I’m a self proclaimed Grey’s Anatomy fan. But if I describe that to the world I would be labeled as a fake fan. I’ve rewatched the show more times than I can count, and continue to play random episodes whenever the world feels like its ending. But here’s the thing:

I only rewatch pre plane crash.

Like I said I love the show. It created literal MAGIC in the first few seasons, and as it went on with addition of new characters it just kept growing into the franchise it is today.

I rewatch those first few seasons like they’re a gold mine. It feels like you’re coming home after a cold snowy day outside. There was shock value from the very first scene to the end of the first season: Derek and Meredith vs. Derek and Meredith and Addison.

Then we start season 2 hell bent on disliking Addison, but Shonda made that immposible. There is not one character that is possible to outright hate. Everyone is a Grey shade – pun accidentally intended.

We are introduced to 5 different individuals that all bring something different to the table. Slowly we get their backstories that are integrated with the medical backdrop. Then we have the attendings with their own set of problems and eventually we are show them to be human as well.

When newer characters were introduced it was so exciting! We wanted to know more about them, they were intriguing and we were waiting to develop an opinion on them.

This went on for about 8 seasons. We got amazing character development, over the top season finales, multiple life changing events, and doctoring on top of all that. Of course not realistic at all but it was some of the best television out there. Then of course the fateful plane crash happened and things got too dark for me.

The acting after that was brilliant, but the course of the show did change ultimately after that. The owning of the hospital, conflict of the core doctors vs the rest of the hospital, and of course it changed Owen forever.

Owen was a favourite of mine when he was first introduced. Whatever happened afterwards, the greying of characters ended. He just straight up became unlikeable.

Even just writing this post has given me the feels. The comedy in the first few seasons was unparalleled. It’s some of the best television writing out there – there’s the juxtaposition of comedy with drama and then of course there’s the level of dark comedy. Romantic relationships were done in a way that were something special.

The cheesy, corny romantic scenes were so loveable because the characters themselves were so self aware. Of course there were times when certain scenes were not realistic, and the way they were getting over trauma like digesting lots of cheese was of course not plausible. But they were getting the general premise across which is what made it so relatable.

The beginning seasons of Greys anatomy are unparalleled. Honestly if it had ended at Season 8 I would have rated it higher than Private Practice. I only like Private Practice more as a whole show because it ended on a good note. Now don’t get me wrong, post season 8 Grey’s is still an excellent show, it just lost that comfort factor for me.

I still come home after a bad day and put that first episode on. That theme song is what gives me life.