Getty
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
It pains me to type this, but here goes: This season of Grey's Anatomy hasn't been very good and the timing of that drop-off in quality couldn't be worse. We need smart, feminist, compelling shows to escape into, now more than ever! While it might be too late for the show to course-correct in season 13, it's not too late to start thinking about how season 14 could be better. Here are eight things Grey's Anatomy should do to shake off the cobwebs and recapture its magic.
Perhaps Ellen Pompeo needed to work less after the birth of her infant son, which would be totally understandable but her storylines should still count. Meredith is the Grey in Grey's Anatomy and she deserves more than what she's getting. Last season, we got to see her adjust to a world without McDreamy and cope with a life-altering assault. This season, we've seen her worry about Alex, get suspended from the hospital, and spin her wheels in a never-ending flirtation with Riggs. Ellen continues to nail the material she's given but she needs more to work with.
I've hated seeing characters like Webber, Alex, Bailey, and Arizona mishandled this season. Where has Alex been since he was released from prison? Why has the ball been dropped on digging into his relationship with Jo? Why have Webber and Bailey and Arizona spent so much time locked into the drama with Eliza, who at this point feels more like a plot device than a person? If it takes doing more bottle-style episodes, like the one with Jo, Arizona, and Bailey at the women's hospital, run with that!
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
These days, they're fully each other's person, and that's something we haven't really seen developed or explored this season. We know they've gotten much, much closer, and the subtext is that's a result of Derek's death and Alex's arrest. That needs to become less of a background story. Meredith's honest, compelling voicemail to Alex when he was considering taking a plea deal was one of the best moments of the season, and we need more of that. They don't have to hook up (although I maintain that they are an end-game couple), but since the scenes they have together are one of the only elements of Grey's that continues to pop, the show needs to spend more time with them and, not to harp on this, with Meredith and Alex as individuals too.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Remember when Grey's used to be all about doctors pulling one another into on-call rooms for nonstop hookups? I rewatched the Grey's pilot this week for the 12th anniversary of its airing (!!), and even though the characters barely knew each other, the show was crackling with sexual tension. I know a natural response to this might be that the characters are more mature now, which might explain the drop-off in sexual hijinks, but people in their 40s need hot sex too! And adding some younger characters and then actually taking the time to flesh them out (pun absolutely intended) might help with this as well.
Where are the hospital shootings? Where are the plane crashes? Where are the cut LVAD wires? So far, the major drama this season has come from "suspense" around Alex's arrest come on, was the series really going to put him in prison for 10 years? and the staffing shakeup in the residency director position. Grey's is literally asking us to stay invested in what amounts to an administrative staffing challenge for months, while turning major characters into cartoon-villain versions of themselves in the process. As it's done so, it's relied heavily on the stories of patients to drive the episodes, putting our characters' running stories in the backseat. I've loved some of the patient-driven storytelling the season, but it's frustrating when that comes at the cost of ignoring our favorite characters.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
This one might sound overly specific, but aside from a handful of random patients and guest stars, Grey's has never featured a romantic relationship between men. There aren't too many unique romantic angles left for the show to explore but really taking the time to develop a gay male relationship would give the show a new dimension (and possibly allow for more scenes with hot dudes with their shirts off, which the show has been sorely lacking lately).
Remember when Grey's made a huge deal out of the fact that Leah Murphy would be rejoining the cast? She showed up in a few random episodes, was barely used, and then disappeared. By contrast, Maggie's mom has only been in two episodes, but the show has managed to make her three-dimensional through a genuinely compelling story, which has given us a long-overdue chance to get to know Maggie better, too. More moms, fewer Murphys, please.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
If I squint and tilt my head to one side, I can see how maybe Grey's is trying to use Owen and Amelia's story to point out that in real life, couples fight and that's a normal part of relationships. But Owen and Amelia only fight. Do they even like each other?! They've been on a cycle of ignoring each other and then yelling at each other for weeks now, and it's tiresome. To make matters worse, we've seen Owen have nearly identical fights with Cristina, which means Kevin McKidd has been stuck doing the same material for years. Again, maybe Grey's is trying to tell stories about how Owen has patterns that sabotage his relationships, and I applaud their effort to be realistic in that regard. But it's gotten old and I'm over it.
Follow Lauren on Twitter.
