Grey’s Anatomy: 10 Things From Season 1 That Haven’t Aged Well

From the problematic relationship between Meredith and Derek to how everybody treated George, Grey’s Anatomy’s first season has a few problems.

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Not many would have bet on Grey’s Anatomy to last well into 18 seasons and counting when it first debuted in 2005. And yet, the show seems invincible and keeps going on as long as star Ellen Pompeo wants. What has changed, however, is how older fans and newer viewers perceive the series.

Since the first season aired almost two decades ago, many tropes and elements have become part of a bygone way of thinking and don’t hit the same way. In addition, fans who know what the resolutions of certain stories are will not be inclined to feel the same way they did before since things didn’t pan out the way they had once seemed.

Derek’s Secret Marriage That He Kept From Meredith

While there are several things about Derek that haven’t aged well in Grey’s Anatomy, the fact that he was married throughout the first season is right near the top. After all, fans were heavily invested in his romance with Meredith, only to learn he had a wife all along.

The fanbase generally tends to see Derek as being dishonest to Meredith now, as the initial shock that viewers had at the time of airing has long since subsided. Fans are more inclined to call out Derek for terming Addison as a cheat for a fling with Mark when he retaliated with a full-on relationship with another woman.

Alex’s Treatment Of George

Alex’s attitude in the first season was given a pass because of the “boys will be boys” mentality that some overlooked at the time. Looking back, his aggressive behavior toward George is pure bullying, as Alex would constantly belittle him.

It doesn’t come across as boyish or charming the way Alex was shown taking shots at George’s expense, especially when George made it clear he didn’t appreciate the way he was being treated. If this kind of behavior showed up in a series today, it would be clear that the character is a villain.

The Attendings Engaging In Romances With Interns

Viewers are very much against the idea of a character using underhanded tactics to claim rewards or an edge over others these days. Back then, though, Grey’s Anatomy showed the likes of Derek and Preston Burke romancing Meredith and Cristina, exercising their superiority to gain favor.

It’s not seen as a cute way to cultivate relationships anymore, seeing as the attendings were in a position of power and the interns could have landed in hot water if they rejected such advances. The idea of men with large age differences making the moves on younger employees isn’t flattering either.

Alex’s Shaming Of Izzie’s Background

Although Izzie got the upper hand by the end of this storyline, Alex’s attitude was easily excused at the time. As it happened, he learned of her modeling background and proceeded to print out seductive pictures of Izzie to place around the hospital.

Viewers today expect more realism in storytelling and there’s no way Alex wouldn’t have been reprimanded had this happened in real life. Moreover, it was shaming a woman’s personal decisions that is uncomfortable to watch and overall problematic behavior by current standards.

George Becoming Friends With Meredith To Pursue Her Romantically

While there’s no doubt that there are many fandom ships in Grey’s Anatomy, fans nowadays expect friendships to be based on trust rather than ulterior motives. George’s reasons to be Meredith’s confidante were mainly because he was interested in her, meaning he wasn’t totally genuine.

When the episodes aired, fans were likely to root for George to win Meredith over, but it seems more manipulative when the same episodes are seen today. It also casts doubt over the foundation of their friendship since George always wanted to steal Meredith away from Derek.

Inaccuracies With Medical Procedures

YouTube was barely a thing back when Grey’s Anatomy began near the end of 2005, so there weren’t videos where doctors disproved TV medical procedures. Now that many have checked the show out, quite a few have been termed as bizarre (according to Variety), which calls into question the medical accuracy of the show.

While viewers were never expected to find things realistic, the show was such a massive hit in its first season that fans may have been inclined to believe certain elements. Contemporary fans can now have access to many doctors’ reaction videos in which they prove several Grey’s Anatomy practices incorrect.

Cristina’s Lack Of Empathy Toward Patients

The value of antiheroes has gone up in recent times, with these characters easily forgiven for being apathetic. However, characters that are meant to be protagonists aren’t as easily given a pass, and Cristina’s character has aged poorly because of the lack of empathy she demonstrated toward her patients earlier on in the series.

She was even given a stern lecture from Bailey over her attitude, so fans are much more likely to favor Bailey rather than be impressed by Cristina’s unrepentant attitude toward becoming a great doctor. Viewers also prefer heartwarming moments more than they used to, and they won’t find that from Cristina in the first season.

Everybody’s Judgment Of George For Living With Women

The idea of masculinity has seen a major rejig in recent times, with plenty of things that were considered okay before now seen as archaic. George was made fun of by Alex and other male doctors because he lived with three women, and fans today won’t take that teasing kindly.

Alex even claimed George was like the women’s little brother and laughed at him, which contemporary viewers won’t find funny since it’s now very common for men to be roommates with women. Fans are more likely to defend George rather than find the judgment he received to be funny.

Derek’s Favoritism Toward Meredith At Work

Derek took a shining toward Meredith and Grey’s Anatomy fans found Derek sweet when he brought her in with him for surgeries. However, today’s audiences put more stock in characters getting what they deserve, with handouts seen negatively.

Derek was shown in a sympathetic light when Bailey pulled Meredith away by calling him out for his favoritism, but fans today won’t be so easily swayed toward him. Audiences these days tend to separate one element of characterization from one another, meaning they won’t perceive the romantic Derek to be the same as Derek the doctor, whose professional behavior was unethical.

The Friendship Dynamic Among The Interns

With almost two decades worth of storytelling, Grey’s Anatomy fans are aware of what became of the characters. At the time of airing, they were inclined to see the interns as “friendship goals” because they were all in it together, but it’s a different picture in retrospect.

The fanbase knows that Izzie ditched the group, Alex never became good friends with George, and everyone basically drifted apart over time, apart from Meredith and Cristina. Looking at the interns being chummy or leaning on each other doesn’t have the same weight anymore and just won’t land with viewers who are with the show for the long haul.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/greys-anatomy-season-one-aged-poorly/