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'Grey's Anatomy' Season 17: Cristina to Burke, top 5 characters who need to return to ABC's medical drama

As Season 17 is just around the corner, here's looking at some of our favorite doctors and hoping that they make a return and wear their scrubs again

Gunshots, plane crashes, car crashes, and well, just sudden disappearances -- being a 'Grey's Anatomy' fan isn't easy, as you don't know when the knife suddenly twists. It's a lesson that every 'GA' fan knows: Don't make any character your favorite, because you never know when you'll have to bid adieu to them. It has been over sixteen years of the show, and we've had to say goodbye to several characters. Some died a miserable death, while others were lucky enough to escape to another show without a scratch. As Season 17 is just around the corner, here's looking at some of our favorite doctors and hoping that they make a return and wear their scrubs again.

Cristina Yang

Obviously, there was no doubt about Meredith Grey's (Ellen Pompeo) 'person', being at the top of our list. Cristina (Sandra Oh) left in Season 10 for bigger things, and 'Grey's Anatomy' has not been the same ever since. The show needs her quick repartee, wit, and icy gaze. The text messages she sends Meredith aren't enough; we need her in person. Hopefully, when Sandra Oh's schedule frees up, we can see Cristina and Meredith dancing it out, yes? 

Alex Karev 

We'll never be over his unceremonious exit. After 15 years worth of character development, Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), who went from being a snarky and bad-mannered brat to a caring and reliable friend and husband, left his wife Jo (Camilla Luddington), for his former lover Izzie (Katherine Heigl). In Season 16, he left a series of letters for his friends explaining his departure and made it clear that we aren't going to see him again. A heartbroken Jo along with the millions of fans is still struggling to pick up the pieces. Justin Chambers said that he wished to retire peacefully, but does that mean we won't even get a cameo from him? Or is that too much to hope for?

Callie Torres

Callie (Sara Ramirez) bounced into our lives, dancing away to glory. After a tumultuous relationship with Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), we had to see her leave painfully. Nevertheless, she and Arizona seemed to have worked things out, which makes us hope for the couple's return in Season 17. Callie and Arizona formed one of the most powerful love stories on 'Grey's Anatomy', and brought gravitas to the show with their emotional storylines. Can the showrunners please bring them back?

Preston Burke

Fight us on this one. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) was part of the original 'GA' squad, all the way back to Season 2. He and Cristina shared a difficult relationship that almost led to a wedding. However, Burke realized that Cristina didn't really want a wedding and left her at the altar. We saw him again in Season 10, where he gave up his hospital for Cristina. It would be fun to see the respected cardio surgeon back in business at Grey Sloan Memorial. He might have a rather rude shock as he will see that everything is different and a far cry from what he remembers.

April Kepner

April (Sarah Drew) got her happy ending with Matthew, after years of pain with Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). To be honest, Jackson was best when he was with April, and now he seems a bit like a fish out of water. It would be interesting to see April return to the hospital, where she almost got shot, lost her baby, and well, was on the verge of death several times. We miss you, April!

'Grey's Anatomy' returns on Thursday, November 12 on ABC at 9 pm.