Image Credit: Eric McCandless/ABCSPOILER ALERT: If you have yet to watch last night’s Private Practice finale, stop reading now. I repeat, if you have yet to watch last night’s Private Practice finale, stop reading now. For the last time, if you have yet to watch last night’s Private Practice finale, stop reading now. Everyone else, onward and downward…
The time for teasing has come to an end: I can now confirm that the answer to my death-themed Private Practice blind item is Dell. What, you say? The episode already aired? Well, it’s the thought that counts. All kidding aside, Chris Lowell’s receptionist-slash-midwife climbed the stairway to heaven after suffering one of those scary slow brain bleeds. It was one of several major developments in a finale that also saw Charlotte accept Cooper’s marriage proposal and Addison finally get the guy — that guy being Sam, not Pete. Need help making sense of all the developments? Good news — series creator Shonda Rhimes is here with answers to all your burning Qs.
Why’d you kill Dell?
SHONDA RHIMES: [Sigh] It was a hard choice to make. Chris and I had talked a while ago about him exiting the show at the end of the season. This has been something we’ve been planning for all season long. I said to him, “I think you should go off happy.” And he said, “I want to go out with a bang. I want to go out in the worst, most painful way possible.” Which is how we came up with this story line. And Dell is so much more grown-up than he was when we first met him. I love the scene where he’s lying in bed with his daughter and he basically knows that he’s going to die. You saw so much growth in his character.
Was it Chris’ decision to leave?
RHIMES: We came to the decisions together. We both felt for a while that Dell didn’t have enough to do. He’s a midwife, so there are only so many babies that can be delivered on the show. He’s too good of an actor to just be handing people charts. And so finally one day I called him and said, “What do you think?” And he was like, “I totally agree.”
Why not kill him off at the beginning of the season?
RHIMES: We had a story we wanted to tell. I had an arc for this season that was really important, a journey for our characters to go on that, frankly, would have been devastated by the death of Dell in the middle of the season. He’s too important a character in everyone’s lives. So it was about telling the story in the best way possible and giving [Chris] a great story along the way.
Don’t you feel guilty about making Betsy an orphan?
RHIMES: That was the hardest part. Debra Cahn, who wrote the finale, would call me on a daily basis and say, “You’re a horrible, horrible person.” And it was hard for me. Betsy is my daughter’s age. It’s pretty devastating, and I was really worried about what we were going to do with Betsy.
What are you going to do with Betsy now?
RHIMES: I haven’t decided yet.
Let’s discuss some of the happier developments in the episode. Cooper and Charlotte got engaged.
RHIMES: The Private finale last year left the audience fairly devastated. And I felt like this year I owed it to the audience to give them an ending that was not that. We’ve been watching all of our characters on this journey this season in their relationships, and [Cooper and Charlotte] had really come into their own. They’re one of my favorite couples, and I wanted you to feel like they were together. Not that it’s going to be easy, but they’re going to be together.
Addison chose Sam over Pete. Why?
RHIMES: We made it clear from the very beginning that neither Peter nor Addison are in love with one another. They love each other, but they’re both in love with other people. And Addison’s been on this struggle all season, and part of it was she wants to not be a cheater. And we watched her really grow. And I wanted her to have a chance to be happy. She finally deserves happiness. I had actually written a big monologue for her about the fact that at the beginning of the season she says to Naomi, “You left me all alone.” And Naomi says, “I would never leave you alone.” And by the end of the season Naomi kind of left her alone. And the only person who’s been there the entire time through thick and thin has been Sam. And I like them together.
Do you view them as a long-term couple?
RHIMES: I have no idea what’s going to happen next season. I’m not kidding. We do it every year. Last year when I wrote that Violet’s belly got cut open, I said, “I don’t know what we’re going to do or how we’re going to get out of this.”
But the fact that you want Addison to be happy implies…
RHIMES: I want her to have a shot at long-term happiness. The big step for her was to finally choose what she wants, not because it’s the wrong decision or because it’s dangerous and sexy, but because it feels right.
