Song Beneath the Song

"Song Beneath the Song"
Grey's Anatomy episode
Episode no. Season 7
Episode 18
Directed by Tony Phelan
Written by Shonda Rhimes
Featured music "Cosy in the Rocket"
"Chasing Cars"
"Breathe (2 AM)"
"How We Operate"
"Wait"
"Running on Sunshine"
"Universe & U"
"Grace"
"How to Save a Life"
"The Story"
Original air date March 31, 2011 (2011-03-31)
Guest stars
Episode chronology
← Previous
"This is How We Do It"		 Next →
"It's a Long Way Back"
List of Grey's Anatomy episodes

"Song Beneath the Song" is the 18th episode of the seventh season of the American medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the 144th episode overall, it was named after a song by American singer Maria Taylor. Written by series creator Shonda Rhimes (this also being the only episode of the season she wrote) and directed by Tony Phelan, it premiered on ABC on March 31, 2011. It is the series' first musical episode, and features the cast performing songs previously featured within the program. It is accompanied by a soundtrack album, Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event, also released on March 31, 2011. Former series regular Kate Walsh guest-starred as neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery.[1]

Contents

Plot

En-route to a weekend breakaway, surgeons Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) and Callie Torres (Sara Ramírez) are involved in a vehicular collision, moments after Arizona proposes marriage. Callie suffers severe injuries, which endanger her life and her unborn child. She and Arizona are taken to Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, the institute at which they both work. Their colleagues attempt to save Callie, while Arizona and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), the father of Callie's baby, stand by. Callie's many injuries include neurological trauma. While barely conscious, she hallucinates an uninjured version of herself standing beside her. The hallucinatory Callie begins to sing, and is gradually joined by the doctors treating her. This singing continues throughout the episode, as Callie's projection of herself attempts to reach out to Arizona.

Callie goes into cardiac arrest and is taken into theatre, where she is temporarily stabilized, pending further surgery. She is moved into intensive care, while neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) is flown in by helicopter in case the baby has to be delivered prematurely. Arizona and Mark argue over Callie's treatment; Arizona believes that Callie would not risk endangering the baby, but Mark argues for saving Callie at all costs. The attending surgeons devise a treatment plan, led by trauma surgeon Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd). As they do so, Callie dreams about the moments preceding the accident. Her dream self sings to Arizona, interspersed with shots of the hospital staff singing and dancing with their own partners. Owen's wife Cristina (Sandra Oh) suggests treating Callie with a high-risk but potentially effective cardiothoracic procedure she learned from her old mentor, Preston Burke. Her current mentor, Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), refuses to perform it, but when Callie's condition deteriorates and she is rushed back into theatre, Owen agrees that Cristina should attempt the procedure.

When Callie again goes into cardiac arrest, Addison delivers her daughter at twenty-three weeks gestation. The baby is not initially able to breathe, so with Mark's support, Arizona steps in and is able to revive her. Across the operating room, Callie's condition begins to improve. Once the surgery is complete, the doctors deal with their own affairs; Mark's former partner Lexie (Chyler Leigh) commits to her new relationship with resident Jackson (Jesse Williams); Lexie's sister Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) confesses that she was jealous of Callie's pregnancy, which prompts her husband Derek (Patrick Dempsey) to promise that they will have a child together; Teddy tells Cristina that she can no longer teach her; Mark and Arizona bond over their shared parenthood. Later, as Arizona keeps a vigil by Callie's bedside, the hallucinatory Callie is able to rouse her recovering self. As she regains consciousness, Callie accepts Arizona's proposal.

Production

Conception

Since Grey's Anatomy began, series creator Shonda Rhimes had planned to produce a musical episode. She first vocalized the idea during filming of the pilot episode, when the program was as yet untitled.[2] Rhimes felt that seasons six and seven were the right time for the crew to "try anything and everything [they had] always wanted to do," and explained that she "finally [had] the right idea and the right talent to make [a musical episode] happen."[3] Filming began seven and a half years after Rhimes initially raised the idea.[2] Though cast member Dempsey jokingly referred to the episode as Glee M.D.,[4] Rhimes intended for it to differ from other musical television episodes.[3] She called it the opposite of "Once More, with Feeling", the "all-out, show-stopping," musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as she aimed to "do something that was musical without being a musical." [3]

