What a Difference a Day Makes

Season 5, Episode 21, Aired
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Episode Summary

As Meredith, Derek and all of their friends prepare for the big wedding, a group of college students, injured in a car crash as they were heading to their graduation ceremony, is admitted to the ER. Meanwhile, Izzie fears the worst when she begins experiencing familiar symptoms.moreless
9.3
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Fan Episode Reviews (21)

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  • A nice little episode, not more, no less.

    7.5
    "Good"
    By mermayd, Jun 30, 2011 Report Abuse
    Let's not get carried away here. This was a satisfactory episode, but nowhere near the dizzying heights of the one where Denny dies and they play Chasing Cars. That was tv perfection.

    I think people give away 10s and 9s far too easily sometimes. You leave yourself nowhere to go when a truly exceptional episode airs.

    I still love Grey's and there was a lovely wedding scene with Izzy and Alex, but I am tiring of the sub plot of Dr Watsername (Callie) who's father has disowned her. She's a doctor for god's sake! She must have a salary coming in so why can she not afford a salad??? Why is shed suddenly destitute. This does not make sense.

    And if she had this huge trust fund coming in then why did she used to live in the hospital? There are many things which don't make sense and I suspect the writers have not thought things through properly.

    I'm glad that Derek and Meredith didn't get married in the fancy big ceremony. Friend dying of cancer or not, there is no way Meredith would allow someone to take over her wedding and turn it into such a pantomime. Meredith is more down to earth than that. I think she and Derek should get married on Derek's property in the area where Meredith laid out their future house.

    Good to see George coming in to his own again. The guy is a rock star all of a sudden.

    Bring on next week!moreless

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    5 17

  • Izzie and Alex get married.

    7.7
    "Good"
    By thefanof, Jun 30, 2011 Report Abuse
    It seems like weddings and babies are the flavor of the month on television these days and Grey's Anatomy is diving right into the trend. Reading a news website spoiled the surprise turn of events, but I think most could tell that Derek and Meredith were not going to get married with their friend in danger.

    I really do not want Izzie to die, but I think her fate is inevitable now after the way they gave her this one final happy moment to relish in. I hope they can work something out because the rest of the cast has nothing special going for it.

    I mean Lexie and Sloan has already fizzled out of relevance and Callie's lesbian escapades make me sick.moreless

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    1 14

  • A truly out-standing episode of Grey's Anatomy once again.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By rye06p, Jan 29, 2011 Report Abuse
    This episode was TV perfection, emotional but filled with drama and the odd laughs. Derek and Meredith giving their wedding to Izzie and Alex was so moving, the way Izzie's face lit up when she realised was beautiful. As for the wedding, when Izzie began to slow down and thought she was going to go down, George jumped to her side an walked her down the aisle which was a great way to involve George. I loved the fact that Christina was Izzie's maid of honour - "because you saved my life" - and Meredith being Alex's best man was funny. Alex has never really done/said anything that made me fall in love with him, like the rest of the cast has until he said his vows, they were the most beautiful, emotional vows ever and I now love each and every character on the show.

    I was disappointed that Denny returned because I thought Izzie wasn't going to say anything but the fact she immediately told Bailey (I think it was Bailey) and that she wanted to fight for her right to live was amazing.

    I'm extremely pleased with this season and I can't wait to watch the season finale next week I'm from the UK so it's only just airing :)

