The Self-Destruct Button (8 May 2005)

Derek and Meredith try to be discreet as they spend the night together at Meredith's house, but their haggard appearance speaks volumes to Bailey, who warns Meredith to end the relationship... See full summary »

Director:

Darnell Martin

Writers:

Shonda Rhimes (creator), Kip Koenig

Stars:

Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Ellen Pompeo	...	Dr. Meredith Grey
Sandra Oh	...	Dr. Cristina Yang
Katherine Heigl	...	Dr. Izzie Stevens
Justin Chambers	...	Dr. Alex Karev
T.R. Knight	...	Dr. George O'Malley
Chandra Wilson	...	Dr. Miranda Bailey
James Pickens Jr.	...	Dr. Richard Webber (credit only)
Isaiah Washington	...	Dr. Preston Burke
Patrick Dempsey	...	Dr. Derek Shepherd
Ever Carradine	...	Athena
Russell Hornsby	...	Digby Owens
Amanda MacDonald	...	Claire Rice
Kim Morgan Greene	...	Tina Rice
Sarah Utterback	...	Nurse Olivia Harper
Joseph Kell	...	Mr. Rice

Storyline

Derek and Meredith try to be discreet as they spend the night together at Meredith's house, but their haggard appearance speaks volumes to Bailey, who warns Meredith to end the relationship. Meanwhile, George suspects an anesthesiologist of drinking on the job, Alex treats a former competitor who now finds honor in self-mutilation, Izzie has to deal with a patient who won't let his girlfriend go, literally, and Cristina battles a case of what seems to be the flu.

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Plot Keywords:

mother daughter relationship

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 2005 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mark Gordon Company, The, Touchstone Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Christina is turning around to look at the observation window in surgery, she has her head turned half way up, the camera angle shifts, and it is suddenly back down again and turns all the way again.

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Quotes

Dr. Meredith Grey: Okay, anyone who says you can sleep when you die, tell them to come talk to me after a few months as an intern. Of course, it's not just the job that keeps us up all night.

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Soundtracks

"Suitcase"
Performed by Joseph Purdy
Self-Released

User Reviews

Things begin to shape up

This was the first episode of Grey's Anatomy I ever saw, in December 2005 on Italian TV (it aired right before a Nip/Tuck rerun I wanted to tape), based on my brother's recommendation. In a way, I'm glad I started watching the show regularly from this point (I saw the previous six episodes much later on DVD), as this is the one where all the main characters are already perfectly defined and allowed to interact in an appealing mixture of comedy and drama.

Most satisfyingly, almost everyone has something relevant to do in this episode: Meredith and Derek keep getting hell from Bailey because of their relationship (even Izzie freaks out on the subject), George suspects an anesthesiologist drinks on the job, Izzie gets to deal with a patient who literally won't let his girlfriend go (he swallowed her keys) and Cristina gets what appears to be a bout of the flu.

The Self-Destruct Button is, for the most part, a very funny episode, one that allows even the usually bland protagonist some better moments (not too many, though) and gives the likes of Wilson and Dempsey a chance to expand on the comedic potential they have shown previously, while leaving room for a subplot whose development promises to be very good. Plus, a key-swallowing guy: don't see that very often, huh?