There’s a fine line between good and grey.
As promised by the ABC promo department, Thursday’s GREY’S ANATOMY delivered an “episode that defined great television.” Or at least would have, had Katherine Heigl had the ability to simply keep her mouth shut.
Instead, what had the potential to be an unforgettable journey for one of television’s most likable characters turned into another example of when off-screen antics go bad. Or more to the point, when backstage drama ends up dictating on-screen story.
Thursday’s GREY’S ANTOMY was this close to a return to form.
Christina and Owen dealt with the all-too-timely issue of post traumatic stress disorder, the perennially underrated Justin Chambers delivered his one man “For Your Consideration” Emmy reel, Meredith and Derrick took their long awaited first step towards happily-ever-after and, oh yeah… Izzie Stevens might die from cancer.
But before you call this TV Addict out for having the emotional sensitivity of say a Dr. Gregory House, allow me to explain.
While Heigl has every right to pull a “Caruso” — aka what happens when a television star attempts to parlay their small screen success into big screen stardom by ditching the show that put them on the map — I’m not about to shed a tear for poor Izzie Stevens when we all know that the only reason she has cancer is because Heigl has asked to be let out of her GREY’S ANATOMY contract, and stat!
Reality seeping into our favorite fictionalized drama, it ain’t pretty.
Just ask J.J. Abrams (not to mention us ALIAS addicts) how frustrating it was to have to have Jack Bristow converse with Irina Derevko via instant message when contract negotiations didn’t go well with the irreplaceable Lena Olin. Or how Paul Scheuring enjoyed putting Sara’s head in a box on PRISON BREAK, only to miraculously bring her back one season later after FOX broke open the bank for Sarah Wayne Callies.
Heck, even Tommy’s recent exit on BROTHERS & SISTERS lacked the emotional impact it could have had, since the real reason for Balthazar Getty’s exit was no secret.
Showrunner Shonda Rhimes is simply playing the hand she was dealt. Just don’t ask us to cry for Izzie Stevens. 
