Grey’s Anatomy‘s ‘Reboot’: Our First Impression of the Season 19 Premiere
Charlie Mason
Editor
Pretty much every week in the comments that follow TVLine’s Grey’s Anatomy recaps, disgruntled viewers suggest that the long-running drama has run its course and should be sent to the television graveyard. I never get that. I may like one story better than another, one character less than another. But the show as a whole has a lotta life left in it. And even if I hadn’t thought so before, I’d have had to after checking out an advance screener for Thursday’s Season 19 premiere (at 10/9c on ABC).
“Everything Has Changed” is, in a word, awesomesauce. Written by showrunner Krista Vernoff and directed by EP Debbie Allen (aka Catherine), it’s funny, emotional, flies by like it was 20 minutes long and includes at least one line that will for sure be getting quoted Friday morning and forevermore. (You’ll know it when you hear it.) By the time the closing credits rolled, I was excited — not only as someone who covers the series but as someone who likes it enough to watch it even it wasn’t one of my beats. This isn’t technically a reboot, yet it feels like one — almost a rebirth.
And I know you’re wondering about the five new first-year residents who will be making the rounds at Grey Sloan. Are they any good? Will you like them? I’m happy to report that they’re pretty terrific, actually — exceptionally well-cast and immediately better-defined than the influx of interns who were brought in for Season 14. In fact, we get to know more about Season 19’s rookies in their debut than we did several of Season 1’s OG residents in the series’ premiere.
Now, to be clear, none of this is to say that I love everything about Grey’s Anatomy. Like any member of the audience, I have quibbles. How can two adult people in love like Meredith and Nick have let six months go by without talking through their issues? Will Maggie and Winston’s relationship ever be thoroughly explored? And are we really supposed to worry that Owen and Teddy are headed to the slammer for the long haul?
But these are quibbles and just the latest of them. I have quibbles with every show that I watch. Don’t we all? But as far as Grey’s Anatomy is concerned, the good far outweighs the bad, and the great sometimes makes me forget that the bad even exists. So I’ll be keenly interested to see your reaction to Season 19’s premiere; it left me stoked to see what’s to come, quibbles and all.
Super excited to hear this. I really think a good mix of old and new is what the show needs and this season seems promising. And like you even when the show is a bit messy (it’s a drama after all!) I think the good has always outweighed the bad. Thats impressive considering they do 20+ episodes a year!
Lovely written commentary! It’s nice to read something from someone who still likes the show as much as some of the fans. I’m so happy that the show is still on the air; there wasn’t a single season where I felt the urge to stop watching, I enjoyed every season. There are weaker story lines of characters like you said, but all in all it’s still the show I look forward to the most every week. Can’t wait to see how season 19 turns out!
I’m glad the producers are committed to explore what the show would look like without Ellen Pompeo. I’m looking forward to watching this new season.
If only they had been committed to this years ago, perfect opportunity when she took a year off to actually let it be a year. Just call it grey sloan or whatever….
They have done it these past few seasons due to covid limiting her screen time so it’s not really showing us what it’s like without Ellen. And sorry but the show won’t go on as they lack new story line. They have to keep referring to Old greys for fans to get an Aww moment
Thank you for this! I love the show and while it’s had its ups and downs, I’m so glad it’s still on the air and will keep watching as long as it is. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s premiere!
This got me very excited!!
I have to say, I thought that we were very close to have some huge time jump to have Zola start med-school and by keeping both of her lastnames, to have Grey’s Anatomy still revolve around a Grey, I’m happy though they went for this soft-reboot with some flesh blood. It’s how life shoild be in general, bring in the young people and make them shine!
Looking forward to this!
I’m just here hoping that the new interns won’t completely overshadow the rest of the characters. I love me some Link and it’s for him only that I watch. I’m invested in his story.
I’m in it for the long haul. Been watching since day one and am not going to stop now. Of course the series is going to evolve. People come and people go, just like in real life. It will be like when the residents and attending taught the original group of interns. Very full circle.
I’m watching for the 3rd time round ,I love it,after looking at some series I’m bored,but greys never bores me ,never will I love it xx
I agree that I still love the show. Excited for this new chapter.
