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Grey's Anatomy Finale | 05/15/2009 8:25 am

'Grey's Anatomy' Season Finale: George O'Malley, Izzie Steven: Dead or Alive? (Spoilers)

The lives of George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) and Isobel ‘Izzie’ Stevens (Katherine Heigl) hang on the line … Who lives and who dies?
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Grey's Anatomy

Did you watch the "Grey’s Anatomy" season finale Thursday night?

We did — and can’t stop thinking about it! But first, we must warn you: This is one big spoiler alert, so if you haven’t watched it yet and plan to, do not read this post.

People are left guessing on the fate of two characters. Izzie and George. Dead or alive?

In the final few minutes of the finale, a last-minute spin puts these two lives on the line. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens (Katherine Heigl) has been battling cancer for most of this season. However, in the final show, she undergoes a risky brain operation that could eliminate her cancer — but might cause serious memory loss.

She survives the surgery and is cancer free, but is at first left with no long-term memory. And then, just when you think she’ll fully recover, memory and all, Izzie flatlines as her newlywed husband Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) watches in horror. While doctors struggle to resuscitate Izzie, you realize that the episode’s John Doe patient — who was stricken so badly by a bus that his face is unrecognizable — is none other than George O’Malley (T.R. Knight).

In the beginning of the episode, George erratically joins the Army and is stationed to leave the next day. He vanishes for most of the show only for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) to discover that he is the patient dying on the operating table. How did George end up in front of a moving bus? He heroically threw himself in front of it to save a woman he didn’t even know.

Meanwhile, Meredith and Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) can’t find the time to get hitched at City Hall, so they share a romantic moment in the doctor’s lounge to write their vows on Post-it notes. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) confesses her love for Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) announces she’s divorcing her husband and not accepting her coveted pediatric fellowship.

In the final few minutes, there is a flashback from season two of Izzie in her prom dress heading to the elevator to meet deceased ex-fiancé Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). This time, however, George, in Army clothes, greets Izzie in front of the elevator door. The elevator symbolizes the gateway to heaven, and viewers are left wondering if both, none or one will press the up button …

Series creator Shonda Rhimes spoke to EntertainmentWeekly.com about the jaw-dropping climax, but she leaves much up to our imaginations. When asked if it’s coincidental that both characters’ lives are left hanging in the balance, Rhimes says:

I don’t think there are any coincidences. I think Katherine’s stated publicly that she’s happy to stay. I think that there have been lots of rumors about T.R., but T.R.’s never said anything. Take from it what you will.

Take from it what you will!? Tell us: What do you think? Who lives? Who dies?

58 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Barbara B
This is my favorite show and Rhimes is a real genius with her story lines.  I think T.R. Knight is gone and Izzy comes back.  I hope so Kathrine H is so great in her role the show will miss her.  I also like T.K. but his story line has dwindled.  Hey in this economy I think evryone should keep their day job.
By Barbara B on 05/15/2009 8:50 am
Joe Curtis
your correct! Sorry but im gonna ruin it i saw some pictures that were taken in July 2009 that had the whole cast outside filming a funeral scene…everyone was there except for george! George Dies! Izzie Lives! Sorry!
By Joe Curtis on 07/30/2009 1:30 am
Lauri Anderson
While I would love for both of them to live, I think only Izzie will leave and George will die.  Which I will hate.  TR Knight does such a wonderful job as George. 
By Lauri Anderson on 05/15/2009 8:51 am
Lauri Anderson
Sorry, Izzie will live not leave.
By Lauri Anderson on 05/15/2009 8:53 am
Libra Lady
Such a great story line this season on Greys…I was a little disappointed a couple of years ago with the writing, but this season the writers stepped up to the plate and brought Greys back on track.  At first the ghost of Denny really confused me, and I thought it was getting to be a little silly with Izzie having sex with a ghost….but then the writers did their magic and brought it all together for us viewers.  It was a fantastic season and quite a shocking ending…one they kept secret quite well from the fans.  Izzie, I think will be back and I’m afraid George will be off to a new TV show….with so many characters in the show, it’s hard to give equal time to all cast members, but they seem to be doing a pretty good job, except George was invisible for some time this season.  Thank you Greys writers…you have kept your fans on the edge of their seats and we will be all back for next season, I’m sure. 
By Libra Lady on 05/15/2009 9:10 am
beth willis

I’ve been away for awhile, LL, but I have to tell you, I love that new(maybe not new to you) avatar. Sincerely hope you’ve been well.

Peace and grace

 

By beth willis on 05/18/2009 5:52 pm
Libra Lady
Thank you Beth…I thought I would be a little humorous, things sometimes get way to serious here, so I was hoping my sexy lingerie and rabbit slippers might help.  You have been missed…so glad to see you back….I missed your sign off….Peace and grace….it always makes me stop to think before I post. You have a nice evening and Peace and grace back at you.
By Libra Lady on 05/18/2009 6:08 pm
Ravenwing ..
I agree with the assessments above…Izzie will live, George will go to a hero’s death, but I fear for the "marriage" of Mc Dreamy and Meredith…I envision a scene where the post it note either flutters to the floor and is trampled under foot, or is grabbed in an angry gesture and crumpled…Man, I have watched way to many of these shows..I could be a writer!!
By Ravenwing .. on 05/15/2009 9:25 am
Jennifer Moss
Loved the finale but was confused with the 007!  Anyone have an idea what that meat?
By Jennifer Moss on 05/15/2009 9:26 am
C Hardy

Jennifer it goes back to the very first episode…here is the line to it and you have to scroll down pretty far…

http://www.tv.com/Grey%27s+Anatomy/A+Hard+Day%27s+Night/episode/407087/recap.html

By C Hardy on 05/15/2009 9:54 am
Jennifer Moss
Thanks!  I can’t wait to pass on the news to the girls here.  No one knew what that meant! 
By Jennifer Moss on 05/15/2009 10:16 am
C Hardy
Yeah I remembered it but had to look it up myself as a refresher.  I am upset that they killed George off, they could have just let him go to Iraq and be done with it.  But to kill him in such a dramatic fashion, I cried b/c I was upset and pissed.
By C Hardy on 05/15/2009 10:45 am
Ravenwing ..

Jennifer, there was also a more current use of" 007" with George.   When he finally told the others, or they learned about his joining the Army and going to Iraq as a Trauma Surgeon…Alex  made the crack about him being "007 "again…I think that was much more current in the dialog so George used it to communicate with Meredith.  Poor little George never got the respect he deserved, and I don’t think he will now either, I think he is going to die…the story line had reached a ( no pun intended) dead end.

Ravenwing

By Ravenwing .. on 05/17/2009 12:20 pm
Lizz Str
Meredith and George O’malley had code names (I’m not sure if any other surent did though), and George’s happened to be 007. That is how Meredith recognized him
By Lizz Str on 06/11/2009 9:28 am
evie .
It doesn’t help to put the spoiler in the headline and then have the opening text say: Beware, spoilers coming.
By evie . on 05/15/2009 9:29 am