Justin Chambers quits 'Grey's Anatomy': Medical drama makes no sense without Alex-Meredith friendship
Doctors come and doctors go, but 'Greys Anatomy' goes on forever. Or does it?
The show continued to plough on despite Eric Dane, who played the handsome sleaze Mark Sloane and Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, left the show. It somehow found a way to manage after the fiery and razor sharp cardiothoracic surgeon Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) bid goodbye. It struggled after Derek Shephard (Patrick Dempsey) was killed off callously in a car accident. Many fans have parted ways with ABC's medical drama, but the loyal ones were determined to stick on. Yet the latest blow: the rough-around-the-edges Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) will no longer be in the show, not even for a goodbye episode. Chambers has quit with a graceful leaving statement.
Now what?
Alex Karev has had the most pronounced character development in the past 15 years of the show. From being brash and obnoxious, he grew to be a fan-favorite as he softened after his difficult relationship with Izzy Stevens (Katherine Heigl). He moved forward with Jo, (Camilla Luddington) and stuck by her like a rock-solid support through all her turbulent times. Yet what made him such an adored and cherished character, was his relationship with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Apart from good chemistry and understanding, the two had a powerful familial love for each other.
After getting off on the wrong foot and having some unpleasant experiences, Meredith and Alex grew to be each other's strong confidantes, who never hid anything from each other. The two were bound by traumatic pasts, troubled presents and bleak futures and had each other's backs throughout, be it wanting a waffle Sunday tradition or making her laugh after a terrible attack at the hospital. Alex has been such a pillar of support for Meredith, that he even told her that she could take out his frustration on him if she ever wanted. And, they're both ready to take the fall for each other. Their friendship has been one of the most enduring elements of the show, and if that's not going to be there, well then 'Grey's Anatomy' wouldn't make much sense at all. The show has anyway been dwindling quite a lot with the storylines lately, and this exit seems to be a nail, if not the final one, in the coffin.
We'll miss you, Alex Karev!