Musical performances

Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers and director Tony Phelan selected songs that became famous through their use in Grey's Anatomy, and chose "the most iconic ones, the ones that best suited [their] singers, and the ones that made the most sense."[3][5] The multiple cover versions include the program's theme tune, "Cosy in the Rocket" by Psapp.[4] The primary vocalists are cast members Ramírez, McKidd, Leigh and Chandra Wilson.[6] The soundtrack also includes "How to Save a Life" by The Fray and "Running on Sunshine" by Jesus Jackson, performed as ensemble pieces by Ramírez, McKidd, Wilson, Leigh, Daniel Sunjata, Scott Foley, Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Raver and Capshaw.[5][7] Ramírez, McKidd and Wilson also perform together on Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars".[4] Ramírez is the lead vocalist on "The Story" by Brandi Carlile,[5] and "Grace" by Kate Havnevik, which also features the other female cast members, including Leigh and Sarah Drew on the chorus.[4][7] Capshaw duets with Ramírez on KT Tunstall's "Universe & U".[5] Wilson is the lead vocalist on "Wait" by Get Set Go, McKidd on "How We Operate" by Gomez, and Leigh on Anna Nalick's "Breathe (2 AM)".[5][7]

Music director Chris Hovarth was recruited to arrange the selected songs for the cast. The arrangements took around two months, with vocals recorded over four days in February 2011.[5][8] Hovarth praised the cast's response to the episode, noting that only four performers had "serious vocal talent", while some had "barely sung in the shower" before.[5] Those with professional singing experience include Ramírez, who won a Tony Award for her role in the musical Spamalot, and Wilson, who appeared in the Broadway production of Caroline, or Change.[5] Cast members' reactions toward the episode varied. Pompeo initially deemed the idea "crazy", but rescinded her stance following the first read-through.[4] Recurring cast member Sunjata stated that singing was "a bit out of [his] comfort zone," but found it an "interesting challenge,"[9] and McKidd deemed it "very exciting to do something that's completely out on a limb for the show."[8]

Storyline and character development

The script was written by Rhimes in November 2010. She centered the episode around Ramírez's character, Callie, and stated that the storyline would have developed regardless of whether it involved musical performances.[3] The actress used the opportunity to launch her career as a singer-songwriter; an alternate version of "The Story" is included on her debut EP, released four days prior to the episode's premiere.[10] The episode focuses on Callie as she hallucinates during a medical crisis.[11] Former series regular Kate Walsh returned for the episode as neonatal surgeon Addison.[12] The episode served to improve the relationship between Mark and Arizona. Capshaw assessed that, "The traumatic circumstance leads to them having a greater understanding of each other and then appreciation, and then need for each other and desire to be in each other’s lives. They come to care, I think, for one another."[13]

Reception

Pre-broadcast commentary

Critical response prior to broadcast was mixed. TVLine's Michael Ausiello assessed that the episode would "either be a show-stopping triumph or a spectacular failure," with no possible middle ground.[14] William Keck of TV Guide initially had "serious doubts", which were allayed by a visit to the set, during which he listened to the soundtrack. Keck likened it to the "much-beloved early seasons of Grey's, when music played a vital role on the show."[4] Entertainment Weekly's Dan Snierson predicted heavy use of Auto Tune,[15] though fellow EW writer Jennifer Armstrong was optimistic that the episode would be a success, commenting: "I have faith. I like musicals, I like Grey's. I'm rooting for this to work."[16]

Ratings

During its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" was watched by an average of 13.09 million American viewers. It attained a 4.9/13 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic, making it the second highest-rated program of the night, behind only American Idol on Fox. The rating was the second highest of the seventh season until that point, and a 30 percent increase from the previous episode, "This is How We Do It", which was watched by 2.4 million fewer viewers.[17]

In Canada, where the episode also aired on March 31, 2011, it was watched by 3.18 million viewers. Viewership again increased on "This is How We Do It", which attained 2.63 million viewers. However, while the preceding episode was the most-viewed scripted show for the week of its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" ranked second, behind The Big Bang Theory.[18][19]

Post-broadcast commentary

Following the first minutes of the drama, reactions on Twitter were mixed.[20] Nicole Golden from TV Fanatic gave the episode 4.5 stars out of 5.0. She found that "overall, the concept worked since music really has always played a big part in the show. Some songs were more appropriate and/or better performed than others, though". She also wrote the concept worked in part because it was new but noted "the format would probably not have the same effect if used in future episodes."[21] Even though Boston Herald's critic Mark Perigard was not a fan of the concept, saying "the 'Grey's Anatomy' 'event' proved how tricky it is for an established show, especially a drama, to pull off a musical episode", he did like several actors' performances. He wrote "Chandra Wilson and Chyler Leigh (whom I never have anything good to say about) delivered some impressive vocal work. Eric Dane did some of his best acting of his career last night as an anxious father-to-be terrified he would lose his best friend."[22] Lyneka Little of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "If Glee and ER had a baby it would be tonight’s episode of the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy titled “Song Beneath the Song.”"[20] In his review of the episode Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote "Like "Grey's Anatomy" as a whole, some parts were unintentionally silly, others were surprisingly powerful, and it was rarely dull, at least."[23]

