Wishin' and Hopin' (Grey's Anatomy)

"Wishin' and Hopin'"
Grey's Anatomy episode
The physicians have fainted, due to a patient's toxic blood.
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 14
Directed byJulie Anne Robinson
Written by
Featured music
Original air dateFebruary 1, 2007 (2007-02-01)
Running time47 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Kate Burton as Dr. Ellis Grey
  • Sarah Utterback as Olivia Harper
  • Ronobir Lahiri as Robert Hansen
  • Jasmine Di Angelo as Kellie Hansen
  • Amanda Collins as Marina Wagner
  • Matt McTighe as Vincent
Episode chronology
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"Great Expectations"
Next →
"Walk on Water"
Grey's Anatomy season 3
List of episodes

"Wishin' and Hopin'" is the fourteenth episode in the third season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 50th episode overall. Written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and directed by Julie Anne Robinson, the episode aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on February 1, 2007.

In the episode, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) struggles with her Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), becoming temporarily lucid. Further storylines include Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) continuously seeking patients for their new clinic, Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) dealing with the repercussions of his upcoming retirement, and George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) facing negative response from colleagues on his unexpected marriage to Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

Although the episode was fictionally set in Seattle, Washington, filming took place in Los Angeles, California. Burton reprised her role as Ellis Grey in a guest star capacity, in addition to Sarah Utterback, who portrayed Olivia Harper. The title of the episode refers to the song "Wishin' and Hopin'", by British pop musician Dusty Springfield.

Upon its original airing, the episode was watched by 24.18 million viewers in the United States, ranked first in its time-slot, and garnered an 8.5 Nielsen rating in the 18–49 demographic. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from television critics, with Ellis's storyline receiving critical acclaim.

Burton earned a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series at the 2007 ceremony.