It all started halfway through last semester. My roommate was looking for a new show to binge-watch in her downtime between classes and studying, and she finally picked one. I didn't even know which one she'd picked yet, until I came home from class one afternoon and found her sitting on her bed, bawling her eyes out.
"What's the matter?!" I asked her frantically, hoping nothing terrible had happened. But obviously something HAD to have happened if she was crying hysterically by herself.
After some sniffling, she turned her laptop around to face me, where I saw Netflix open to a paused episode she'd been watching. She managed to choke out, "It's G-g-grey's Anatomy. This show is so sad."
I must have looked at her like she was crazy. But I think I just got her some tissues from my room and left her to her sob-fest.
I didn't understand then. I'd caught some odds and ends of an episode of the famous medical drama now and again, but I didn't know it had that kind of effect on its viewers.
That is...until I started watching it, too.
By the time I'd come home from another year at school, I'd walked in on my roommate crying about Grey's Anatomy enough times to be curious enough about the effect it would have on me. I mean, a show has to be really good if it can make people feel that deeply, right?
So right. But most of the time I've watched it I find myself yelling at my TV screen "Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!!"
So, if you are one of those few people out there that haven't been sucked into the critically acclaimed ABC show, here are the top 10 reasons why you should let "Grey's Anatomy" ruin your life. In no particular order.
1. It has over 10 seasons, so it'll keep you busy.
Step aside, Kardashians. The only thing I need to be keeping up with is my "Grey's" marathon.
2. The drama and plot twists are INSANE.
Things don't get as critically serious until a couple of seasons in, but "Grey's" is chock-full of juicy moments that will keep you hitting "Next Episode" for 8 hours straight.
3. The medical jargon is intriguing.
There's a lot of debate on the accuracy of it all, but it's no less interesting. Even if I don't understand half of it.
4. All of the screentime in the operating room makes you want to be a surgeon.
Hey mom and dad, it's not too late to go to medical school, right??
5. The female cast is phenomenal and inspiring.
Preach, Cristina Yang.
6. The show never fails to generate unforgettable moments.
I'm 100% sure "I'm the sun and he can go suck it" is the most-quoted line in Grey's Anatomy history. Thank you, Meredith Grey.
7. Everybody's hot.
Male and female characters. Everybody is beautiful. It's kind of nauseating. But easier on the 12-hour-bingewatching eyes.
8. They do gut-wrenching romance like no other.
No, no, it's fine. Leave me to die in a puddle of my own tears.
9. Despite the heavy emotional tone it can carry, it can also make you LOL.
Unless you're Cristina Yang.
10. It gives a constant stream of awe-inspiring, gritty, memorable lines.
I could dedicate an entirely separate article about the best character speeches and episode monologues from the show.
"Grey's Anatomy" is the kind of show where the drama will stay with you, even long after an episode is over. I'm almost to the end of season 9 and there are things I still haven't gotten over from season 3.
So, if you're ready to have your life ruined and improved all at once, I recommend that you start this show. You won't be disappointed.
And if you are, you might not be human.