Other than his response; she moves to quiet the concerns of others, as she says, "Don't worry people. It will all work out to be amazing. I see some concern; but trust me. It will all be great. We have to keep the people wowed and wanting more; that's how you make a show a hit, and you keep a show a hit. It's my formula, and if it worked for me before; I know that it will continue to work."
Unable to keep his thought to himself; knowing the show is already successful. So making a change isn't wise. Jeff says, "I'm not trying to step on your toes at all here Shonda. But, are you worried at all about making any huge changes at this point in the show? Like how the fans will react, or what they'll think."
Shonda's smile fades as she says, "No. That's not a concern. Because I don't write for them; I write for me. I know what looks good on television, and I know what people want. They want to be entertained and awed; otherwise they get bored."
The arrogance of her statement hits most of them like a diesel truck, causing a shift in the room. The mood is no longer pleasant; it's actually beginning to get intense. Even the more jovial people, are no longer smiling. Despite being annoyed by her reply; Tony still remains quiet. Something Shonda didn't expect. She thought surely he'd have an opinion.
In waiting for him to say something; another voice pipes up, as Henry says, "With all due respect Shonda; people also know what they like, and our fans aren't shy about what they want. So, I agree with Jeff, making a sudden, and unwarranted change could cause more trouble than it's worth. It's a legitimate concern to have."
Everyone is surprised at Henry's response; nobody generally challenges Shonda, especially not Henry. He's always the mild mannered, laid back type, who just goes with the flow.
Apparently the shock doesn't just rest with the cast; but it also hits Shonda, and she's quick to address it, as only she could. Feeling like she is being disrespected, she says, "How many shows have you created, and produced Henry?"
It's like the air has been sucked out of the room, and everyone waits for his reply, as Columbus quietly says, "Oh shit." Followed by Darby saying, "Damn, this isn't going to end well."
Henry immediately feels the shift in her tone, and realizes she's angry. He pauses as he says, "Shonda I…" She interjects as she says, "Just answer the question."
Slowly but surely, everyone begins to feel embarrassed for him. It's painful to watch. Tony can't bear to witness anymore, he knows where this is going; so he says, "I think we get your point Shonda." Shonda angrily responds, "Speak for yourself Tony. I'm talking to Henry." Henry appreciates Tony's interjection; but doesn't want the situation to escalate, so he quickly says, "It's fine Tony."
Tony goes to respond, as he says, "N.."; suddenly, Kerry touches his leg under the table, hoping to stop him from saying anything, and it works. He stops himself, because of her. He previously promised her, if she asked him to stop himself when things got heated with Shonda; that he would do it. No matter what. He'd stop if she asked him to. Which is what her grabbing his thigh represents.
As his brain computes her nonverbal message; he hears Henry say, "The answer is none Shonda." Clearly bubbling with anger at this point, and ready to explode. But wanting to address everyone, and not just Henry on the matter.
She abruptly, and sarcastically says, "Now that we have that confirmed; let me be clear for all of you. It's my job to worry about the show's overall appeal and success, and it's your jobs to know your lines, and follow my lead. So, if I offer you information about changes being made; it's not because I want, or need your approval or input. It's because I'm telling you it's happening. So, in short. Get on board, or jump off the rollercoaster. Because last I checked this project has my name on it, and no one else's."
The room is silent; there's an air of discomfort that's filling the space. Her words are final, and cut deeply to the core. Understanding where they all are in the conversation; everyone sees a reply at this point is pretty much pointless. Because no matter what; she's ready to fight.
As the silence grows, you can cut the tension with a knife, it's so thick. Kerry looks around the room, and feels like she has to do something to bring this situation back down to earth. Despite feeling the air of defeat around them; she can't sit in this uncomfortable situation any longer.
So she breaks the awkwardness; shocking everyone in the room. As she compromisingly says, "I think you're all right. To Shonda's point; people do want to be excited and wowed; but to Jeff and Henry's points as well, people do get invested in shows, and changing what they like abruptly can cause problems for the show ratings wise. However, I believe; if anyone is capable of successfully implementing a great shift in the show's dynamic. It's you Shonda. So, I think we're in great hands with you at the helm of something like this. It's your vision. So, we owe it to you; to let you bring it to life the way you see fit."
Everyone in the room has a varying opinion on her statement. She feels the tension in Tony's thigh, which she's still grasping under the table, and the shift in his body tells her he's not enthused with her. But, in her head; she feels like she can't worry about his feelings at this time. It's about the bigger picture.
She searches the room briefly, looking at the faces of others too, including Shonda's. Everyone else seems to be buying what she's selling, and appear to be waiting with baited breath. To see if Shonda buys it too.
To her dismay, her words may be genuine; but they don't feel that way to Shonda. In fact they feel insulting to her. Shonda's anger heightens as a result, and just as she begins to speak.
Scott quickly says, "If I may. I'd just like to say; I don't think anybody is trying to overrule you in any way. I agree with Kerry. If anyone can do this it's you Shonda. You're a proven genius. Your ability can't be questioned. Because you get results. I think we all know that to be the case; but just like anything. Nobody likes change, until they see what the change is. Then they can determine if they like it."