Grey’s Anatomy: The Finale

“You work, you study, you prepare. Months and years leading to one day. The day when you step up. On that day, you have to be ready for everything. But there’s one thing you can never quite prepare for: a day when you step down. Sometimes, it happens in an instant. We step up. We become a leader. We see a path, and we take it. Even when we have no idea where we are going.” -Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy, Season 8 Episode 3: Take the Lead.

So far this semester, I’ve discussed how Grey’s Anatomy has tackled important social issues including feminism, objectification of men, and sexuality. Other than that I’ve talked about favorite characters, favorite couples, and analyzed episodes.

For the past semester, I’ve had the pleasure of analyzing different aspects of Grey’s Anatomy not only for my own entertainment, but for your encouragement to watch this incredible show too! Ten weeks, ten entries, and it’s finally come to an end!

Basically this entire semester has been about me trying to convince you that Grey’s Anatomy is the best show ever!

So just in case you haven’t already started to watch Grey’s Anatomy by reading my blog every week, I assume that you will soon in the future! So I decided to dedicate this last blog entry to tips for watching Grey’s Anatomy.

Seasons…

Grey’s Anatomy is currently running in its twelfth season, and is signed on for season thirteen. So hang in there, don’t give up,  you’re in for the long run!

Time Requirements…

Grey’s Anatomy is a serious investment. Each episode is about an hour long, and it is currently running in its twelfth season. So depending on your dedication, you should be caught up in about four months. Good Luck!

Seasons and Episodes to Skip…

I won’t lie to any of you, there will be times in the next twelve seasons a head of you, that you will want to quit. But you’ve got to push through.

You’ve got to push through Izzie and George’s uncomfortable, short-lived relationship.

You’ve got to push through the love triangle of Derek-Meredith-Addison.

Season 7 Episode 18 “Song Beneath The Song“: this musical episode (As Described in the Blog Entry “Grey’s Anatomy THE MUSICAL) was terrible. It made no sense, and you can absolutely skip it.

Season 10 Episode 14 “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”: this episode was basically about how the hospital put on ban on workplace relationships, but it was pointless because steamy workplace relations are what the show was based on! Needless to say, this rule lasted a total of ten minutes.

Nice try though, as if the entire hospital wasn’t going to continue to hook up with each other during their already packed surgical schedules. GOOD ONE

Once you get past all of the heartache and drama that you’re going to go through during season 7 and season 8, seasons 9-11 are going to seem slow, but trust me when I say that nothing will ever prepare you for the end of season 11. So push through!

Seasons and Episodes You Can’t Skip…

Seasons 1 and 2 will give you back stories to all of the doctors. These seasons will show the first few examples of “The Invincible Meredith Grey.”

Season 6 Episode 23 “Sanctuary”-24 “”Death and All His Friends”: These episodes surround a gunman in the hospital, and it will without a doubt have you on the edge of your seat!

Season 7 will be a hit or a miss. You will either love the drama and overwhelming plot lines, or you will end every episode in tears of betrayal for writer Shonda Rhimes.

Seasons 10 and 11: While these seasons are slower than previous, but it is crucial to the development of main characters.

Why Binge?

Grey’s Anatomy has pushed the social envelope on several occassions, talking issues that we face in society today. It sheds light on important social and medical concerns that we have today in an easy to undertsnad manner.

As well as the fact that I have watched 12 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, as well as other medical dramas, I can basically consider myself a doctor, given my vast medical understanding. So basically if you watch Grey’s Anatomy you have a pretty good chance of becoming a world class surgeon and possibly meeting Dr. McDreamy

Whenever anyone asks “is anyone here a doctor?” this is always my response…

Once It’s All Over…

You should check out Private Practice! Private Practice is another Shonda Rhimes spin off show, following the life of Dr. Addison Montgomery after she leaves Seattle.

Good Luck Guys!

Grey’s Anatomy Season 12 Episode 8: The Things We Lost In The Fire

The episode opens up with Meredith driving the carpool of Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital’s doctors. The car is filled with banter and gossip, about Owen and Amelia, Jo and Alex, Penny and how everyone hates her, Owen and Riggs; I wouldn’t be so shocked to believe that this was a car filled with fourteen-year-old girls, rather than world-class surgeons. Amongst the gossip, the doctors acknowledge a, “snow-like,” substance falling from the sky.

