Last Night's 'Grey's Anatomy' Had a HUGE Shocker-But Did We See It Coming?

Last night, Grey's Anatomy delivered the ultimate shocking character death--after 11 years on the show, Dr. Derek Shepherd was killed in a car accident.

Fans are...hurt.

And they had an excellent suggestion for the best way to honor his memory.

Meanwhile Joss Whedon fans are like, "Yeah. Welcome to our lives."

But should people have been as surprised as they were? Just a few days ago, we heard rumblings that Patrick Dempsey's diva-esque behavior was getting him canned from the show. And A Shonda Rhimes firing does not go quietly into that good night. When Shonda fires you, it's not about packing up your Post-its and desk plant--she goes big. The surprising thing is we didn't realize his attitude would get him fired this week.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dempsey addressed the whole "um, didn't you just sign a two-year contract, bro?" thing:

Yes. you’re right. (He pauses) It just sort of evolved. It’s just kind of happened. It really was something that was kind of surprising that unfolded, and it just naturally came to be. Which was pretty good. I like the way it has all played out.

Mostly he was still processing the big ending, but he did get super teared up when discussing Ellen Pompeo.

(For the first time in the interview, Dempsey tears up. He pauses before speaking.) It was magic. It’s beautiful. We’re like a married couple. It’s 10 years, and it was magic from the beginning. Chemistry right away.

Meanwhile, Shonda Rhimes released her own statement:

“Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character—for Meredith, for me and for the fans. I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our ‘McDreamy.’ Patrick Dempsey’s performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example—happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true—of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey’s Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say: the carousel never stops turning.”

RIP Derek. And RIP Derek and Meredith.