Losing My Religion ( Grey 's Anatomy ) - wikipedia Losing My Religion ( Grey 's Anatomy ) `` Losing My Religion '' Grey 's Anatomy episode Izzie Stevens crying on Denny Duquette, as Alex Karev tries to calm down the former. Stevens 's dress was a source of critical analysis. Episode no. Season 2 Episode 27 Directed by Mark Tinker Written by Shonda Rhimes Featured music `` Under the Waves '' `` Side 2 '' `` Colors '' `` Grace '' `` Chasing Cars '' `` Destination Vertical '' Original air date May 15, 2006 ( 2006 - 05 - 15 ) Running time 49 minutes Recurring / Guest appearances Chris O'Donnell as Dr. Finn Dandrige Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Denny Duquette Loretta Devine as Adele Webber Brooke Smith as Dr. Erica Hahn Tessa Thompson as Camille Travis Hallee Hirsh as Claire Tiffany Hines as Natalie Sarah Utterback as Olivia Harper Episode chronology ← Previous `` Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response '' Next → `` Time Has Come Today '' Grey 's Anatomy ( season 2 ) List of Grey 's Anatomy episodes `` Losing My Religion '' is the twenty - seventh and final episode of the second season of the American television medical drama Grey 's Anatomy, and the show 's 36th episode overall. Written by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Mark Tinker, the episode was originally broadcast with `` Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response '', in a two - hour season finale event on the American Broadcasting Company ( ABC ) in the United States on May 15, 2006. Grey 's Anatomy centers around a group of young doctors in training. In this episode, Dr. Izzie Stevens ( Katherine Heigl ) and her fellow interns have to plan a prom for Dr. Richard Webber 's ( James Pickens, Jr. ) niece Camille Travis ( Tessa Thompson ). Further storylines include Dr. Preston Burke ( Isaiah Washington ) recovering from his gunshot wound and Denny Duquette 's ( Jeffrey Dean Morgan ) death following his seemingly successful heart transplant surgery. The episode marked Sara Ramirez 's ( Dr. Callie Torres ) final appearance with recurring billing, as she would be upgraded to a series regular in season three. Morgan, Ramirez, Thompson, Brooke Smith, Sarah Utterback, Loretta Devine, and Chris O'Donnell reprised their roles as guest stars, while Hallee Hirsh and Tiffany Hines made their first and only appearances. The episode received mixed to negative reviews from television critics, who disapproved of the storyline involving Grey and Shepherd and the show 's lack of repercussions for the interns, but lauded Dr. Cristina Yang 's ( Sandra Oh ) storyline along with Heigl 's performance. `` Losing My Religion '' was also included in several `` best episodes '' lists. Upon its initial airing, the episode was viewed 22.50 million Americans, garnered an 8.0 / 22 Nielsen rating / share in the 18 -- 49 demographic, ranking fifth for the week in terms of viewership, and registering as the week 's second highest - rated drama. Contents 1 Plot 2 Production 3 Reception 4 References 5 External links Plot Dr. Derek Shepherd ( Patrick Dempsey ) and Dr. Richard Webber ( James Pickens, Jr. ) finish Dr. Preston Burke 's ( Isaiah Washington ) surgery to remove a pseudo-aneurysm in the subclavian artery that threatened the functioning of his arm and which was caused by a gunshot wound. At the same time, Dr. Erica Hahn ( Brooke Smith ) successfully transplants a heart into Denny Duquette ( Jeffrey Dean Morgan ). The interns face Webber, who orders them to plan a prom for his dying niece, Camille Travis ( Tessa Thompson ), until the one who cut Duquette 's left ventricular assist device ( LVAD ) comes forward. With the instructions of Camille 's friends, Claire ( Hallee Hirsh ) and Natalie ( Tiffany Hines ), they prepare the prom as they each struggle with their own personal problems. Trying to recover from his injury, Burke finds a tremor in his right hand. Dr. Meredith Grey 's ( Ellen Pompeo ) love interest Dr. Finn Dandrige ( Chris O'Donnell ), the vet of Doc -- the dog she shares with Shepherd -- informs her that Doc has had several seizures due to his bone cancer and that she and Shepherd have to make a decision. Webber interrogates the interns individually about Duquette 's LVAD