Can Grey’s Anatomy survive without Richard Weber?

The effects of the superstorm in last season’s finale are still being felt all across Grey Sloane Memorial. Richard Weber is still in serious condition, refusing care. Callie and Arizona’s marriage has fractured in a way that it might never recover from. Meredith and Derek are learning about the sleep deprivation that comes from a newborn baby in the house. And the hospital is once again facing financial woes, this time due to storm damage.

Richard and Meredith have always had an interesting relationship; their shared history through Ellis Grey ensured that. Through the years, they have both rather forcefully reminded each other that they are not family. Richard’s revelation about why he picked Meredith to be his medical proxy was just the latest chapter in that story. But the reveal that Richard was upset about the extraordinary measures taken to save his life? That’s new, and it is game changing for the character.

As much as I like James Pickens’ portrayal of the chief, I have long advocated his departure from the show (I thought he was going to meet the end during the shooter’s rampage). While my ongoing concerns that he would always be held in comparison to whomever was the chief have largely gone unfounded, I think his absence – and its effect on the hospital – would be a much greater story than anything they could write for him. Instead, Weber has a long road ahead of him, his desire not to have to live through this recovery will impact everyone, especially those that love him – family or not.

Sandra Oh has already announced that she is leaving the cast at the end of this season. The show has already lost several of the original cast members, and it won’t be long before it is contract for the rest. The promotion of the interns to the regular cast was a move to shore up the future, but will audiences be able to accept a Grey’s Anatomy with no Grey? No McDreamy? No Karev or Bailey or Yang? ER survived their cast transitions over the years, but today is a different television world.

One of the season-long arcs last year was the disposition of the hospital. Seattle Grace Mercy West was in danger of closing its doors in a story that dragged on and on. Once the doctors stepped up with the money to save the day, I was hoping we had moved past it. I like the conflict of doctors trying to run the hospital; it is something we have not seen before. But the superstorm’s damage to the outpatient OR means that we will be diving back into the same territory that made last season so arduous.

The challenges did highlight the unusual chain of command at GSMH. Hunt runs the day-to-day operation of the hospital, including, naturally, the doctors. But, theoretically, the board runs him. I have never been a big fan of Owen Hunt – especially during last year’s arc – but this week he showed a keen understanding of exactly how to make the best of his unique position. Thankfully, it looks like his and Jackson’s idea of a gala might mean a quick end to the hospital’s financial woes.

Alex and Jo’s story provided a much-needed pick-me-up for the episode. Karev’s arc from devil-spawn to halfway-decent guy has taken the better part of nine seasons, but it is also one of the defining characteristics that makes me a fan of long-form television. The Alex of today is a much different person than we first met at intern orientation, changed by his experiences that we have been audience to. His conversation with Yang about Jo being different proves that.

As much as I love a good character conflict, I appreciate more a happy ending. At this point, it is hard to see that in the cards for Callie and Arizona. But the affair with Lauren Boswell is only a symptom of the original problem: Arizona still feels betrayed by her wife because of the loss of her leg. That was a part of the argument that they had last season, and though it has not yet been a part of the discussion yet this year, it is still obviously bubbling under the surface. It is obvious that Arizona wants to fix things, pushing the couples counseling. But Callie knows that she has to work on her problems with the affair separate from Arizona. I doubt it will be long before Arizona is forced to face those demons once again.

Notes & Quotes

• “What are we going to do when she fixes her marriage and leaves us?” – Derek
• I loved all of the call backs to earlier seasons in the premiere last week, but Yang bringing a bowl of cereal into bed with Alex, talking about his relationship troubles,
• The minute the patient asked Murphy to pass on her infidelities to her husband if she died, you know the patient was not going to make it, right?
• “Can I ask you one thing? When we’re done here, will you braid my hair?” – Yang
• “Callie, I made a mistake … one mistake.” — Arizona
  “Yeah, I don’t think it was a mistake.” – Callie