Meredith’s love life seems finally settled inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 after Derek’s death, but the potential return of one character could cause disruption in Meredith’s life. AmongGrey’s Anatomy’s most shocking deaths of a main character, Derek’s ranks high because of how heartbreakingly it was brought forth, with his saving all his patients before dying because the surgeon on call didn’t order the tests that could have saved him, and because of how it massively impacted Meredith. For some time,dating felt impossible for Meredith, reeling from the loss and the fact the love of her life had died.
Grey’s Anatomy: Meredith & Derek’s Relationship Timeline, Explained
From a Post-It note wedding to a lot of breakups, Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd’s romance had a tumultuous timeline on Grey’s Anatomy.
Eventually,Meredith started dating again and even formed major romantic relationships. However, they all felt like the relationship potential was untapped. Indeed,Meredith’s relatively long bond with Andrew DeLuca fizzled outafter Andrew realized Meredith didn’t love him as she did being a surgeon. Cormac Hayes, Nathan Riggs and Atticus Lincoln were all considered possible romantic partners for Meredith, but all their relationships or attempts at such with Meredith were somewhat unfulfilled.Nick and Meredith’s relationship is the first to hold up compared to her and Derek’s, but one character potentially returning inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21could disrupt it.
Nathan Riggs' Return Could Poke Even More Holes In Meredith & Nick’s Romance
Grey’s Anatomy Seasons 19 & 20 Already Showed Their Many Problems
Among Derek’s replacements as Meredith’s love interests, Nathan Riggs was the first to appear inGrey’s Anatomyseason 12 precisely for that reason.While Meredith and Nathan eventually connected, their relationship was truncated the momentOwen’s sister and Nathan’s ex-fiancéeMegan was found alive overseas, making it impossible for Meredith and Nathan’s connection to be exploredas Megan’s return evidently trumped what they could have had.Martin Henderson not excluding a possible return toGrey’s Anatomyas Nathan Riggs thus makes him a potential disruption in Meredith’s life and relationship with Nick, even more so after Nathan and Megan’s breakup.
Nathan’s arrival could exacerbate [Nick and Meredith’s problems] by offering an alternative, effectively being among the ones who got away.
Meredith and Nick’s relationship is stabler than ever inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21. Meredith’s outburst about Bailey’s health in season 20 forced her also to admit her feelings, thusprompting Meredith to be open at last with Nick. This strengthened their relationship, butGrey’s Anatomyseason 19 and 20 already showed their problems, including Meredith’s tendency to keep Nick in the dark about her Grey Sloan issues. Her refusal to admit her feelings led to Nick almost abandoning her multiple times. Nathan’s arrival could exacerbate them by offering an alternative, effectively being among the ones who got away.
Grey’s Anatomy Ruined Riggs' Perfect LA Ending When It Unnecessarily Separated Him & Megan
Meredith & Riggs Couldn’t Happen Because Megan Was Revealed To Be Alive
Henderson addressing how he would only return as Nathan inGrey’s Anatomyif the story truly warranted it excludes a comeback solely to spread discord between Nick and Meredith. His return could nonetheless be worthwhile, ascoming back inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 or even later could finally tell Nathan’s side of his breakup with Megan, something unbelievably cruel that the medical drama sprung on Megan and NathanafterNathan’sGrey’s Anatomyexitperfectly included his and Megan happily ever after, trying to build a life together with Farouk in LA.
Between how Megan and Nathan parted ways overseas and their complicated history that also involved Owen blaming Nathan for Megan being deemed missing in action, Megan and Nathan rekindling their romance was an unexpectedly joyful happily ever after.
While Megan’s return had the downside of leaving Meredith and Nathan’s possible relationship unexplored, it was a massive opportunity for Megan and Nathan’s relationship. After everything they went through in their past, including Nathan’s betrayal and Megan getting on the helicopter that was downed only because she was angry at him,Nathan and Megan’s reconnection and wish to build a life together was a message of hope and second chances. Season 18 revealing his and Megan’s offscreen breakup thus felt especially cruel, making Nathan’s return toGrey’s Anatomynecessary even just for giving him the chance to say his piece.
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TBA
July 28, 2025
Grey’s Anatomyreturns to ABC at 10pm on Thursday, July 01, 2025.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
