Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Grey’s Anatomy season 20, episode 9.
Summary
Ellen Pompeo stepped down from her series regular role inGrey’s Anatomyseason 19, but Meredith has awkwardly hung around the series since, proving it’s time for them to part ways.Meredith had a disappointing exit inGrey’s Anatomyseason 19 that left many viewers wanting more. Yet, even with the sendoff she received, she has played a major, inconsistent role in season 20. It has been confirmed thatPompeo will appear in theGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 finale, meaning Meredith will have been in half of the 10-episode season by the time it ends.
When Meredith left in theGrey’s Anatomyseason 19 mid-season premiere, viewers knew it wasn’t her final episode. Meredith was already set to return atthe end ofGrey’s Anatomyseason 19, giving her appearances in just under half of the 20-episode season. Even after leaving,Meredith was somehow more involved inGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 than in season 19.WithGrey’s Anatomyseason 21confirmed, it begs the question of how involved Meredith will be in the future. There have already been character cuts and reduced cast roles, and Meredith could and should be one of them.
Meredith Grey’s Storylines Are Too Out Of Character
Meredith’s Character Has Regressed In Grey’s Anatomy Season 20
Meredith’sGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 storyline revolves around the controversial, potentially groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research she’s been conductingbehind Catherine’s back. In doing this, Meredith has dragged multiple characters into her lies, including Amelia, who she’s doing the research with, and Teddy, who has helped fund it. This isn’t the first timeMeredith has made a bad decision inGrey’s Anatomy, but it should be the last. Meredith is no longer a young intern or resident rebelling against the system, she’s a seasoned doctor playing games with her boss and leaving people’s jobs in the balance.
Though Meredith told Nick she isn’t afraid of being fired as she can continue her research elsewhere, not everyone is in the same position. When Catherine found out about their secret research,she fired Teddy from her position as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital Chief of Surgery. Teddy risked her job for Meredith, but all Meredith cares about is the research. Meredith even guilt-tripped Amelia into continuing their work by talking about honoring her dead mother when Amelia said she couldn’t lose her job.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Just Set Up The Perfect Exit For 2 Long-Standing Surgeons
Grey’s Anatomy season 20’s final few episodes have set up the perfect way for two of Grey Sloan’s longest-standing surgeons to exit the series.
Amelia and Teddy have young children, and while Meredith was able to uproot her life and bring her three children to Boston, Amelia and Teddy can’t necessarily, and shouldn’t have to, do the same. Meredith’sGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 storyline is causing a disaster not just for herself, but those around her, and she doesn’t seem to care.Meredith’s character has always had problems inGrey’s Anatomy, but season 20 has proved she hasn’t learned from her mistakes, and it’s ruining what was left to enjoy about her character.
Meredith Grey’s Comebacks Are Taking Valuable Screen Time From Other Characters
Grey’s Anatomy Is An Ensemble Show
Many viewers, even the most loyal, have wondered when and howGrey’s Anatomywill finally end. With the revolving door of characters, and only three remaining from the first episode,many have felt likeGrey’s Anatomyhas needed to pull the plug for years. Yet,Grey’s Anatomyseason 20 breathed new life into the show by introducing the first exciting intern group in seasons. Sadly,Yasuda is leavingGrey’s Anatomyin season 21, and season 20 has also teased Lucas leaving.
These exits feel premature, not just because they’ve only been around for two seasons thus far, but because the show hasn’t allowed viewers to spend enough time with them in said seasons. This is partially becauseMeredith’sGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 comebacks take up valuable screen time from the interns and other characters. Since only a few characters know about her research, Meredith’s storyline feels too isolated, thus taking away fromGrey’s Anatomyas an ensemble show.Meredith’sGrey’s Anatomyexit was supposed to be good for the interns, and her sticking around has only hurt them and others.
Meredith’s Grey’s Anatomy Returns Feel Forced
Meredith’s Grey’s Anatomy Appearances Are Inconsistent
WhenEllen Pompeo announced her reducedGrey’s Anatomyrole, she said she wanted to make room for other projects after focusing almost solely on the medical drama for almost 20 years. This is great for her career, but it should’ve meant a complete departure fromGrey’s Anatomy. Meredith comes and goes in her comeback episodes, likely because they have to be filmed around Pompeo’s schedule. Not knowing when she’ll show up makes herGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 appearances feel random and shoehorned.
Grey’s Anatomycan survive without Meredith, and the seasons 19 and 20 episodes in which she was absent proved this. Yet, it seems like those behind the show don’t believe this, causing them to force a Meredith storyline intoGrey’s Anatomyseason 20 when everyone else, including Meredith, was ready to move on. Though the Alzheimer’s research storyline could be seen as fitting by bringing Meredith’s storyline full circle, it also needs to be how herGrey’s Anatomystory finally ends.
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Grey’s Anatomy
Cast
A high-intensity medical drama which follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.
