“Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” were prepared to go out with a bang Thursday night — but in reality, it was more of a whimper.
Fans of both shows have come to expect a lot of the Shonda Rhimes-produced series, which typically conclude their seasons with a major death, breakup, plot twist, or all of the above. But Shondaland deviated from the norm for both of its season finales — opting instead to end on a happy note.
I don’t watch Rhimes’ shows for the warm and fuzzies, and I’m assuming the millions of other viewers would agree.
“Grey’s Anatomy” had a particularly confusing ending — one that, had you not known that the show has been renewed for another season, could easily have been interpreted as a series finale. Everyone on the show — well, almost everyone, sorry Jackson (Jesse Williams) and April (Sarah Drew) — had their story lines wrapped up with a bow on top, with no conflict left to speak of.
Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her kids are moving back into her childhood home. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) are moving in together (and she finally said “I love you!”). Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) and Catherine Avery (Debbie Allen) got hitched. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is likely going to become the next Chief of Surgery. Even Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) finally got closure over her brother’s death and seems willing to start a relationship with Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd).
This is a huge departure from the show’s usual trajectory. Consider the fact that past season finales have included, in order: Meredith finding out that Derek (Patrick Dempsey) is actually married; Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) dying; Preston Burke (Isiah Washington) leaving Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) at the altar; George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) dying; Izzy Stevens (Katherine Heigl) dying (maybe); Reed Adamson (Nora Zehetner) and Charles Percy (Robert Baker) dying; and Derek getting shot.
Oh, there was also Meredith miscarrying, a plane crash, Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) dying, Richard being electrocuted, Heather Brooks (Tina Majorino) dying and Cristina leaving Grey Sloan Memorial.
“Grey’s” was brutal, it didn’t hold back, and it certainly didn’t care about its viewers’ feelings.
The Season 11 finale had a lot of potential. It also had a lot to prove, with the devastating loss of McDreamy only three episodes prior. This was the show’s moment to prove that it could still remain in the zeitgeist, that it was still worth watching despite the loss of several prominent characters in recent years.
But if Meredith is now going to be one of those happy, shiny people instead of the dark and twisty woman that I’ve come to love over the past 10 years, then I’m not sure I’ll be tuning in come September.
The “Scandal” finale wasn’t any better. A show that began with a real fire four years ago has devolved into 60 minutes of characters shouting (yes, literally shouting) dense monologues that no one would ever be able to deliver in the real world.
I so badly wanted them to be rid of the B613 plotline. “Scandal” was a much better program when Olivia Pope’s (Kerry Washington) parents weren’t involved. And I thought I would finally get my wish after Rhimes dedicated an entire season to bringing down the secret government operation.
But once again, disappointment prevailed.
Sure, Olivia’s father (Joe Morton) was tossed in jail. But this is Rowan Pope we’re talking about here — it won’t be long until he finds a way to break free. And let’s not even talk about the fact that Maya Lewis (Khandi Alexander) is back on the streets.
And I’m sure I wasn’t the only woman who booed at the TV screen when Olivia picked the president (Tony Goldwyn) over Jake Ballard (Scott Foley). The two of them have proven time and time again that they aren’t good for each other (not to mention Jake is hands down the better looking of the two).
So where does Rhimes go from here? One popular fan theory that’s floating around the Internet has promise — that it won’t be long until we witness Meredith’s descent into Alzheimer’s.
It would make sense, seeing how heavily Rhimes has been stressing the parallels between Meredith’s and Ellis Grey’s (Kate Burton) lives over the past season.
But if that’s the case, I would have much rather witnessed Meredith displaying a very serious symptom in the season finale — one that would guarantee channels being switched to ABC come the Season 12 premiere.
For “Scandal,” I can only imagine another season that sees Olivia and Fitz break up, then get back together again, then break up again. That is, when they’re not busy yelling their lines at each other.
I’m not sure I want to suffer through that headache.