‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Meredith Is Too Selfish & Ungrateful Towards Derek
Advanced warning: if you have not yet watched the season 11 premiere of Grey’s Anatomy, stop reading right now! Spoilers ahead!
Early on in the episode we learn that Derek has accepted the president’s job offer in Washington, D.C. — and that he intends to move all the way across the country, leaving his wife, Meredith, and their two young children in Seattle, Washington.
It’s heartbreaking to hear, and Meredith is clearly concerned about it because she tells Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) that she doesn’t think her marriage “can survive” the distance. She’s probably right.
However, throughout the episode Derek keeps running into situations that remind him he has decided to leave his entire family. Each time, you can see it’s hitting him hard, and you can tell he is already regretting his decision.
At the very end of the episode, Derek tracks down Meredith in the bar across the street from the hospital to tell her that he’s changed his mind. He tells her, “I choose you and the kids. I’m staying.”
You would think Meredith would be thrilled, ecstatic, and jumping for joy, right? Instead, she’s livid — and she accuses him of changing their plans. In fact, she storms off to the bar to get a shot of tequila because she’s so upset about his decision to stay.
Um, what? We all knew that Meredith could be a little selfish, a little ungrateful, and that she has a hard time showing emotions of the joyous variety. But this? This is too much, even for her.
Meredith & Derek’s Marriage Could Already Be Over
For Meredith and Derek shippers, this is not a great way to start the season. They were finally where we all wanted them to be: happy, married, parents, living in their dream house, doing their dream jobs. So, what’s going on?
Of course, after 10 seasons of a show, sometimes you have to rough up some storylines to make things interesting once again, but I honestly thought Meredith and Derek were safe.
I can’t help but wonder if this means they are headed for splitsville. It would be a devastating blow to fans of the series, but was Meredith ever really meant to be somebody’s wife? She still can’t express herself properly, and how long does Derek have to put up with that?
He literally gave up his dream job. He gave up the next step in what has been a legendary career, and he did it for her. He could find a way to advance, even more so than the success he has already had, and instead he is letting Meredith hold him back because he loves her THAT much. And her response was to turn her back on him. Why?
However, I can’t help but also wonder whether or not this is leading to the show’s end. Not Meredith and Derek’s divorce, but her realizing she is holding him back, that she loves him too much to do so, and then finally agreeing to move her life to Washington, D.C. with him.
There’s so much to think about! Damn you, Shonda Rhimes, you beautiful, creative, epic queen of emotional dramas, you.
Tell me, HollywoodLifers — What do YOU think about Meredith being so ungrateful towards Derek? Do you think they are headed for a break up, or do you think she’s upset she’s holding him back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
— Lauren Cox
Follow @Iaurencox
More ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ News:
- ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Recap: Meredith Fears Her & Derek’s Marriage Is Over
- Ellen Pompeo’s Parody Pic Of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Cast As ‘OITNB’ Characters
- ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Meredith & Derek Divorcing? — First Look At Season 11