she didn't stand up for him after Isiahgate. That shows he is not the kind of actor to walk out. If he did, things were really that awful for him and she is largely to blame for that.
August 5th, 2009 11:07 PM
Aargh it cut off. I mean I can't believe we didn't see him all year and now he's dead.
TR walked out because Shonda lied to him all the time, was distant with him after the IW incident and erased his character for two whole seasons.
She made him pay the minute IW was fired. You could see George just ceasing to matter at all.
Her made that decision because she did make his life hell. It's no coincidence this happened the moment IW was fired.
I don't see how you can't see that. TR says it himself and the majority of people have noticed George vanished when IW left.
He's an adult yeah, but can you honestly say the way your boss treats you has no incidence.
Can you honestly say if she had treated him with respect, had been honest with him and hadn't totally wasted him and acted like the extras were more important than George, TR would have left?
No he would have stayed. He says so himself.
Ellen and Patrick both said that during the strike, they had a personal meeti
August 5th, 2009 10:53 PM
George has always been my favorite. I can't believe we didn
Rank: Regular Character
August 5th, 2009 2:19 PM
Why do I defend Shonda? Simple: It wasn't her complete fault but people here are determined to make it look like that. It takes two to dance tango and I find it unfair that all the blame is on her. TR walked out. Whether his reasons are valid or not (depends on your thoughts of him), he walked out. Obviously this is not something that you will all see since you're determined to make Shonda the bad guy.
Chandra has way more heavyweight in her CV to be able to direct an episode. TR doesn't. Sorry but he doesn't. I'd also add PD and JPJr as for ability to direct an episode. The rest aren't ready for it.
I swear that in the five years that I've seen this show, I've NEVER read that Shonda has private sessions with EP and PD. Maybe just a talk at random but seriously? And even if it's true, they are the lead actors. Hollywood also works with hierarchy. Sucks but it does.
I honestly don't think that Shonda woke up and said "Wow, in what way can I make TR's life a living hell today