In 2011, this episode of Grey's Anatomy was ranked #19 on the TV Guide Network special, 25 Biggest TV Blunders 2[24] The episode was included in TV Guide's list "The Worst of 2011" saying, "Sara Ramirez has powerhouse pipes, but what this episode desperately needed was a better playlist".[25]

Patrick Dempsey admitted the musical episode may not have been showrunner Shonda Rhimes' best idea. "It's very difficult to keep it fresh when you're doing 24 episodes a year. Shonda Rhimes has a lot of ideas, and she is in a position where she can take more chances. Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not. Last year we had the singing episode, which I think was a big mistake. But you have to try."[26]

Soundtrack

Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event
Soundtrack album by Grey's Anatomy Cast
Released March 31, 2011 (2011-03-31)
Recorded February 2011
Length 35:48

Track listing

No. Title Original artist Length
1. "Chasing Cars"   Snow Patrol 4:11
2. "Breathe"   Anna Nalick 4:36
3. "How We Operate"   Gomez 4:30
4. "Wait"   Get Set Go 3:22
5. "Runnin' on Sunshine"   Jesus Jackson 4:05
6. "Universe & U"   KT Tunstall 4:05
7. "Grace"   Kate Havnevik 3:45
8. "How to Save a Life"   The Fray 3:46
9. "The Story"   Brandi Carlile 3:28

Chart history

Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event débuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200, with 19,000 copies sold.[27] It reached number 2 on the U.S. Soundtracks chart, and was the number 5 Independent Album.[28] "The Story" entered the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at number 69,[29] and the Canadian Hot 100 at 72.[30]