Read the original:
8 Things That Need to Happen for Grey's Anatomy to Get Out of Its Slump - Cosmopolitan.com
- Anatomy of a Fly - SIFF 2009 Fly Documentary - Video - January 14th, 2013 [January 14th, 2013]
- Grey's Anatomy Sneak Peek 9.11 - The End is the Beginning is the End (6) - Video - January 15th, 2013 [January 15th, 2013]
- Anatomy of the sangeet! - Video - January 18th, 2013 [January 18th, 2013]
- Go Anatomy for iPad - Video - January 19th, 2013 [January 19th, 2013]
- Grey's Anatomy - Callie and Arizona "We don't have to move yet" 9x16 - Video - February 22nd, 2013 [February 22nd, 2013]
- Imaging of Petrous bone anatomy (Sep 2013) - Dr Mamdouh Mahfouz (In Arabic) - Video - January 14th, 2014 [January 14th, 2014]
- Anatomy in the Yahoo! Directory - January 21st, 2014 [January 21st, 2014]
- Let's Play Minecraft - Episode 87 - Geoff's Anatomy - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Cat Anatomy Pg. 25 Lab Notes - Video - February 2nd, 2014 [February 2nd, 2014]
- Spinal Pathways Tracts Part 1 Introduction Anatomy Tutorial - Video - February 9th, 2014 [February 9th, 2014]
- Galway health app firm joins US academy - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10 episode 18 airs tonight: Power through - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Recap: A Vicious Viral Infection Puts Everyone At Risk - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Recap: "You Be Illin'" - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 19 stills show Cristinas big moment - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Review: 'Your Inner Fish' on PBS imparts smart human anatomy lesson - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Fantastically Creepy Images and Tales From The Morbid Anatomy Anthology - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Step Brothers- Anatomy Movements - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Matt Lloyd: Anatomy of a $315k / Month Business - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Guitar Anatomy | Minute Music School - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Anatomy Mnemonics - Chapter 3 : Nervous System - DoctorKC - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Bates Motel: Anatomy of a Scene: Bradley Shoots Gil (S2) - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- Innovation at Stanford Anatomy - Video - April 9th, 2014 [April 9th, 2014]
- The science of anatomy is undergoing a revival - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy: Will Alex Really Leave Grey Sloan Memorial? - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10 episode 19 airs tonight: A major award - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Anatomy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- anatomy man 3d visual effects - Video - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Talk about human anatomy - part 1 - Video - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Bootstraps - I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Video - April 10th, 2014 [April 10th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Recap: Cristinas Career Hits A Major Milestone - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 stills, synopsis: Trouble in paradise? - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Anatomy - New World Encyclopedia - Info:Main Page - New ... - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- anatomy (biology) -- Encyclopedia Britannica - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Jean Sives ITEC Anatomy and Physiology Testimonial - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Grey Text Anatomy - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- The Devil Wears Prada - Anatomy (HD GUITAR COVER) - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- 'Joe' | Anatomy of a Scene w/ Director David Gordon Green | The New York Times - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- 'Fame' by Mree (Grey's Anatomy 10x19) - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Tessa Ferrer Joins the Cast of Extant! Grey's Anatomy Cast-Off Books New Gig on CBS' Summer Series - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Brain anatomy differences between deaf, hearing depend on first language learned - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Captain America Winter Soldier | Anatomy of a Movie - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy After Show Season 1 Episode 13 "I'm Winning" | AfterBuzz TV - Video - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Spoiler Chat: Scoop on Grey's Anatomy, Orphan Black, The Mindy Project, The Blacklist and More - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- Anatomy of a recall - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- NBME Shelf Exam - Case Files Series App - Anatomy - Video - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- Radius and ulna - Anatomy tutorial (Preview) | Kenhub - Video - April 16th, 2014 [April 16th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Season 10 Spoilers: Finale Teases Traumatic Ending; Will Cristina Yang Be Killed Off In Episode 24? - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 airs tonight: Having faith - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- (WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS) Game of Thrones Season 4: Anatomy of a Scene - The Royal Wedding (HBO) - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Heart anatomy - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Heart anatomy 3 Left & Right pulmonary veins, ascending aorta, left common carotid - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Heart anatomy 2 tricuspid valve, bicuspid valve - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Flash Brain Anatomy Review - Video - April 17th, 2014 [April 17th, 2014]
- Anatomy of the 2014 Birdathon - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Season 10 Spoilers: Episode 23 And 24 Titles Leaked Online; Song-Based Titles Gives Fans Clues Of ... - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Recap: Does Cristina Yang Win The Harper-Avery Award? - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 recap: Making mistakes - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Recap: "Go It Alone" - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy: April & Jackson Need To Make Their Marriage Work - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Music Season 10x20 Aron Wright Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Video - April 18th, 2014 [April 18th, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy Cast - How To Save A Life - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- ReVamp - The Anatomy Of A Nervous Breakdown: On The Sideline - Philly 2014 - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- Twisted Mind Anatomy - Don't Run Away EP - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- Anatomy of a Landscape trailer - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- Advanced Anatomy - Video - April 19th, 2014 [April 19th, 2014]
- anatomy study - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- |An anatomy of a Rabbit - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy 10x21 "Change Of Heart" - Farewell to Cristina - ABC HD promo #1 - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- Anatomy of Cosplay: LIVE Q&A (with Sam & Mae!) - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- DJ Tennis - Anatomy (North Lake Remix) - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- ITEC Anatomy & Physiology Testimonial by Kerry Howard - Video - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- The anatomy of a sexuality class - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Human body - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- 'Fading Gigolo' | Anatomy of a Scene w/ Director John Turturro | The New York Times - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Guitar Anatomy - Part 1 - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Anatomy Scan At 19Weeks 3Days - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy After Show Season 10 Episode 20 "Go It Alone" | AfterBuzz TV - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Grey's Anatomy 10x21 Promo | Grey's Anatomy Season 10 Episode 21 Promo| Grey's Anatomy S10E21 Promo - Video - April 22nd, 2014 [April 22nd, 2014]
- Greys Anatomy Season 10 Spoilers: Cristina Yang To Make A Life Or Death Decision In Episode 21; Who Will She Save ... - April 24th, 2014 [April 24th, 2014]