The Grey's Anatomy Episode That Changed Everything (& Not for the Better)
Grey's Anatomy transformed into a juggernaut even though many could have predicted such a rewarding outcome for the medical drama given the abundance of TV shows that were already thriving in the genre at the time Grey's Anatomy debuted in 2005.
Nevertheless, the series has garnered outstanding reviews and consistent viewership even as it approaches its 20th season.
Be that as it may, many long-time fans of the TV series believe that Grey's Anatomy eventually reached a point where everything changed. While the show remains faithfully popular it has much of the magic that allowed it to thrive for the first several seasons.
So when Redditors were asked to reference a moment in Grey's Anatomy when everything seemed to drift away from the original intention and purpose of the show, the consensus was clear – it was the moment Christina Yang (Sandra Oh) disappeared from the show for good.
Redditors reflected on the moment, portrayed through a single snapshot of the season ten finale (S10, E24: 'Fear of the Unknown) in which Christina sits anxiously in the backseat of a cab as she prepares to depart for Zurich.
The iconic moment, while shared by many as one of the best Grey's Anatomy episodes, also indicated the beginning of the end. For Redditors, saying goodbye to Dr. Yang convinced many of the other longstanding cast members to leave over the coming seasons, and Grey's Anatomy was never truly the same again.
In the episode, Christina was not prepared to say goodbye to Seattle and Grace Hospital. It was fitting because most in the audience felt the same way, and years later, despite the show continuing to run on ABC, it hasn't felt the same. Christina worked her way up from a surgical intern to the resident level, eventually earning the respect of rival Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).
'[Dr. Yang leaving] is the moment the show became very different,' one Redditor reminisced, referring to the photo from the final scene. Another agreed, adding: 'And this was the final nail in the coffin… I honestly never rewatch past this episode because it just becomes awful.'
While others contest that Grey's Anatomy deteriorated prior to season ten, the fact remains it was not the same without Christina. Some clinging to the notion that the allure would return, but after the subsequent dismissal of Owen (Kevin McKidd), Derek (Patrick Dempsey), and Meredith it became apparent Grey's Anatomy would never return to its former glory.
Thus, regardless if it was the infamous plane crash or Christina's departure that forever altered Grey's Anatomy, the show has certainly approached a different direction in the most recent seasons. For many, the golden era of Grey's Anatomy eclipsed the day Christina Yang left.