For a show like ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ that has been around this long, chaos is the norm. Love stories fail. Surgeons leave. Planes crash. And yet, somehow, the show goes on.
But did you know that certain storylines were almost entirely different? If these ideas were put into action, the show would be a whole different ball game.
10. Derek And Addison Almost Had A Teenage Daughter
The situation surrounding Derek divorcing Addison was already difficult; now, they were considering adding a teenage daughter to the narrative. The daughter would convince Derek to accept the job at Seattle Grace, thereby significantly changing Meredith’s love life.
However, the addition of a teenage daughter would create a whole new set of family complications in season one and lend greater significance to Derek’s decision at the beginning of the series.
Related: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: In Which Episode Does Derek Shepherd Die And How?
9. Bailey and George Were Meant To Be A Central Couple
Before his marriage to Callie or his relationship with Izzie, George was to have been matched with Miranda Bailey in a more romantic relationship. It sounds odd now; after all, she was his boss, and George was just the intern whom everyone thought was so cute. However, this story circulated in the writers’ room during the earlier seasons of the show.
8. Burke Was Supposed To Have A Wife And Kids
Preston Burke almost came to Seattle Grace as a married man. The original concept for the character in ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ did include him being married with children at home. The storyline for the character would have revolved around his feeling trapped in his life and wondering if he should leave his family for a new life.
This would have changed his relationship with Cristina entirely. Instead of cold feet at the altar, we might have seen a full-blown affair storyline.
7. Cristina Nearly Fell For A Patient
Izzie’s relationship with Denny was heartwrenching for many. Cristina almost had her patient’s love story, too. The intent was to develop a love story for Cristina with a patient. However, this would have conflicted with her ambition.
Cristina always put her work first. A love story with a patient would have softened her much too quickly. In numerous interviews, Sandra Oh has said that Cristina’s priority was clear. Cristina did not want to be defined by her love life.
6. Alex Karev Almost Didn’t Exist
It’s impossible to think of Grey’s Anatomy without Alex. But he was not part of the pilot’s initial draft. As it turns out, Alex was added later to bring balance to the group of interns. That one decision changed everything. Alex’s transformation from a creep to a dedicated pediatric surgeon was one of the show’s best storylines.
In case you missed it: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Why Ellis Grey Couldn’t Love Her Daughter Meredith
5. Mark Might Have Moved To Los Angeles
Lexie’s plane crash resulted in her death, while Mark passed away soon thereafter. Lexie’s death is different from Mark’s death, though. However, things would have gone otherwise if the creators had stuck to the initial plan and relocated Mark to LA.
4. Meredith’s Ghosts Could Have Filled The OR
The 300th episode was full of nostalgia. However, the original idea was more ambitious than that. The writers were contemplating filling the OR gallery with ghosts from Meredith’s past when she received the Harper Avery Award.
Think of the emotional overload of having George, Lexie, and Derek all watching Meredith win the award. It would have been too much for the audience. The episode was already emotional enough without that.
3. Meredith Was Not Meant To Have Kids
When Shonda Rhimes first conceived the character of Meredith Grey, she never intended for her to have children. Her storyline would have been purely career-focused, focusing on her personal growth.
This would have had a huge impact on her relationship with Derek Shepherd, and, ultimately, her legacy in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Having children has allowed Meredith to soften during some key moments. Had she not had children, she would have likely become a more independent and isolated person.
2. Lexie Could Have Become The Lead
If Ellen Pompeo stepped away from the show, Lexie Grey would likely become the new protagonist of the series. Lexie Grey has already dealt with an immense amount of trauma throughout her life, as well as an ambition to be successful within medicine. However, this scenario never became fruitful.
1. Derek Could Have Just Left Meredith
Many different scenarios were considered when Patrick Dempsey departed the series; one possibility was him abandoning Meredith with no car accident or tragic exit, simply walking away. If that had happened, he would have been left with an extremely bad reputation; therefore, the show’s creator had to find another way to write him out of the show without spoiling Meredith’s story arc.
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