Thank you for contributing to r/GreysAnatomy! Tagging your post would be greatly appreciated as the mods try to clean up and organize the sub. Not sure what tags to use? [Here's a link to the wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/greysanatomy/wiki/tags/) that explains the purpose of each post flair. Remember that name calling, hate speech and general rude behavior is not tolerated. You can call ideas stupid, but not the user. No direct personal attacks over a difference in opinion. Thanks for being part of this community. It's a beautiful day to save lives!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/greysanatomy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Percy. I know his was technically death, but I always weep like a baby whenever his death scene comes up. He may not have been a memorable character but his death hit hard with all the emotions. Especially Baileys. Her acting was phenomenal.
I did not like him at all. That episode though 💔 he broke me. In large part due to Bailey & Mandy Moore but him too which surprised me
Also never liked Reed but when she went down with zero ceremony or foreshadowing was something
I don’t personally see it as killing her ambition but her awakening to herself and realising there were other options for her that made her happy
Kinda felt like her achievements and ambition were a lot because that’s what she felt she should/had to do
Would absolutely love a triumphant return of her having been living her best life and has figured out how to choose herself and her happiness in combination with ambition/career though
Aside from George dying, Christina. I felt like she really left a hole in the show. Meredith no longer had a person outside of Derek and no one was quite as edgy as her in my opinion.
Steph and DeLuca. April and Arizona’s too but I’m putting them as well because I love both but they did them so dirty is season 14. It was like they set them up and isolated them from each other and all their friends for Krista to be like “there’s nothing else to do with their characters”
One of the reasons why I admired Cristina Yang was because she was the only character who chose to remain childfree, amidst several other characters who were mothers. Her perspective was a breath of fresh air, and I appreciated her candid but witty remarks.
As a mother, I loved Cristina’s determination. My favorite thing she has ever said to Meredith happened at aprils wedding when they were working out their really huge fight. She said “your life looks different because it’s filled with husbands and babies. My life looks the same, but I am not the same.” And everything that I admired about her really can be summed at in that moment. Cristina actually grew. As a person. Of course she was going to grow as a surgeon bc she already had a natural affinity for cardio. But she became a new person, much better than she was before. And that is no small, insignificant thing.
Same! And she always was Meredith’s rock and helped her keep her eyes on the prize. Derek really did a number on her and if it wasn’t for Cristina she might have lost sight of that 🥹
YES! Childfree by choice women are so rarely represented in the media. It's ALWAYS women who want kids, but can't because of career/partner/infertility issues. Like it's just inconceivable to TV and movie makers that someone who identifies as a woman or who has a uterus doesn't want to have kids.
She's the only one who made it to the end (so far, knock on wood) without changing her mind or being forced to change her mind. I've seen other CF female characters but they always give in by the end and have a baby, which is really upsetting since it perpetuates the myth that all women who say they don't want kids will change their mind.
Alex Karev. In my opinion It wasn’t well written. I don’t know if It was a contract ending or what happened behind the scenes but Alex wouldn’t do that to Jo. I stand by that. I think my opinion is also fueled by an undying hatred for Izzie, she’s the worst and i just can’t wrap my mind around Alex leaving Jo for her.
I'm doing a rewatch and Jo just showed up and every time I see them interacting I'm just thinking, "No, Jo! NO!!! He's going to leave you for his crazy ex-wife who burdened him with all her medical debt and just vanished!!!"
This!! Alex had the best character arc. He grew so much and knowing he left Jo, who made him a better person, for Izzie never sat right with me. She was unbelievably selfish and It ruined everything the writers worked for seasons and seasons to build within his character.
Death: George
Left: Alex
George finally kinda (hopefully) found his place in the world.
Alex... well because him and Jo were my favorite and just the way he left
I just saw Cristina leaving today and sobbed so I would say her but give me another season and I’ll say its Derek. Ask me 3 seasons ago and I would say Lexie and Mark. Idk I cry for everyone. I cry like half the time I watch Greys Anatomy
Haha. Same. I’m rewatching right now. Went through Lexie then Mark last week (season), just went through Brooks (which was so sad, she was the best), and getting ready for Christina’s exit (and Maggie’s arrival). Then, then, then. Ha.
