Love and loss are found in “Grey’s Anatomy”

By: Sarah Howlan

April 29, 2021

Your enjoyment of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” which first aired in 2005, may depend on your ability to handle loss, trauma and a lot of drama. Based in Seattle, Washington, doctors at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital face more trauma than one can imagine. These life or death situations will either leave you cheering or sobbing.

“Grey’s Anatomy” is an addictive primetime drama. 17 seasons can be overwhelming, but this show will have you on the edge of your seat for every second. There are some frisky relationships among the characters in addition to some graphic surgeries. There is some mild language along with characters turning to alcohol to relieve some stress, but if you love medical dramas, this is an excellent choice.

This medical drama is centered around the life of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), an aspiring surgeon, who happens to be the daughter of the famous late Dr. Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), and her fellow residents and attendings on their fight to make it through the grueling world.

With tensions rising as Seattle Grace merges with its competing hospital in season 6, you can expect more doctors, competition and drama. With everyone trying to survive amidst the daily life and death stakes of their jobs, rivalries reach new heights and battle lines are drawn, but relationships are also formed. The intensity of the medical training mixed with the shocking plot twists makes for a thrilling and emotional series.

The life the actors bring into these characters is unmatchable. You almost forget that you are watching Ellen Pompeo, and instead, start to see her as the character she has created, Meredith Grey. She portrays her role magically, starting off in season one as the love struck intern who falls for her attending, to later being at the top of her intern class. She brings Meredith’s pain to life so effortlessly that you almost forget she is acting.

Cristina Yang, portrayed by Sandra Oh, is the sassy and confident character that every good show needs. The upcoming cardiothoracic surgeon has a strong personality, getting her the nickname of “One Half of the Twisted Sisters”, the other half being Meredith Grey. Oh portrays Yang so swiftly, with her sarcastic remarks, her quick wit and her great intelligence. Her fight to be the best drives all of the other surgical interns, creating a friendly. yet intense, competition between them. It is almost as if Cristina Yang was made for Oh. She compliments her character perfectly.

Directed by Shonda Rhimes and written by Krista Vernoff, “Grey’s Anatomy” feels like a rollercoaster right from the start. When you finally feel like the characters can be at peace, a patient starts crashing, an argument brews, or something occurs to throw the characters back into survival mode. Nothing ever plays out the way you expect it to. The writers are very meticulous and will give no clues before killing someone off, breaking up your favorite couple, or having your favorite character move across the country. The heart racing plot makes you want to sit and watch the show for hours because you never know what is about to happen.

You think you can handle it? Go for it. You’ll either come out a survivor, or break down every time you hear “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol. “Grey’s Anatomy” has an IMDb rating of 7.6/10, but trust me if you love drama, it is a 10/10. Seasons: 17. Run Time Per Episode: 42 minutes.