The Shocking Truth Behind Izzie's Terrifying Hallucination on Grey's Anatomy

Summary

Izzie's hallucinations of Denny Duquette were not only due to trauma, but because she associated him with death.

Izzie's realization that she has advanced stage IV metastatic melanoma is revealed in season 5, as her hallucinations become more understandable.

When Izzie starts seeing Denny again, it serves as confirmation of her cancer diagnosis, leading to a poignant, yet conflicting wedding ceremony between her and Alex.

The storyline of Izzie Stevens and Denny Duquette in Grey's Anatomy was both heartbreaking and unforgettable. While the show explained why she started hallucinating him after his death, there is a darker and more tragic reason behind her hallucinations. Grey's Anatomy, created by Shonda Rhimes, is a highly successful medical drama series that remains popular on network television. It has gained a reputation for saying goodbye to beloved characters in ways that don't always provide them with satisfying endings. Throughout its run, Grey's Anatomy has followed the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they navigate the challenges of their professional and personal lives. The show has been led by Meredith Grey, portrayed by Ellen Pompeo, since its inception. Meredith began her journey as an intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, now known as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, alongside other characters who quickly became fan favorites, including Izzie Stevens played by Katherine Heigl. Unfortunately, Izzie's departure from Grey's Anatomy was sudden and lacked a proper goodbye, which was unfair considering the depths she had gone through, particularly with her involvement with Denny Duquette's storyline, portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Izzie Hallucinates Denny Because She Has Cancer

In Grey's Anatomy season 2 episode 13 "Begin the Begin," Izzie encounters Denny Duquette, a patient of Preston Burke who has been in the hospital for a long time. They become close and develop feelings for each other. Izzie attempts to help Denny by cutting his LVAD wire so he can receive a heart transplant. Although the surgery is successful, Denny sadly passes away from a stroke. He leaves a significant amount of money to Izzie, which she uses to establish the "Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic," a free clinic that Miranda Bailey intended to open.

In Grey's Anatomy season 5, Izzie's storyline takes a new direction. She begins to have hallucinations of Denny, initially attributing them to her grief and trauma. However, after a thorough examination, she becomes suspicious that there may be a more serious underlying condition. In season 5, episode 17, titled "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," Izzie receives the devastating news that she has stage IV metastatic melanoma. The cancer has spread to her liver, brain, and skin, causing her to experience visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations. It becomes clear that Denny appears to her because of their emotional connection and his association with death. At this point, Izzie's own health is rapidly deteriorating, with only a 5% chance of survival.

Denny's Reappearance Meant Izzie Still Had Cancer

In Grey's Anatomy season 5, episode 22 "What a Difference A Day Makes," Derek performs brain surgery on Izzie. Despite this, Izzie continues to experience hallucinations of her late fiancé, Denny, indicating that her cancer is still present. Her intuition proves right as further scans reveal another tumor. Although Meredith and Derek were originally supposed to get married that day, they selflessly give their wedding to Izzie and Alex in light of her illness. This selfless gesture marks a poignant moment in Izzie and Alex's relationship and helps Izzie find closure in letting go of Denny.

Denny Duquette transitioned from being Izzie's patient to her fiancé, becoming a harbinger of death for her. While Denny captured the hearts of the audience, many Grey's Anatomy fans had reservations about Izzie's cancer-induced "hallucinations." Their main critique was that Izzie, being a seasoned doctor, should have recognized that these hallucinations were abnormal, even considering the trauma and grief she had experienced. However, it is important to consider that Izzie associated Denny with death, given her battle with cancer. The relationship between Izzie and Denny remains a topic of debate among fans, attesting to their lasting impact in Grey's Anatomy.