This article contains discussions of PTSD.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 8, “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
Grey’s Anatomyfans are experiencing an upheaval with thehappier exit of Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli)and the tragic one of Mika Ysauda (Midori Francis) happening back to back. The latter may now be one ofGrey’s Anatomy’s saddest exits, as Mika decides that she can no longer work at Grey Sloan as it is haunted by Chloe (Julia Rose), her sister who was killed in a horrific car crash. After her own recovery, attempting to return to work, and having a terrible, enlightening day, Mika breaks up with Jules (Adelaide Kane) and walks out the hospital’s doors for good.
Grey’s Anatomyis notorious for heartrending character deaths, the most common way to write a character out of the show in the early seasons, but it has become rarer in recent years. However,Mika’s exit is a standout moment for the show’s writing as it manages to be just as tear-jerking without her death being the reason for her absencefrom now on. WhileGrey’s Anatomyleaves the door open for Mika’s return, the well-executed storyline of how hard it can be to work at Grey Sloan makes it seem unlikely she would ever take the same job.
Yasuda Left Grey’s Anatomy Because Of Her Trauma
After Surviving The Car Crash That Killed Her Sister, Mika Quits Her Job At Grey Sloan
Grey’s Anatomyhas included some realistic depictions of PTSD over the years,giving the characters their due with the effect it would have on a real person. Even so, Mika’s difficulties at work are hard to watch, coming right after the heartbreaking episode in which she almost dies. Chloe is only a part of theGrey’s Anatomycast for a few episodes, during which time she undergoes cancer treatment before dying after the car crash. She is not as much of a fixture of Grey Sloan Memorial, but her having been there for a short time still affects Mika.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Repeats Teddy’s Tragedy From 12 Years Ago With Its New Generation Of Interns
Mika’s sudden departure from Grey Sloan puts Jules in a unique situation that mirrors one of Teddy’s biggest tragedies in Grey’s Anatomy season 8.
Namely, Mika’s reaction to a patient she has no relation to crashing triggers a breakdown where she demands that they save her deceased sister. While leaving the hospital because of a tragedy is a new storyline forGrey’s Anatomy, Midori Francis was right in her comments that it was a powerful way to write her out, demonstrating the need for her character to heal elsewhere (viaDeadline): “I just felt like the only way Mika would leave the hospital is something really bad happening. And boy, they created something so incredible for me to play.”
Hang On, Every Main Grey’s Anatomy Character Is Haunted
Everyone Has Lost Loved Ones & Experienced Other Trauma Within The Hospital In Grey’s Anatomy
However,it’s actually shocking that Mika is the first person to leave Grey Sloan because of grief and/or PTSD.The sheer amount of death and destruction that befalls the hospital means that many characters have lost loved ones or experienced other trauma within its walls. Cristina (Sandra Oh) briefly quits her job after the hospital shooting, which is attributed to the effect the event has on her rather than the location. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) also leaves Seattle with her children for a time after Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) death but eventually returns to her place of work.
Generally,Grey’s Anatomydoes a fine job of depicting mental health conditions, showing the various routes to help and healing the characters utilize. While staying at Grey Sloan may mean being around supportive friends with similar experiences,Mika’s exit fromGrey’s Anatomysomewhat jarringly shows that leaving the hospital is the best option for some. Most of the characters who leftGrey’s Anatomydid so for further career opportunities, but are also now outside the purview of the show’s plot of one tragedy after another and the ghosts it creates.
Grey’s Anatomy
Cast
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