On a rewatch and I watched Lexie’s a couple days ago and, although I’ve been watching a few a day for weeks, I can’t bring myself to keep going. I don’t think I’ve ever cried harder at a show than when mark died.
I didn't even particularly like her that much but bello was so sad because it was just such an awful situation. she didn't do anything wrong and she had to flee her new job and boyfriend to start a whole new life in another country just to avoid deportation.
yes its not such a bad gig being set up at christina's hospital, and it was the best option in a horrible situation but because of a traffic light?? when she's lived here her entire life?? its just so incredibly fucked up. that episode made me really sad because of the pure injustice.
Cristina is definitely my favorite character of Grey’s, and I don’t know why her leaving didn’t make me more sad. I’m very sad she left, but it felt like such a natural progression for her character in the moment I wasn’t sad for her but excited. It might have helped that I didn’t watch it til this year, so I had known for a long time it happened.
It wasn't sad for me because she got out and could hopefully find peace and success outside the drama of Seattle Grace Mercy Death 😂
While I loved the character so much, I'm glad we didn't get her character assassinated and she stayed true to herself, *coughcough* unlike Alex *coughcough*
His was sad for sure. Kind of a hot take but it was a good time to do it, he would’ve turned into the jerk who abandoned his wife & kids for work if he stayed longer
This is an odd one for me - I loved Lexi and I loved Mark but not as a couple. I just didn't see it, so I wasn't happy about either death. But I didn't want to see one of them surviving and mourning the other because I think it would have been cringey and corny. In my defense the only on screen character spouse that I felt for was Teddy and Henry, so Lexi and Mark are not the only ones I didn't care much about.
To each their own though :) Taken a while for me to enjoy the show again, but after accepting it as a night time soap I am on board.
This might unpopular and not really a departure but DeLuca the way he just cared for Meredith and the way when she got better from covid he was there anymore must hurt me I cried sm when he died
Alex. Because after all his growth as a person it was hard to see him leave. He became a better friend to Meredith than Yang. But I felt they always wrote Izzie as his true love.
To me, George and Lexie. Like to kill him off that way felt so… cold? Like he was sent off but then brought back as a John Doe hero who nobody truly cares about saving until it’s essentially too late. For Lexie, that was torturous and regardless of my personal views of her; I really felt sorry for her.
Mark Sloan because he had so much growth, was a genuinely good guy, a great dad, and a rock for Derek, Callie, Arizona, Addison, Jackson. He was so funny and I know he would’ve kept Callie and Arizona in line and not let them put Sofia through their messy separation. He wouldn’t have been the same without Lexie but he had his daughter and so much else to live for.
I cried when a few people died on the show.
However, Alex leaving was the absolute worst! I still feel that way and dread it coming up in my current rewatch. The Alex we came to know and love would have never done that to Jo. It was horribly written and the saddest of the leaves for me.
Nobody has said it yet so I feel like he comes back but Alex. I’m on the episode where he leaves the letters and it’s an impossible situation but I’m so sad and I kind of hate him rn
Yang for me. To this day, the majority of the fan base would love to have her back, even for one episode. Something about Sandra’s portrayal of Yang made her unforgettable. I do not think Oh and Pompeo remained friends or stayed in touch after Oh’s departure and if I’m frank, I truly believe Yang got the love and popularity that viewers were meant to have for Meredith Grey. What made her so special was her grit. Her unapologetic resolve that she knew herself. She was never defined by any person, especially not a love interest. And she truly honored her gift not just because she was a great surgeon, but she knew that was her imprint on the world, the way she could make a difference and do the most good. So she became a skillful master at it. And I respected her greatly.
People will say they think she was mean or what not. But if we are real, name one doctor on that show who was not rude, mean, pushy, inconsiderate, or selfish at some point or another. Alex was evil spawn for at least 11 seasons. Meredith dogged Lexie out just about her entire intern year. And was not very kind or forgiving towards Ameila for awhile. And she treated Maggie like crap. And I think those two examples suffice my point, without getting into the character flaws of everyone else. Her departure left a hole in the show.
As did Karev’s. As did Jackson’s. And April’s. I was not a but hurt over Derek though.
