Who's who on ''Grey's Anatomy''

Spending your Sunday nights solely on Wisteria Lane is sooo 2005. These days, Sundays also involve a mandatory stopover at Seattle Grace. Grey’s Anatomy — ABC’s soap about sex, lies, and horny surgery interns — is quickly becoming TV’s most talked-about show, thanks in part to the bomb-tastic post-Super Bowl episode that pulled in 37.9 million viewers. ”It’s humbling and exciting,” says series creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes. ”I’m very grateful that people are watching.”

Not since Ally McBeal has a character so polarized viewers like Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the intern at the center of Anatomy‘s action. Smart and driven, yet mopey and self-absorbed, Meredith makes wildly inappropriate — but entertaining — life decisions. She’s hopelessly in love with Dr. Derek Shepherd, a.k.a. ”Dr. McDreamy” (Patrick Dempsey) — but he’s married to Dr. Addison Shepherd (Kate Walsh). A distressed Meredith pulled the ultimate no-no on the Feb. 26 episode by sleeping with her lovesick friend George (T.R. Knight, a fan favorite) and then spurning his affections. ”Things like that were planned from the beginning,” explains Rhimes of having Dr. Grey make such an unlikable move. ”People want there to be real characters on TV, yet when there actually is a real character who’s flawed, it’s hard to take.”

While the Meredith-Derek-Addison love triangle drives Grey’s, what keeps viewers hooked are the intertwined relationships within the core 10-person ensemble. If you’re tired of missing out on the watercooler talk, it’s not too late: Read EW’s Anatomy lesson, which will answer all the important questions, like who gave who syphilis, and what is the difference between a McDreamy and a McSteamy?

MEREDITH
Ellen Pompeo
Intern at Seattle Grace, the same hospital where her mother, Ellis — a gifted surgeon now suffering from Alzheimer’s — used to work. Slept with McDreamy, fell in love, and then went into a deep depression when his estranged wife, Addison, returned. Likes to whine a lot (especially in voice-over narration). Can often be found at Joe’s bar or at home with her roommates, waxing philosophical while staring at the ceiling.

McDREAMY
Patrick Dempsey
Neurosurgeon with the best hair at Seattle Grace. Is technically ”friends” with Meredith now but still harbors feelings and lust. Lives in a trailer with Addison and a feisty dog formerly owned by Meredith. His nickname is self-explanatory.

GEORGE
T.R. Knight
The surgical equivalent of a teddy bear, George slept with — and was then rejected by — his crush/former roomie Meredith, with whom he’s no longer speaking. He’s now crashing on Burke and Cristina’s couch and tentatively flirting with Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

ELLIS
Kate Burton
Meredith’s Alzheimer’s-afflicted mother and former doc; had affair with Webber that ended her marriage.

WEBBER
James Pickens Jr.
Chief of surgery at Seattle Grace. Married to Adele but checks up on Ellis Grey, his former lover, from time to time. Recently had brain surgery.