On Grey’s Anatomy, you don’t have to know much about the show to know that the main character, Meredith Grey, has been put through the wringer. Between her husband dying last season and Meredith herself drowning (and almost dying) in the third season, it’s clear Meredith needs someone to talk to about everything that happens to her.
Now, after Meredith was attacked by a patient on the Feb. 11 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, the show is going into uncharted territory.
Meredith Grey is going to therapy.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Ellen Pompeo said that Meredith was going to start therapy after being attacked. This in and of itself was different, as it’s typical that actors and actresses involved in Shonda Rhimes’ shows don’t give out spoilers.
When Lauren Hoffman interviewed Pompeo about the show’s return from winter hiatus, she asked what’s going to move Meredith forward after the attack and after everything that happened. Pompeo responded, saying:
“So, after the attack, she goes into therapy, which is an idea that Shonda and I discussed. And then in therapy, she starts exploring what it means to be alone, and [how] she’s never alone, and how does she want to be?”
The interview also talks about Meredith moving on from Derek’s death and going on a date, something Meredith said earlier in the season wasn’t likely to happen as she didn’t want to date anyone after losing Derek. However, after attending her first therapy session, Pompeo said that the show starts to look into what it’s like to Meredith start dating again, to which Pompeo said she “hopes we get to keep going down that path.”
Towards the end of the Feb. 18 episode, Meredith reveals that she doesn’t know what to do with her life anymore, at least when it comes to her life outside the hospital.
“All I know is when they’re at my house, I want them gone. And when they leave, I don’t feel any better. Does that make me crazy?” Meredith asks, talking about what it’s like when her friends and co-workers are at her house, trying to keep her company.
This storyline is sure to span through the next few episodes, as Meredith certainly has many more issues she’s going to need to work through – the attack being the least of what she needs to talk about. Or, if she stops therapy, she’ll hopefully be better at talking to the people who have been there for her.