Grey’s Anatomy, a soap-opera-like TV series, follows Meredith Grey, daughter of surgeon Ellis Grey, as she becomes part of a group of interns working long hours at Seattle Grace Hospital. The show encompasses the lives of her and other doctors at the hospital throughout their personal and professional lives.
Personally, I have long wondered what the big allure of Grey’s Anatomy was. It seemed similar to some other hospital series, and I was genuinely confused how anyone without interest in the medical field would become enamored by it. What I didn’t know was that Grey’s Anatomy wasn’t just about surgeons living monotonous days at a run-of-the-mill hospital.
The show centers around Meredith Grey, an up and coming intern at the Seattle Grace Hospital. She faces many challenges throughout the series, including the death of nearly everyone she learns to love throughout the series. She faces real, everyday problems that are relatable to so many of us watching. Seeing her and her coworkers navigate their way through tough and unusual situations shows how we as humans all go through similar things, regardless of their scale or external differences.
Of course, having a heartthrob, or in this case heartthrobs, on a show helps it gain popularity. Meredith’s love interest, and future husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd, definitely helped the show gain some momentum. Speaking about her favorite character on the show, Michaela Gabardi says, “Derek Shepherd […] I don’t know, I just love him”.
When asked why she would recommend Grey’s Anatomy as a binge-worthy show, Lexi Thompson simply stated “Meredith and Derek”.
Due to his surgical talent, charisma, and good looks, Derek becomes known throughout the hospital as Dr. McDreamy, and in a short time, a Dr. McSteamy is added to the mix as well. McSteamy was of course Derek Shepherd’s closest childhood friend, Mark Sloan. That is, before Mark helped Derek’s wife cheat on him.
As crazy as it may seem, that situation could be perceived as boring when in comparison with the everyday craziness that goes on at the hospital. Someone dies in just about every episode, and miracles happen approximately every three. The show has many hard moments, including the death or firing of just about the entire original cast, but throughout it all, Meredith Grey keeps going.
She is the definition of “life goes on”, and even when faced with countless struggles, she stays determined and works towards her goals. Meredith is incredibly easy to relate to, and that is part of what makes the show so special. With its 21 seasons, Grey’s Anatomy has been around for a while. Throughout it all, Meredith has somehow managed to stay true to herself while becoming an accomplished surgeon.
I started watching Grey’s Anatomy with the intention of watching approximately two episodes so I could get a better understanding of who Meredith Grey was, and why Grey’s is so popular. Here I am a week later, and I haven’t turned on another show since. Personally I have no interest in the medical field, and probably never will, but Grey’s is about more than that. It encompasses moral dilemmas, friendship, romance, and loss.
Throughout the show, there are some people you learn to love, and some people you learn to hate. But isn’t that the fun of it? Talking with your friends about your favorite characters and crazy plot twists. A show like Grey’s Anatomy doesn’t come along all that often, so if you’re ever flipping through Netflix, and feel like gasping in shock, laughing, or crying, click on Greys. Trust me, and the other millions of people who fell in love with it. You won’t regret it.