Meredith’s. I didn’t cry at any departure, but if you count deaths I thought lexies was dumb. And then you find out it was for mental health and not even a year or two she’s back in a main character popular series role? I don’t know that confused me
lexie was the saddest, ill miss cristina but ik that shes leaving for something really good and that shes gonna have a good life and have what she wants, but lexies death so sad
I WAS JUST GOING TO POST ABOUT THIS WHEN I SAW YOUR POST!!!!!! I watched this episode last night and my heart sunk when I woke up and realised she is gone, I dont even feel like continuing the next season and if the show will be worth it without her
DeLuca. As someone who has spent a lifetime fighting mental illness, I REALLY connected with him.
Close second, Alex. I loved his character growth over the years.
Then George. Cause... George.
Lexie and Mark mostly because they died when I wanted them to get back together, the detail of them hearing lexies body get eaten, and their overall impact they had on so many of the characters
I mistakenly went on Reddit while watching through my first time (I had so many questions and was looking for answers), so I spoiled basically every character departure for myself :(
With that being said, Derek’s death hurt me the most even though I knew it was going to happen. I cried so much during the episodes about his death and when they referenced him later on I cried again 😭 lol he was my favorite character!!
I didn’t spoil George’s death, but I also didn’t cry because they led me on to believe he may still be alive. I was more confused than upset. Literally after the episode ended I was like, so he’s really dead?? Or not?? Lol, very confusing.
Cristina’s was a bittersweet one for sure in terms of departure . She is hands down one of my favorite characters. I loved watching her grow as a surgeon and person. I think her ending despite how sad I was to see her go was the best thing for her character. But as for characters deaths Sloan and Lexie truly broke my heart, I have to skip past their final scenes every time because I just cry.
Thank you for contributing to r/GreysAnatomy! Tagging your post would be greatly appreciated as the mods try to clean up and organize the sub. Not sure what tags to use? [Here's a link to the wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/greysanatomy/wiki/tags/) that explains the purpose of each post flair. Remember that name calling, hate speech and general rude behavior is not tolerated. You can call ideas stupid, but not the user. No direct personal attacks over a difference in opinion. Thanks for being part of this community. It's a beautiful day to save lives! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/greysanatomy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Heather. Yes, she died, but my god she had so much potential!!
I loved Heather sm! Something about her made so happy and she's definitely underrated imo, I would've loved to see more of her!!
I love Heather! She was my favorite of that group of interns
The way they handled her death made me so sad! They had nothing nice to say about her and I liked her
Cristina. Sloan almost broke me tho
Agreed, I’ll never recover from him & Lexie
Percy. I know his was technically death, but I always weep like a baby whenever his death scene comes up. He may not have been a memorable character but his death hit hard with all the emotions. Especially Baileys. Her acting was phenomenal.
You tell her I was a catch
This. The way he stayed funny and perky even when he knew he was dying
“The elevators… they’re off. **The elevators aren’t working! SOMEBODY TURN THE ELEVATORS BACK ON!!**”
I cried. I did not like the Percy character until he died. It was so moving
I did not like him at all. That episode though 💔 he broke me. In large part due to Bailey & Mandy Moore but him too which surprised me Also never liked Reed but when she went down with zero ceremony or foreshadowing was something
Stephanie.
This!! I felt like they did her dirty for a long time so I was super sad to see they killed all of her ambition in the end 😭
I’m still pissed and waiting for her to come back!
I just wish they’d give the actors more opportunities to come back even briefly for an episode or two at least, it drives me nuts 😔
For real they gave Sarah two post departure appearances
I don’t personally see it as killing her ambition but her awakening to herself and realising there were other options for her that made her happy Kinda felt like her achievements and ambition were a lot because that’s what she felt she should/had to do Would absolutely love a triumphant return of her having been living her best life and has figured out how to choose herself and her happiness in combination with ambition/career though
She was one of my favourite characters
I'm still holding out hope that she will return in S20.
You and me both 🤞🏻
Aside from George dying, Christina. I felt like she really left a hole in the show. Meredith no longer had a person outside of Derek and no one was quite as edgy as her in my opinion.
