| "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy episode | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:I_Like_You_So_Much_Better_When_You%27re_Naked.jpg) An episodic screenshot displaying Stevens seeking reconciliation, as Karev dismisses her. | |
| Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Donna Deitch |
| Written by | |
| Featured music | "Everybody" "Something Bigger, Something Better" "Oh Dear" "Your Side Now" "Better" |
| Original air date | January 21, 2010 |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" is the twelfth episode of the sixth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 114th episode overall. It was written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, and directed by Donna Deitch. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company in the United States on January 21, 2010. In the episode, Dr. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) returns to the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital with the fear that her estranged husband Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) is moving on, hoping to make amends. Further storylines include Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) contemplating as to whether or not he should report the chief of surgery Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), for his alcoholism, and Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) battling the chicken pox.
The episode was originally intended to serve as the final episode before Heigl's maternity leave, but was later marked as her final appearance as a series-regular. Stevens' fate was left unresolved until 10 seasons later, in the season 16 episode, "Leave a Light On". Kim Raver (Dr. Teddy Altman) reprised her role as a guest-star, in addition to Jesse Williams (Dr. Jackson Avery) and Mitch Pileggi (Larry Jennings). The title of the episode is a reference to the song "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" by Norwegian rock musician Ida Maria. "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked" opened to positive reviews, with Sandra Oh's (Dr. Cristina Yang) performance garnering particular praise. Upon its initial airing, the episode was viewed by 12.70 million Americans, ranked #2 in its time-slot, and garnered a 4.7/12 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic.