Rivetting drama remains the heartbeat of Grey’s
|||FANS of Grey’s Anatomy are elated to learn that their favourite medical drama is back. And what a roller-coaster it has been.
Shonda Rhimes keeps throwing curve balls every season. Last season, she brought on the drama, and then some. Most of the relationships were one lawyer away from a divorce or an ugly break-up. And with everyone still grieving the loss of DrDerek Shepherd, the mood was quite sombre.
Viewers were consumed by emotion as Meredith, Maggie and Amelia weathered many hurdles to rekindle their sisterly bond. The arrival of Penny, a new resident transfer from Dillard Medical centre and Callie’s new girlfriend, was greeted with much hostility. She was the nurse who failed to save Derek. April and Jackson’s relationship grew even more tumultuous following the deceptive interference by Catherine (Jackson’s over-protective mother).
Meanwhile, work got in the way of Miranda and Ben’s marriage after she had to make a tough call as Chief of Surgery. To fill the void of Patrick Dempsey’s exit, Rhimes brought in Martin Henderson, currently in Red Road, as Dr Nathan Riggs. He has a dark history with Owen and the two almost came to blows.
QUICK RECAP OF THE BIGGEST STORYLINES LAST SEASON
• Ben, finding himself trapped in a Catch-22, went rogue with a very risky operation, using the clip torn off a clipboard.
• Penny unwittingly turned up for a dinner party at Meredith’s house. Things turned awkward very quickly.
• Tired of trying to save her relationship with Jackson, April, who was pregnant, finally signed their divorce papers.
• Alex was crushed by Jo turning down his marriage proposal yet again.
• One of the toughest storylines was undoubtedly the one when Meredith was violently attack by a patient.
• Despite their amicable separation, Callie and Arizona found themselves locked in a custody battle when Callie’s new romance threatened to uproot both their lives.
SHOCKING EXITS OF THE PAST SIX SEASONS
• Upset about her character’s lack of decent screen time, Katherine Heigl quit the show in season six. Thankfully, the series gave her career that perfect boost to go on to do several hit movies.
• In season 7, there were several minor characters who exited the show: Peter MacNicol, who played the interim Chief of Pediatric Surgery for a year; Rachael Taylor as obstetrician, Dr Lucy Fields; and Jeff Perry as Thatcher Grey (Meredith’s father).
• Kim Raver, who played Dr Teddy Altman, left in season 8. She resurfaced in 24: Live Another Day. However, the departure of Chyler Leigh (Dr Lexi Grey) and Eric Dane (Dr Mark Sloan), who were killed in the major plane crash story, made the biggest noise. He returned to TV with The Last Ship and she made a big impression in Taxi Brooklyn and Supergirl.
• Season 9 saw fans bid a sad farewell to Webber’s wife Adele (played by Loretta Devine), who, aside from having Alzheimer’s, suffered a fatal heart attack.
• In season 10, show favourite Dr Cristina Yang (played by Sandra Oh), left despite having two more seasons on her contract. Other actors who got chopped included interns Heather Brookes (Tina Majorino) and Leah Murphy (Tessa Ferrer).
• Geena Davis, who played Dr Nicole Herman, made a graceful departure in season 11. However, what was most heartbreaking for fans was that Derek was killed in a horrific car accident. Apparently, married actors fraternising on Rhimes’s set is a no-no. He bounced back with Bridget Jones’s Baby.
• Season 12 saw the exit of Sara Ramirez as Dr Callie Torres. Her contract wasn’t renewed for season 13.
THE DRAMA BREWING THIS SEASON
• Well, Alex’s temper gets the better of him when he sees Andrew with Jo. And, while beating Andrew DeLuca might have been sherapeutic, the violent assault lands him in trouble with the law.
• Parenthood certainly seems to suit April and Jackson and their relationship is definitely on the mend. So, who knows, it seems a reconciliation might even be on the cards.
• Oh, and Meredith might just be open to that relationship she has been avoiding. And Dr Nathan Riggs is clearly just what the writing gods prescribed.
• Grey’s Anatomy airs on M-Net (DStv channel 101) at 7.30pm, tonight.