'Grey's Anatomy' Fans Say Writers Are Making "a Disgrace" of Alex Karev's Character
Justin Chambers announced that he was leaving Grey's Anatomy—and his last episode aired in November 2019.
Fans, of course, are curious how the show will explain Dr. Alex Karev leaving Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Thursday's episode, "A Diagnosis," riled up fans, after it was revealed Alex has been ghosting Jo (played by Camilla Luddington) and Meredith (played by Ellen Pompeo).
Ahead of this week's episode, Grey's Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff reassured fans that they'll get answers about Alex Karev's sudden departure—but in due time. "We're, episode by episode, illuminating the story of where Alex is. And it takes us quite a few more episodes to get there and to give the audience clarity," she told Variety.
Even though the final episode starring Justin Chambers, the actor who played Alex Karev for 15 years, aired last November (!), his character continues to be mentioned on the hit ABC show, especially since his wife Jo, played by Camilla Luddington, is still around. "It was a very careful threading of a needle, where we are giving a little bit of information and pain to Jo,” Vernoff explained to Variety.
In "A Diagnosis," the relationship between Jo and Alex starts to unfold, proving to fans that there's much more to Alex's exit than meets the eye. While working on a case about a man who threw himself in front of a bear to protect his wife, Jo couldn't help but think of Alex and how much she misses him since he returned to his hometown to spend time with his mother. But, here's where things get eerie: Since he left Seattle, he hasn't kept in contact with any of his friends or colleagues at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, including his wife.
At one point, Jo even questions if he "ran into an old girl from high school and one thing led to another." Some Grey's fans took Jo's comment to heart, and think this may be a sign that Alex left Grey Sloan to track down his old love, Izzie.
To calm her fears (and the fears of Grey's fan everywhere), Jo gives Alex a call, begging him to tell her what's going on. As expected, he doesn't pick up, which forces Jo to leave one of the most heartbreaking voicemail messages in Grey's history: "I need to hear your voice. I need to know what’s going on. Whatever it is. I need to know. I want to know because I would jump in front of bear for you, Alex. Please call me."
Fans, however, can't get behind the idea of Alex ghosting Jo because the sudden move doesn't make sense for his character—especially because he went through the same pain when Izzie (Katherine Heigl) left him a few seasons back.
Not to mention that Alex is also completely ignoring Meredith, the only person he's been loyal to during all 16 seasons.
Overall, many fans are upset with the writers of the show for completely going against everything they've built Justin's character to be.
But really, loyal Grey's fans want Alex to get the respect he deserve, which means a send-off fit for a Grey Sloan Memorial surgeon.
Even though some fans are so frustrated with Alex's exit that they want the "show to just end already," the series has already been renewed for another season. That means Grey's fans have no choice but to accept life in Seattle without Alex (and McDreamy, Christina, and all their other favorites that have left the show for good).
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