Blame it on LOST. The ABC show set the precedent of killing a major character every sweeps period and the result was pure ratings gold. LOST managed to dominate every sweeps period by keeping fans guessing which of their most beloved characters would be biting the dust. For a while, the formula rapidly proliferated through other prime time shows, until it nearly became a requirement for a prime time drama, one that pricy lead actors were none-too-fond of.

As you might imagine, like any good side-show attraction, it eventually lost its gravity and became passé. Tension was replaced with groans. NBC’s fledgling serial ‘Heroes’ made it part of its formula from the get-go, managing to draw almost universal scolding from fans and a media that had grown weary of the trick. So why, then was it so successful for Grey’s Anatomy?

February 16th was one of the biggest days in the history of Grey’s Anatomy’s ratings. Grey’s Anatomy played the tired death card and found success never before equaled. What did Grey’s Anatomy do so differently in summoning the reaper that brought it such success? Something which is likely not to be repeated: it killed its lead character.

Killing ‘a’ lead character is one thing, but when you dispatch the character for which your show is named, you invite all sorts of controversy. No, retroactively you wouldn’t expect this to impact the ratings, but Grey’s Anatomy producers and writers are smarter than the average bear. It would seem that Grey’s Anatomy producers created a controlled leak of information that their lead character, Dr. Meredith Grey, was going to bite the dust. This is where the side-show analogy comes full circle.

Grey’s Anatomy fans around the world buzzed that it just wasn’t possible despite the powerful rumors that the Grey’s production staff would even consider killing off the character that the show was named for. It seemed to horrible to be wrong. Heavy hearted Grey’s Anatomy fans everywhere braced for the worst.

In the end, it was Meredith who died, which was in a way one of the biggest payoffs ever of this tired old device. Grey’s Anatomy producers put their necks on the line and pulled off the impossible, they killed their lead star. But there was a catch. They crafted a death for Meredith which left room for a rather obvious resuscitation. Many in the media, fans included, were left to decry the move as one that could have devastating impact on the credibility of the show. A prime example, Buddytv’s ‘Grey's Anatomy: So, Who Died?’ which decried the death as a shameless gimmick from the get go.

So while the death of Meredith Grey, the namesake of Grey’s Anatomy, was shocking and brought huge ratings, will the subsequent resurrection do the same? More? Or will it repel Grey’s fans tired of being dealt the death card? As of this writing, Grey’s Anatomy is three days away from answering that question, and if the internet buzz is any indication, death is alive and well.