Combating a crisis
The healthcare workers aren’t the only ones in the spotlight on season 17 of Grey’s Anatomy – they’re fighting against the Coronavirus.
Grey’s Anatomy
Season 17 Mondays (from 22 February)
M-Net (*101) 20:30 & 21:30
Due to the ongoing global pandemic that’s turned the world upside down, frontline workers at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital are struggling to stay afloat in season 17 of medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy (2005-now). Not only is the hospital understaffed, there’s a shortage of protective equipment and the cafeteria has been transformed into a COVID-19 treatment zone to accommodate the influx of patients. In short: it’s chaotic.
If there’s one doctor who isn’t taking all these changes well, it’s esteemed surgeon Meredith (Missy in 2004 in comedy show Friends, 1994-2004), who is put in charge of leading the pack of healthcare heroes. Considering that she hasn’t taken a break or seen her kids in two weeks, Meredith experiences an emotional breakdown from the increased pressure at work.
“It’s a lot [of strain] for Meredith and her colleagues. Can you imagine walking straight into a COVID-contaminated ward every day? Most people wouldn’t do it,” says Ellen, adding that this season is dedicated to portraying the impact of the Coronavirus on medical practitioners around the world. “We provide a window into these courageous medics who’re determined to save lives. I can’t speak much about it, but this is probably going to be one of our best seasons ever,” reveals the 51-year-old actress.
TOGETHER AGAIN
Apart from the doctors going out of their depth to manage COVID-19 infection rates, season 17 storylines include the usual complicated love triangles, innovative surgical procedures and past characters making comebacks. In a surprise flashback in episode 2 (part of the double-bill première on 22 February), Meredith collapses in the hospital parking and has a beach vision while unconscious, in which she reconnects with her dead hubby Derek aka Doctor McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey, Dominic on thriller series Devils, 2020-now), who Grey’s fans last saw in season 11 (2015) when he died in a fatal car crash.
“Grey’s has been on screens for 16 years and we wanted to pay homage to the series as a whole. We discussed who we’d like to see once more and Derek was a no-brainer. He is one of the most important people in Meredith’s journey,” explains Ellen about her reunion with former co-star Patrick, which only last two episodes. “There’s just so much darkness, and we knew that coming together [for a little while] would bring a ray of light to the viewers. The bonus is that we had a ball filming together as we have great chemistry.”
ON THE REBOUND
As the season continues, the writers move the focus from Meredith to her friends and colleagues. Amid the disorder and frustration escalating at Grey Sloan, sassy paediatrician Jo (Camilla Luddington, Lizzie in 2012 in dramedy series Californication, 2007-2014) has a reawakening and considers switching careers and finding love. This comes after her doctor ex-husband Alex (Justin Chambers, Chris in 2003 in crime drama show Cold Case, 2003-2010) abruptly walked out of their marriage and left her without an explanation, just an apology letter in season 16 (2020). “Jo is trying to find herself in all areas,” says Camilla. “She is going to have her single-girl season. I don’t think that she is ready to jump into a longterm relationship yet but she lands in bed with another doctor,” hints Camilla.