If Tomorrow Never Comes (Grey's Anatomy)

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"If Tomorrow Never Comes"
Grey's Anatomy episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 6
Directed by Scott Brazil
Written by Krista Vernoff
Production code106
Original air dateMay 1, 2005 (2005-05-01)
Guest appearances
  • Alex Alexander as Annie Connors
  • Bruce Weitz as Mr. Levangie
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Shake Your Groove Thing"
Next 
"The Self-Destruct Button"
Grey's Anatomy (season 1)
List of episodes

"If Tomorrow Never Comes" is the sixth episode of the first season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy , which first aired on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on Sunday May 1, 2005. The episode was written by Krista Vernoff and was directed by Scott Brazil.

Contents

Plot and production

The interns are speechless when a woman comes in with a large, record-breaking tumor, but unfortunately for the woman, her outlook isn't good. Derek and Meredith's jobs are at risk now that Bailey knows about their relationship, and Dr. Bailey makes it clear that Derek better not give Meredith special treatment. Meanwhile, Izzie urges George to ask Meredith out, and Cristina and Burke's relationship continues to progress. [1] [2] [3] [4]

This was the first episode written by Krista Vernoff. [5] [6] Vernoff has stated that in the original storyline, the woman with the tumor was supposed to live, but when she wrote the script she decided that the character had to die. As the theme of the episode was procrastination, Vernoff stated "the message I wanted to give was not, "Hey it’s okay to put off going to see a doctor for two years cause it all turns out alright in the end". [7]

Reception

The episode debuted on Sunday, May 1, 2005, winning its time slot in the ratings with 18.54 million viewers, an 8.5 average share, and a record high for the show among young adult viewers. [8] [9] [10] It ranked sixth overall among programs airing that week. [11] Building on the good ratings of the first five episodes of the show, a few days later, it was announced that the show would be renewed for a second season. [12] In 2006, the Ottawa Citizen described this early episode as "not among Grey's best, but the signs of future greatness are there." [13] In 2009, Variety called the tumor storyline one of the 10 "most bizarre medical maladies" in the first 100 episodes of the show. [14]

Related Research Articles

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 seasoned doctors while balancing personal and professional relationships. The title is an allusion to Gray's Anatomy, a classic human anatomy textbook first published in 1858 in London and written by Henry Gray. Shonda Rhimes developed the pilot and continued to write for the series until 2015. Krista Vernoff, who previously worked with Rhimes, is now the showrunner. Rhimes was also one of the executive producers alongside Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, Krista Vernoff, Rob Corn, Mark Wilding, Allan Heinberg, and, recently, Ellen Pompeo. Although the series is set in Seattle, Washington, it is filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California.

<i>Greys Anatomy</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, began airing in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on March 27, 2005, and concluded on May 22, 2005. The first season introduces the main character, Meredith Grey, as she enrolls in Seattle Grace Hospital's internship program and faces unexpected challenges and surprises. Season one had nine series regulars, three of whom have been part of the main cast ever since. The season initially served as a mid-season replacement for the legal drama Boston Legal, airing in the Sunday night time slot at 10:00, after Desperate Housewives. Although no clip shows have been produced for this season, the events that occur are recapped in "Straight to Heart", a clip-show which aired one week before the winter holiday hiatus of the second season ended. The season was officially released on DVD as two-disc Region 1 box set under the title of Grey's Anatomy: Season One on February 14, 2006, by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

<i>Greys Anatomy</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 25, 2005, and concluded on May 15, 2006. The season was produced by Touchstone Television, in association with Shondaland production company and The Mark Gordon Company, the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes. Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, and T. R. Knight reprised their roles as surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev, and George O'Malley respectively. Previous main cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey also returned, while Kate Walsh, who began the season in a recurring capacity, was promoted to series-regular status, after appearing in 7 episodes as a guest-star.

Krista Vernoff is an American television screenwriter, executive producer and director. She is best known for running the television medical drama Grey's Anatomy and its spin-off Station 19 (2019–present). She has also served as executive producer and writer for the US version of Shameless. Other works as producer-writer for television include Charmed and Wonderfalls.

Derek Shepherd Fictional character in Greys Anatomy

Derek Christopher Shepherd, M.D., F.A.C.S., also referred to as "McDreamy", is a fictional surgeon from the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Patrick Dempsey. He made his first appearance in the pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night", which was broadcast on March 27, 2005.

Izzie Stevens Fictional character from the television show Greys Anatomy

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 Rhimes, and was portrayed by actress Katherine Heigl from 2005 to 2010. Introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Izzie worked her way up to resident level, while her relationships with her colleagues Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Alex Karev and George O'Malley formed a focal point of the series.

