<P> Pompeo posted on Twitter to react to the death of Shepherd, writing that she was honored and excited to tell Meredith's story "in the face of what feels like the impossible". She encouraged fans to continue watching the series, saying, "I hope you will all join me on her journey ." It was the first time that Pompeo spoke publicly about Dempsey's much publicised exit . </P> <P> "How to Save a Life" was originally broadcast on April 23, 2015 in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was watched by a total of 9.55 million, up 23 percent from its last years telecast airing around the same time . In the key 18 - 49 demographic, the episode scored a 2.8 in Nielsen ratings, up 22 percent from last year, scoring the best ratings since the eleventh - season premiere . It was the second best TV show in the 8.00 pm slot, beating Bones, The Vampire Diaries and a rerun on The Blacklist, but was beaten by The Big Bang Theory . </P> <P> The 9.55 million people tuned into the episode marked a 24 percent increase from the previous episode (7.60), in addition to the installment's 2.8 Nielsen rating in the target 18--49 demographic marked a 33 percent increase from the previous episode (2.1). The Nielsen score additionally registered the show as the week's highest rated drama and third - highest rated scripted series in the 18--49 demographic, only behind CBS's The Big Bang Theory (3.6) and ABC's Modern Family (3.0). </P> <P> The episode received mixed reviews by critics who gave a polarised view on the writing and handling of Shepherd's death . Ashley Bissette Sumerel of TV Fanatic gave the episode the highest praise in a 5 out of 5 star review highlighting the "interesting possibilities" that the death would offer for the show . However, she stated, "I'm beyond heartbroken . (...) We've seen tragic deaths and lost beloved characters, but never quite like this . I don't think I'll ever get over it ." She also acknowledged the show's emotional connect with its audience and its courage to attempt the "inconceivable". Ariana Bacle of Entertainment Weekly took the opportunity to reminisce the early years of the show saying that it is the compelling characters that have made committing to Grey's "irresistible". She added that despite some "weak moments" that the series suffers from, characters like "Meredith or Derek or Webber will have a moment that reminds me why I keep watching, why I never stopped--so watching one of those characters die hurts . It really, really hurts ." In a mixed review for the episode, a Spoiler TV writer criticized the plot calling it a "self - indulgent episode", contrasted it with "well crafted departure of Mark Sloan, or by Lexie Grey". Also criticizing the absence of the series' major cast from the episode the review said, "The presence of so many inconsequential and uninteresting characters was continually in danger of swamping the dreaminess of Derek ." However, appreciative of Pompeo's character, the reviewer remarked, "the writing of Meredith was completely on point . She was clinical, as we would expect her to be ." </P>

Grey's anatomy episode how to save a life