'Grey's Anatomy': Does Meredith Grey need to get fired?
A change of scenery might provide a new inroad into the character
"Grey's Anatomy"
Credit: ABC
Look, don't misunderstand me. I really do like Meredith, and she is, of course, the core of "Grey's Anatomy" (heck, her name is part of the show -- if she left, what would they call it? "Anatomy"?). Oh, and don't assume I mean that Ellen Pompeo needs to go. Fired doesn't mean gone, especially not on "Grey's."
But I have to admit, during this season's earlier shake-up of Seattle Grace, I was excited when the hospital teetered on the brink of a shut-down -- and I was more than a little disappointed when the place was saved at the last minute by Dr. Avery's mom, Catherine (Debbie Allen). With funding in place, everything can proceed (pretty much) as normal, albeit with poor Avery (Jesse Williams) stuck taking on a more high-profile role than he seems to want. Interns can go back to chasing one another, Yang (Sandra Oh) and Owen can continue their post-marriage fling, Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) and Callie (Sara Ramirez) can go back to healing and parenting. Plenty of drama on deck, I'm sure (those budgetary problems aren't necessarily disappearing just because of the big infusion of cash). But perhaps not the cosmic change that had seemed to be at hand.
If there's one thing we know about Seattle Grace, this place is the most watchable when it's shaken to its core -- and the same could be said for Meredith. Lately, however, Meredith hasn't been shaken or stirred by much, even though there's been plenty of plot twists that could have (and maybe should have) thrown her off balance more than they did.
Granted, it's been nice to see her evolve from a "dark and twisty" pessimist, leaving the constant anxiety to the new kids at Seattle Grace. These days, even surviving a plane crash seems well within Meredith's skill set -- except for a few emotional moments and that episode where a patient reminded her all together too much of Lexie, she certainly hasn't curled up into a ball of PTSD symptoms.
She's even pregnant, a plot twist that had seemed to have been backburnered after Zola's arrival on the scene. In many ways, she's become the calm, cool center around which the other characters churn, wrapped up in their own dramas and narcissism. The problem is, she's also receded into the background. Calm and cool just isn't as exciting when there are romantic entanglements to unravel.
That's why I was hoping that Meredith might, yes, leave Seattle Grace for at least a few episodes.
Given how well Meredith handles just about everything (or at least has been lately), I'm curious to see how she might cope with losing her stomping grounds of the last nine seasons. I certainly don't wish any other kind of trauma on her, after all. Not another miscarriage, not a split with McDreamy, not a fight with Yang.
After nine seasons, it could be expected that a character might not yield the same high-flying dramatic storylines of seasons past. It's a relief that Meredith and McDreamy have, despite everything, been able to make their relationship work (despite it coming very close to crashing more than once). Some characters could fade out for most of the season until called upon to be interesting, or even be written out completely. But when a character is (or at least was) the character around whom the whole series was built, it's worth it to give that character a reboot. There are lots of things that could happen to Meredith, but I hope that, somehow, that Harvard option is still on the table (hey, she doesn't have to be fired; she can just leave!)
Yang's temporary exit from Seattle Grace was so interesting, I wouldn't be averse to seeing something similar for Meredith. Although I was initially reluctant to go along with it, I quickly came to love Christina's short stay in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic. She made exactly one friend ("St. Elsewhere"'s William Daniels) and got entangled with her boss, but it opened her eyes to possibilities beyond being hopelessly entwined with her "person" Meredith as well as a whole new batch of complications and hospital politics. More importantly, it showed us a new side to Yang -- and after so many seasons, that was some welcome insight.
Meredith could use a similar jump start. Unlike Alex, she can't be shaken up by a new romance (well, she could, but really, let's not), and she's already grappled with motherhood (which didn't seem to slow her down much, except for that unfortunate child-napping incident prior to Zola's adoption). Maybe a new location, even for a little while, might be enough to bring Meredith back to center stage and into an interesting new light. Hey, it's gentler than a plane crash.
Liane Bonin Starr is an author, screenwriter and former writer for EW.com. Her byline has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Variety and a lot of other places. Her last book was called "a scandalously catty, guilty pleasure" by Jane magazine. Expect the same from Starr Raving.