wire, but only learns about their personal problems instead. Dr. Izzie Stevens ( Katherine Heigl ) finally accepts Duquette 's marriage proposal. At Dandridge 's office, Grey and Shepherd, joined by Dr. Addison Montgomery - Shepherd ( Kate Walsh ), decide to put Doc to sleep. The hospital staff begins to arrive at the prom and Dr. Callie Torres ( Sara Ramirez ) and Dr. George O'Malley ( T.R. Knight ) discuss the status of their relationship, which leads to the former admitting her love and commitment. During the dance, Grey and Shepherd escape Dandridge and Montgomery to have a heated argument that leads to sexual intercourse. In the meantime, as Duquette waits for Stevens alone in his room, he experiences a sudden sense of pain, and unexpectedly dies. While Webber is sitting in the operating room gallery and reflecting on his career, Dr. Miranda Bailey ( Chandra Wilson ) announces Duquette 's death. News of the death spreads, and the interns hurry to his room to find a shocked Stevens, lying on the bed, clinging to his still form. As they each try to comfort her, the cause of his death is revealed to have been a blood clot that led to a fatal stroke. Stevens says that if she had taken less time to dress, she would have arrived at his room sooner and could have been with him while he died. Dr. Alex Karev ( Justin Chambers ) then talks to Stevens, picking her up and hugging her. Afterward, Dr. Cristina Yang ( Sandra Oh ), who did not know how to handle Burke 's situation, goes to his room and puts her hand on his to show him her support. As the episode ends, Stevens confesses to Webber that she was the one responsible for the LVAD wire cut, and claiming she can not be a surgeon, quits the program. After everyone begins going their separate ways, Grey remains torn on who she should follow : Shepherd or Dandridge. Production The episode was written by series creator Shonda Rhimes and directed by filmmaker Mark Tinker, while Ed Ornelas edited it. It was the last episode to feature Sara Ramirez as a guest star, as she began receiving star billing in the season three premiere. Morgan, Ramirez, Thompson, Smith, Utterback, Devine, and O'Donnell reprised their roles as Duquette, Torres, Travis, Hahn, Harper, Adele, and Dandridge, respectively, while Hirsh and Hines made their first and only appearances as Claire and Natalie, respectively. The soundtrack of the episode consisted of Pete Droge 's `` Under the Waves '', Dressy Bessy 's `` Side 2 '', Amos Lee 's `` Colors '', Masha Qrella 's `` Destination Vertical '', Kate Havnevik 's `` Grace '', and Snow Patrol 's `` Chasing Cars ''. The American profile of Northern Irish band Snow Patrol increased after their single was used in this episode. Lead singer Gary Lightbody was initially uncertain about licensing a song for the soundtrack, but has since admitted that the publicity had a positive effect. Rhimes entitled the episode `` Losing My Religion '' because she felt `` that is what happens to each intern in this episode. Each intern lets go of the things they 've held onto all season. George lets go of loving Meredith. Cristina lets go of her well - checked emotions. Izzie is forced to let go of her idealism. And that leads to her letting go of medicine. Alex lets go of his rage against Izzie. And Meredith... well, Meredith just lets go. '' The costumes were designed by Mimi Melgaard ; Rhimes noted that everyone was dressed in dark funeral colors to the prom, except Stevens who was dressed in pink. Stevens ' dress was an Amsale creation. Monologues done by the five main characters were used in this episode. Rhimes commented : `` this was something we 'd never done and I was n't sure would work. But you place those pages into the hands of the actors and each and every one of them layered their characters ' souls right into the dialogue. '' The episode 's theme was the prom ; Rhimes said she wanted to do it since the beginning of the season. Reception `` Losing My Religion '' was originally broadcast on May 15, 2006 in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company ( ABC ), along with `` Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response ''. The episodes were watched by a total of 22.50 million Americans. It represents a slight decrease