From 2005 to 2011, I was an avid follower of the show, but I lost touch with the happenings at Seattle Grace. It turns out, that didn’t matter much. The episode primarily unfolded outside the hospital, showcasing Derek Shepherd’s valiant attempts to rescue four victims from a devastating car accident—and guess what? One of them was Sydney from Parenthood! Tragically, as he drove away, a tractor-trailer struck him.
Spoiler alert: he didn’t survive. Even though I anticipated this twist, it still caught me off guard. Kudos to the show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, for building such unbearable tension throughout the hour. The only other time I felt this level of anxiety while watching television was during Meadow’s struggle to parallel park in the series finale of The Sopranos. The cinematography and pacing were so poignant that I found myself in tears from the very start and continued to sob for hours after—mind you, I don’t even regularly watch this show.
Twelve hours later, I’m still feeling the impact.
I’m clearly not alone in this. Despite Entertainment Weekly unintentionally leaking McDreamy’s fate earlier in the day—when copies of a magazine featuring an exclusive interview with Patrick Dempsey circulated prematurely—the Internet erupted with disbelief and outrage. Some passionate fans even likened Rhimes’ actions to those of an abusive partner or a serial killer, which is pretty extreme. But hey, emotions are running high, and I’m right there with them, even though I’m more of a casual viewer.
One tweet that did bring a smile to my face referenced Dempsey’s role in one of my childhood favorites, Can’t Buy Me Love. So close, Shonda.
At least we have Amelia Shepherd’s storyline to look forward to now.
This article first appeared on April 24, 2015.
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Summary: The emotional fallout from McDreamy’s shocking exit still resonates, even for those who aren’t die-hard fans. The masterful storytelling and pacing made for an unforgettable episode, leaving viewers in shock and disbelief. Amidst the chaos of reactions online, it’s clear that the impact of such moments in television continues to linger, reminding us of the power of storytelling.