While there have been many characters who have left Grey’s Anatomy, there’s only one that has had a huge effect on the way the show feels. And no, it’s definitely not McDreamy. There was an exit years before the loss of Derek Shepherd who caused a change to the feel of the series.
Grey’s Anatomy is an ensemble show, and the beginning brought us a group of interns who had to learn how to be good surgeons. This led to friendships being formed between the five “baby doctors,” as they figured out who to trust and how to form networks. While Meredith Grey was the lead character, the others quickly gained excellent development, especially Cristina Yang, played by Sandra Oh.
Oh remained with the series for a decade, leaving at the end of the 10th season. That’s the point that the series really started to see a downward turn with storylines, especially considering the type of role model she was for those watching.
Cristina Yang made it clear that putting yourself first can be a good thing in Grey’s Anatomy
One of the biggest parts of Cristina’s character development was her wish to focus on her career. She didn’t want children, and while some people understood that, others viewed it as a selfish move. And while she didn’t judge people who wanted children, she did make it clear that she thought she was a better doctor for not having them.
There are many women out there who don’t want to be mothers, and they want to put their main focus on their careers. Cristina quickly became a role model for them, as she is the only character ever on the show who made it clear that she didn’t want children at all. Others have said “not right now,” but they have wanted children eventually. Cristina has never wavered from her wishes to be child-free.
There was also an excellent moment just before Cristina leaves Seattle, as she looks at the two “what if” worlds. She sees what her life could be like staying with Owen and having a child with him, and then what it would be like if she stayed with him and didn’t have a child. In the end, she realized that neither life was fair to either of them, and the most unselfish thing for both was to split up, regardless of how much they loved each other.
Cristina and Meredith showed what female friendship is all about
On top of that, Grey’s Anatomy gave us this focus on female friendships. Cristina and Meredith were competition in a way, but at the same time, they were support systems. As they grew into doctors and found their specialty, they were able to support each other more, and that was even with their different life choices.
It’s rare that a TV show gives us a look at women supporting other women. There is usually a lot of focus on the way they are battling against each other for a particular role in the workplace. Instead, Cristina and Meredith stood up for each other, and Cristina even left, making it clear that Meredith was the sun and not Derek.
Meredith’s life in the hospital hasn’t been the same without Cristina around. While there have been attempts with Maggie and Amelia, Cristina was the one who just knew what Meredith was thinking. She remains there, even if it’s just through text messages, being a support system, someone to laugh with, and someone to rant to. It just isn’t the same when we can’t see it all happen, and when we no longer see them dance it all out.
It was always going to be impossible to bring in another Cristina Yang. However, I will support the exit as it was Oh’s choice and not some annoying “creative decision.” At least Cristina is out there and could come back to Grey’s Anatomy if the story allowed, and Oh was up for it.
Grey’s Anatomy is available to stream on Netflix and will return on Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC in fall 2025.