Even 20 years after its initial release, Grey’s Anatomy is still dominating viewing figures around the world. Now that the show is available on a range of streaming platforms, viewers now have the privilege of watching this pioneering medical drama right from the very start. With 21 seasons under its belt, it’s clear that Grey’s Anatomy has perfected the formula for fantastic TV.
However, it would be wrong to say that Grey’s Anatomy has maintained its high popularity with every fan. Although they tried with all their might, some fans felt that the storylines had gone too far and had to stop watching. Thus, it seems that certain scenes pushed a lot of Grey’s Anatomy fans to the point of no return.
Fans Bid Farewell to an Integral Character
Season 10, Episode 24, “Fear (of the Unknown)”
For many fans, Cristina Yang is the key to Grey’s Anatomy’s success. Her fiery personality and headstrong attitude made her a perfect accompaniment to Meredith Grey, who often felt trapped by her own stumbling blocks. So, throughout all the highs and lows, it felt that Yang was the only consistency in this fast-paced show.
When she left for Switzerland in Season 10, fans felt as if a huge part of the show was snatched away from them. While a lot of audiences appreciated her sentimental exit, especially her final happy dance with Meredith, it was still a devastating departure. As such, fans still hope that Yang will stroll through the doors of the hospital again soon.
Meredith Suffers a Step Back in Her Condition
Season 17, Episode 10, “Breathe”
Dr. Bailey stands in full covid protection gear talking to an intubated Meredith Grey in her hospital room in Grey’s Anatomy.Image via ABC
Grey’s Anatomy fans often criticize Season 17 and aptly label it as the COVID season, mainly because it places a great deal of focus on the virus. While Meredith’s diagnosis was devastating, it wasn’t exactly unexpected. As such, when she was placed on a ventilator in “Breath,” a lot of fans felt that this step was overkill.
Another problem with the episode is that it was too realistic, even for a medical drama. All of these events took place during the worldwide lockdowns, so a lot of audiences felt as if they had lost their comfort show. Overall, Meredith’s succumbing to COVID-19 hits too hard for even die-hard fans.
A Beloved Surgeon Says Goodbye In a Cowardly Way
Season 16, Episode 16, “Leave a Light On”
Alex Karev smiles in Grey’s AnatomyImage via ABC
Those who have been watching since Season 1 understand that Alex Karev is not the man he once was. Back in his intern days, he was a certified player who wasn’t afraid to break the rules in order to get his treatment plan across. But, as he grew older, he developed a stronger relationship with Meredith and blossomed into a deeply considerate man.
That’s why his departure in Season 16 was so shocking and disappointing. Instead of receiving an emotional send-off from his colleagues and friends, he essentially disappears and sends three letters that detail why. Fans saw this man grow from strength to strength, so to have him ripped away so suddenly forced a lot of fans to back away from the show entirely.
A Talented Surgeon Suffers an Unrealistic Breakdown
Season 16, Episode 18, “Give a Little Bit”
Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) comforts a depressed Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) in Grey’s Anatomy.
Andrew DeLuca quickly became a fan-favorite character when he joined the show in Season 11. He was charming and very bright, making him a great addition to the long-running medical drama. Yet, in Season 16, a lot of fans believed that the writers had taken his bipolar storyline to a new extreme.
In “Give a Little Bit,” DeLuca suffers a pretty bad manic episode and becomes convinced that one of his teenage patients is being trafficked. It should be noted that Giacomo Gianniotti gave a very powerful performance during this scene, and he offered a very credible presentation of a man in deep distress. However, audiences couldn’t help but think that DeLuca’s random crisis just continued to stigmatize a complex condition like bipolar.
Too Many Deaths Occurred in Quick Succession
Season 9, Episode 1, “Going, Going, Gone”
Mark Sloan lies in a hospital bed in Grey’s Anatomy.
After the plane crash fiasco of Season 8, a lot of fans were hoping that the following season would offer the show a fresh start. Yet, the premiere of Season 9 was filled with a bunch of new tragedies. Most notably, Mark Sloan passed away.
