Last night brought a shocking and very unwelcome development to ABC’s hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” when one of the original characters, who also happens to be one of the most famous TV doctors in the world, was killed off.
Please *be advised that this post contains major spoilers, so unless you’ve seen the episode and / or have already had the twist spoiled for you, it’s best if you don’t read any further.*
Dr. Dereck Shepherd, aka Dr. McDreamy, played by the charming Patrick Dempsey, died from injuries sustained in a car accident, which, in turn, occurred after he’d stopped to help passengers of a car who had been involved in a separate crash.
That Dr. Shepherd, always putting others before everything else!
Ironically, he could have been saved, if doctors had paid more attention to his condition. Because they didn’t, he died. Chances are many of the loyal fans of the show will never recover from it.
Shonda Rhimes, you made a huge mistake
As you can see from the Twitter samples included below (you can find plenty more like these under the hashtags #GreysAnatomy and #RIPDrMcDreamy), fans are having a very hard time accepting what just happened on the small screen, and not just because they were very invested in Dempsey’s character.
Rumor has it that Shonda Rhimes, the series creator, killed off Dr. McDreamy as punishment for Patrick Dempsey, who had started acting like a “diva” on set. Since Katherine Heigl pulled a similar stunt years ago, Rhimes’ tolerance for diva antics has gone down to zero, as Dempsey got to find out on his own.
Another popular theory is that Rhimes killed off one of the biggest characters because the ratings are flailing, and she wanted a gimmick to boost them.
It doesn’t even matter if either of these theories is accurate, because fans are taking serious offense with the way the show evolved with this new episode. The writing on Dr. Shepherd’s death was lazy, and he deserved a better ending than the one he got.
Plus, the fans say, this is “Grey’s Anatomy,” not “Game of Thrones.” Not one of them (the fans) should be subjected to this kind of emotional shock, not after so many years.
“Grey’s Anatomy” is going downhill
Whether they’re truly shaken, angry or downright furious with Rhimes, most fans agree on this: there is only one way for “Grey’s Anatomy” now, and it’s downhill. You simply can’t kill off such an important character (after already killing several members of the principal cast in previous seasons) and expect the same kind of loyalty as before.
Whether they’re ditching the show because they’re upset or because they know nothing better can come off it, they’re ditching it.
Those who believe Rhimes fired Dempsey for whatever he may or may not have done on set are even more determined to never watch the show again.
Uncharacteristically, Shonda has refused to address or explain the death when reached for comment. Instead, she issued a statement saying this was the way it had to happen and that Dempsey’s contribution to “Grey” would remain a memorable one.
In other words, she was polite but non-committing, impersonal, indifferent. This could give credence to those reports saying she had a bone to pick with Dempsey.
How do you feel about Dr. Shepherd’s death? Was it handled as the character deserved, or was there more to it than meets the eye? Do you plan to continue watching “Grey”? Let us know in the comments below.
In loving memory of Derek Shepherd: You will be missed. ❤️❤️❤️ #RIPDerek #RIPMcDreamy #GreysAnatomy https://t.co/mX6ZUiORHI
— Greys Anatomy (@GreysABC) April 24, 2015
Gotta take a seismic approach sometimes, just like a game of chess where you sacrifice your ♞, well Mc Dreamy was sacrificed #GreysAnatomy
— Debola Debbie Debs!! (@debsextra) April 24, 2015
Hours later and still not over what you did @ShondaRhimes What happened to "I wanna grow old together"? #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/NdYdDOiCkJ
— Zaïneb E.K. (@ZinouE16) April 24, 2015
i actually grow really attatched to these characters its sad but true. and when they die it affects me like any other death. #RIPMcDreamy
— erin (@stelenababe) April 23, 2015
Anyone else's wife crying in the middle of the living room floor...or is it just mine? #GreysAnatomy... #GreysAnatomyBrokeMyWife
— #LeafsNation Niagara (@Adam_13urton) April 24, 2015
I started watching this show in HIGH SCHOOL if I only knew then how this was gonna end #GreysAnatomy
— Carrie (@silverstars) April 24, 2015
@shondarhimes why do you keep taking everyone we love. WHY?! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS. #GreysAnatomy
— bee. (@brooksbabyy) April 24, 2015
Derek Christopher Shepherd, one of the world's best neurosurgeons died of a brain bleed. #GreysAnatomy #RIPMcDreamy pic.twitter.com/dmgr0wwIfO
— Grey + S. Memorial (@GreySMemorial) April 24, 2015
HE SURVIVED A PLANE CRASH AND BEING SHOT AND HE DIED BECAUSE A SURGEON WAS TOO BUSY EATING DINNER #GreysAnatomy
— Em (@em_hinch) April 24, 2015
After watching that episode of #GreysAnatomy I'm just laying here like pic.twitter.com/GDMmzITsUC
— Bre♡ (@BreBrickle) April 24, 2015
Pretty much sums up my thoughts on @shondarhimes #GreysAnatomy you lost a dedicated fan tonight. I'm done with Greys. pic.twitter.com/mizrzjw2Tv
— Tee (@tweetburday) April 24, 2015
Apparently to stay relevant, #GreysAnatomy needs to kill off characters. Seems like they kill more ppl than #georgerrmartin
— Kevin Reddy (@KPReddy24) April 24, 2015
#GreysAnatomy Good luck with your ratings now! BIG mistake ever! pic.twitter.com/uBFBi5Cpux
— Joseph (@JosephLeePoole) April 24, 2015
Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/SlVAPtgDfd
— Cass (@CassidyMaglero) April 24, 2015
And idk if there's any other tv show that got me this upset. Dear @shondarhimes, thanks anyway. #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/708DwXdZyj
— andy telasai (@andytelasai) April 24, 2015
Truest thing I've read all day. #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/ikwyV1miTr
— Micayle (@micayleee) April 24, 2015
The only thing left in the show was their story and now it's gone #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/OvrJw3QMFK
— annie (@MudbloodMalfoy) April 24, 2015
To every @onedirection fan I made fun of for crying like an idiot when #Zayn left, I'm sorry. I get it now. #GreysAnatomy
— Roz Weston (@rozweston) April 24, 2015
We may never smile again, k bye. #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/qQTA6zUfUE
— E! Online (@eonline) April 24, 2015