In my Hater Friday article, I wrote about how network TV is more or less dying. What I didn’t mention, however, was that what spurred this article was my affinity towards the show Grey’s Anatomy. When people ask me what my favorite show is, they are shocked to find out that it's Grey’s. They are even more surprised to learn that the show is indeed still airing new episodes. Despite all of the raised eyebrows, I maintain that Grey’s Anatomy is a great show and still worth watching, even after over two decades.
Now in the middle of its 21st season, I started watching Grey’s in middle school and have never stopped. The premise itself is nothing revolutionary or interesting — a show following various surgeons around a large hospital in Seattle. However, something about the highly unrealistic plotline of forbidden romances, countless HIPAA violations, plane crashes, fires, tragedies and much more was extremely gripping, and I quickly flew through each season with the fervor only a middle schooler discovering their new favorite piece of media could have. Though unrealistic, Grey’s focus on the individual characters’ stories and the complex relationships they form with one another propelled me to become an avid viewer.
Any Grey’s Anatomy fan will tell you that the show dramatically decreased in quality over time. Despite this, the cultural impact that Grey’s has had on network TV and culture overall is undeniable. Without this show, there would be no “pick-me girl” stereotype, which originated from a season two monologue from main character Meredith Grey to her future husband Derek Shepherd where she (still an intern at the time) begs him (an attending surgeon) to “pick her” over his ex-wife. Though a cringe-worthy scene with questionable ethics, this moment has undeniably made waves through the cultural epoch until today.
Beyond the “pick-me girl,” Grey’s has revolutionized television. Its first season, which aired in 2005, featured three Black surgeons in positions of power, all of whom had interesting and complex character arcs. Over the years, on-screen diversity has been the show’s strong suit. Due to its high turnaround of cast members and guest appearances, the show has vast opportunities to highlight the necessity of diversity in hospital settings, including featuring several LGBTQ+ and other minority doctors and patients. Further, the show has also highlighted inequalities in the healthcare system through storylines on the COVID-19 pandemic, police brutality, women’s reproductive rights and more. While these additions may seem trivial nowadays, Grey’s was very much ahead of the curve in the mid-2000s and continues to be a platform that accurately addresses such real-world issues without trivializing or sensationalizing them.
Moreover, not many shows have the ability to maintain viewership and relevance after changing casts and storylines over a 20-season period, transcending generations of viewers. Though this has its drawbacks, as there seems to be a certain kind of formula for what makes a Grey’s Anatomy episode and thus makes the show extremely predictable, the latest crop of interns who started in Season 19 — featuring big-name television stars like Harry Shum Jr. and Adelaide Kane — has still managed entertain after all these years.
Grey’s Anatomy returned on March 6 to resume its 21st season after a lengthy mid-season break that started in Nov. 2024. To viewers who only watched its earlier seasons, the cast and hospital look different. Only two original cast members remain as season regulars: Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Richard Webber. Grey departed in season 19, however, she still makes guest appearances and does most of the voiceovers for the show’s narration. While the rest of season one’s cast have either moved on or tragically died, the newest season is still interesting and enjoyable to watch, especially if you’re invested in each doctor’s years of personal storylines, relationships and lore.
Sure, my affinity towards Grey’s Anatomy is mostly one of finding familiarity and comfort in watching the same show for over 10 years. It's definitely past its prime, however I still believe that the earlier seasons are well worth watching and have not lost their spark. It's a show of drama, love, pain, loss and everything in between, which is why I think it still deserves to be picked after all these years.
Now, you can watch “Grey’s Anatomy Thursdays” on ABC at 10 p.m. and on Hulu the day after.
Eirian Huang is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. They can be reached at ehh56@cornell.edu.
