Stand By Me

Season 5, Episode 17, Aired
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Episode Summary

After his fellow surgeons try and fail to bring Derek back to work, Meredith must summon the strength to convince him. Meanwhile the hospital is abuzz as Mark attempts a rare face transplant surgery. Cristina, at last awarded her first solo surgery, is more focused on the needs of her friends. Izzie finally shares her medical condition to a close friend, then acknowledges that she doesn't want treatment.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (17)

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  • It's one of those episodes that make you fall in-love with this show all over again.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By chris_friends, Jan 04, 2012 Report Abuse
    Yes, so many people have complained that season 5 was not as good as the previous ones, especially for the whole Denny story-line, but then you watch this kind of episode and you realize why you are invested in this show, and why you just simply canNOT stop watching it.

    From the moment it begins, with that beautiful scene (Meredith/Izzie/Cristina at the kitchen table), you realize it's going to be freakin' awesome. And then w had some powerful moments. One of the most memorable scenes in the history of Grey's Anatomy goes to that part where Cristina and Izzie are talking in the residents' lounge:

    Cristina cries out, "You are not dumping this on me. You are not DYING on my arms."
    And then how Izzie just screams out, "I don't even know if I WANT treatment!" That was the breaking point for me. How amazing is Katherine Heigl here, seriously? And then she continues with the amazingness by saying, "I know too much. I know that we fail all the time. Surgery fails all the time. Derek Shepard is in the FREAKIN' woods because we F-A-I-L all the time!"

    Wow. Heartbreaking.

    And then Cristina telling her later on that sometimes, they DO succeed. Wow. Awesomeness. And that she told Alex and Bailey and they're telling George and Meredith.

    And then seeing George running down the halls--seriously, what a beautiful episode.

    No one knows how to write and plot such an amazing episode like Grey's.moreless

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    0 0

  • Grey's Anatomy shows again why it's one of the best shows on tv.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By mermayd, Apr 29, 2011 Report Abuse
    How terrific is Patrick Dempsey? This is a question I ask myself a lot and not just because he is HOT (although he is) but because he is a superb actor. Always underrated. His scenes at the caravan are breathtaking and sad. I also loved the exchanges with the other Doctors.

    One of the things I adore about this show is how it rips away the veneer of Doctors and shows their humanity. I know that Doctors are trained to be arrogant and required to be ruthless in their decision making but when you're a patient you just wish for a little gentleness.

    This is a lesson Cristina needs to learn.

    And it's great to see Meredith in hard-a** mode.

    Can't wait for next week both with the inane interns and Derek.moreless

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    6 2

  • In this episode, we see how surgeins really feel and how they react when one of them is in real danger and the lengths they would go to.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By gam97, Nov 24, 2010 Report Abuse
    We had three stories that were focused on this week.
    1. We had the heart-wrenching story of the man with the face transplant and how he is so afraid to reveal his current state even to those he regards as friends. Through this story we also see how Mc Steamy and little Grey react to the gossip behind their backs and that is doesnt break them, it made them stronger.
    2. We get to see Shepherd's breakdown and how deeply he feels for his patients and that even thought, as a surgeon, he shouldnt feel for nor get attached to his patients. If people think that a 2 episode breakdown wasnt enough, then I say it usually wouldnt be, but in this case Derek is trying to help someone he knows and likes and at the same time redeem and apologize to Meredith from what he did with the ring.
    3. I loved how Christina, the so called "robot", came through for her friend, Izzie. She is not like Meredith to her, but she is a friend and she couldnt stand watching her wasting her life away and her chanced of survival. No matter what Christina's shortcoming, she is a good friend and surgeon.
    So far I loved everything about this episode except Alex's reaction when he knew about Izzie's condition. Al first, when Christina told him and he didnt react, I thought it was the shock. But I, now, dont think so. I thought he would run and go to her, gather her in his arms and assure her everything is going to be fine and that he will be there for her. I mean, after all, she is the woman he confessed loved to.
    And that is my take on the episode.moreless

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    11 0

  • Out of the park!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By sabrips, Sep 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    OMG! What an amazing episode, although sad I must say it was one of the most intense episodes on the show.