Upon arriving at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital, we learn that a huge wildfire has gotten out of control, and the hospital has to prepare for a mass influx of burned firefighters. At this point, Dr. Bailey is frantically searching through manuals, to try and find the protocol on hospital disaster; Dr. Bailey has been fighting for respect and recognition as Chief of Surgery throughout this season. Dr. Webber comforts her and explains that no manual she reads will tell her exactly how to handle such situations. He explains that the strength and talent to get through hospital disasters are not laid out and there is not, “typical,” disaster. Once Dr. Bailey preps the doctors on the situation at hand, the hospital is filled with firefighters, all having suffered severe burns as well as smoke inhalation. Amongst the patients, three are prominent:

Charlotte, Chief Casey, and John Finch.

Patient #1 The Cute Girl

Let’s start with Charlotte; she is in the emergency room after having suffered severe burns wounds on her butt. Dr. Arizona Robins is treating her, and the two end up flirting and bonding over the struggles and ethical dilemmas regarding their respective professions; Charlotte depends on horrific fires to get paid, while Arizona’s job depends on babies getting sick. Arizona has had such a hard time moving on from her (kind of) recent breakup with Dr. Callie Torres. At this point, I should know that the doctor-patient relationships that Grey’s Anatomy portray, are NEVER going to work out! But I still had hope, I mean look how cute they were! Poor Arizona can’t seem to catch a break; she’s tried everything up to using Dr. Richard Webber as her wing man. By the end, it turns out that she is already taken, and Arizona is back to the bars with Dr. Webber.

Patient #2 The Kind Old Man

Grey’s Anatomy makes it a point to offer its viewers a top notch, tear jerking patient moment, and this episode is no exception. The kind old fire chief was admitted into the emergency room having suffered severe burn wounds, which are later deemed fatal by Dr. Bailey. Knowing that there are many other firefighters waiting to be treated, Chief Casey insists that the doctors tend to the others first. As all of the tear jerking characters do, Chief Casey provided wisdom and advise to the doctors, such as Dr. Bailey in terms of her leadership skills, as well as Maggie and Andrew in regards to their inappropriate workplace relationship. Chief Casey, as well as other patients before him, are deaths that viewers are so often torn up about, having “Why did we need to kill the kind old fire chief in order to advance Maggie and Andrew’s story” or “Why did we need to kill the kind old fire chief in order for Bailey to understand leadership” moments.

Patient #3 Mrs. Hunt’s Cute Boyfriend

One of the firefighters ends up being Owen’s mother’s boyfriend, John Finch, who we learn in previous episodes, is much younger than she is. He is first admitted under the care of Dr. Grey and Dr. Riggs, who clash over the means of caring for him. Dr. Nathan Riggs continues to both confuse people, and get on everyone’s nerves; at one point in this episode Dr. Owen Hunt storms into the OR during John’s surgery and demands that Dr. Riggs be removed from the OR immediately, questioning his integrity and surgical skills. John had a very close call in surgery, but survived. After surgery, Evelyn Hunt goes to check on John and sees Riggs, who greets her like an old friend, calling her “mom.” We later find out, after Owen freaks out and punches him in the face, saying, “Stay the hell away from my family”, that Riggs isn’t his brother, rather his sister’s husband.

This only further proves that everyone in the hospital is related to each other.

For the past few episodes, Dr. Amelia Shepherd has felt that Dr. Owen Hunt is keeping secrets from her, specifically his history with Dr. Nathan Riggs. Throughout past episodes this season, a number of rumors have been flying through the hospital, regarding this relationship. These rumors vary from probable to absolutely ridiculous, showing how the doctors in the hospital are equally, if not more intrigued than viewers!

By the end of this episode, Owen has apparently shared some of this information with Meredith; upon hearing that Owen has shared with Meredith rather than herself, and Amelia freaks out. Meredith and Amelia end up in a juvenile and dramatic screaming battle against each other, which ends in Meredith exclaiming that Amelia is no longer welcome in her home.

