Meredith Grey's Big Story in Grey's Anatomy Season 21
Meredith Grey's move from Seattle to Boston in Grey's Anatomy season 19 meant Ellen Pompeo would have a reduced role in upcoming seasons. But news reports about her involvement hint at a big story taking center stage in Grey's Anatomy season 21.
Meredith's move led her to work for the Fox Foundation studying Alzheimer's disease. This kept her connected to the Grey's Anatomy characters, allowing her to appear onscreen whenever foundation business was discussed. This became even more apparent after she made Catherine Fox an enemy by revealing her controversial Alzheimer's theory to benefactors at the Fox Awards.
Meredith had many story arcs that put her front and center over Grey's Anatomy's 20 seasons. Winning the Harper Avery Award made her Grey Sloan Memorial's most in-demand doctor in season 14. Almost losing her license also focused all the attention on her in season 16. But, defying Catherine's orders to pursue her Alzheimer's Research with Amelia Shepherd in secret using Grey Sloan's discretionary funds was the first time Meredith's story was central, even as her onscreen presence was reduced.
Pompeo Being in At Least 7 Episodes Means Her Alzheimer's Story Will Be Season 21's Focus
A report confirmed that Ellen Pompeo will appear in at least seven Grey's Anatomy season 21 episodes, if not more. This shows that the bomb Meredith set off by publishing her Alzheimer's findings in season 20's finale could be the biggest story in season 21.
Meredith's actions impacted many characters, including Amelia, Teddy Altman, and Owen Hunt. Catherine punished them for working with Meredith or advocating for someone who did. Owen's rant proved this, as he lost his job. But Meredith appearing in almost half of season 21's episodes shows she'll be central, spearheading one of her greatest fights.
Meredith's actions in season 20's finale made Catherine an enemy. Catherine's villainous turn in season 21 was hinted at by her iron grip on Grey Sloan Memorial, leading her to fire many of her department heads and threaten to do the same with the new interns and Miranda Bailey. Whether Meredith will only challenge Catherine over the publishing of her findings, as she was employed by the Fox Foundation when she conducted the research, or fight alongside the Grey Sloan doctors who were fired, she will undoubtedly support them.
Fights At Grey Sloan Can Greatly Change Grey Sloan's Structure In Grey's Anatomy Season 21
If the fired doctors rebel against Catherine, they'll find a great ally in Meredith. Her partially owning shares of Grey Sloan Memorial and Bailey's board member position make them the best chance to put up a fight with Catherine and stop her from changing the hospital's fabric. This could be the greatest change to Grey Sloan Memorial's structure since season 9 when the Grey Sloan Seven purchased the hospital with the help of the Fox Foundation to stop it from being bought for parts, as it would effectively pit hospital owners against each other.
Pompeo's ramped-up role in season 21 makes all these possibilities more feasible. Whichever way season 21 decides to go for the central arc already set up by season 20's ending, it's going to involve massive infighting at Grey Sloan Memorial. This makes season 21 automatically more exciting for the changes it will bring, and that would be even more impactful if Meredith were to be at the center of all fights.
Grey's Anatomy season 21 premieres on Thursday, September 26 at 10 pm on ABC.