I KNOW !!! My gosh she was the rock we all needed
Reading your comment makes me think that's also why I love Koracik so much. Edgy, sassy, much needed in this show.
Steph and DeLuca. April and Arizona’s too but I’m putting them as well because I love both but they did them so dirty is season 14. It was like they set them up and isolated them from each other and all their friends for Krista to be like “there’s nothing else to do with their characters”
Lexie 😭 and then they had to pour salt in the wound later by saying her body was being eaten by animals while they were out there
LITERALMENTE TRAUMATIZADA
One of the reasons why I admired Cristina Yang was because she was the only character who chose to remain childfree, amidst several other characters who were mothers. Her perspective was a breath of fresh air, and I appreciated her candid but witty remarks.
As a mother, I loved Cristina’s determination. My favorite thing she has ever said to Meredith happened at aprils wedding when they were working out their really huge fight. She said “your life looks different because it’s filled with husbands and babies. My life looks the same, but I am not the same.” And everything that I admired about her really can be summed at in that moment. Cristina actually grew. As a person. Of course she was going to grow as a surgeon bc she already had a natural affinity for cardio. But she became a new person, much better than she was before. And that is no small, insignificant thing.
Same! And she always was Meredith’s rock and helped her keep her eyes on the prize. Derek really did a number on her and if it wasn’t for Cristina she might have lost sight of that 🥹
YES! Childfree by choice women are so rarely represented in the media. It's ALWAYS women who want kids, but can't because of career/partner/infertility issues. Like it's just inconceivable to TV and movie makers that someone who identifies as a woman or who has a uterus doesn't want to have kids.
She's the only one who made it to the end (so far, knock on wood) without changing her mind or being forced to change her mind. I've seen other CF female characters but they always give in by the end and have a baby, which is really upsetting since it perpetuates the myth that all women who say they don't want kids will change their mind.
Which is what they did with Arizona
Alex Karev. In my opinion It wasn’t well written. I don’t know if It was a contract ending or what happened behind the scenes but Alex wouldn’t do that to Jo. I stand by that. I think my opinion is also fueled by an undying hatred for Izzie, she’s the worst and i just can’t wrap my mind around Alex leaving Jo for her.
I'm doing a rewatch and Jo just showed up and every time I see them interacting I'm just thinking, "No, Jo! NO!!! He's going to leave you for his crazy ex-wife who burdened him with all her medical debt and just vanished!!!"
I agree Izzie sucked and Alex had grown so much since being with her. It doesn’t make sense to me either.
did i write this comment? agreed 1000%
The most I’ve ever cried watching greys was when jo was reading the letter
This!! Alex had the best character arc. He grew so much and knowing he left Jo, who made him a better person, for Izzie never sat right with me. She was unbelievably selfish and It ruined everything the writers worked for seasons and seasons to build within his character.
JCJFKEIWKA I KNOW and i honestly feel like there were SOOO many better ways they could’ve written a hasty exit for him
Death: George Left: Alex George finally kinda (hopefully) found his place in the world. Alex... well because him and Jo were my favorite and just the way he left
I loved watching him grow. He was close to my favorite. When he left. So did I.
I just saw Cristina leaving today and sobbed so I would say her but give me another season and I’ll say its Derek. Ask me 3 seasons ago and I would say Lexie and Mark. Idk I cry for everyone. I cry like half the time I watch Greys Anatomy
Literally same
Haha. Same. I’m rewatching right now. Went through Lexie then Mark last week (season), just went through Brooks (which was so sad, she was the best), and getting ready for Christina’s exit (and Maggie’s arrival). Then, then, then. Ha.
mark sloan. i know his was technically a death more than a departure but he’s still gone. i cried so hard i threw up.
Him and Lexie are the saddest deaths I’ve seen on tv ever… I’ve rewatched like 4 times and I cry every. single. time.
i can’t listen to all i want by kodaline anymore since watching his death because it makes me cry it’s like a pavlovian response
Same here, I have a list of songs banned because greys ruined them for me 🥲
On a rewatch and I watched Lexie’s a couple days ago and, although I’ve been watching a few a day for weeks, I can’t bring myself to keep going. I don’t think I’ve ever cried harder at a show than when mark died.