Seriously over the Meredith-Amelia drama, those two are like

Meanwhile…

 Jo is feeling neglected by Alex and bullied by the other doctors at the hospital. The episode closes with Jo expressing her discontent with their relationship, while Alex surprises her with a proposal (No Answer From Jo). And on top of all that, no one knows whether or not Dr. April Kepner and Dr. Jackson Avery are still together.

This episode was all over the place, and left me with my head spinning! Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital is, in my opinion, turning in Grey-Sloan Memorial High School.

It was nice to see, however, a break in the season that ended on less of a bang and more of a sizzle. Rather than getting angry over the death of a favorite character or left in complete disbelief, viewers are left with a million questions:

Who is Riggs?

Are April and Jackson Together?

Are Jo and Alex Together?

Will Meredith and Amelia Ever Make Up?

Stay Tuned To Find Out!

Grey’s Anatomy: Why Cristina Yang Was The.Greatest.Person.Ever.

The World When Cristina Yang Walks in the Room.

Grey’s Anatomy is the highest rated broadcast drama among the 18-49 demographics, and for 10 seasons, much of that success can be attributed to Dr. Cristina Yang, played by actress Sandra Oh.

For 10 seasons, Dr. Cristina Yang has filled Grey’s Anatomy with both medical miracles and sarcastic remarks. There is no question that Grey’s Anatomy would never be the same if there had been no Dr. Yang. Here’s a Buzzfeed link explaining how Grey’s Anatomy would be different if Cristina Yang was the main character (as if she already isn’t!)

Why Do We All Love Yang So Much?

She Always Told It Like It Was

No matter what kind of drama filled her or Meredeth’s life, she took it all with a grain of salt (and sometimes a lime…usually with some tequila…)

She knew how to accept the things that she couldn’t change, and knew how to do it!

She knew exactly where her priorities were.

And then there was when she said this…

She Never Took Crap From Anyone

If there was one thing that Cristina didn’t deal with, it was people wining about things that could be solved. Cristina believed in being in control of your own life; she made sure that both she and her friends were aware of their situations in life and could distinguish  what they had control over changing.

She Was A Brilliant Surgeon

After watching Cristina Yang for 10 seasons, fans know from both her unbelievable track record in the operating room, as well as her mentioning it every episode, that she was truly a gifted surgeon. One of the most impressive qualities about Cristina Yang as her unwavering dedication to her passion; cardiothoracic surgery.

She Was THE Feminist

She Redefined What It Meant To “Have It All”

According to society as a whole, both past and present, for a woman to feel complete and whole, she must have a marriage, family, and a career at some point in her life. Career-focuses women have often been told that they need a man and settle down, to let life fall into place as society believes it should be; Cristina Yang made sure that all women knew that this is NOT the case with everyone. Although some women may feel fulfillment through family, Cristina felt her fulfillment through her career, becoming the greatest surgeon in her ability; and she didn’t accept anything less than greatness.

Over the past ten years, Cristina Yang has revolutionized the way that media portrays women; she has proved that women can have it all, but not only the conventional definitions of “having it all”, but having the “real” “all”, in which you love your people and your people love you too.

She Knew Her Own Self-Worth

Cristina knew how fantastic was and she wasn’t afraid of telling people that. When someone challenged her worth, talent, beauty, or intelligence, she fought right back! So much of society today tells women how to act, think, feel, and look, and too many young women fall into the mind set that they are only as good as society tells them they are.

Cristina Yang never apologized or made excuses for her success. “You’ll never be as good as me, but you’re very, very good.” Cristina knew that it was not a matter of chance or luck that she was given to opportunities that she did, it was her pure talent.

Not only in regards to her talent, but she knew that she was the whole package! Cristina Yang was smart, funny, talented, and beautiful, and you didn’t need to tell her twice!

Typically in television and movies, audiences enjoy seeing heroines as kind, optimistic, put-together, and fun-loving. Cristina Yang broke this stereotypical trend; she was seen in every light. She was tortured and vulnerable when she experienced an ectopic pregnancy. She was strong when she was held at gunpoint for saving Derek’s life. Cristina is every woman at every stage; she is a refreshing break from the status quot of women portrayed in the media today.