in comparison to the episode airing the previous night, `` 17 Seconds '', which garnered 22.60 million viewers. The episode received an 8.0 / 22 Nielsen rating / share in the 18 -- 49 demographic, ranking fifth for the week in terms of viewership, and registering as the week 's second highest - rated drama. The episode 's rating outranked CBS 's The New Adventures of Old Christine and CSI : Miami, the National Broadcasting Company ( NBC ) 's The Apprentice, and the Fox Broadcasting Company 's 24. The episode received mixed to negative reviews among critics. Joel Keller of The Huffington Post expressed mixed opinions on the episode, putting the emphasis on Yang 's development, whom he deemed `` transformed '' by the end of the episode. He applauded Torres ' evolution throughout the episode, and also praised Heigl 's performance and dress. Keller criticized the non-realism of the punishment the interns received, Grey and Shepherd 's storyline being tiresome, and the cliffhanger, calling it a `` lame cliché ''. Writing for the Chicago Tribune, Maureen Ryan gave a negative review of the episode, stating : `` overall, the whole thing just fell a little flat. '' Though Ryan appreciated the scene of Doc 's death, she was critical of Torres ' underdevelopment, the lack of chemistry with O'Malley, and her prom dress. Abigail Chao of Television Without Pity was also critical of Torres ' dress, but liked Heigl 's pink dress. She also applauded Karev 's intervening to calm Stevens down, and agreed that Grey 's cliffhanger was not good. `` That 's the reason I do n't watch Grey 's Anatomy anymore, because the super hot blond chick can make an earth - shattering, fatal decision and she does n't get canned. '' -- Eyder Peralta of The Houston Chronicle Eyder Peralta of The Houston Chronicle criticized Stevens ' ethics for cutting Duquette 's LVAD wire, writing that she `` should not be practising medicine ''. Alan Sepinwall, a former television columnist for The Star - Ledger, commented favorably on Karev `` finally displaying some humanity '' in the scene following Duquette 's death. He was critical of Shepherd 's arc, however, and on the absence of severe consequences for Stevens having cut the LVAD wire, an action he called `` insane and dangerous ''. This episode was included on the list for the `` 25 Sexiest TV Shows on DVD '' by magazine Entertainment Weekly. It was also listed in Entertainment Weekly 's `` 20 Unforgettable Proms '' and in Starpulse 's `` Top Ten TV Proms ''. AOL TV placed the hook - up scene involving Grey and Shepherd on its Top 20 of TV 's Sexiest Scenes. In 2009, TV Guide ranked `` Losing My Religion '' # 63 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes. In 2013, the magazine named Duquette 's death one of TV 's Most Heartbreaking Deaths. In December 2011, Wetpaint named `` Losing My Religion '' one of the five best episodes of the series. References ^ Jump up to : Rhimes, Shonda ( May 17, 2006 ). `` From Shonda Rhimes ( Finally )... ''. Grey Matter. American Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2012. Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew ( November 16, 2005 ). `` Spamalot 's Ramirez Lands Role on TV 's `` Grey 's Anatomy '' ``. Playbill. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Grey 's Anatomy : Cast and Details ''. TV Guide. Retrieved August 21, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Losing My Religion ''. Grey 's Anatomy. Season 2. Episode 27. May 15, 2006. ABC. Jump up ^ Lawson, Mark ( February 9, 2009 ). `` Top of the docs ''. The Guardian. London : Guardian Media Group. Retrieved May 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Amsale bridesmaid gowns in Grey 's ceremony ''. Onewed.com. May 11, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2013. Jump up ^ Rhimes, Shonda ( June 6, 2006 ). `` Hey ? Are You Still There ? ''. Grey Matter. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved July 14, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Weekly Program Rankings ''. Medianet. American Broadcast Company. May 23, 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Weekly Program Rankings ''. Medianet. American Broadcast Company. May 16, 2006. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` ABC Feels No Pain with ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Finale ''. Zap2it. Tribune Company. May 16, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2012. Jump up ^ Keller, Joel ( May 15, 2006 ). `` Grey 's Anatomy : Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response / Losing My Religion ( finale ) ''. The Huffington Post. AOL, Inc. Retrieved July 14, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Ryan, Maureen ( May 17, 2006 ). `` Call me heartless : ' Grey 's ' finale falls flat ''. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved August 12, 2012. Jump up ^ Chao, Abigail ( 2006 ). `` Losing My Religion ( 3 ) ''. Television Without Pity. NBCUniversal. p. 10. Retrieved August 12, 2012. Jump up ^ Chao, Abigail ( 2006 ). `` Losing My Religion ( 3 ) ''. Television Without Pity. NBCUniversal. p. 13. Retrieved August 12, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Peralta, Eyder ( February 16, 2007 ). `` Tsk. Tsk. Ethics these days. ''. The Houston Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved July 21, 2009. ^ Jump up to : Sepinwall, Alan ( May 19, 2006 ). `` Odds and sods ''. What 's Alan Watching ?. Blogspot. Retrieved August 12, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 25 Sexiest TV Shows on DVD ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. November 11, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2008. Jump up ^ Gonzalez, Sandra ( May 12, 2012 ). `` 20 Unforgettable TV Proms -- Grey 's Anatomy ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved July 14, 2012. Jump up ^ Maccorley Mathieu ( April 26, 2011 ). `` Top Ten TV Proms ''. Starpulse.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012. Jump up ^ Potts, Kim ( June 18, 2010 ). `` Top 20 : TV 's Sexiest Scenes ''. AOL TV. AOL. Retrieved September 10, 2012. Jump up ^ `` TV Guide 's Top 100 Episodes ''. Rev / Views. Retrieved July 4, 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV 's Most Heartbreaking Deaths ''. TV Guide. February 17, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013. Jump up ^ Clarendon, Dan ( December 11, 2011 ). `` The 5 Best Episodes of Grey 's Anatomy ''. Wetpaint. Retrieved July 14, 2012. External links `` Losing My Religion '' at ABC.com `` Losing My Religion '' at TV.com `` Losing My Religion '' on IMDb Grey 's Anatomy episodes Season 1 `` A Hard Day 's Night '' `` If Tomorrow Never Comes '' Season 2 `` Into You Like a Train '' `` It 's the End of the World '' `` As We Know It '' `` Losing My Religion '' Season 3 `` Time Has Come Today '' `` I Am a Tree '' `` Great Expectations '' `` Wishin ' and Hopin ' '' `` Did n't We Almost Have It All ? '' Season 4 `` A Change Is Gonna Come '' Season 5 `` What a Difference a Day Makes '' `` Stand By Me '' `` Elevator Love Letter '' `` Now or Never '' Season 6 `` Good Mourning '' `` Goodbye '' `` I Always Feel Like Somebody 's Watchin ' Me '' `` Tainted Obligation '' `` Invasion '' `` I Saw What I Saw '' `` Give Peace a Chance '' `` Invest in Love '' `` I Like You So Much Better When You 're Naked '' `` Death and All His Friends '' Season 7 `` Song Beneath the Song '' Season 8 `` Flight '' Season 9 `` Going, Going, Gone '' `` Beautiful Doom '' `` Perfect Storm '' Season 10 `` Fear ( of the Unknown ) '' Season 11 `` I Must Have Lost it on the Wind '' `` Puzzle With a Piece Missing '' `` Got to Be Real '' `` Only Mama Knows '' `` Bend & Break '' `` Do n't Let 's Start '' `` One Flight Down '' `` How to Save a Life '' `` She 's Leaving Home '' `` Time Stops '' `` You 're My Home '' Season 12 `` Sledgehammer '' `` Guess Who 's Coming to Dinner '' `` Something Against You '' `` Things We Lost in the Fire '' `` The Sound of Silence '' `` Family Affair '' Season 13 `` True Colors '' Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Losing_My_Religion_(Grey%27s_Anatomy)&oldid=786353889 '' Categories : 2006 American television episodes Grey 's Anatomy episodes Television episodes about proms Hidden categories : Good articles Pages using deprecated image syntax Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 18 June 2017, at 22 : 56. 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Question: when does denny die on grey's anatomy
Answer: "Losing My Religion"