    Derek's ability to bring everyone down with him is amazing, and now when he's needed the most he must show why he is the best neurosurgeon in the country. By the way I loved the way he talked to the chief, I mean seriously; he had no purpose on telling Meredith about the ring, I still resent him for that.

    Poor Izzie! I know they will save her (or I hope they'll save her) but she must be going trough hell, and those interns from down under don't help very much. Cristina proved once again that beneath that robot shelter she has a great heart and care about all her friends. I know we wont have a lot of romance in the days to come, but I miss all the couple Izziex, Merder, Owina and my newest fav couple Calliezona or whatever we'll call them. And Im dying for the next episodemoreless

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    9 0

  • As its title says, this episode was all about standing by the people around you.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By spoonbender77, Sep 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    Patient of the week is a 38-year-old male who lost most of his face in an accident. Bailey, Callie, Owen and the Chief try to convince Derek to come back to work, and Cristina deals with the secret Izzy confessed to her. This episode was, in one word, superb. It reminded of exactly why I still watch Grey's Anatomy after all this time. It was undoubtedly the best episode of the season, and I dare say it was one of the best in the show's entire history. I can't wait to see what the remainder of the season has in store for us.moreless

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    7 1
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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  • Notes

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    • International Episode Titles: Slovakia: Stoj pri mne (Stand By Me) Czech Republic: Stůj při mně (Stand By Me) Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: Italy: June 1, 2009 on Fox Life Latin America: June 1, 2009 on Sony Entertainment Television Australia: June 11, 2009 on Channel 7 Germany: July 29, 2009 on ProSieben The Netherlands: October 5, 2009 on Net5 Norway: December 15, 2009 on TV2 Slovakia: February 8, 2010 on STV1 Czech Republic: June 17, 2010 on Prima Edit
    • Music Featured In This Episode: 1. Everywhere by Common featuring Martina Topley-Bird 2. A Mirror Without by Royal Wood 3. Driveway by Great Northern Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Lexie (to Mark, after she kisses him in front of the interns): They think that you're taking advantage of me, and that I'm using you. But they don't know us. They think that we're ugly, but I know that we're beautiful. And we can adapt to a hostile environment. Edit
    • George (to Pierce, Megan and Steve): This is year one of your residency. You turn on each other now, you're not gonna make it. Meredith: Okay, here's what's gonna happen. All of you are going to go and find the sense that the good lord gave you, and never behave like this within the four walls of this hospital ever again. You are doctors. Pierce, get an ice pack, and put it on that oozing, disgusting, mess of an eye. And Steve, go to the pit, and get that unsanitary, bloody hand x-rayed and stitched. And Megan, you should go to OB, because yes, you are pregnant. George (as they are walking out): That was very Bailey. Edit
    • Owen: I was a second year resident, MBC rolls in. Parents were in the front seat. Three kids in the back. Kids were okay, Mom and Dad were a little banged up but nothing terrible. They were talking, laughing in the ER. Turns out both parents had massive internal injuries. I operated on them both that night, hours. I lost them both. Now if I'd moved faster, if I'd rushed them to CT. If I'd known how bad off they were sooner... but I didn't. The eldest kid was 9. When I came out to tell them about their Dad, he was trying to console the 3 year old and the 5 year old about their Mother. I'll never get that image out of my head. This, this 9 year old boy trying to hold these two little ones. His arms just not big enough. I don't know how I came back the next day. (sighs) I think part of me never did. Derek: I'm surprised you didn't talk about Iraq. Owen: I don't talk about Iraq. What I... what my point was, I kept, you know I... I went back. I showed up. I showed up for work, you know. Derek: You get dead inside. You get dead inside because if you actually felt it? If you let yourself feel that? No way you're going back. No way. (Derek hands him a beer) Edit

  • Allusions

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    • Face transplant: The surgery Sloan performs was also performed in France, on a woman named Isabelle Dinoire who had part of her face bitten off by her daughter's golden retriever with impressive results. Edit
    • Episode Title: Stand By Me Stand By Me is the title of a song made famous by Ben E. King. It is also a song by Oasis. Edit

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