ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" was a TV show I wasn't interested in seeing...that is, until my friend decided it'd be a good idea to start a 12 season show on Netflix amidst going to classes, studying for tests, and the other requirements college had thrust our ways. That being said, 30 minutes into the first episode, I decided I'd watch the second episode. After that, I watched the third, and then suddenly, I was on the fifth season. Besides the arguably over-dramatic love lives and the costly decisions these doctors face, I realized somewhere along the way that "Grey's Anatomy" had a lot more to teach than inaccurate surgical maneuvers.
1. First impressions aren't always very accurate.
Take Alex for example. At the start of "Grey's Anatomy," Alex Karev played the part of the arrogant, playboy-ish guy perfectly. That being said, it was hard for us (girls) in the audience to dislike the guy in scrubs with the smirk. As I got in deeper and deeper into the seasons, I started to learn that there was a lot more to Alex than it first appeared. In fact, later I began to love him for more than just his goofy smile. Underneath his jerk exterior, he was a great guy. It's every girl's dream -- the "bad boy" who turns out to be a complete sweetheart. This just goes to show that first impressions aren't always right and like Alex, that person you dislike for apparent good reason, might be a really great person trapped behind a lot of walls. Who knows? He could be really great with kids, too. But, it is a TV show, girls, so don't get your hopes too, too up.
2. Not everything is black and white.
I'm starting to think that Meredith Grey, the main character of the series, wasn't given the last name of Grey by coincidence or random selection. As her character undergoes many difficult surgeries, life-or-death scenarios, and tough calls, you begin to sympathize for her, whether or not she was right in her decisions. She, at times, makes judgement calls that don't make everybody people happy with her, but her heart is almost always in the right place. It just shows how grey everything in life really is. There isn't always a simple right or wrong -- when it comes to judgement calls in (or out) of the operating room. Even when everyone thinks you're wrong, the most important thing is that you're doing what you believe in.
3. Not all love is romantic.
Mark and Callie, though arguably a very odd set of friends, are a great example of how not all love has to be romantic. In fact, their bond is deeper than most couples I know. They are there for each other through thick and thin. They give each other advice on significant others and they hold each other when they're down. And isn't it nice to know that a girl and a guy can be JUST friends?
4. Your family is ultimately who you feel at home with.
Though you can't pick your blood relatives, you can always add to the family. Some friends begin as friends (some even begin as enemies), but one day, those friends just might become family. Though, as the series reveals, Meredith didn't have the picture perfect family growing up, she added people as she went on through life. And like blood relatives, you love these additional family members, even when you hate them. You bicker over eating each other's food, you fight over who has to do chores and laundry, but in the end, you learn and grow and live together. Family is family -- blood-related or not.
5. Once you find your person, never let them go.
Cristina and Meredith from early on in the series find each other and stick together. Throughout the seasons they go through heartbreaks, mistakes, trauma, and everything under the sun together. Even at times when they were mad at each other, everybody still knew they loved each other and had each other's backs. They taught me that sometimes you just have to dance out the frustration and confusing heartbreaks with your best friend.They taught me that even when you're mad at each other, your best friend has your back. And no matter who else comes into each other's lives, one thing remains the same: you and them.
Though I'm not finished with "Grey's Anatomy" yet, I've learned a lot from the over-dramatized, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking show, like learning to keep your mouth shut sometimes or doing the right thing even when everyone else tells you you're wrong. It taught me that some loves are forever and some are not. And most importantly, it taught me that no matter how good it gets or how big of a cliff hanger the last episode ended with, sometimes you've got to just turn it off and go to sleep.