There was a rumor going around that Chris might not be the only cast member leaving the show.
RHIMES: There are no plans for anyone else to leave the show.
Are you going to replace Dell?
RHIMES: No. Dell’s irreplaceable.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
lol. they could have had dell change specialties or i dont know, something. i mean they keep teddy on GA just to split xtina and owen and piss off fans.
I’m not pissed that Cristina and Owen are splitting, I want Cristina/Jackson!!
Well, they had to kill SOMEBODY, right? I mean, Shonda thinks that’s the answer to ever finale. I am so sick of show runners thinking a death makes for a better ending than something that’s actually creative. If it’s shocking and needlessly painful then it must be good, right? As usual, Shonda is clueless. Can’t wait until next year’s finale when she kills off somebody else. Yippee! What a genius!
I knew he was going to be the one after the accident last week … they never really checked him out after the trauma. But since he had gotten into medical school at UCLA no less, they could have just written him out of the show because med school takes so much time and NOT killed him off. As for Betsy … I think that Violet and Pete should raise her … though they did mention something about an aunt coming to get her.
I pretty much agree with jennrae that this was really lazy and uncreative writing. They didn’t have to kill Dell at ALL…and leave Betsy an orphan?? What the H?? You do NOT have to kill a person every finale….and if you had to, why oh WHY couldn’t it have been Violet??
I am also no pissed that Cristina and Owen are splitting. I hate them as a couple
Did you people NOT read that the actor who played Dell wanted to “go out with a bang”? Meaning he didn’t want his character to go to med school or just leave. I don’t understand why everybody gets so up in arms about these things. People grow and people move on (that’s just life).
And, if you don’t like the show(s) anymore, quit watching it and stop complaining about how “bad” it’s gotten. Nobody cares that you think Shonda Rhimes is doing a horrible job. You people need to understand that these are just shows and she is working hard on them. Get over it. She wasn’t put on this earth to try and please every single one of you through Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy. She could have not even written either show at all.
This was the best episode EVER and is better than any grey’s anatomy episode this year. It was so emotional from the get go and the shocker of the ending — It really made me sad, i liked dell a lot and I hope that Chris Lowell goes on to bigger and better things. Sooooo sad.
the only thing shocking is that this show is still on television
I am SOOOO HAPPY that Sam and Adisson are FINALLY together!!!!
The show been going down since Violet/Pete hook up nothing thier and Addison/Sam this was the killed I said if they keep it up with the story liek this im done I hope they dont blow GA now im down to 5 shows a week.
I think it’s time that Shonda Rhimes bring Isiah Washington (Dr. Burke ) back to shake things up. He is the best character ever. Everybody makes mistakes but there’s no denying he was a great actor and Dr. Burke was a great character.
I LOVED THE FINALE! It was sad, yet amazing! And the ending was so great! I love Charlotte and Cooper, especially when she says she’ll say yes tomorrow. And Addison and Sam! What a perfect ending line… “You make me happy too”, coming from Addison, the women whose heart has been shattered so much so often! LOVED IT.
Addison & Sam is NOT a perfect ending. There’s no excuse for her to be messing around with her best friend’s ex husband. Yes he’s an ex but he’s still off limits to her!
I totally agree! Sam and Addison should not be together . . . totally breaks the friend code! Also, Violet looked like 100 year old tonight. She needs to go!
I totally agree…it’s wrong for them to be together! So wrong!
This. I can’t even stomach Addison and Sam because it’s just SO wrong. Sorry Shonda, I hardly ever doubt you, but I cannot and will not ever be on board with these two. I’ve been struggling to even remain a viewer of this show after Addison/Sam hooked up.
I disagree, I like them together! His marriage has been over for quite a while now, and Naomi has moved on past him, there isn’t any reason why they shouldn’t try this and see where it goes.