Here’s a Buzzfeed link further explaining why Cristina Yang is everything that you should aspire for in life!

The Twisted Sisters

No matter how much fans love MerDer, we all know one fact to be true: Cristina and Meredith are the real soul mates.

Here’s a Link Showing a Few Times That Proved That Cristina And Meredeth Were The REAL Love Story in Grey’s Anatomy!

Everyone has heard the phrase, boyfriends are temporary but girl friends are for life, and for the most part it’s true! Without Cristina with her throughout all of the unfortunate circumstances in her life, Meredeth couldn’t have been able to hold herself together for the most part. It wasn’t until she realized what was most important in her life, and what her main job in life was, that Cristina was able to leave.

In television, movies, and other media forms, it is typically difficult to find an accurate portrayal of a friendship rooted in something other than superficiality; Meredith and Cristina challenged this stereotype with their portrayal of two strong, independent, and talented women.

Here’s a Link Explaining Some Of The Things We’ve Learned From Cristina Yang!

Cristina Yang redefined how women were portrayed in the media; she depicted women in every sense, strong, powerful, funny, feminine, vulnerable, driven, and confident. She sent a powerful message to women; showing that women can be successful, a complete mess, have everything together, and everything fall apart, and each of those is okay.

Basically Cristina Yang Is The Greatest Thing To Ever Happen To TV…She Needs To Come Back To Grey’s Anatomy…And For Those Of You Who Don’t Agree… Here’s a Buzzfeed link explaining further why Dr. Cristina Yang desperately needs to come back to Grey’s Anatomy!

Grey’s Anatomy: The Real Lesbian Housewives MD of Seattle

Grey’s Anatomy has always been known to push the social envelope, and tackle subjects. In regards to the lesbian and gay communities, Grey’s Anatomy has been one of the many television series to address the issue regarding acceptance in society.

Typically, when a patient is admitted into Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital, they come in with more than just physical impairments. Other than open wounds, brain tumors, and missing limbs (and the list goes on!), they also come in with mountains of personal struggles and emotional baggage.

Grey’s Anatomy has no issues when it comes to taking controversial topics such as these, being as the show’s writers constantly include characters who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual. These characters including show regulars such as Arizona Robins and Callie Torres, as well as short lived characters and special guests including Dr. Erica Hahn, Firefighter Charlotte, and Dr. Lauren Boswel, as well as a number of patients all from different religious and cultural backgrounds, and of different ages.

Other than the general usage of characters in the show, Grey’s Anatomy also makes sure to include some of the constant struggles that these characters deal with, including acceptance of themselves and acceptance from society.

According to top critics at Xfinity, Grey’s Anatomy features some of the media’s top representation in the media! In fact ABC networking in general has been doing a better job with featuring gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters. With shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, an estimated 33% of ABC prime-time hours were classified as including these minorities.

Media’s Portrayal of Gay and Lesbian Couples

Since the cast of Grey’s Anatomy is made up of more women than male, lesbian women are portrayed much more than gay men.According to an article in “The Guardian”, 1 in 5 people are unhappy with the way that gay and lesbian individuals are portrayed in the media.

Consumer Appeal

Although the American public estimated that around 25% of the American population identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in 2011, statistics show that a more accurate estimate totals in around 3.8%. However, according to a study done by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the number is closer to 20%.

Regardless of the exact number, it is important for shows such as Grey’s Anatomy to show minority groups including these.

For All You Haters Out There…

In response to those consumers who don’t accept these minorities in society as well as in the media, writer Shonda Rhimes says, “If you don’t like my shows, don’t watch!”

Grey’s Anatomy Doctor Duo Ships

If you were to type “Grey’s Anatomy Ships” into Google, and you will find that the possibilities are endless. At the very beginning, the first episode was based off of how awkward it was that the night before her first day as a surgical intern, Meredith Grey slept with some guy she met at a bar, and that guy turned out the be Dr. Derek Shepherd, who turned out to be her boss.

Aside from all of the ground breaking medical drama that goes on throughout the episodes, a huge part of the show’s success is surrounding the complex interpersonal relationships throughout the show.

