Written by Krista Vernoff and directed by Jeff Melman, the episode aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 28, 2006.

Further story arcs which provided a particular focus on individual characters include Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) facing Derek Shepherd's (Patrick Dempsey) desire to divorce her, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) coping with Denny Duquette's (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) death and the repercussions of her choice to quit the internship program, and Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) struggling with the choice between Derek and Finn Dandridge (Chris O'Donnell).

Also dealt with was Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) attempting to have Stevens rejoin the program, Mark Sloan (Dane) arriving from New York City in order to resume his romantic relationship with Montgomery, and Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) being evacuated from the hospital.

Due to the Burkes' overprotective attitude and strict moral beliefs, Cristina initially fails to impress them, determining a negative outlook on their romantic relationship.

Following the exposure of his affair with his former love interest Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) begins considering and ultimately decides on divorcing his wife.

Facing the devastating news, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) abandons her hospital duties for the day, turning to alcoholism as a means to deal with the depression.

Influenced by the recent revelations, Bailey tries to convince Izzie to reenter the internship program, which she had left as a result of her actions leading up to Denny's death.

Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) learns that Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) is living in the hospital basement, leading to her relocating with George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) in Meredith's house, much to the displeasure of his roommates.

A teenager patient with a large branch protruding through his abdomen is admitted into the hospital, and is revealed to have been thrown into a pile of tree clippings while street luging unprotected.

At the conclusion of the episode, Derek visits Addison in her hotel room, in order to share his final thoughts on their upcoming divorce, but is shocked at the revelation that she had sex with Mark Sloan (Eric Dane).

[3] Similarly to "Chasing Cars", the band's previous single featured in the series, the song gained significant popularity after being used in the show, resulting in a drastic rise in sales on iTunes.

[4] Several one-time guest actors appeared in the episode, including Richard Roundtree, who portrayed Donald Burke, and Javier Grajeda, acting as Jeffrey Hernandez.