Meredith Grey's Characterization | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Legend: The Characterization Behind Meredith Grey

Shonda Rhimes' most compelling character even after 14 seasons.

808
A Legend: The Characterization Behind Meredith Grey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S56tezy5ULM

SPOILERS: Just to warn if you have not seen the show.

As most of you know, one of my all time favorite shows has turned out to be a pretty mainstream one, "Grey's Anatomy." I have now watched it twice through and continue to watch it as it airs with new episodes.

During my first round through the series, I realized that even after 13 years, this show was still kicking and doing well. It never really got boring and the story line continued on in a way that made it "okay" to kill of main characters, like Rhimes tends to do with her shows.

For a show to be able to kill off main and likable characters and still survive says a lot about how well written the show truly is. The second time around watching the series, I realized where the show's success relies on, Meredith Grey and her character development.

One of my many hobbies includes film analyzing and criticizing. I enjoy the plot, the setting, the characters, and how each little lighting effect or sound effect can make or break a show. What makes "Grey's Anatomy" so epic and binge-worthy is what could be considered obvious, it is Ellen Pompeo and the character development of Meredith Grey.

Meredith Grey starts the series hooking up with a handsome man in a bar and then goes to the next morning where she starts her first intern year at Seattle Grace. The show starts at the very beginning and where Rhimes takes it from there with Meredith's story is beyond imaginable. The handsome man in the begging becomes her love interest that follows Meredith's story throughout the entire show, even after his death. How she handles each and every situation thrown at her and how she grows from it all is what makes her an inspiration.

Meredith throughout the series grows as a surgeon, as a person, as a mother, as friend, and as a family member. She goes through tragedies after tragedies, losing those she loves. People are constantly coming and going in her life and throughout the series, you can clearly see how she evolves to become a wonderful human. She is a relatable character for how she handles these situations with a reality check.

She does have down falls and she comes back from them in a "normal" person type of way where we can apply the feelings and situations to our lives. She gives constant advice throughout the series that is vague enough that can be relatable but means something to everyone. Most series by the 14th season seem to have dragged on too long and fans want it to end, but with "Grey's Anatomy," the ratings remain high and Grey's story is far from as she continues her life as an award winning surgeon for Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. As great as the writing is, Meredith has come to life due to the actress, Ellen Pompeo.

Pompeo makes Meredith Grey who she is and portrays the character with a sparkle in her eye. The emotion that comes from Pompeo is easily seen as real and can tend to effect how our emotions are towards what is happening on screen.

The chemistry between Pompeo and the other actors is believable to the point that you forget that her and McDreamy aren't actually married in real life. When it comes to surgeries and the medical side of the show, she does not miss a beat. I would let her perform an appendectomy on me if I needed it. "Grey's Anatomy" would not be Grey's without Pompeo and I am excited to see what season 15 has in store for Meredith and company.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

5465
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119648
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1409
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

1018
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments