Podcast Summary: Call It What It Is – Episode: Call It A Cliffhanger

Host Information:

• Title: Call It What It Is
• Hosts: Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington (iHeartPodcasts)
• Description: Best friends and Grey’s Anatomy stars, Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington, navigate life’s ups and downs, offering support, advice, and engaging discussions. They delve into personal experiences, share insights, and occasionally feature special guests to provide diverse perspectives.

Introduction to the Episode

Release Date: July 14, 2025
Episode Title: Call It A Cliffhanger

In this emotionally charged episode, Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington delve deep into the tumultuous finale of Grey’s Anatomy Season 8, specifically focusing on Episode 24, which is renowned among fans for its dramatic plane crash storyline.

Emotional Impact and Personal Reactions

[02:53] Jessica Capshaw:
"Well, hello, hello, hello, hello, Call it crew, and welcome to the most depressing episode of Call it what It Is."

From the outset, both hosts express their apprehension about revisiting a particularly somber episode. Camilla shares her initial excitement, only to be overwhelmed by the episode's emotional weight:

[03:37] Jessica Capshaw:
"I was horrified. I thought I would watch it over coffee this morning. I was like, oh, great, Cool. Why would I can do that? Just the worst way to set up my day."

[04:23] Camilla Luddington:
"This episode was really, really sad. It was really sad. I found the whole thing very depressing."

Their candid reflections highlight the profound emotional toll the episode took on them, emphasizing its impact beyond the screen.

Filming Challenges and On-Location Shoot

The hosts transition to discussing the logistical and emotional challenges of filming such an intense episode, especially on location:

[08:09] Jessica Capshaw:
"Let's talk about actually, like, filming location, getting up there. Do I remember you telling me you guys filmed a Big Bear? Is that where you went?"

Camilla recounts the difficulties of filming in Big Bear, away from their usual Los Angeles setting, while dealing with personal challenges like her pregnancy:

[09:18] Jessica Capshaw:
"So I realized it was your horrible screaming kind of quickly. And then I went into actor mode and I'm like, how long did you actually have to scream for?"

[10:17] Camilla Luddington:
"I had to scream for so long. And I was very pregnant... I was covering in blood. It was exhausting physically."

The discussion underscores the physical and emotional demands placed on the cast and crew during the shoot.

Key Scenes and Performances

Screaming Scene:

One of the standout moments discussed is Camilla’s portrayal of a character in distress, which required extended periods of intense screaming:

[09:18] Camilla Luddington:
"It was just the most annoying, incessant, repetitive screaming and it was high pitched and all these things."

Emotional Farewells:

Jessica and Camilla reflect on heartbreaking scenes involving major character departures:

[25:00] Jessica Capshaw:
"This is gonna sound really bad. I needed it to be over because I knew it was coming.... I love yous and I'm dying and hold my hand."

[25:34] Camilla Luddington:
"I just wanted to be done. This is torture."

These moments are lauded for their emotional depth and the actors' compelling performances.

Character Developments

The episode’s focus on character arcs, particularly the departures and struggles of beloved characters, is a central theme:

[22:23] Jessica Capshaw:
"She uses a mask, and you're only seeing her eyes. And that's how you know someone's like just a fantastic actor."

[26:34] Camilla Luddington:
"I did really appreciate, on Arizona's behalf, I did appreciate when Karev is so mad at her and is like, whatever, fuck her... but it's actually very loving what he's saying."

The hosts dissect character motivations and relationships, providing fans with nuanced insights into the narrative developments.

Production Insights and Crew Appreciation

Acknowledging the hard work behind the scenes, Jessica and Camilla extend their gratitude to the crew:

[57:25] Camilla Luddington:
"Every department had to work 95 times harder. Everyone, from crafty to camera to sound to props to all of it."

[57:36] Jessica Capshaw:
"There's no way for you to be like, oh, my God. I just loved that week. It was like, really fun. Like, nobody's that way."

Their appreciation highlights the collaborative effort required to bring such an intense episode to life, especially under challenging conditions.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Jessica and Camilla reflect on the lasting impact of the Season 8 finale and its place in Grey’s Anatomy lore:

[56:15] Jessica Capshaw:
"Not your favorite episode, but very necessary episode. Really appreciated all the high level storytelling and performances, but it's just, you know, an overall grade of sadness."

[61:58] Jessica Capshaw:
"I'm glad we did it. Usually when I always say it's the end of the episode, I'm a little bit sad. But today I'm a little bit happy. I'm gonna go lay down and cry for season eight, do you never see you never again."

Their heartfelt discussion underscores the episode's significance and the emotional journey it entailed for both the cast and the audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jessica Capshaw at [02:53]:
  "Welcome to the most depressing episode of Call it what It Is."

• Camilla Luddington at [04:23]:
  "This episode was really, really sad. It was really sad."

• Camilla Luddington at [09:18]:
  "It was just the most annoying, incessant, repetitive screaming and it was high pitched and all these things."

• Jessica Capshaw at [22:23]:
  "She uses a mask, and you're only seeing her eyes. And that's how you know someone's like just a fantastic actor."

• Camilla Luddington at [57:25]:
  "Every department had to work 95 times harder."

Final Thoughts:

In "Call It A Cliffhanger," Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington offer an unfiltered and deeply personal examination of one of Grey’s Anatomys most pivotal and emotionally draining episodes. Their blend of professional insight, personal anecdotes, and genuine emotion provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the episode's creation and its impact on both the cast and the audience. This episode serves as a testament to the resilience and dedication of the actors and crew behind the scenes, celebrating their ability to navigate and convey the complexities of tragic storytelling.