What a Difference a Day Makes (Grey's Anatomy)
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"What a Difference a Day Makes" is the twenty-second episode of the fifth season of the
American television Television is one of the major mass media outlets in the United States. , household ownership of television sets in the country is 96.7%, with approximately 114,200,000 American households owning at least one television set as of August 2013. ...
medical drama, ''
Grey's Anatomy ''Grey's Anatomy'' is an American medical drama television series that premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC as a mid-season replacement. The series focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into s ...
'' and the show's 100th episode overall. It is written by series creator
Shonda Rhimes Shonda Lynn Rhimes (born January 13, 1970) is an American television screenwriter, producer, and author. She is best known as the showrunner—creator, head writer, and executive producer—of the television medical drama '' Grey's Anatomy'', ...
and directed by
Rob Corn Robert L. Corn is an American television producer and director. Corn has produced 61 out of 62 episodes of medical drama series ''Grey's Anatomy'', of which he has also directed thirty. Previously, he was also a producer and director of several ...
, the episode was originally broadcast on the
American Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American commercial broadcast television network. It is the flagship property of the ABC Entertainment Group division of The Walt Disney Company. The network is headquartered in Burbank, Cali ...
(ABC) in the United States on May 7, 2009. ''Grey's Anatomy'' centers around a group of young doctors in training. In this episode, a wedding takes place. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, with Heigl and Chambers' performances receiving high critical acclaim. The initial airing was viewed by 15.326 million people and garnered a 5.3/14 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic.


Plot

The episode opens to a
voice-over Voice-over (also known as off-camera or off-stage commentary) is a production technique where a voice—that is not part of the narrative (non- diegetic)—is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentation ...
by
Izzie Stevens Isobel Katherine Stevens, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series ''Grey's Anatomy'', which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda ...
(
Katherine Heigl Katherine Marie Heigl ( ; born November 24, 1978) is an American actress and former fashion model. She played Dr. Izzie Stevens on the ABC television medical drama ''Grey's Anatomy'' from 2005 to 2010, a role that brought her recognition and ...
). She is excited about the wedding of Dr. Meredith Grey (
Ellen Pompeo Ellen Kathleen Pompeo (; born November 10, 1969) is an American actress. She is best known for her role on ''Grey's Anatomy'' as the titular Dr. Meredith Grey. One of the world's highest-paid actors since 2017, she has made multiple appearances ...
) and Dr. Derek Shepherd (
Patrick Dempsey Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and race car driver. He is best known for his role as neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in ''Grey's Anatomy''. He had early success as an actor, starring in a number of fi ...
), which she prepared and will take place at the end of the day. Stevens, who has been diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer in her brain and liver, has just undergone a surgery to remove a tumor. She however has hallucinations of Denny Duquette (
Jeffrey Dean Morgan Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born April 22, 1966) is an American actor of television and film, best known for playing the character Negan in the AMC horror drama series '' The Walking Dead'' (2016–2022), for which he has received critical acclaim. He ...
), her former deceased fiancé, which she knows means she has another tumor. Meanwhile,
Dr. Cristina Yang Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series ''Grey's Anatomy'', which has aired for over 16 years on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was cr ...
(
Sandra Oh Sandra Miju Oh (born July 20, 1971) is a Canadian–American actress. She is best known for her starring roles as Rita Wu on the HBO comedy '' Arliss'' (1996–2002), Dr. Cristina Yang on the ABC medical drama series ''Grey's Anatomy'' (2005 ...
) and Dr. Owen Hunt (
Kevin McKidd Kevin McKidd (born 9 August 1973) is a Scottish actor and television director. Before playing the role of Dr. Owen Hunt in '' Grey's Anatomy'', for which he is widely known, McKidd appeared as Tommy Mackenzie in Danny Boyle's '' Trainspotting' ...
)'s relationship is still strained after Hunt's
posttraumatic stress disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, domestic violence, or other threats ...
(PTSD) caused him to strangle Yang while they were sleeping.
Dr. Callie Torres Calliope Iphegenia Torres, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series ''Grey's Anatomy'', which airs on the ABC in the United States. The character was created by series' producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed b ...
(
Sara Ramirez Sara Elena Ramírez (; born August 31, 1975) is a Mexican-American actor and singer. Born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Ramírez moved to the United States at eight years old, eventually graduating with a fine arts degree from the Juilliard School. ...
) who has financial difficulties takes extra shifts. A group of college students who were going to their graduation arrives in the hospital following a car accident. Dr. Arizona Robbins (
Jessica Capshaw Jessica Capshaw (born August 9, 1976) is an American actress known for her roles as Jamie Stringer in ''The Practice'', and as Dr. Arizona Robbins on the ABC medical drama ''Grey's Anatomy''. Early life Capshaw was born on August 9, 1976, in ...
) tries to know what went wrong the previous night during her date with Callie but she avoids the subject. When Dr. Bailey (
Chandra Wilson Chandra Danette Wilson (born August 27, 1969) is an American actress and director. She is best known for her role as Dr. Miranda Bailey in the ABC television drama ''Grey's Anatomy'' since 2005, for which she has been nominated for the Emmy ...
) and Derek cannot find any tumor in Izzie's brain from the
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves ...
, they decide to map her brain while she hallucinates and they discover an inoperable tumor. Afterwards, Bailey has an idea and shares it with Derek. Meredith receives her first solo surgery as wedding gift from Derek. The colon surgery is overseen by
Dr. Richard Webber Richard Webber, M.D., F.A.C.S is a fictional character from the ABC medical drama television series ''Grey's Anatomy''. The character was created by Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actor James Pickens Jr. since the start of the show in 2005 ...
( James Pickens, Jr.), which turns out to be successful. Derek tells her Bailey's idea. In the meantime,
George O'Malley George O'Malley, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series ''Grey's Anatomy'', which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, a ...
( T. R. Knight) is depressed when all his patients from the car accident die until Hunt tells him one case where he helped has survived. Later on, Callie eventually confesses to Arizona why the date didn't go well: they went to an expensive restaurant that she couldn't afford because she has been disowned by her father and now she is broke. Arizona tells her they will stay in to eat and they reconcile. Meredith tells Bailey and Derek's idea to Izzie: they give her their wedding. Yang becomes the maid of honor and Meredith serves as Alex's best man. Back at the hospital, Izzie is sad about her hair loss but Alex tells her she doesn't need it to be beautiful. The episode concludes with Izzie having shaved her head and telling Denny to leave as she wants to be alone with her husband.


