“Grey’s Anatomy” has been a hit show on primetime TV for a long time. It’s been so successful that they are heading into their 400th episode, which will air this week on Thursday, May 26 in a two hour finale on ABC. The hit medical drama was renewed on January 10 this year for a 19th season, which is earlier than it has been in previous years. For comparison, it was announced that there would be a season 18 on May 10, 2021.

This is surprising for many reasons, first of all being that Ellen Pompeo, the leading lady who plays Dr. Meredith Grey has been trying to leave the show for many years. Secondly, there has been a consensus among “Grey's” fans that it has been going downhill with the plotlines and character development in recent years. The early renewal could mean an abbreviated season 19 ending with the series finale. 

Representation for all fans has been a big part of what makes “Grey’s Anatomy” what it is, and why it has been successful. The writers and producers have given viewers non-binary representation this season through Dr. Kai Bartley (E.R. Fightmaster), who is a love interest to Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone). Sometimes “Grey’s” knocks representation out of the park, and this is an example of that. Other times, the show just touches upon one political or social issue to the next, and it’s unappealing.

Representation is important, but only to some extent. To the writers and producers, it seems representation is just a better word that is used to push their agenda and check off boxes. The writing for these representations is also lazy, at best. For example, the Asian characters have one storyline surrounding an Asian patient who was victim to hate crime, and they have also tried to show gender fluidity through Leo, the child of Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver). Ratings have gone down since. 

As of late, the medical drama is more drama than medical. There was an entire episode surrounding Meredith’s relationship with Dr. Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), as well as Dr. Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) finding a letter from her and Meredith’s late mother, Dr. Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), as well as the most recent episode where they had a dinner party in Nick’s honor, and it was all drama between everybody, couples’ relationships and family. 

This season has definitely had its low points, but one of its high points was the return of the fetal surgeon, Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh). Addison was the main character in the first “Grey’s” spinoff show, “Private Practice” after she appeared in “Grey’s Anatomy”. Addison Montgomery appeared in three episodes this season which included her working on a patient with a donor uterus. 

For the first part of the two episode finale, according to Disney General Entertainment Content, there is a blood shortage at Grey-Sloan, so they set up a donation center. Meredith and Nick work on a patient, and Winston (Anthony Hill) struggles with his relationship with his brother, Wendell (Rome Flynn). Wendell is a medical sales representative, and he is trying to sell defective equipment to Grey-Sloan, and Winston is helping him despite his brother letting him down before. In the 400th episode, Meredith makes a risky move for a patient. Additionally, earlier this season, Owen Hunt had given some terminal veterans drugs so they could die in peace, but in the finale, his unethical actions finally surface, all while they are getting their final assessment on whether the training program at Grey-Sloan can continue. 

Some of the hype behind these two episodes is because of the confirmed return of plastic surgeon, Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and trauma surgeon Dr. April Kepner (Sarah Drew). Jackson and April are a fan-favorite couple despite their divorce in season 12. April returned last season for one episode as well, which led to Jackson’s exit when he convinced her to move to Boston with him for the sake of their daughter and his new position at the Catherine Fox Foundation. 

There are always rumors and theories that certain characters will make comebacks in this finale, but there are no other confirmations. 

Some fans believe that Meredith Grey should finally have her happy ending, but others will always want the show to continue, despite the changes that the show has undergone. If the show doesn’t change its dynamic and give fans meaningful storylines, perhaps it should end. At the end of the day, the decision of whether the show ends is ultimately up to Ellen Pompeo, which is the agreement between her and the creator of the show, Shonda Rhimes, but for now, fans will be seeing more of Meredith Grey and the rest of Grey-Sloan Memorial.