There is a reason Grey's Anatomy has been on the air for over two decades. Despite occasional writing inconsistencies and numerous cast changes over the years, the show continues to entertain viewers with its over-the-top medical emergencies and melodramatic plot lines. In this way, the show has become a genre of its own. One that many have tried to imitate but ultimately failed to live up to.
But now that Grey's Anatomy has been renewed for season 23, there's a list of pressing issues that the writers need to address. First thing on that list? Lucas Shepherd.
Lucas is a legacy character. His uncle is the dearly departed Derek Shepherd, who was a staple of Grey's Anatomy for years before being killed off in the show's 11th season. As a result, the writers had an opportunity to do great things with Lucas's character. But so far, the character has been inconsistent and directionless. An issue that seems to get worse with each passing season.
Grey's Anatomy doesn't know who Lucas Shepherd is
Of all the series regulars currently on Grey's Anatomy, Lucas is the one who most lacks direction.
From the beginning, the character has been lost, which isn't necessarily a problem in and of itself. Many characters start unsure of themselves and who they want to be. But they usually level out and eventually find some form of purpose. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Lucas. Since season 19, the character has been stuck in a weird cycle. He's unpredictable and immature, which often leads to trouble. It's only with the help of his mentors that Lucas finds ways to be productive.
We've seen this with his relationship with Nick Marsh. For instance, Nick was the first to recognize that Lucas might have ADHD and advised him to seek help. As someone who'd already been diagnosed, Nick could relate to struggling with details or having trouble staying focused on individual tasks.
Lucas potentially having ADHD wasn't a huge surprise. It actually made a lot of sense, given all of his issues. However, just when we thought the writers were going to give the character some direction, they dropped the storyline. Lucas was never officially diagnosed and therefore wasn't able to start treatment. It only left fans more confused as to where the writers were taking the character.
Lucas has a lot of growing to do in season 23
What is particularly concerning is that Lucas' issues not only impact him but also the people he cares about.
For example, Grey's Anatomy has positioned Lucas and Simone as a promising young couple. However, the writers' inability to commit to them hasn't done the characters any favors. If anything, the pairing's on-and-off status has made Lucas seem that much more inconsistent. While his deep feelings for Simone are clear, the constant changes in the way he acts towards her are exhausting and confusing.
In season 22, the writers pivoted by giving Lucas a new love interest in the form of a cancer patient named Katie (Samantha Marie Ware). But her tragic death caused the character to revert to his self-destructive tendencies. Lucas then ended up lashing out at Simone and sleeping with another intern instead of dealing with his grief.
Ultimately, Lucas has a maturity problem. The character has been through a lot over the past couple of seasons but doesn't seem to have grown from those experiences. And it is a shame, because Niko Terho is a talented actor who can handle difficult material. Yet, the writers insist on writing his character into a corner.
Here's hoping season 23 will give the character some direction by showing him learning from his mistakes and taking responsibility for his actions.
Season 23 of Grey's Anatomy will premiere Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10 pm on ABC.
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