I loved when Jo’s class was introduced (I liked all of them at one point or another and was sad to see most of them go) so was really disappointed that the following round of residents were such minor minor characters (except Levi). I’ll be happy to see some new characters and some actual medical drama on my medical drama show!
I am going to sound like a teeny bopper but I would love to see a brief scene of Harry and Debbie dancing!
Who?
Harry Shum and Debbie Allen are both great dancers.
That sounds like fun. I think they should do it. I remember having a similar wish for Station 19 to do karaoke so they could have Oak and Barret sing together.
I watch and will continue to watch but…McDreamy and McSteamy are very much missed as characters and hunks. I can’t say that about most of those that have left the show.
It’s not like I miss them as characters, but the rhythm in which their storyline evolved. If they take the time to do with Link what they did for McDreamy back when he got dumped, even Amelia has potential as the new Addison.
Really? Adelaide Kane’s character sleeping with Linc seems like a direct steal of Meredith and Derek. Not helped by the fact that Amelia/Linc was the best relationship in years, ended for no real reason, and now Amelia is in possibly the worst relationship that has ever been on this show.
Among the last interns, I liked the transgender vet with hacking skills who we never saw after a few episodes. I also liked the mother/daughter interns who we also hardly saw. Meanwhile there was endless Levi and his wooden boyfriend who I can’t care about (Levi should have left and stayed gone) and Helm as a running gag.
There have been too many strikes in the last seasons for me to have faith about this season.
Like I said, as long as the lead from Dash & Lilly and the co-star from Thing About Harry are in it I’ll watch. You don’t have to convince me.
Once again, they rely on the early seasons humor to get by, they lack creativity in making new humor. Like the preview with Linc telling Meredith about sleeping with an intern. And of course 5 interns that they try in some ways to copy the original interns. This show has killed most relationships to the point of you can’t put any hopes for any relationships working out!
It’s hard to invest in any relationship when Owen’s one and only has been Cristina, no Teddy, wait Amelia, no Teddy again! Same goes for Teddy and Amelia for that matter. Granted, Schmitt and Helm only had one crush since they got introduced, but for the most part their crushes were unrequited (Nico is emotionally unavailable and Meredith short of despises Helm).
I didn’t like it. The cast is weak and there aren’t enough older cast members. I remember the days when the cast included Callie, Arizona, April, Jackson, Mark, Lexie, Alex, Christina, Meredith, Derek, Owen, Dr. Weber, Dr. Bailey. And THEN they brought in the new interns, Jo and Stephanie.
They need to bring back April and Jackson and as many of the old cast as they can.
And now that Meredith won’t be there as much it will really suck.
It was like watching a variation of season one in all the best ways. So good. If you were an early fan, you need to give it a shot.
I would like to know what line in the episode you were talking about in your review? If it was “it’s a beautiful day to save lives” that is a very old and meaningful quote from the series premiere. Otherwise, it didn’t stand out to me or two other fans I was watching with so I’m curious
I love the show, always have but this narrating has got to go.
VERY IRRITATING
Does anyone else get the vibe that Griffith is Webber’s daughter? Born at Grey Sloane where her mother died giving birth? I see you Shonda! It’s a great prelude! I see it coming.
Big fan of Grey’s Anatomy since day one, even tolerating their crazy political involvement and occasional awful characters/actors, but tonight’s episode is the end for me…couldn’t even finish it to hear the horrible conversations promoting sex for young adults (almost laughing about it) and promoting abortion (and using the old hangar in the alley scare tactic). Why can’t we address topics more realistically, than politically and why can’t a tv drama just be that, without the need to CONSTANTLY put in their political opinions and try shoving it down everyone’s throat? That’s not a tv show…that’s personal political agenda! It has been deleted from my recordings, as will be the case for many who feel the same. I’m ashamed of and for the actors that signed up for this or any show of this nature. Pathetic…
I used to love this show. I have been waiting for season 19 seems like forever. However … What the Hell! I hate the politics and all the other crap they are now shoving down our throats. WHY CAN’T THERE BE JUST A SHOW FOR PURE INTERTAINMENT VALUE? I WATCH TV SHOWS TO JUST RELAX AND EXCAPE FROM ALL THE CRAP THAT IS CRAMMED DOWN OUR THROATS. SO SAD HAVE NO DESIRE TO SEE 19 NOW. I STARTED AND NOW I AM STOPPING :/