Grey’s Anatomy: Alex Karev’s departure relied on nostalgia, but did it work?

Alex Karev is now just somebody we used to know from Grey’s Anatomy. Was his exit handled properly? The fans are divided.

Spoiler alert: Be sure you’re caught up on Grey’s Anatomy Season 16, Episode 16 before reading!

After weeks of being left in the dark, Grey’s fans now know the fate of Alex Karev. The former Chief of Pediatrics was last seen in Season 16, Episode 8, where he assisted Meredith in retaining her medical license. Since then, the docs of Grey Sloan (and the fans) were led to believe Alex was taking care of his mother in Iowa.

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As it turns out, Alex has been spending time in Kansas City with none other than his ex-wife, Dr. Izzie Stevens. Not only did fans collectively gasp at the revelation, but some even yelled, “I knew it!” when Alex broke the news (via goodbye letters) that Izzie gave birth to Alex’s children five years ago. Seriously? Seriously. Alex and Izzie are parents of twins, Eli and Alexis.

Karev’s exit was handled in a unique way compared to many other famed doctors from years’ past. Rather than being killed off like George O’Malley or Derek Shepherd, Alex bid his farewell to arguably the most important people in his life with three letters to Meredith, Jo, and Bailey.

The handling of Alex’s departure hasn’t been met with praise whatsoever on social media. In fact, many fans continue to blame showrunner Krista Vernoff for the show’s slow decline in ratings, lack of good storylines, and possibly even for Justin Chambers’ sudden disappearance. Karev’s exit is already being called one of the worst in Grey’s Anatomy history, but that’s another article for another day.

Backtracking to when the news first broke, I initially called Alex Karev’s departure “perfect,” but I would like to retract that statement. While I did predict Alex would be killed off, I’ll admit I’m glad that didn’t happen. Killing off another prominent character would’ve felt lazy, but considering the circumstances of Chambers likely not returning to set, it felt like one of the few plausible options.

Instead, the writers relied on nostalgia and an unresolved plot to send Karev back to the woman who once died in his arms. Grey’s fans haven’t gone one season without wondering if Izzie would come marching back into Seattle with his kid(s) after she froze her embryos and ditched Seattle. As fate would have it, Izzie did indeed have Alex’s kids, and now they get to live happily ever after, right?

Let me get this straight. Two doctors who will likely never be seen again get their fairytale ending, while we have to suffer through Jo Wilson being heartbroken again? That woman has been through hell in the last few seasons, and now she has no choice but to get divorced because the love of her life ran back to who we are supposed to believe is the love of his life. A mess.

Alex suddenly reuniting with Izzie could be considered more creative than a subtle death, but the plot undoubtedly has issues that reasonably has fans up in arms. I’ll give the creative team props for digging through years of dialogue in an attempt to convince us that Alex was meant to be with Izzie, but it’s not a concept that can be accepted within an hour of voiceovers and reminiscing.

Grey’s Anatomy got lucky they had history to rely on without needing Chambers on-screen. He may have left to pursue other ventures, however this was certainly a different beast compared to when the likes of Katherine Heigl and Sandra Oh left for the same reasons.

My official verdict is I didn’t love it. This concept shouldn’t work, yet is being forced on us. So thanks for trying, but best of luck handling the aftermath of Jo being abandoned once again.

How do you feel about Alex and Izzie getting back together? What do you think is next for Jo? Sound off below!

Find out what happens next when Grey’s Anatomy airs on Thursday at 9/8 C on ABC.