Oh my god. Grey’s Anatomy did it again. Another long-gone (but beloved) character has made a reappearance in Season 17. Are you ready for spoilers? Because this article is gong to spoil the absolute SHIT out of the surprise.
Ready?
It’s GEORGE.
George O’Malley (T.R. Knight). 007 himself. One of Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) original class of interns, who was smashed so hard by a bus in Season 5 that no one could recognise his face. He was going to join the army. He looked so handsome in his uniform.
literally can’t think about this scene without wanting to cry
Right now, in Grey’s Anatomy world, Meredith has coronavirus. Apparently a symptom of her coronavirus is hallucinating that you’re on a beach somewhere, running into your dead loved ones, because we already had a visit from Derek ‘McDreamy’ Shepherd, her long-dead husband. (Who will they bring next? LEXIE? I’m not sure my heart could take it.)
According to EW (because I haven’t watched the episode yet), George and Meredith spend some time catching up. He tells her he checks in sometimes, and that her children are great.
Then Meredith asks if she gets to decide to stay on the beach, or return to her kids. (What a throwback to the drowning episode in Season 3, when she was so busy freaking out that she almost missed the window to decide to return.) (What a ringer this show has put Meredith through.)
George says that he doesn’t think so. Then he says: “I would’ve stayed if I could’ve.”
Meredith later tells George that his act of heroism – pushing a random woman out of the way so she wouldn’t be hit by the bus – never left her. “You changed my life, George,” she says.
If you need me, I’ll be a blubbering mess over here.
After the episode aired, Knight posted a sweet message to Instagram, alongside a photo of himself, Pompeo, Chandra Wilson (who plays Bailey) and James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber).
“George O’Malley will always claim my heart,” he said.
“Thank you to Ellen, Chandra, Jim, Krista [Vernoff, Grey’s Anatomy‘s showrunner], and all the familiar faces for once again showing your beautiful light.”
Vernoff said Knight’s guest starring role made her “cry for joy” every time she watched it.
Tonight‘s #GreysAnatomy is tremendous for so many reasons. Powerfully written by @jajwong elegantly directed by @allisonliddibro and with a guest star appearance that makes me cry for joy every time I watch it. pic.twitter.com/paFyR2OPxM
— Krista Vernoff (@KristaVernoff) December 3, 2020
There’s rumblings that the current season might be the show’s last, which would explain why they’re going hard on the guest appearances. Prior to Season 17’s premiere, Pompeo told ET: “We don’t know when the show is really ending yet. But the truth is, this year could be it.”
It officially became the longest-running prime time medical show last year, a category that seems oddly specific until you remember that Grey’s beat ER.
One the one hand, I can’t believe this show might near its end (she says, having not watched it since Season 9). On the other, people who were born the year it came out can very nearly drive a car. Maybe it’s time to call cut, before any other once-in-a-lifetime disasters befall Grey-Sloane Memorial Hospital.