Trending Now on HitFix Boards
| Topic | Started By | Latest Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|---|
| sepinwall |
5 days ago
|
2
|
|
| sepinwall |
15 days ago
|
1
|
|
| Discuss Scripted Dramas on HitFix Message Boards » | |||
News From Our Partners
-
Weekly Ketchup: Fox and Marvel Both Courting Quicksilver for Comic Blockbusters
Critics Consensus: Fast & Furious 6 is Certified Fresh
Red Carpet Photos with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano and More
-
'Avengers 2′ — Joss Whedon Talks Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy HD Will Let You Hold It on Your Mobile Device
Will Smith Raps 'Fresh Prince' Theme with Jaden, Dances "Carlton" and "Apache" with Alfonso Ribiero
-
WATCH: Gay Protest Turns Into Fashion Show
What Netflix Really Wants Out Of 'Arrested Development'
Game Of Desks Is HERE!
-
'Star Wars: Episode VI': What's Its Legacy... And Its Future?
'Arrested Development' Season Four: Eight Things To Remember
'Fast & Furious 6': The Reviews Are In!
-
One Direction's Niall Horan Spends the Night With UK TV Star Louise Thompson
Kelly Clarkson Denies 'American Idol' Judging Gig
Did Justin Bieber Get a Kitten? [Pics]
-
Hear This: “Second Best” reflects a pivotal moment all serious bands face
Watch This: The wages and the fear remain high in William Friedkin’s Sorcerer
Cannes Film Festival: Cannes 2013, Day Nine: James Gray and Joaquin Phoenix reteam for a compelling period drama
-
Baz Luhrmann Passed on Directing 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'
Someone Just Paid $1.5 Million to Sit Next to Leonardo DiCaprio in Space
Tim Curry Is Fine After Suffering a Massive Stroke: Report
-
What to Watch This Weekend: Orphan Black, Behind the Candelabra, and Arrested Development's Netflix Debut
Do These Four New Arrested Development Clips Get You Excited for the Show's Return? (VIDEO)
Arrested Development Q&A: Alia Shawkat on Maeby, the Return of the Show, and the Canonization of Mitch Hurwitz
Latest Posts
-
We welcome our first guest and talk Ray Manzarek and moreFriday, May 24, 2013
-
Fox gives you a new workplace nightmare to worry aboutFriday, May 24, 2013
-
It's not quite 'Waiting for Guffman' but not exactly 'Idol,' eitherThursday, May 23, 2013
-
The final five episodes begin airing June 13Thursday, May 23, 2013
Recent Activity on Facebook
Most Popular on Facebook
Top Stories From Around the Web
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupJerod
March 14, 2013 at 5:14PM EST Reply to CommentWait...people still watch this shitty show???
Dawn Jerod - why are you even reading the post?
March 14, 2013 at 5:48PM EST
March 14, 2013 at 6:12PM EST Reply to CommentI do not want to see her leave Evan if it is for a short while. Maybe something else but not leave
elyssa
March 14, 2013 at 6:12PM EST Reply to CommentI've found Meredith the least interesting character for the past 3-4 seasons. All she's done is be shoved into other characters stories to try to keep her relevant. MerDer were sexy and fun in s1. They became a snoozefest around season 6.
Melissa
March 14, 2013 at 6:17PM EST Reply to CommentIf Meredith left I would stop watching!
Caro If Mer and Der would break up or die I would stop watching.
March 15, 2013 at 4:05AM ESTSarah Michels Yeah me too if Meredith left the show I would stop watching. Also is Derek left.
March 18, 2013 at 3:36PM ESTpamelajaye
March 14, 2013 at 11:20PM EST Reply to Commentmost actors won't even stay this many seasons on a series, see ER, so I'm just glad she's there. Anything to keep her there as she is my favorite character. I love to see her good at her job, and keep peace between her friends (well she used to). Now thrown on the board? Okay. Just no more disasters happening to her.
Caro
March 15, 2013 at 4:04AM EST Reply to CommentI SO disagree with you! We don't need Meredith quit the hospital and we certainly don't need her "shaken to her core"! I'm glad that Meredith is stable for a change! If focus on Mer means big drama for Mer then please no, no focus on Meredith! We've had enough of that already. This pregnancy storyline is great enough for us to enjoy. I want Mer and Der to be happy, evolve in their relationship. And I'd love to see her take a more active role in the hospital, that would be interesting. Everytime she steps up and takes charge, it's great to watch. But please no leaving or big drama!
brittin
March 15, 2013 at 12:48PM EST Reply to CommentYou gotta watch this Grey's Anatomy Episode 18 Promo @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Up10Vl7qa4
Rosalee
April 14, 2013 at 7:36PM EST Reply to Commentzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Rosalee
April 14, 2013 at 7:37PM EST Reply to Commentzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
fred
April 16, 2013 at 7:39PM EST Reply to CommentI cheered when you the injured man kicked her into the ocean in Season 3 or 4. I stopped watching when MacDoodle carried her out and she had her near death experience--or whatever.