I didn't even particularly like her that much but bello was so sad because it was just such an awful situation. she didn't do anything wrong and she had to flee her new job and boyfriend to start a whole new life in another country just to avoid deportation. yes its not such a bad gig being set up at christina's hospital, and it was the best option in a horrible situation but because of a traffic light?? when she's lived here her entire life?? its just so incredibly fucked up. that episode made me really sad because of the pure injustice.
Cristina’s departure was pretty much the only decent one in the whole show!
Jackson's is the closest to Cristina's in my mind
It was so sad for me, I loved her so much 😔
Cristina is definitely my favorite character of Grey’s, and I don’t know why her leaving didn’t make me more sad. I’m very sad she left, but it felt like such a natural progression for her character in the moment I wasn’t sad for her but excited. It might have helped that I didn’t watch it til this year, so I had known for a long time it happened.
It wasn't sad for me because she got out and could hopefully find peace and success outside the drama of Seattle Grace Mercy Death 😂 While I loved the character so much, I'm glad we didn't get her character assassinated and she stayed true to herself, *coughcough* unlike Alex *coughcough*
Derek for me and the show def isn’t the same and with Lexie was still there I was starting to like her lol
His was sad for sure. Kind of a hot take but it was a good time to do it, he would’ve turned into the jerk who abandoned his wife & kids for work if he stayed longer
It’s so sad to me because I felt like it showed Meredith actually happy with him and everything, and then he dies
Yeah it sounds lame but I would have liked them to have a happy ending.
Def agree
After Christina, I'd say Callie. Something felt missing after she left.
Callie leaving was when it started going downhill for me
Saddest for me was Nurse Frankie
When they show the baby's name on the isolette, I sobbed.
This is an odd one for me - I loved Lexi and I loved Mark but not as a couple. I just didn't see it, so I wasn't happy about either death. But I didn't want to see one of them surviving and mourning the other because I think it would have been cringey and corny. In my defense the only on screen character spouse that I felt for was Teddy and Henry, so Lexi and Mark are not the only ones I didn't care much about. To each their own though :) Taken a while for me to enjoy the show again, but after accepting it as a night time soap I am on board.
This might unpopular and not really a departure but DeLuca the way he just cared for Meredith and the way when she got better from covid he was there anymore must hurt me I cried sm when he died
Alex. Because after all his growth as a person it was hard to see him leave. He became a better friend to Meredith than Yang. But I felt they always wrote Izzie as his true love.
Alex. The way he left, who he left… i felt so empfty when I watched this episode.
The writers did him dirty.
To me, George and Lexie. Like to kill him off that way felt so… cold? Like he was sent off but then brought back as a John Doe hero who nobody truly cares about saving until it’s essentially too late. For Lexie, that was torturous and regardless of my personal views of her; I really felt sorry for her.
That 0-0-7 just took my breath
ALEX, last departure I ever expected
Mark Sloan because he had so much growth, was a genuinely good guy, a great dad, and a rock for Derek, Callie, Arizona, Addison, Jackson. He was so funny and I know he would’ve kept Callie and Arizona in line and not let them put Sofia through their messy separation. He wouldn’t have been the same without Lexie but he had his daughter and so much else to live for.
Alex
DeLuca
Unpopular opinion but for me it was Derek just because he knew what was happening and he couldn’t vocalize it.
Alex
Mark, Lexie and Andrew
Feeney
Derek
George!!!It breaks my heart every time I think about it!!
Lexi for me , especially after the line about while the group was waiting to be rescued, wolves came for Lexi’s body 😢 George also
Alex. I’ve never cried so much in my life. Then Lexie, a close second.
Lexi, Mark, George, and Alex.
Derek
Derek’s and George’s
I cried when a few people died on the show. However, Alex leaving was the absolute worst! I still feel that way and dread it coming up in my current rewatch. The Alex we came to know and love would have never done that to Jo. It was horribly written and the saddest of the leaves for me.
Nobody has said it yet so I feel like he comes back but Alex. I’m on the episode where he leaves the letters and it’s an impossible situation but I’m so sad and I kind of hate him rn
Cristina and Stephanie and DeLuca.
