Wishin' and Hopin'

"As surgeons, we live in a world of worse case scenarios. We cut ourselves off from hoping for the best because too many times the best doesn’t happen. But every now and then something extraordinary occurs and suddenly best case scenarios seem possible. And every now and then something amazing happens, and against our better judgment we start to have hope. As doctors, we're trained to give our patients just the facts. But what our patients really want to know is- will the pain ever go away? Will I feel better? Am I cured? What our patients really want to know is- is there hope? But, inevitably, there are times when you find yourself in the worst case scenario. When the patient's body has betrayed them and all the science we have to offer has failed them. When the worst case scenario comes true, and clinging to hope is all we've got left."

- Meredith Grey

 is the fourteenth episode of the third season and the 50th overall episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Short Summary
The attendings are still fighting for the Chief's nomination from the board, while Ellis Grey has awoken lucid. George and Callie have an announcement, while Izzie worries about the newly opened Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic, while a cancer patient poses a hazard for all hospital staff.

Full Summary
Episode in detail.

Main Cast

 * Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
 * Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
 * Katherine Heigl as Dr. Izzie Stevens
 * Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
 * T.R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley
 * Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
 * James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
 * Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery
 * Sara Ramírez as Dr. Callie Torres
 * Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
 * Isaiah Washington as Dr. Preston Burke
 * Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd

Guest Stars

 * Sarah Utterback as Nurse Olivia Harper
 * Kate Burton as Ellis Grey

Co-Starring

 * Matt McTighe as Vincent
 * Ronobir Lahiri as Mr. Hanson
 * Jasmine Di Angelo as Kelley Hanson
 * Joyce Guy as Mrs. Henry
 * Kate Anthony as Nurse Kate
 * Maile Flanagan as Lab Tech
 * Amanda Collins as Marina
 * Tony Adelman as Hurts When He Pees
 * David J. Lee as Sprained Ankle
 * Liz Montgomery as Coughing Lady

Notes and Trivia

 * This episode's title originated from the song Wishin' and Hopin', originally sung by Dusty Springfield.
 * This episode scored 24.18 viewers.
 * The toxic patient's storyline is based on a real story, which can be read here.
 * The season 3 DVD-box includes an audio commentary on this episode by Kate Burton and Ellen Pompeo.
 * Flashbacks from this episode are used in the eleventh season.

Quotes

 * Izzie: (when she sees Callie's ring) Oh, that's so great. Tiny diamonds are great because you know no one will ever try to steal it.


 * Meredith: I'm not sure refusing treatment is what you wanna do-
 * Ellis: Apparently, what I want doesn't matter! It isn't even legally binding! So it's really about what you want, Meredith. You're in charge!
 * Meredith: You think that I like making these decisions for you? You think it's fun to get calls from the nursing home asking whether I was planning on giving the nurse, who changes you every morning a Christmas tip? But I do it. Because you have managed to alienate everybody else in your life and I am the only one, so I have to step up and do it. (voice wavering) You wanna know why I'm so unfocused? So ordinary? You wanna know what happened to me? You! You happened to me!
 * Ellis: Then let me refuse the heart surgery.
 * Meredith: No!
 * Ellis: Why not?!
 * Meredith: Because killing my mother is not gonna be another thing that happens to me.