‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Cristina Should Take Burke’s Job & Let Him Go

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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ saw the long-awaited return of Dr. Preston Burke last night, and their reunion really threw Cristina for a loop. Keep reading to find out if they got back together on the May 1 episode — and if they should get back together in the future.

After 10 seasons, Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) is on her way out of Grey’s Anatomy. We all know that the actress is leaving the series, and with the season finale coming up on May 15, did last night’s episode reveal Cristina’s exit plan? It sure seems like it. Keep reading to see why I think that Burke’s (Isaiah Washington) return created the perfect pathway for Cristina to leave her past behind, and pave the way for her iconic character to flourish in TV history.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: The Return Of Dr. Preston Burke

The May 1 episode of Grey’s Anatomy was like an emotional heart attack. Luckily, there are tons of hot doctors to keep us from flatlining — and one of those MDs happened to be Dr. Preston Burke.

The return of Burke stunned Cristina, and we can see why! Dr. Yang traveled overseas to Zurich, unknowingly stepping foot into her former fiancé’s hospital. After his surprise appearance gave viewers a premature ventricular contraction (that means “heart skips a beat” in medical jargon), Dr. Burke admitted to Cristina that he has been following her career and wants her to permanently move to Switzerland to work.

By episodes end, the two had gone through endless moments of sexual tension, a bit of flirtation and, of course, a classic Burke and Cristina argument. But this argument was different.

Cristina yelled at Burke, saying that she’s not interested in welcoming him back into her life and she definitely would not be working for him ever again! But that’s quite the opposite of Burke’s master plan: he ployed to give his institute to Cristina so that she could run it all by herself.

“I don’t want you to work for me,” Burke told Cristina. “Us working together would destroy my marriage, my life. The way I loved you was consuming, and eventually, you hold the carrot and I’ll be chasing you. I have a family now. A life I want. I don’t want you to work for me. I want you to take over. I am leaving…I have been wanting to leave for a while…I haven’t been able to find anyone that I was willing to give the institute to, until now.”

Burke Is Back — But Should He Have Come Back?

At first, I was a little on the fence with Burke’s return. After all, the actor behind Cristina’s former flame was kicked off of Grey’s Anatomy for his anti-gay slurs at then costar T.R. Knight. But for the sake of television, I will admit that Burke’s return was TV gold.

His reunion with Cristina really facilitated her exit, and show creator Shonda Rhimes executed his storyline perfectly.

With Burke admitting his everlasting love to Cristina and then offering her his job, Dr. Yang really came out on top. After all of these years of presumably harboring heartbroken feelings, she declared that she would not take him back — and this was before he even offered her the job. So we know that Cristina will be making her decision based on her own outcome, and not Burke’s.

Burke admitted that he now is married with kids, and his wife gives him what he wants and needs — stability and a family.

Up to this point, that is just not Cristina and it would have been against her character (not to mention changed the course of an entire seven seasons) to have her wed Burke and have kids. She is a surgical genius with huge career goals, and despite her personal life woes, she has achieved professional greatness!

Again, Shonda Rhimes did the right thing by not having Burke and Cristina hook up. Their rekindled hanky panky would have sent her into another downward spiral, and I want to see nothing but movin’ on up for her, as she leaves her iconic character for good.

Cristina Should Take Burke’s Job

Cristina should absolutely take Burke’s job. It will bring an entire 10 seasons to a culmination of her achievements, both personal and professional, and will let her leave on top. Burke’s return has the potential to bring everything full circle.

I hate to see Dr. Yang go, but since she is, I’ll be settled knowing that she’s at the top of career, killing it (by saving lives) at her very own medical institution!

Plus, if she returns for any guest appearances, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) will have an awfully nice vacation getaway! Could you imagine Cristina and Meredith doing one of their drunken happy dances over a beautiful European canal?!

HollywoodLifers, were you pleased with Burke’s return? Were you happy that they didn’t hook up? Do you think that Cristina should take Burke’s job? Let me know!

— Elizabeth Wagmeister

Follow @EWagmeister