Now I think I’m gonna stop watching Private Practice or at least suspend. I thought I’d be able to like or accept Addison and Sam together but now I know I’m not. They’re so wrong together, I don’t see there any chemistry and it was better when they were best friends.
Addison and Sam are perfect for each other.
I agree as well. Ex’s of friends are off limits. It always causes hurt feelings along with questions that should never have to be asked. That’s a rule I have always followed, I will not ever date anyone that a friend of mine has dated or even liked. It is wrong. I wanted her to end up with Pete from the beginning and was hoping they would fall in love. Not the ending I wanted. As for Dell, I hate that he’s gone as he was such a good character, but if it was a mutual decision I can’t blame the actor for wanting more out of his career than to be in a handful of episodes. Will miss Dell.
What, it’s OK for Naomi to sleep with anybody and everybody she wants, including Addison’s brother, and this year William & Fife at the same time, but Addie isn’t allowed to be with Sam, who has been divorced from Naomi for years? I don’t know if Addie/Sam is a good long-term relationship, but Naomi has long ago lost any right to object!
I agree also. Why does Addison have to get with her best friend’s ex husband. Heck why does Addison have to sleep with all of Derek’s best friends. Sam and Derek was best friends in college! Why can’t they bring on a new man for Addison.
Since Show#1 I’ve been waiting for Pete and Addison to get together. Sam and Naomi were having struggles but seemed to be a loving couple raiding a daughter. Violet was whiny and neurotic. Now here we are several years later, Shonda Rimes blows the Pete/Addison storyline and everyone else has slept with everyone else in the office until its incestuous. I’m glad Ms. Rimes likes the Sam-Addison storyline. She can have it. I’m moving on to other shows come the fall.
Addison and Sam as a couple is wrong on so many levels. I am tired of Addison always being right. She has not boundaries. She is so used to getting everything that she goes after something or someone that is off limits (or at least should be). My issue with Sam is that Taye Diggs is not the best actor. When the scenes require any type of emotion he fails. I know that he is extremely attractive but he really needs to work on his acting skills.
I agree with Fee. I don’t think that Addison and Pete should be together. You do not go there with you best friends ex, no matter how long they have been divorced. Especially if they have a child together and will always be in each other’s lives.
It’s the George/Izzie situation all over again…
Come on!! Yes, he’s the ex of her best friend but do you really expect her to give up the man she loves over someone that won’t even talk to her!?! Sure, I’d agree if she was just fooling around with him. But she LOVES him! Would you give up the possibility of eternal happiness because of a friend? If we all did that, pretty much everyone would be off limits to everyone! Geez…
I agree Renee, I’m thrilled about Addison & Sam as well as Charlotte & Cooper. Fantastic episode!
Addison and Sam SAVED the episode. SERIOUSLY.
I agree they did save the episode.
Come on, Kate Walsh and Taye Diggs on screen together. No complaints here. This is soap opera not Mad Men.
I like this show a lot, and I like Addison and Sam together. I think they have great chemistry AND a great friendship.
Well, I hate Shonda a bit less given that it was Chris’ decision to “go out with a bang.”
He did great with those final scenes, though…. I hope that he gets great opportunities in the future!
I like the resolution for the other couples, though I do feel a little bad for Sheldon.
haha poor Sheldon. Love him. He was funny tonight.
I know, he’s always hilarious.
I like Sheldon, he should be with Charlotte. At least one normal, professional couple is allowed on tv?? No?
yeah I really like Sheldon and I want him to hook up with someone too. I thought Charlotte would be preggers with either Sheldon’s or Cooper’s baby. I know they did this already but with Charlotte saying she does not want kids I thought it would an interesting plot.
I definitely feel like the “there were no storylines for Dell” line is crap. There are tons of interesting ways they could have taken him but since he was younger than the rest of the cast, he didn’t have a love interest and that made him expendable. On that front, is Amelia staying on full-time next season? Because I would totally be up for that.
Although I disagree with you about Dell’s storylines, I do agree about Amelia. I’d like to see her stick around, I’m fond of the actress.
