As we head into the second half of Grey’s Anatomy season 9, creator Shonda Rhimes is sounding off on an upcoming romance for Alex, Owen and Cristina’s relationship, and the McDreamy baby.
The genius mind behind Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes, sure hasn’t let up on the drama. So far this season we’ve seen Meredith struggle with her surprise pregnancy filled with fear she could miscarry at any time. Meanwhile, her husband Derek struggled to get his hand back to working condition after the plane crash they were involved in. Cristina and Owen finalized their divorce but still haven’t let go of each other. Alex has been dealing with the guilt of sending Arizona on the plane instead of going himself. Now all the doctors are facing the possibility of Seattle Grace going bankrupt and closing its doors. So what more could Rhimes throw their way? Plenty!
When speaking with TV Line, Rhimes revealed that not everything coming up the rest of the season will be as bad as fans may be expecting. Along with Meredith, many have been fearing what will happy to baby McDreamy. However, Rhimes says that, “In my mind I feel like we have this storyline about this person who wasn’t necessarily meant to get pregnant, but did — and is now very worried for herself. We’re going to be watching this. We have a lovely storyline planned, and I think it’s going to be very beautiful for Meredith and Derek.”
Unfortunately, things might not be so bright and shiny for Meredith’s spouse Derek. After the success of the lawsuit against the hospital – which has resulted in the possibility of bankruptcy for the hospital – he will be feeling extremely guilty. Rhimes added, “They’re going to be playing a larger part in the future of the hospital as well and trying to help fix it if they can,” she said. “But mostly, I feel like you’ve been watching Meredith evolve as a leader and a doctor and a surgeon. And that’s going to continue. Portraying them as a grown-up couple has been very fun for us. It’s been nice to see.”
Cristina and Owen have also been evolving over the season. At the start they were barely speaking and although they have been able to get past Owen’s infidelity, they still felt divorce was the best route for them. This has left them with a lot of hooking up and very little speaking. This is about to change according to Rhimes. While divorce has given them a sense of freedom, they will eventually have to talk about the differences that led them to the divorce. The big topic they will need to address is their differences in wanting children. Rhimes explains, “I feel really strongly that we allow this character to be who she is, this woman that does not want children. She’s a surgeon and a scientist first before she is anything else, and Owen has to deal with the fact that he is in love with somebody who has a genius, versus being in love with somebody who wants to have a family. That is going to be a complex thing for them.”
She also commented on whether or not Alex will be settling down with Jo. Over the season we’ve seen them slowly growing closer. But it doesn’t sound like the pace will be quickening any time soon. Rhimes didn’t want Alex to jump right into a romantic relationship with Jo. Instead, she says that Alex needed a friend and so she let the chemistry between the two character grow. She went on to say, “He’s been the guy who sleeps with everybody, and I didn’t want to see him do that. I felt like he needed a friend. We’ve been watching that build, and I don’t want it to go too fast or too slow.”
What do you think about the story lines Rhimes has planned? Are you looking forward to them or hoping for something different?
Photo credit: ABC/DANNY FELD