Grey’s Anatomy has a knack for shocking its viewers by killing off beloved characters. Over the years, showrunner Shonda Rhimes has fearlessly taken doctors away through various disturbing and devastating deaths. No one in Seattle Grace- now known as Grey Sloan Memorial- felt safe, as they encountered rogue buses, airplanes, and gunmen. However, in recent times, the show has brought back multiple characters from the brink of death with minimal consequences. It seems like these doctors are now indestructible.
In the Season 19 finale, the latest surgeon to face peril was Teddy Altman, the long-time cardio queen. Throughout the episode, she suffered from an annoying but seemingly harmless toothache until she suddenly collapsed in the operating room, experiencing cardiac arrest. The season ended with her husband Owen Hunt desperately attempting to revive her, leaving her fate uncertain until Season 20’s premiere. While it would be devastating for the Grey Sloan family, especially her husband and children, if Teddy were to die unexpectedly, killing her off is a necessary evil to keep raising the stakes in Grey’s Anatomy.
Teddy Altman joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy in Season 6, Episode 9 as a veteran of the Iraq war and a friend of Owen Hunt’s. Specializing in cardiothoracic surgery, Teddy quickly captivated viewers with her enigmatic personality. From elbow-deep in a patient’s chest to twirling and giggling in a rainstorm, Teddy’s character was full of contrasts. Over the next few seasons, Teddy developed strong relationships with other surgeons such as Arizona Robbins and Callie Torres. She and Cristina Yang formed a powerful cardio duo despite their initial friction. Teddy was known for her emotional openness and had a tendency to fall for unavailable men, including Owen. However, one of her romantic pursuits, Henry Burton, led to a tragic storyline when he died on Cristina’s operating table in Season 8.
Teddy’s love story with Henry was one of the most compelling arcs in Grey’s Anatomy. Their relationship began when Teddy offered to marry Henry, who was struggling to afford medical treatments, so that he could use her insurance. Their marriage grew into a deep love, making Henry’s death emotionally devastating for Teddy. Complicating matters, Owen lied to Teddy about Henry’s survival, creating further grief for her. This storyline provided insight into Teddy’s character and the immense grief she had already experienced. However, when she finally confided in Owen about her first great love, her revelation was met with skepticism and deception.
Despite Teddy’s fascinating past storylines, in recent seasons, Grey’s Anatomy has struggled to find a clear direction for her character. In Season 16, Teddy engaged in a cheating scandal with Tom Koracick, which portrayed her in a negative light. Later, in Season 17, she was burdened with trying to cure Meredith without much support, leading her to experience emotional distress and hallucinations after failing to save Andrew Deluca. Season 18 saw Teddy involved in illegal activities, administering life-ending drugs to dying soldiers and becoming a fugitive. While she eventually became the Chief of Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial, this promotion wasn’t necessarily a satisfying development for her character. Teddy’s recent behavior has become confusing and irrational, indicating a lack of fresh ideas from the show’s creators.
Now that Teddy’s life hangs in the balance, it is unfortunate but necessary for her character to exit the show. In recent seasons, Grey’s Anatomy has shown doctors surviving against insane odds, making their lives seem almost invincible. While it is heartbreaking to lose a beloved character, it used to be what made Grey’s Anatomy captivating- the unpredictability of losing a favorite cast member. Continuing to set up near-death experiences without following through with actual deaths feels like a cheap strategy to attract viewers for the Season 20 premiere. Moreover, it diminishes the stakes in the show. Although Kim Raver is set to appear in Season 20, it does not guarantee Teddy’s safety. As difficult as it may be to lose Teddy suddenly and tragically, it is better than allowing her character to become stale and fade away. Let’s give Dr. Altman the dramatic farewell that she rightfully deserves after all these years.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
