THURSDAYS 9|8c
Season 3
GREY'S ANATOMY - "Wishin' and Hopin'" - The race for the Chief's position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard's affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND)ELLEN POMPEO
Wishin' and Hopin'
Season 3 | Episode 14 | Aired 02/1/07

Meredith’s mom is suddenly lucid after five years of Alzheimer’s. And a couple of Seattle Grace’s top docs tie the knot in Vegas. Care to guess who got hitched?

Ellis Grey’s Alzheimer’s condition is in temporary abeyance. When Meredith breaks the news to her now-lucid mom about her illness, Ellis collapses. She’s admitted to Seattle Grace with heart arrhythmia. As Ellis recovers in her hospital room, Meredith tells her mom that she’s happy. This is the wrong thing to say to Mama Grey. Ellis didn’t raise her daughter to be “happy.” Ellis sees Meredith as “ordinary” and “unfocused.” Her speech is filled with so much venom. The look on Meredith’s face has us almost as devastated as she is.

Ellis demands a neuro consult. Paging Dr. Shepherd! Once Ellis realizes Derek and Meredith are together, the fangs come out again. She accuses Derek of taking advantage of her daughter. Cristina tells Ellis she needs surgery for her heart condition. Ellis refuses. But it’s ultimately Meredith’s call. Mer tells her mom she hates being the one in charge but she has no choice. Ellis alienated everyone else in her life.

Episode Photos See all
  • GREY'S ANATOMY - "Wishin' and Hopin'" - The race for the Chief's position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard's affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND) ELLEN POMPEO
  • GREY'S ANATOMY - "Wishin' and Hopin'" - The race for the Chief's position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard's affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND) JAMES PICKENS, JR.
  • GREY'S ANATOMY - "Wishin' and Hopin'" - The race for the Chief's position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard's affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND) ELLEN POMPEO, SANDRA OH
  • GREY'S ANATOMY - "Wishin' and Hopin'" - The race for the Chief's position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard's affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND) ELLEN POMPEO, JOYCE GUY
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