You honestly couldn’t see any interesting things they could have done with him?
Interesting? Sure. But things that would have been relevant to the rest of the show? Not really. Him being younger than the rest of the main cast WAS a downside to his character, and while he fit in very well in the beginning, he doesn’t so much anymore by this season. Especially with all the newer people who have come in lately at Naomi’s practice.
not a fan of Amelia.
They could have hooked Dell up with Amelia…and he just got into medical school! There was no reason to let him exit the show, especially in this way…and poor Betsy.
I agree about Dell’s storylines. What ever happened to the storyline about him being in love with Naomi? They never explored that. Naomi gets with an old man and a man in a wheelchair but they never explored her relationship with Dell. I’m pissed.
so dissapointed it faded out right before we saw charlotte say yes! wtf?
I know how people love it when we nitpick over grammar, so here we go: I would think a writer like Shonda would know it’s not “neither Pete nor Addison are in love with ONE ANOTHER”. One another is for three or more people. It should be, “neither Pete nor Addison are in love with EACH OTHER”. Soaps do this all the time, and it drives me nuts.
So. Go ahead. Kill the messenger. I can take it, because I’m right. There’s some solace (if some loneliness) in that.
Assuming this was a verbal interview, I’m not sure your demand for grammatical perfection from a writer holds water.
That’s why writers have editors. Obviously she didn’t run her answers by an editor, and I wouldn’t expect her to. I just think it is AWESOME to have her answer these questions and have them available immediately after the finale.
Well, if you’re going to nitpick grammar, why not fix the other glaring error? It should be “neither Pete nor Addison IS in love with each other.”
I know how people love it when we nitpick over grammar, so here we go: I would think a writer like Shonda would know it’s not “neither Pete nor Addison are in love with ONE ANOTHER”. One another is for three or more people. It should be, “neither Pete nor Addison are in love with EACH OTHER”. Soaps do this all the time, and it drives me nuts.
So. Go ahead. Kill the messenger. I can take it, because I’m right. There’s some solace (if some loneliness) in that.
That’s why writers have editors. Obviously she didn’t run her answers by an editor, and I wouldn’t expect her to. I just think it is AWESOME to have her answer these questions and have them available immediately after the finale.
Well, if you’re going to nitpick grammar, why not fix the other glaring error? It should be “neither Pete nor Addison IS in love with each other.”
Sorry, Big Dave, I’d missed your reply. What he said…
Actually, TVGord, it should be “neither Pete nor Addison IS in love…”
Seriously?
All I can say is WOW
All I can say is WOW
Major Major fail. Will now boycott one of my favorite shows. Loved Dell and leaving Betsy an orphan was far too depressing for me to get over.
I’m with you on that one and felt sad for Betsy. But at the very end, I saw some great interactions between Betsy, Pete and Violet. Wouldn’t that be nice to make them a family with Lucas? Hey Shonda, are you reading this? Maybe that’s your answer for next season!
Bye-bye Dell. A very sad and heartbreaking ending, but Chris Lowell nailed it.
ITA, horrible, horrible, moving on, I am.
Major Major fail. Will now boycott one of my favorite shows. Loved Dell and leaving Betsy an orphan was far too depressing for me to get over.
Oh, please. It’s not like Betsy was some major or beloved character on the show. She’s an orphan and some relative will take her in – end of story.
Poor Dell. I hope Chris Lowell gets on another show, I like him.
I wish him great luck in his career as well. I cried! I loved Dell. He had just gotten in med.school! That would have been great material to work with. Bye Dell “sobs uncontrollably”
Poor Dell. I hope Chris Lowell gets on another show, I like him.
I wish him great luck in his career as well. I cried! I loved Dell. He had just gotten in med.school! That would have been great material to work with. Bye Dell “sobs uncontrollably”
DELL!!! He was a great character (and easy on the eyes). I’m bereft.
DELL!!! He was a great character (and easy on the eyes). I’m bereft.