References

  1. ^ "Creator Shonda Rhomes and the "Grey's Anatomy" cast and team present something seven years in the making, Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event" (Press release). ABC Medianet. March 11, 2011. http://www.abcmedianet.com/assets/pr%5Chtml/031111_17.html. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Rhimes, Shonda (March 31, 2011). "Shonda Rhimes on "Song Beneath The Song"...". Grey Matter. ABC. http://www.greyswriters.com/2011/03/shonda-rhimes-on-song-beneath-the-song.html. Retrieved April 12, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Abrams, Natalie (November 22, 2010). "Exclusive: Shonda Rhimes Reveals Grey's Anatomy Musical Details". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Greys-Shonda-Rhimes-1025983.aspx. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f Keck, William (February 28, 2011). "Keck's Exclusives: Grey's Musical Goes Back to Its Roots". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kecks-Exclusives-Greys-1030106.aspx. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Gallo, Phil (March 11, 2011). "'Grey's Anatomy' Musical Episode to Feature Cast Singing Fray, Snow Patrol". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/news/grey-s-anatomy-musical-episode-to-feature-1005070342.story#/news/grey-s-anatomy-musical-episode-to-feature-1005070342.story. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  6. ^ Ausiello, Michael (February 22, 2011). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Vampire Diaries, Greek, Parenthood, HIMYM, Glee and More!". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/02/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-vampire-diaries-greek-parenthood-hhimym-glee-and-more/#more-194039. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  7. ^ a b c Mitovich, Matt Webb; Gelman, Vlada (March 24, 2011). "For Grey's Anatomy's Lexie, Things Get 'Steamy' and 'Awkward' With the Men In Her Life". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/03/greys-anatomy-preview-chyler-leigh/#more-202485. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  8. ^ a b Mitovich, Matt Webb (February 2, 2011). "Grey's Anatomy's Kevin McKidd Previews 'Trouble Ahead' For Owen and Cristina". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/02/greys-anatomy-kevin-mckidd-director/#more-188684. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  9. ^ Ausiello, Michael (March 8, 2011). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Fringe, House, Grey's Anatomy, True Blood, Glee and More!". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/03/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-fringe-house-greys-anatomy-true-blood-glee-and-more/#more-198386. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  10. ^ Lewis, Randy (March 24, 2011). "'Grey's Anatomy's' Sara Ramirez to sing on March 31 episode, release debut EP". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/03/greys-anatomy-sara-ramirez-singer.html. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  11. ^ Ausiello, Michael (February 8, 2011). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on True Blood, Glee, Gossip Girl, Community, House and More!". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/02/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-true-blood-glee-gossip-girl-community-house-and-more/#more-190351. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  12. ^ Ausiello, Michael (January 26, 2011). "Grey's Anatomy Exclusive: Kate Walsh Returns for March 31 Musical Episode!". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/01/greys-anatomy-exclusive-kate-walsh-returns/#more-187012. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  13. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (March 25, 2011). "Grey's Anatomy: Why Did Arizona (Spoiler)? And Watch What Happens Next!". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/03/greys-anatomy-callie-arizona-proposal-preview/#more-202856. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  14. ^ Ausiello, Michael (January 25, 2011). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on House, The Office, Glee, NCIS, 90210, Bones and More!". TVLine. Mail.com Media. http://www.tvline.com/2011/01/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-house-the-office-glee-ncis-90210-bones-and-more/#more-186778. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
  15. ^ Snierson, Dan (December 3, 2010). "Dan Snierson's Hit List". Entertainment Weekly. Time, Inc. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20446730,00.html. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
  16. ^ Armstrong, Jennifer (March 25, 2011). "'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Trials and Tribulations". Entertainment Weekly. Time, Inc. http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/greys-anatomy-season-7-episode-17/. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  17. ^ Gorman, Bill (April 1, 2011). "TV Ratings Thursday: Rising 'American Idol' Leads Fox Win; Musical 'Grey's Anatomy' Sings; 'Mobbed' Stomps 'CSI'; 'Big Bang,' 'Rules' Hit Lows". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/04/01/tv-ratings-thursday-rising-american-idol-leads-fox-win-musical-greys-anatomy-sings-mobbed-stomps-csi-big-bang-theory-hits-season-low/87864. Retrieved April 1, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Top Programs – Total Canada (English): March 21 - March 27, 2011" (PDF). BBM Canada. http://www.bbm.ca/_documents/top_30_tv_programs_english/2011/nat03212011.pdf. Retrieved April 8, 2011. 
  19. ^ "Top Programs – Total Canada (English): March 28 - April 3, 2011" (PDF). BBM Canada. http://www.bbm.ca/_documents/top_30_tv_programs_english/2011/nat03282011.pdf. Retrieved April 8, 2011. 
  20. ^ a b Little, Lyneka (March 31, 2011). "‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ Season 7, Episode 18, ‘Song Beneath the Song’: TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/03/31/greys-anatomy-song-beneath-the-song-tv-recap/. Retrieved January 2, 2012. 
  21. ^ Golden, Nicole (March 31, 2011). "Grey's Anatomy Review: The Musical Episode". TV Fanatic. http://www.tvfanatic.com/2011/03/greys-anatomy-review-song-beneath-the-song/. Retrieved January 2, 2012. 
  22. ^ Powers, Lindsay (April 1, 2011). ""Grey's Anatomy" musical episode: critics weigh in". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/us-greysanatomy-idUSTRE7306A220110401. Retrieved January 2, 2012. 
  23. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (April 1, 2011). "Review: 'Grey's Anatomy' - 'The Song Beneath the Song': How to save a life". HitFix. http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/greys-anatomy-the-song-beneath-the-song-how-to-save-a-life. Retrieved January 2, 2012. 
  24. ^ 25 Biggest TV Blunders 2 (in English). TV Guide Network. July 31, 2011. Retrieved on August 30, 2011. "Grey's Anatomy: The Musical?"
  25. ^ "The Worst of 2011 - Grey's Anatomy Musical Episode". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/special/best-of-year-2011/PhotoGallery/Best-Year-Worst-1039971#1039974. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  26. ^ Thompson, Arienne (December 28, 2011). "Dempsey on 'Grey's' exit: 'Nice to have a job'". USA Today. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/12/dempsey-on-greys-exit-nice-to-have-a-job-/1. Retrieved January 2, 2012. 
  27. ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 6, 2011). "Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Debuts At #1 On Billboard". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661426/britney-spears-femme-fatale-number-one-billboard.jhtml. Retrieved April 7, 2011. 
  28. ^ "Soundtracks: Week of April 16, 2011" (Note: to access peak, click the white area around the song). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-songs#/charts/soundtracks?chartDate=2011-04-16. Retrieved April 8, 2011. 
  29. ^ Trust, Gary (April 6, 2011). "Katy Perry's 'E.T.' Widens Lead Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/news/katy-perry-s-e-t-widens-lead-atop-hot-100-1005114432.story#/news/katy-perry-s-e-t-widens-lead-atop-hot-100-1005114432.story. Retrieved April 7, 2011. 
  30. ^ "Hot 100: Week of April 16, 2011" (Note: to access peak, click the white area around the song). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/album/soundtrack/grey-s-anatomy/733002#/charts/hot-100?chartDate=2011-04-16&begin=61&order=position. Retrieved April 8, 2011. 

External links

Episodes (Season 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8)
Characters
(cast members)