After watching approximately one episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” most feel as though they could perfectly execute a coronary artery bypass surgery (yes, I had to look that up.) The show has been around for 14 seasons, and last week marked its 300th episode. Through all of the medical jargon, sexual scandals, dramatic deaths, complicated familial relationships and job competition, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo, “Doc McStuffins”) is still, as they say, saving lives.
The episode made sentimental remarks on past characters, the deceased Dr. George O’Malley (T.R. Knight, “Genius”) and the two that left Seattle Grace Hospital, Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh, “Catfight”) and Dr. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl, “Doubt”). Both characters were the main focus of the show until they were written off. “Grey’s Anatomy” revolved around these four, and Meredith is currently the only one left. Well, that depends if you count Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers, “Broken City”) or not. He never seemed as close with the core four.
The main catastrophe plaguing the hospital in this episode is a roller coaster accident, in which two individuals remind the entire staff of George, Cristina and Izzie. Mini George and Christina are injured in the roller coaster crash, and Izzie’s look alike is their pregnant friend. All three of them surprisingly require serious medical attention.
Although the nostalgia of past characters makes both Meredith and the viewer hold onto emotional feelings, the plotline was forced. It doesn’t feel natural; if anything it’s coaxed. It felt like a last-ditched attempt to make viewers reflect on past seasons, and in doing that it reminded me of how “Grey’s Anatomy” used to be entertaining. This flashback is a reflection of how the old Greys worked, and the current one doesn’t. Now it’s just over-the-top and exhausted.
The medical drama has passed its expiration date. There are too many subplots, unrealistic health concerns and overplay of sexual promiscuity. The theatrics are laughable and very predictable. A patient cannot simply have one medical issue, instead he or she has 12 and there is always a heightened moment of fear. The on-edge and tense medical procedures are only interesting when they are warranted.
It’s agitating watching all of these diagnoses come out of the woodwork when it was already exciting enough. The Izzie look alike is pregnant and passes out. So naturally, the doctors test and find her placenta has a tumor on it. They immediately go to surgery, and then they have to perform an emergency c-section when the baby is premature. The plot would have worked if they had her simply pass out. Not to mention her friends are on the verge of death after their serious accident. “Grey’s Anatomy” piles on the drama to the point where it only serves to convolute and overload.
The amount of sexual relations makes the show hard to follow. At every turn, someone is sleeping with someone else, not to mention during the workday. All the sex can make the show more interesting, but once again, it just feels overdone. Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone, “The November Man”) walks in on her old flame, Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd, “Tulip Fever”) and Dr. Carina DeLuca (Stefania Spampinato, “Two Wolves”) making out, naked. Dr. Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti, “Race”) gets it on with his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Sam Bello (Jeanine Mason, “Criminal Minds”), in the supply closet when their bosses, Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson, “Frankie & Alice”) and Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr., “For the Love of Ruth”) can hear them. Then see them come out. Awkward.
The predictability of both radical medical diagnoses and character decisions makes “Grey’s Anatomy” typical and spent. Meredith is up for a prestigious medical award, the Harper Avery Award. Instead of attending the ceremony, she stays behind to help with the roller coaster accident. Although the intention of this plot line was to show dedication, it largely fails. Of course, she didn’t go to the awards even though there were plenty of other qualified and capable surgeons to take care of the injuries. Not only does she miss the ceremony, but, spoiler, she wins. No surprise there.
The series began with Meredith and her friends as mere interns, and now they are full blown surgeons. The show used to follow their tribulations trying to prove themselves, sleeping at the hospital and working endless shifts. They used to camp out at a very specific location—a hallway removed from the intense environment of the hospital. After Meredith wins her award, she celebrates with one of the only interns from the first season to still be around, Dr. Alex Karev, on the very gurnees they started off on. They also kick the current interns out of their spot which is pretty cute. In addition to Karev, Cristina calls from Switzerland. The memorabilia should serve as a sign that “Grey’s Anatomy” was a good show while it lasted, but it’s time to wrap it up and move on.