TV Guide (Canada) - November 18-24, 2006 issue

On screen, the drama these days concerns Meredith and Derek, who`ve finally united, ending one of the most talked-about love triangles in recent TV history. "There will always be conflict in their relationship, I think there`s a lot to be said for what happens after they consummate the relationship", Dempsey says. "Where do they go? How do they heal? She`s been with so many men! And he chose his marriage lasr rime because he thought he`d done something wrong here."

Ah, the key to McDreamy`s appeal. While a married man is not usually the gold standard, Derek was wronged, and even so, he tried to save his marriage, says EP. "Whatever he did was justified. Addison cheated on him with his best friend. At that point the gloves were off."

Stress seems to be having an equally good effect on Dempsey`s co-star. Pompeo hasn`t looked so lovely since the pilot of GA. Like Dempsey, she`s looking forward to this stage of the Mer/Der relationship. "I think that Derek and Meredith are going to have to deal with some of the past issues. As much as you love someone, there`s that "Well, remember when you did that to me? What did you do that to me for?" she says. But the choice between Finn and Derek wasn`t a tough one for her. "I don`t think I was as agonized about it as other people, because I had a feeling she would pick Derek. Meredith has to follow her heart, and she knew she didn`t really love Finn the way she loved Derek. And really, Dempsey is such a star. I mean, what girl wouldn`t pick him?"