In a story that has our fellow bloggers in an uproar, I thought I’d check in and post some thoughts.  Rumor has it that Brooke was let go after the story of Callie/Erica took a decidedly graphic turn in the past few scripts.  ABC apparently sent the order down, and it sounds like it was not Shonda Rhimes’ decision in anyway.  In an exclusive Q&A with Michael Ausiello, Brooke says that she didn’t think Shonda had anything to do with it:

Who broke the news to you?
Shonda.

I’m hearing that this wasn’t her decision, but rather ABC’s.
You know, I have to tell you, I got that feeling. I don’t know for sure, but it definitely seemed like [Shonda’s] hands were tied. That was just my gut.

Did she seem upset?
She did seem upset. I wasn’t having a very good week that week. I was like, “Oh, God, what is it with this business?!” And she said, “No, no, no. You are such a great actress. We love you.” It seemed like some decision came down from above. It didn’t feel like it was her.

I was just saying on this week’s podcast that I couldn’t stand this character, but I honestly never expected that the show, and the network, would cower away from what, by all means, appeared to be a very real storyline.  A storyline that shouldn’t be considered “brave” by any means, because it’s real life.  It’s what happens, and that doesn’t deserve to be pushed aside.

To add insult to injury, Melissa George, who was just cast as Meredith’s best friend Sadie in what sounds like an open-ended role, was originally supposed to be a spoiler in the Callie/Erica romance, and has since been rewritten.  Throw in Mary McDonnell as a renowned heart doc, and suddenly, the tables have turned.

What are your thoughts?  Is there more to this story that we’re not seeing, or did this come out of left field?

Brooke’s last episode as Erica Hahn airs this Thursday at 9 on ABC.