I hate the new Grey’s, the bad mood Grey’s….I miss the sweet Grey’s, chop up the beats Grey’s…
I know, I know…it’s normal to miss departed characters of a TV show, especially one with a run as long as Grey’s Anatomy (16 seasons and counting!), but there’s something about this particular medical drama that just makes tragedy hit differently. From what I have learned in my several years as a loyal viewer is that, the writers of Grey’s do not understand that there is a difference between causing viewers to miss characters, and making viewers ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED OVER THEIR FAVORITE CHARACTERS CATASTROPHIC AND UNTIMELY DEATHS (I’m looking at you, Shonda Rhimes).
Therefore, in honor of the recent (Twitter) reunion between Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and the departed Mark “McSteamy” Sloan (Eric Dane), here are the top five most tragic Grey’s Anatomy deaths that I am still recovering from. Miss you, Mark
5. Denny Duquette
Episode: Season 2, Episode 27
Denny Duquette’s death marked the first of many times that the defacto Grey’s Anatomy theme song, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol was heard during a death bed sequence. We all rooted for Denny and Izzie despite the many red flags in their relationship. If Izzie was going to steal a literal heart to save her patient-turned-boyfriend then he NEEDED to survive, right? Wrong. Just when we thought that Denny was in the clear, he formed a blood clot that claimed his life in only minutes. He died without Izzie, without family, without anyone. It was awful. And it was only the beginning.
4. Mark Sloan
Episode: Season 9, Episode 02
Mark’s death was the most cruel “gotcha” moment in Grey’s history. He had seemingly sustained only minor injuries in the infamous plane crash and was perceived to make a full recovery! FULL RECOVERY! The unfortunate reality was that Mark was experiencing injury beyond anyone’s knowledge and could not be helped. Though we’re glad that he and Lexie (spoiler! #3) are finally together, it’s impossible to forget that little Sophia is growing up without her dad. The Sloan/Torres/Robbins family deserved so much better.
3. Lexie Grey
Episode: Season 8, Episode 24
Now for Mark’s tragic soulmate, Lexie (only Grey’s Anatomy would kill two major characters within episodes of each other.) We were hesitant to accept Little Grey when she first walked onto the scene in season four but she quickly became a beloved character. We loved that Meredith finally had a relative that she could confide in AND who wasn’t a terrible person. A win! When Lexie couldn’t make it out from under the plane, we worried for Meredith’s stability. The second Grey sister’s absence is certainly still felt. We don’t claim Maggie. Period.
2. Derek Shepherd
Episode: Season 11, Episode 21
When say I cried when Derek Shepherd died, I mean I sobbed. Frankly, I’m still in denial that it even happened. Season 11, the season of marital strain, loneliness, and Meredith’s symbolic brown hair, claimed one of television’s most beloved leading men. When Derek got hit by a car, I was numbed. I’ve never been more invested in a scene than when Derek narrated his own death and pointed out each thing the doctors were doing wrong. WHY did no one get this man a CT? He knew he was going to die. Brb, crying forever.
1. George O’Malley
George’s death was the first time viewers realized that not even the doctors were safe from death. There were collective shrieks heard round the world when Meredith realized that the disfigured John Doe was actually George. This loss was the first major shake to the foundation of Grey’s Anatomy and still the most painful. Miss you, O’Malley.