Production

The episode, written by
Shonda Rhimes Shonda Lynn Rhimes (born January 13, 1970) is an American television screenwriter, producer, and author. She is best known as the showrunner—creator, head writer, and executive producer—of the television medical drama '' Grey's Anatomy'', ...
and directed by
Rob Corn Robert L. Corn is an American television producer and director. Corn has produced 61 out of 62 episodes of medical drama series ''Grey's Anatomy'', of which he has also directed thirty. Previously, he was also a producer and director of several ...
, was filmed in Los Angeles in March 2009. Featured music included Matthew Mayfield's "First In Line",
Au Revoir Simone Au Revoir Simone is an American indie pop band from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2003. The group is composed of Erika Forster (vocals/keyboard), Annie Hart (vocals/keyboard/bass) and Heather D'Angelo (vocals/drum machine/keyboard ...
, "Another Likely Story" and Ingrid Michaelson's "Turn To Stone". Izzie's Amsale dress, constituted of a long tulle skirt with an elaborate crystal-embroidered bodice, was designed by Kenneth Pool. The bridesmaids dresses were also from Amsale.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born April 22, 1966) is an American actor of television and film, best known for playing the character Negan in the AMC horror drama series '' The Walking Dead'' (2016–2022), for which he has received critical acclaim. He ...
returned as Denny Duquette for a final appearance in the series. Rhimes noted that his return, unlike previous ones, were as Death and caused him to wear black clothes and speak sparingly. Rhimes felt that the episode showed well Meredith's evolution throughout the show from a "dark and twisty girl" to a "happy woman". "She is the thing her mother wished for her. She is extraordinary. Because, to get past the crap of your past? To move on? To let the past go and change? That is extraordinary. To love? Without fear? Without screwing it up? That is extraordinary. It makes me happy to see her happy." Rhimes said that Karev also had grown up, which was noticeable in this episode: "Look at him. Standing at the altar and saying those vows like a man. (...) He's become a man who can step up. And I love him for it." To promote the episode, a special website for Meredith and Derek's wedding was created, supposedly created and updated by Izzie. The website provided details on the event and an invitation to RSVP. Rhimes wanted it to "feel like a real wedding website", even though it was for fictional characters. She had the idea during the shooting.


