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- What Is Grey’s Anatomy About?
- What Happens in The Sound of Silence?
- Praise for The Sound of Silence
- Pompeo and Washington’s On-Set Feud
As a longtime fan of Grey’s Anatomy, I must say that the episode “The Sound of Silence” is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and poignant episodes in the show’s history. Ellen Pompeo delivers an emotionally raw performance that truly resonates with viewers, and Denzel Washington‘s directorial debut elevates the episode to new heights.
Although Denzel Washington is arguably the greatest living actor, far fewer people know his directorial acumen. In addition to directing four feature films over two decades, including Antwoine Fisher, The Great Debaters, Fences, and A Journal for Jordan, even fewer people know that Washington directed a single episode of the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. And not just any episode, “The Sound of Silence” is often considered among the most compelling chapters in Grey’s Anatomy history.
As a die-hard Grey’s Anatomy fan, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and excitement as Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) bid a heartfelt farewell at the end of Season 20. The good news is that Pompeo will be back for at least seven episodes of Season 24, which is set to air on ABC starting September 26, 2024.
What Is Grey’s Anatomy About?
One of television’s longest-standing shows, “Grey’s Anatomy,” is a well-loved medical drama produced by Shonda Rimes and Michelle Lirtzman. Debuting on ABC in 2005, the show primarily focuses on the personal and professional journeys of Meredith Grey and her fellow workers at Seattle Grace Hospital. Though many employees join and leave, the heart of the series revolves around Meredith balancing her demanding medical career with seeking happiness beyond the hospital walls.
Over a span of 20 seasons and still ongoing, “Grey’s Anatomy” has accumulated 432 episodes, earning it four Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes, solidifying its status as a prominent TV series of the 21st century. Notable directors who have contributed to the show include esteemed figures from both film and television industries like Eric Stoltz, Adam Arkin, Peter Horton, Tony Goldwyn, among others.
Yet, none can rival the A-list status of the renowned Denzel Washington, a fact that may surprise Grey’s Anatomy fans who are unaware he directed one of its most celebrated episodes. It’s equally intriguing to learn that Washington and Pompeo had strained relations during the filming of “The Sound of Silence.”
What Happens in The Sound of Silence?
Known for being one of the top-tier episodes in “Grey’s Anatomy”, titled “The Sound of Silence”, was broadcast on ABC on February 11, 2016, marking the start of the second half of Season 12. After a suspenseful mid-season cliffhanger, this episode served as a high-stakes continuation, intensifying the conflicts. The storyline unfolds with Meredith being harshly confronted by Lou, a potentially dangerous hospital patient in need of a neurological evaluation.
The assault occurs as a result of a violent spasm following a seizure, causing Lou to act with extreme aggression that severely injures and renders Meredith unconscious. Dr. Penny Blake (Samantha Sloyan) discovers Meredith in a critical condition on the floor and summons help. Meredith’s coworkers rush to her aid, providing immediate medical treatment for her wounds. Upon regaining consciousness and observing everyone attending to her, Meredith is terrified to find that she can no longer speak or hear due to the beating she sustained.
The title “The Sound of Silence” symbolizes Meredith’s internal world, where she can only hear her thoughts due to her inability to perceive any external sounds. This episode unfolds from her perspective as she lies in bed, recovering with her jaw wired shut and relying on her staff for communication. When she regains her hearing, she starts healing, but refuses to accept an apology from Lou, mirroring her reluctance to forgive Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) for past actions. After a meaningful conversation with Dr. Webber (James Pickens Jr.), Meredith realizes the error of her ways and musters the courage to forgive Lou in front of his family.
Side plots involve Dr. Karev popping the question to Dr. Wilson, while Dr. Avery hands divorce papers to his wife, April. But nothing surpasses the intense drama of Meredith’s assault and her subsequent ordeal. The acting by the cast and the writing by Stacy McKee, as well as direction by Denzel Washington, make this episode exceptional.
Praise for The Sound of Silence
With a stellar IMDb rating of 9.2, “The Sound of Silence” stands as the top-rated episode from the highly praised 12th season of the medical drama. This particular episode garnered acclaim for Ellen Pompeo’s heartrending portrayal, the skillful writing by Stacy McKee, and the creative directorial touches by Washington during his television debut, as per TV Line’s review.
“For a while now, we’ve stopped trying to guess who will win the Emmy Awards. However, if fairness prevails, the exceptional performance delivered by Pompeo deserves at least a nomination – one that she has been waiting for far too long.”
As stated by The A.V. Club, Washington’s instruction “Nail it out of the stadium” and, “if viewed from her perspective alone, it becomes a highly impactful episode for Pompeo.” Pompeo concurred with the critics, expressing her agreement to Entertainment Weekly.
“Without a doubt, working with him on this show has been the most outstanding experience I’ve had so far. We’ve never had anyone as talented and charismatic as him to direct us. He transforms the atmosphere in our studio, making everyone perform at their best. Simply incredible! I must admit, I’m a big admirer of his work. This whole thing feels like a dream come true.”
Pompeo and Washington’s On-Set Feud
Back in 2016, I heaped high praises upon Meredith Grey’s creator, Shonda Rhimes. However, during a 2021 episode of Ellen Pompeo’s podcast “Tell Me,” I revealed an on-set disagreement with the director herself. In conversation with my former co-star, Patrick Dempsey, I disclosed that the crux of our conflict stemmed from Shonda’s disapproval of my spontaneous line deliveries during a particular scene. When she addressed her concerns with me, I found myself responding rather passionately, insisting on my creative territory and letting out a fiery tirade, exclaiming loudly:
As a seasoned performer who has spent years honing my craft and making this show a success, I kindly request that you respect my space backstage. You may be a newcomer here, but I know this place like the back of my hand. So, if you could just find your way to the bathroom on your own, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for understanding and allowing me to focus on my performance.
Despite wrapping up matters amicably, Pompeo later stated that Washington lacked understanding in directing TV shows. However, when questioned about the matter, Washington remained composed and simply said, “No hard feelings” between him and Pompeo (in an interview with Variety). Instead of boasting about his two Oscar awards to support his claim, Washington allowed his impressive career to be the testament to his great talent.
According to Pompeo, despite Washington possibly being unfamiliar with TV directing, “The Sound of Silence” episode from Grey’s Anatomy remains one of the best ever produced. The scene where Meredith experiences ten minutes of silence is among Washington’s most creative directorial choices, providing an opportunity for Pompeo to deliver a standout performance in the long-running medical series.
Grey’s Anatomy is available to stream on Hulu & Netflix.
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2024-08-18 18:02