Doctor-Doctor

MerDer

Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Meredith Grey.

Why do we love “MerDer”?

Because they were the very first couple on Grey´s.
Because opening of the show like that was just great!
Because we love the way he looks at her.
Because they´ve gone through lots of drama and even when we say how badly we want them to be together all happy and shiny, we enjoy watching drama and even more that make-up moments!
Because meeting her in the bar changed his life.
Because of this line…

Because of all their unforgettable elevator scenes
Because he loves ferryboats
Because he was drowning and she saved him (metaphorically).
Because she was drowning and he saved her (literally).
Because, despite of how strange it could seem for Meredith´s personality, because he was her attending and she didn’t want to go out with him first, because he was married and broke her heart, she was the first to say “I love you”.
Because she admitted that she´s not over him and said “Pick me. Choose me. Love me.”
Because he hit Mark with his two million dollar hand when he saw him just talking to her.
Because he´s her “knight in shining whatever”.
Because she built the house of candles on his land.
Because they can be extraordinary together rather than ordinary apart.
Because he understands that Cristina is Meredith´s person.
Because they´ll love each other, even when they hate each other.
Because they promised no more running ever.
Because they promised to take care of each other even old, smelly and senile.
Because they are completely overrated but we really don’t care!

Here’s a link further explaining why “MerDer” will always be the best

The show basically revolved around their perfectly complicated relationship. From the moment that they were introduced in the show, via their one-night-stand before realizing that they worked together, through the birth of their three children, and until Derek’s untimely death, Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd have been everything that viewers look for in iconic relationships, and more.

April and Jackson

Dr. April Kepner and Dr. Jackson Avery.

Fans love April and Jackson because their story is too cute to believe. They were both residents at Mercy West Hospital and came to Seattle Grace Hospital during the merger. From then, they became friends, ended up hooking up the night before their boards exams. Fast forward two seasons, Jackson crashed April’s wedding and they ran away together, which was the greatest thing we’ve ever seen, even though that must’ve actually been a huge scandal! Two seasons later, the couple went through the unthinkable when they found out that they were pregnant, only to later find out that their baby had developed with osteogenesis imperfecta, leading to the death of their baby boy minutes after his birth. After this, April decided to join the military as a field surgeon; she came back and now their relationship just confuses everyone.

At this point, Jackson and April just give fan a headache, are they together or are they not??

Here’s a link of some of my favorite Jackson/April moments!

Calzona

Dr. Arizona Robins and Dr. Callie Torres.

 

Here’s a Buzzfeed link explaining why “Calzona” was literally the best!

Before she met Arizona, Callie has had her fair share of catastrophic relationships (George O’Malley, Erica Hahn, Mark Sloan, to name a few). From the moment that the two first got together in the bathroom of Joe’s Bar, they had established themselves as the best couple on the show.

But like all great romances, their time came to an end. Callie and Arizona have been through so much in their relationship:

Arizona moving to Africa after she won the Carter Mason grant,

Their disagreements on whether or not to have children,

The fact that Callie had a baby with Mark,

The plane crash that resulted in Callie needing to amputate Arizona’s leg,

The car crash immediately after Arizona proposed to Callie,

All coming full circle to when they wanted another baby but Callie couldn’t carry children anymore and Arizona wouldn’t.

Although they aren’t together anymore, I still have hope for them as a couple in future season.#CalzonaForever

Here’s a Buzzfeed link explaining why their love had to end.

Doctor-Patient

Denny Duquette

No one could ever forget poor Denny. He was a long time heart patient of Dr. Preston Burke. He and Dr. Izzie Stevens bonded and fell in love while he was a patient, and ended up jeopardizing Dr. Steven’s surgical career entirely when she cut his L-Vad wire in hopes of moving him up on the donor list. He died hours later, leaving Izzie distraught in a prom dress.

If the doctors at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital hadn’t learned from Denny, Charlotte, Rebecca Pope, and many others that Doctor-Patient relationships NEVER work, I don’t know if they ever will!

These are only a few of my favorite Grey’s Anatomy couples, so click the link below to see more!

Here’s a Buzzfeed link to find out your Grey’s Anatomy couple!