Written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and directed by Julie Anne Robinson, the episode aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on February 1, 2007.

Further storylines include Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) continuously seeking patients for their new clinic, Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) dealing with the repercussions of his upcoming retirement, and George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) facing negative response from colleagues on his unexpected marriage to Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

Upon its original airing, the episode was watched by 24.18 million viewers in the United States, ranked first in its time-slot, and garnered an 8.5 Nielsen rating in the 18–49 demographic.

At the clinic, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) await the arrival of patients, while George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) surprises them with the announcement of his sudden marriage to Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

A cancer patient, Marina Wagner (Amanda Collins), is admitted and her blood is discovered to be toxic, a result of a chemical reaction between an herbal supplement and chemotherapy.

This storyline is inspired by the real-life case of Gloria Ramirez, a woman whose toxic blood caused illness among hospital staff in California in 1994.

During Wagner's surgery, Shepherd and Burke run out of air, prompting Cristina, Izzie, and Meredith to enter the OR holding their breath to complete the procedure.

[2] Featured music includes Psapp's "King of You", The Whitest Boy Alive's "Fireworks", Iain Archer's "Canal Song", Miho Hatori's "Barracuda" and Sybarite's "Runaway".

[1] She explained that the focus of the episode was on Ellis Grey's inner feelings, especially her fright, frustration, and stress: "The concept of someone with this disease having a lucid day is real.

"[1] Rater emphasized that the episode also marked a new period in the interns' development, as they begin to find their identities as surgeons, shifting the season's focus from earlier storylines centered around Denny Duquette's death and Meredith's love triangle with Derek Shepherd and Finn Dandridge.

And the worst thing is to come to the end of your life, and realize, like Ellis, that you should have tried harder," Rater remarked, emphasizing the emotional core of the episode and calling it "not ordinary".

[5] "Wishin' and Hopin'" led the time slot, with 2.69 million more viewers than CBS's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which ranked tenth with a 7.6 rating.

[6] She noted that the combination of the cancer patient's toxic blood and Ellis's lucidity created a balance, propelling the show forward "at a lightning-quick pace".

[6] Referring to it as "epic", Krause lauded the scene in which George O'Malley realizes the cause of the intoxication: "This is what we come to expect from medical dramas, and it is great to see Grey's get back to this, while not sacrificing the personal stories.

"[6] Krause highlighted how the medical case "brought out the hero" in many characters, while criticizing Mark Sloan for his lack of appealing traits, calling him "unlikable".

[7] Finally, West appreciated Miranda Bailey's storyline, describing her as "direct, somewhat stern, but not unkind" in addressing the issues faced by a sexually active teenager.

[8] Kate Burton earned a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series at the 2007 ceremony for her performance in the episode, though she ultimately lost to Leslie Caron of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.