Addison Montgomery Fictional character

Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.O.G is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice played by Kate Walsh. Addison is a world-class neonatal surgeon with board certifications in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal and Fetal Medicine. Additionally, she has completed a medical genetics fellowship. She works at the Oceanside Wellness Group, a fictional practice located in Santa Monica, California.

A Hard Days Night (<i>Greys Anatomy</i>) 1st episode of the first season of Greys Anatomy

"A Hard Day's Night" is the pilot episode of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, which first aired on March 27, 2005 on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode introduces main characters and surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev and George O'Malley. Other main cast members include Derek Shepherd, Miranda Bailey, Richard Webber and Preston Burke. These five interns become faced with what their future holds as they enter the realm of surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital.

"Into You Like a Train" is the sixth episode of the second season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's fifteenth episode overall. The episode, which would have originally served as the season two premiere, was written by Krista Vernoff and directed by Jeff Melman. The episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on October 30, 2005. Vernoff received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. The episode's title refers to a song by The Psychedelic Furs from their Talk Talk Talk album. The track was also covered by the band Jawbreaker as bonus track for their Dear You album 2004 reissue.

"As We Know It" is the seventeenth episode of the second season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy. The episode was written by Shonda Rhimes and was directed by Peter Horton. It originally aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), on February 12, 2006, running for 43:06 min. This episode is the second of a two-part story.

I Am a Tree 2nd episode of the third season of Greys Anatomy

"I Am a Tree" is the second episode in the third season of the American serial drama television series Grey's Anatomy, and the 38th episode of the overall series. The episode focuses mainly on Cristina Yang, as her romantic relationship with Preston Burke is tested through the arrival of his parents. The episode is the first to feature Diahann Carroll, who begins a recurring role as Jane Burke, Preston's mother. The installment marked Eric Dane's second appearance in the series and first appearance in the season, despite not being credited. The episode was instrumental in the producers' decision to have Dane promoted to series regular status in the following episode.

<i>Greys Anatomy</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, created by Shonda Rhimes, commenced airing on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 25, 2008 and concluded on May 14, 2009 with 24 aired episodes. The season follows the story of a group of surgeons as they go through their residency, while they also deal with the personal challenges and relationships with their mentors. Season 5 had 13 series regulars with 12 of them returning from the previous season, out of which 8 are part of the original cast. The season aired in the Thursday night time-slot at 9:00 pm. The season was officially released on DVD as a seven disc boxset under the title of Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season – More Moments on September 9, 2009 by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

"Good Mourning" is the first episode and the season premiere of the sixth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 103rd episode overall. It was written by Krista Vernoff and directed by Ed Ornelas. The episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 24, 2009. In "Good Mourning", the physicians are seen dealing with the revelation that a dead John Doe is their beloved co-worker Dr. George O'Malley, and dealing with the aftermath of Dr. Izzie Stevens' near-death experience. Further storylines include Dr. Callie Torres and Stevens trying to decide whether or not to donate O'Malley's organs and Dr. Derek Shepherd being offered Dr. Richard Webber's chief of surgery job.

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References

  1. Episode Title: (#106) "If Tomorrow Never Comes" (Repeat), thefutoncritic.com (reprinting official episode synopsis from ABC)
  2. Grey's Anatomy Episode: "If Tomorrow Never Comes", TV Guide (episode synopsis, retrieved 10 February 2012)
  3. S1 Ep 6: If Tomorrow Never Comes (Recap), Television New Zealand (extended synopsis) (Retrieved 10 February 2012)
  4. (1 May 2005). If Tomorrow Never Knows, truthaboutnursing.org (extended review studying portrayal of nursing care)
  5. Wilson, Leah. Grey's Anatomy 101: Seattle Grace, Unauthorized, p. 59 (2007)
  6. (15 June 2006). New Contract For Grey's Anatomy Writer, tvfanatic ("She has written five Grey's Anatomy episodes exclusively, including some of the young series' best-known: "Make Me Lose Control," "Into You Like A Train," "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," "Yesterday" and "If Tomorrow Never Comes."")
  7. Vernoff, Katie (27 July 2006). Krista Vernoff on writing her first episode... Archived 2013-07-02 at the Wayback Machine , Greywriters.com
  8. Aurthur, Kate (3 May 2005). Arts, Briefly; A Sweeping Weekend, The New York Times
  9. (2 May 2005). Super welcome back for 'Family Guy' Sunday, Media Life
  10. Levin Gary (3 May 2005). 'Guy' fares better than 'Dad', USA Today
  11. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 3, 2005. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  12. (4 May 2005). Thumbs Up for Grey's Anatomy, Broadcasting & Cable
  13. (27 July 2006). Grey's Anatomy shows there's hope for TV yet, Ottawa Citizen
  14. Chen, Sandie Angulo (6 May 2009). 'Grey's' most bizzarre[sic] medical maladies, Variety (magazine)