Reception

"What a Difference a Day Makes" was originally broadcast on May 7, 2009 in the United States on the
American Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American commercial broadcast television network. It is the flagship property of the ABC Entertainment Group division of The Walt Disney Company. The network is headquartered in Burbank, Cali ...
(ABC). The episode was watched by a total of 15.326 million people, a slight increase from the previous episode "No Good at Saying Sorry", which garnered 13.485 million viewers. In terms of viewership, the episode ranked #1 in its time-slot, beating out
CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
's '' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation''. "What a Difference a Day Makes" scored a 5.3/14 Nielsen rating/share in the adults among the 18–49 demographic.
Alan Sepinwall Alan Sepinwall (born October 19, 1973) is an American television reviewer and writer. He spent 14 years as a columnist with ''The Star-Ledger'' in Newark until leaving the newspaper in 2010 to work for the entertainment news website HitFix. He ...
of the '' Star-Ledger'' gave a positive review of the episode: "For an episode that was so Izzie-centric, 'What a Difference a Day Makes' worked surprisingly well for me." Even though he pointed out Chandra Wilson as "the best actor in the ensemble, Sepinwall liked Justin Chambers' acting, "because of how far Karev has come, Chambers' big moments always feel more surprising, and powerful." He also appreciated "all the action in the pit." ''
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...
'' listed Alex's speech to Izzie in their "25 Great 'I Love You's". The ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the U ...
'' writer Shawna Malcolm wasn't shocked that Izzie and Alex married instead of Meredith and Derek as she had already elaborated that hypothesis weeks prior to the episode's broadcast. She underlined Heigl and Chambers' performances, saying: "it was next to impossible not to get swept up in the moment, what with Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers getting all teary and acting the hell out of the thing." '' Zap2it'''s Lisa Todorovich wrote: "Oh, Shonda Rhimes, you minx! You get us all excited for the long-awaited marital-union between Meredith and Derek, and you pull a great big bait-and-switch with Izzie and Alex. Congratulations on the very nice-looking bridesmaids' dresses." She described the wedding as "great" and George brilliant for helping Izzie walk down the aisle. She also praised Callie "who handled the ER like a champ". Todorovich's colleague Ghosh Korbi suspected a week before the episode aired that it would center on Izzie and Alex." Dustin Christian of ''CinemaBlend'' said the wedding was "actually much better than the wedding we were led to expect." However, he thought that everything happening before the last 15 minutes was not interesting. Though he likes Callie and Arizona as a couple, he deemed their storyline "ridiculous". '' BuzzSugar'' summarized the episode as one that "has all the elements of a classic." The reviewer wrote that the wedding made him cry "despite lots of lapses logic. It's not my favorite ''Grey's'' of the season, but if a measure of a good episode is whether I was a weepy mess by the end, then "What a Difference a Day Makes" is certainly good." He shared Malcolm's point of view that Izzie/Alex wedding twist was not surprising and concerning other minor plotlines, he called Arizona a "pest". Izzie was featured in ''
InStyle ''InStyle'' was an American monthly women's fashion magazine founded in 1994. It was published in the United States by Dotdash Meredith. In February 2022, it was announced that InStyle would cease print publications and move to a digital-only f ...
'' Most Memorable TV Brides. Meeta Agrawal of ''Entertainment Weekly'' said "while Izzie's trip down the aisle was the stuff of fairy-tales, her Amsale gown — with its unflattering drop waist and glitter-pen doodling — didn't quite live up to the fantasy".


References


External links


"What a Difference a Day Makes"
at ABC.com * {{Grey's Anatomy episodes, 5 Grey's Anatomy (season 5) episodes 2009 American television episodes Television episodes about weddings