Station 19 season 6, episode 8 saw the return of a popular guest star, Dr. Diane Lewis, played by Tracie Thoms, and her role this season is much more important than it may seem on the surface. Diane first appeared in Station 19 season 3 and has made numerous appearances in different capacities on the firefighter show since. As a psychologist for the Seattle Fire Department, Diane has been a part of pivotal moments in Station 19 and helped facilitate the growth of multiple characters.

Tracie Thoms is one of six guest stars who appeared in the Grey’s Anatomy universe before ending up on Station 19 as Dr. Diane Lewis. Station 19 has had many different guest stars across its six seasons, but Diane has stood out because of the important role she’s played in multiple storylines, as well as the development of main characters such as Maya, who is the reason she’s returned in season 6. Season 6 saw Diane return for a seventh time since her first episode in season 3, and, luckily for the viewers and characters, she will likely be back for more episodes.

Diane Is Helping Maya Through Her Mental Health Crisis In Station 19

Diane’s Station 19 season 6 return was brought on by Maya’s mental health crisis following her treadmill accident in the winter finale. Following her hold under psychiatric care at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Maya needed Diane’s assessment to return to work at the station. Maya is still healing physically, emotionally, and mentally, and Diane is playing a big part in her recovery process, just as she has in the past. Diane has been instrumental in Maya’s character growth and in helping her to uncover the trauma that was brought on by her father and his abuse.

Maya is one of many characters in the Grey’s Anatomy universe with a tragic backstory, though it took her a while, and help from Diane, her mother, and Carina, to accept and acknowledge her father’s behavior as abusive. Maya has been spiraling for the entirety of Station 19 season 6 and her treadmill accident marked her rock bottom. Maya will continue working with Diane weekly to help both herself and, eventually, her marriage with Carina, meaning Station 19 viewers might see more of her and the important role she’ll play in season 6 with Maya and potentially others, as well.

Diane Helped Counsel Station 19 After Rigo Vasquez & George Floyd’s Deaths

Maya first brought Diane into season 3 to help the team cope with the death of one of their own on Station 19, Rigo Vasquez. Season 3 was a tumultuous time for the station and the firefighters as they underwent a major transition when Maya became captain of the station and they then lost Captain Pruitt Herrera towards the end of the season. While Maya brought Diane in to help them deal with all of their feelings following Rigo’s death, which she felt partially responsible for, she also received her own help, leading to the revelations about her childhood trauma and the impact it still has on her.

Diane was also a key figure in one of Station 19’s most powerful episodes, season 4, episode 12, “Get Up, Stand Up,” which takes place in the immediate aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. The Grey’s universe is known for making political statements and its social commentary, such as Grey’s Anatomy’s current usage of black scrubs to highlight women’s reproductive rights. The episode dealt with racism against Black and Asian people, police brutality, and allyship. Maya once again brought Diane back to help the team navigate through the trying time, showing how important she is and continues to be to Station 19.

Diane’s Station 19 Character Is A Great Tool For Highlighting Mental Health

One issue Station 19 makes a point of showcasing is mental health, and Diane’s character is perfect for putting this at the show’s forefront. Maya’s mental health and her downward spiral have been one of the biggest storylines of season 6, with it affecting her, the dynamics at the station, and her relationship, as Maya and Carina are currently on a break. Another major storyline has revolved around Crisis One, a mental health program started by Dean and that Diane had a part in implementing across the Seattle Fire Department.

With Dixon running for mayor, Crisis One is currently under threat, but Station 19 season 6, episode 8 showed that Chief Ross wants to protect the program along with her firefighters. Her offer to have Seattle police receive Crisis One training could have Diane’s return go beyond helping Maya. While Maya’s mental health storyline has been important in Station 19 season 6, Diane and Crisis One are examples of how the series has prioritized showing mental health for seasons.