If you’re reading this and haven’t yet watched the season 12 finale of “Grey’s Anatomy,” stop now.
If you have watched the finale, you sat through an hour of wondering whether April and her baby would live or die, Amelia would run or walk down the aisle, and whether Jo would tell everything to Alex or crash and burn. Unfortunately, the biggest surprise of the night wasn’t any of these drawn out and extravagantly advertised story lines.
Callie and Arizona, despite having a huge story in the last few episodes of the season, barely managed to scrape together a few minutes of screen time between them. In their longest scene together in the last few minutes, Arizona went to Callie and told her she was giving up on their previous custody agreement. She told Callie to take Sofia and go to New York so their daughter could have two happy moms.
Take Sofia and go to New York. That’s right: the minute the episode ended, Sara Ramirez and Shonda Rhimes took to Twitter to confirm Sara will not be returning for Season 13 of “Grey’s Anatomy" as Callie Torres.
While not as indignant as they were over moments such as the plane crash or Derek Shepherd’s death, fans were overwhelmed with grief. But as it always is with “Grey’s,” there is one thing to be thankful for: Callie is still alive. Of course, no one could ever truly believe Shonda Rhimes would play into the tropes (like some other shows out there currently like "The 100") and kill an LGBTQIA+ character. But considering the poor treatment of queer characters on television thus far, it might be best just to thank God that Callie is still alive.
“Grey’s” fans are so grateful to have had Callie Torres to change their lives on screen. Here are some of the reasons why.
1. Callie is strong.
2. Callie embraced change.
Not immediately, and not easily, of course, but Callie found a way to understand this new version of herself she was only just beginning to discover. She explored, and she allowed us all to watch as she embraced her true self.
3. Callie loves fiercely.
She knows how to love deeply and unconditionally without giving up pieces of herself. Sometimes she loves too hard and too fast, but if she's going to go all in for anything, it will be for love. She holds love in such high regard that when you are loved by Callie Torres, you will never doubt how lucky you are for it.
4. Callie is brave.
And afraid. She's scared of so many things: of failure, of loss, of heartbreak. She's been broken down and kicked into the dust so many times that she's terrified to try ever again, and yet she does. She always tries again. She knows well that the only time she can truly be brave is when she is afraid.
5. Callie fought and loved and lost.
But she still walks tall, because what else is there to do? Option one is keep going, and option two is to lie down and give up. But Callie Torres does not give up or surrender. She tries again, and she loses her love again, and she'll try another time. She doesn't believe in one true love or soulmates. She believes in hard work, effort and lots and lots of chances.
Callie has given generations of people help in all aspects of their lives. Whether they need to find the strength to stand up for themselves or to be their true selves, Callie has faced every problem and come out on the other side. She shows everyone that anything is survivable so long as you walk tall. Callie told so many important stories on screen from accepting herself for who she was to coping with her family's lack of understanding, and for that, we will forever be grateful.
Thank you, Sara Ramirez, for knowing you deserved representation in the media that reflected who you were, and thank you for being that person for us today. You are truly extraordinary.