    Finally Grey's Anatomy is still my #1 favourite show.moreless

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    4 0

  • The right couple walks down the aisle. Alex emerges to more than a disgruntle doc. Bailey is everyone's BFF. Owen, someone you just have to like.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By c07111, Aug 27, 2010 Report Abuse
    This was great but predictable episode. I wasn't a big fan of Izzie after she pretty much broke up George's marriage to Callie, then decided her and George wasn't right for each other. But I love the story of her and Alex together. Izzie softens a side of Alex that we enjoy seeing. Justin Chambers gave a very understated but awesome performance, that I hope gets notice. His performance reminded me of the one that Bailey gives every episode. Bailey has turned out to be the rock really for Izzie, I loved that blossoming friendship between her, Izzie and Derek. The character of Owen is great. I'm glad to see a show that will take on the reality of alot of our Soldier coming back from War. When Owen does or says something mean, we all know there is something else underlining that he can't control. His love for Christina is romantic and complicated and they play the angst wonderful. Meredith and Derek relationship has been such a long struggle, not really excited about them one way or the other, plus the Meredith character is selfish most of the time. Blaming the Chief for her bad childhood really. Love the Chief, wish we could see more of Adele. Now to Callie, I wish they would have explored the possibilities of Callie and Sloan. They care so much for each other, friends make the best couple, plus they're funny when their together. Sloan with Lexie is neither fun or romantice, but Lexie with George is.moreless

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    2 3

  • Truly brilliant...

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By sequoa84, Aug 27, 2010 Report Abuse
    I have never been a fan of Katherine Heigl. But there are a few episode, where she does pull off an amazing performance. This episode is clearly one of those.

    I loved the way they changed the tone of this installment. What begins as a typical Grey's episode where the docs face a deluge of medical cases, ends with a really touching wedding scene. Some performances were truly brilliant. I am not a fan of the lesbian storyline (again not judging in anyway), but Callie's performance just swept me off my feet. The connection between Hunt and George develops further, as a result of the handful of trauma cases that come that day.

    While Shonda vehemently denies TR or Heigl leaving the cast. I guess it is pretty apparent, what is going to happen. George won't be missed a lot. But Izzy's role will create a void that will be hard to fill.

    Anyway, this was a great episode.moreless

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    7 1
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Goof: When Meredith talks to Alex outside of the hospital he is clean-shaven, but later on at the wedding he has his usual stubble. Edit
    • Alex's full name is Alexander Michael Karev. Izzie's full name is Isobel Katherine Stevens. Edit
    • Izzie's middle name is Katherine, which is the first name of the actress that plays her (Katherine Heigl). Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • International Episode Titles: Slovakia: Ako vám môže jeden deň zmeniť život (How One Day Can Change Your Life) Czech Republic: Den, kdy puká srdce (Day When Heart Breaks) Edit
    • Every season (except the first) has an episode where the narrator is somebody other than Meredith (this time is Izzie). However, this is the first season with more than one of those episodes (Denny narrated "Stairway To Heaven", and Alex narrated "Elevator Love Letter"). Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: Italy: June 29, 2009 on Fox Life Latin America: June 29, 2009 on Sony Entertainment Television (a.k.a. Canal Sony) Australia: July 9, 2009 on Channel 7 Germany: August 26, 2009 on ProSieben The Netherlands: November 2, 2009 on Net5 Norway: January 12, 2010 on TV2 Slovakia: March 8, 2010 on STV1 Czech Republic: July 15, 2010 on Prima Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Denny: I bet you ... you made a beautiful bride. Izzie: It was a beautiful day. Alex: You put the scarf on. I told you, you don't need it. You look gorgeous without it. Denny: He's right. Izzie: Go away now. Go away, I wanna be alone with my husband. Alex (takes off her scarf, revealing her bald and kisses her forehead) My wife is hot. Edit
    • (on the floor after having non-wedding day sex) Meredith: Ah, best non wedding day ever! Derek: Wanna go again? (they giggle, Mer climbs on top of him and they start making out) Edit
    • Alex: Come on. (takes out her hair piece, and some hair comes with it. Izzie touches and pulls more out) Hey, hey, it's okay. It's just hair, you don't need it. Izzie: It's just gonna keep falling out. Alex: We'll shave it off. I bet you'd look good bald anyway. Okay? (Izzie starts crying) Hey, stop. You're beautiful. (Alex kisses her) Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Episode Title: What a Difference a Day Makes What a difference a day makes is a song by Dinah Washington. Edit
    • Previous Episode Title: Beautiful Day Beautiful Day is a song by U2. It is a very common song to be played at weddings. Edit

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