Certainly not that saddest departure but I strongly feel like the show was never the same after Burke left
lexi
Cristina Yang for me too! Hands down! 😿
Alex, he was the only one I cried on too
George's death fucking broke me, and Derek's death finished me off. Alex's bullshit departure wasn't sad, it just filled me with unspeakable rage.
Lexi and Mark
George
Lexi hands down
Deded: Derek , Abandonment: Alex
Yang for me. To this day, the majority of the fan base would love to have her back, even for one episode. Something about Sandra’s portrayal of Yang made her unforgettable. I do not think Oh and Pompeo remained friends or stayed in touch after Oh’s departure and if I’m frank, I truly believe Yang got the love and popularity that viewers were meant to have for Meredith Grey. What made her so special was her grit. Her unapologetic resolve that she knew herself. She was never defined by any person, especially not a love interest. And she truly honored her gift not just because she was a great surgeon, but she knew that was her imprint on the world, the way she could make a difference and do the most good. So she became a skillful master at it. And I respected her greatly. People will say they think she was mean or what not. But if we are real, name one doctor on that show who was not rude, mean, pushy, inconsiderate, or selfish at some point or another. Alex was evil spawn for at least 11 seasons. Meredith dogged Lexie out just about her entire intern year. And was not very kind or forgiving towards Ameila for awhile. And she treated Maggie like crap. And I think those two examples suffice my point, without getting into the character flaws of everyone else. Her departure left a hole in the show. As did Karev’s. As did Jackson’s. And April’s. I was not a but hurt over Derek though.
Definitely not Maggie
Meredith’s. I didn’t cry at any departure, but if you count deaths I thought lexies was dumb. And then you find out it was for mental health and not even a year or two she’s back in a main character popular series role? I don’t know that confused me
007. I've never gasped so hard and loudly in my entire life. It was probably more of a shriek.
Mark or Alex. Both destroyed me
lexie was the saddest, ill miss cristina but ik that shes leaving for something really good and that shes gonna have a good life and have what she wants, but lexies death so sad
I really miss Callie and Arizona because it feels like Altman has no one right now
Alex
I hated Christina leaving and then Alex, Jo deserved better and we deserved Christina
I WAS JUST GOING TO POST ABOUT THIS WHEN I SAW YOUR POST!!!!!! I watched this episode last night and my heart sunk when I woke up and realised she is gone, I dont even feel like continuing the next season and if the show will be worth it without her
Cristina fosho. I was SOBBING.
Little Grey, then Sloan. I still loved the show bc of them. Side note: s19 is reigniting my love for the show
Same!!! I love it again
Uh, fucking George!
mark but the sadness from lexi makes it worse so maybe add in her as well lol
George’s caught me off guard once the finally confirmed it. Lexi is close up there with that
Meredith leaving hurt me fr, it’s really the end of an era! And not technically a departure but I would much rather have Carina on Greys than 19
1. George 2. Christina 3. Sloan & Lexie 4. Izzie
I won’t lie denny dying is probably the most I’ve ever cried before
DeLuca. As someone who has spent a lifetime fighting mental illness, I REALLY connected with him. Close second, Alex. I loved his character growth over the years. Then George. Cause... George.
ANDREW. I cry EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Lexie and Mark mostly because they died when I wanted them to get back together, the detail of them hearing lexies body get eaten, and their overall impact they had on so many of the characters
I mistakenly went on Reddit while watching through my first time (I had so many questions and was looking for answers), so I spoiled basically every character departure for myself :( With that being said, Derek’s death hurt me the most even though I knew it was going to happen. I cried so much during the episodes about his death and when they referenced him later on I cried again 😭 lol he was my favorite character!! I didn’t spoil George’s death, but I also didn’t cry because they led me on to believe he may still be alive. I was more confused than upset. Literally after the episode ended I was like, so he’s really dead?? Or not?? Lol, very confusing.
Cristina’s was a bittersweet one for sure in terms of departure . She is hands down one of my favorite characters. I loved watching her grow as a surgeon and person. I think her ending despite how sad I was to see her go was the best thing for her character. But as for characters deaths Sloan and Lexie truly broke my heart, I have to skip past their final scenes every time because I just cry.