ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy is among the longest-running shows of all time. For years, it has kept the world entertained. There has been romance, drama, and some very exhilarating action sequences. Another reason why the viewers keep coming back is because of the talented and charismatic cast. Without them, the show wouldn’t have lasted as long as it has.
However, sometimes fans have had to say goodbye to certain fan-favorite characters as several actors have decided to pursue other roles. While many fans were disappointed with some exits, they did find it interesting how their last lines reflected their impact on the show. Especially when you compare it to their first.
Izzie Stevens
“Maybe it’s professional jealousy. Maybe she’s brilliant and they call her Nazi because they’re jealous.” – “No you’re not, you’re just a bunch of people I worked with, and I can find that anywhere.”
Katherine Heigl’s Izzie Stevens starts out as an intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, just like Meredith Grey. In her first line, she was exploring the rationale over Dr. Miranda Bailey’s nickname. Overall, Heigl received praised for her portrayal of the character, although there were instances when Izzie stepped out of line and refused to follow hospital protocol. Heigl famously decided to leave the show after asking the Emmy’s to rescind her nomination. Her last line, which is in response to Meredith convincing her to stay, seems to echo Heigl’s actual sentiment towards the show at that time.
Preston Burke
“We Have A Wet Fish On Dry Land.” – “Do you?”
Isaiah Washington’s Preston Burke was introduced to us at the beginning of the season and his first line references the remark he made upon being presented a patient’s case during the pilot. At some point, Preston falls for Meredith’s best friend, intern Cristina Yang.
Their story may have progressed differently had Washington not been fired from the show following allegations of using a homophobic slur against his co-star, T.R. Knight. Despite his firing, Washington reprised his role for an episode in season 10. In his last line, Preston asks Cristina if she wanted to manage his research hospital in Switzerland. The fact that his final line is just two words shows that Burke was no longer had an impact on the show.
George O’Malley
“You got the Nazi? So did I. At least we’ll be tortured together.” – “That’s how I thought it would start.”
Knight’s delivers his first line to Meredith as they were about to start their first shift as interns under Dr. Bailey. Especially during the show’s earlier seasons, it became clear that George had a serious crush on Meredith. Unfortunately, she didn’t return his affections.
During the season 5 finale, George reveals he joined the Army. In his last line, he responds to Bailey’s shock upon learning the news. If fans take a closer look at his first and last lines, one can see the progress of their relationship. Where he was initially fearful of Bailey, he ended up building a strong bond with her. Unfortunately, their friendship was cut short when George was killed off in a heartbreaking manner.
Callie Torres
“George O’Malley?” – “Thank you.”
When she was introduced to the show, Callie was looking for George because she had to treat him after the intern dislocated his shoulder. This is why her first-ever line involves asking for him. In 2016, it was announced that actor, Sara Ramirez, who portrays Callie, was leaving the show.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, issued a statement saying, “I will miss Callie tremendously, but am excited for what the future holds for Sara.” In her last line, Callie thanks Arizona after she allows her to move to New York and share custody of their daughter. Considering she had been a main character, her final words seemed a little anti-climatic.
Addison Montgomery
“You’d know if you’d bother to answer any one of my phone calls.” – “It’s not yours.”
Addison’s first line involves the time she appears before Derek and Meredith. This is also the moment when the viewers learn that McDreamy is married. Comparing the two doctors, everyone can understand how Meredith could be threatened by Addison since she’s a double board-certified OB/GYN who also specializes in neonatal surgery.
Fortunately for Meredith, Addison decided to end things and move to California. That said, Addison’s last line happens in an episode that involves an alternate reality, one where Addison gets pregnant and she later confesses to Derek that he’s not the father. It just goes to show that she and Derek were never meant to be.
Lexie Grey
“Can I buy you a drink?” – “Meant to be.”
Lexie Grey made quite an impression from the very beginning. When the viewers were first introduced to the younger Grey, she did frustrate fans as it appeared she could be another love interest, flirting with the neurosurgeon.
However, as the character evolved on the show, it became apparent that Mark Sloan was her true love. Despite all their ups-and-downs, everyone knew they couldn’t stay away from each other as something always drew them back together. In her last line, Lexie acknowledges that she and Mark were “meant to be” shortly before succumbing to her injuries in the plane crash.
Cristina Yang
“I hear one of them is a model. Seriously? Like that’s going to help with the respect thing.” – “Let’s do it.”
Cristina delivers her first line as she was about to start her first day of internship with Meredith. Throughout her time on the show, she became one of the best doctors that Grey-Sloan has ever had. She was also seen to become romantically involved with Preston Burke and Owen Hunt.
After Preston left her at the altar, she continued working for the hospital long after. The two were later reunited in season 10, where Cristina agreed to take over Preston’s Switzerland hospital. In her last line, the viewers see her gladly embracing her newfound duties.
Mark Sloan
“Invasive non-small-cell with a history of COPD. That’s pretty much a goner, right?” – “30 Days.”
In his first line, Mark flirts with Meredith upon arriving at the hospital, something that Derek didn’t appreciate at all. Eventually, fans learn that Mark was the reason that Derek and Addison’s marriage fell apart.
However, in the show, Mark began to drop his womanizing ways when he fell for Lexie. Sadly, he also died from the injuries he sustained in the plane crash. As his condition was getting worse, he signed a form that asks the “time the hospital can be withdrawing his care.” In his last line, Mark replies, “30 days.” It may have been short but it was devastating all the same as he had quickly become a fan-favorite.
Derek Shepherd
“This is…” – “Love you”
In his first line, the viewers find Derek in Meredith’s house after they had a supposed one-night stand. Working at the same hospital, though, allowed them to keep seeing each other. And when fans learned that Derek was married to Addison, they were still hoping that Derek and Meredith would end up together in the long run.
Eventually, this happens although their relationship faced a lot of challenges throughout the episodes. However, when Patrick Dempsey decided to leave the show, the character got killed off. In his last line, Derek is shown on a ferry recording a voicemail for Meredith, declaring his love for the final time. It was nice to see Derek’s first and last lines were directed towards Meredith.
Alex Karev
“007.” – “I love you, Dr. Bailey. Dr. Alex Karev.”
When fans first met him, Alex came off as a cocky intern and in his first line, he emphasizes this jerk-like behavior when he refers to George as “007.” In the end, it became clear that Alex had always been in love with Izzie. In fact, the character leaves to be with her and their children in the end. By looking at his first and last lines, it’s quite interesting to see how much he had changed over the years.