Succumbs to Temptation
Season 9, Episode 23, “Readiness is All”
Although a lot of modern fans may not realize it, Arizona and Callie’s relationship was an influential asset on ’00s primetime TV. Not only were they openly Queer, but they also shared a deep love for each other. Thus, many fans claim that Arizona’s unfaithfulness towards her partner is not realistic and was just used to drum up unnecessary tension on the show.
Callie and Arizona kissing in Grey’s Anatomy with stills of them and Sofia and their first dance.
In Season 9, Arizona hooks up with Dr. Lauren Boswell, a prized neurosurgeon who is also seen as a pioneer in her field. While it was only a one-time thing, fans were angry enough to stop watching the show altogether. Even though Arizona and Callie had their difficulties, this cheating scandal felt like a slap around the face for those who had been rooting for them for so long.
Fans Assumed That the End Was Near
Season 19, Episode 7, “I’ll Follow the Sun”
Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith smile at a colleague on a brown background
After tons of heartbreak and countless tragedies, Meredith Grey finally decided to turn her back on Grey Sloan. While she enjoyed a lot of career-defining moments in this hospital, fans understood that after everything she had been through, it was time for a change. Thus, partway through Season 19, Grey leaves to develop her Alzheimer’s research in Boston.
For a lot of audiences, this signified the complete end to Grey’s Anatomy. Now that the protagonist was pretty much out of the picture, the show no longer had a purpose and fans felt that it could risk just pumping out tired storylines for the sake of it. Even though Meredith reappears every so often, a lot of fans stopped watching after this episode so they could say goodbye to the show on a high note.
A Leading Man Was Taken Too Soon
Season 11, Episode 21, “How to Save a Life”
Derek Shepherd was so much more than Meredith Grey’s main love interest. He was the face of the hospital for a long time and inspired fans and colleagues with his beloved catchphrase, “It’s a beautiful day to save lives.” So, when he gets hit by a truck in “How to Save a Life,” fans just assumed that he would bounce back after a couple of episodes.
Yet, Shepherd’s injuries were a lot worse than the doctors could have anticipated, and because they were in such a rush to save him, a doctor refused to give him a head CT. This was, unfortunately, the final nail in the coffin because he died shortly after. Thus, after losing one of the best characters that the show had ever produced, fans saw no point in tuning in again.
A Charming Surgeon Dies So Suddenly
Season 8, Episode 24, “Flight”
Chyler Leigh’s Lexie Grey smniles on Meredith’s coma beach in Grey’s Anatomy
As Meredith’s half-sister, it’s obvious why fans appreciate Lexie Grey. She’s witty, endearing, and intelligent, making her a perfect fit for a prestigious institution like Seattle Grace Mercy West. Yet, when she tragically passed away in the plane crash in Season 8, fans believed that the show had just removed one of its best assets.
While Grey’s Anatomy should be praised for its significance and longevity, it had the bad habit of killing off too many characters. Lexie passed away in the first eight minutes of “Flight,” making her death shocking but ultimately quite forgettable. As such, many fans just wish that certain characters could stay around for a bit longer.
Meredith’s Downfall Was Just Too Much to Bear
Season 3, Episode 15, “Drowning on Dry Land”
Meredith Grey is getting her jaw rebroken on Grey’s Anatomy.Image via ABC
Meredith Grey has suffered so many near-death experiences that a lot of fans struggle to keep count of them. Yet, her drowning catastrophe in Season 3 was a bit too self-indulgent, even for Grey. When a patient pushes her into a large stretch of water, she struggles to regulate her body temperature.
Even though her colleagues try to warm her up, she then goes into V-Fib, creating a wealth of new problems. Of course, this episode is remarkably tense, but fans can’t help but feel like Grey is being a bit overdramatic in this situation. A lot of fans still argue that she could’ve swum to shore and that the show places too much emphasis on her storyline.
