A surprising twist on Thursday nightâs episode of ââ has fans asking: Did that really just happen?
Warning: This post contains a major plot spoiler.
Fans were shocked when the medical dramaâs creators killed off one of its main characters in a nail-biting and unexpected twist.
Viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustration, not only with the death of heart-throb Derek âMcDreamyâ Shepherd, but with the way the show did away with its leading man.
Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey, died from injuries received when he was blindsided in a car crash.
Based on social media, it seems most fans were shocked by the end of episode 21. Here are the main reasons behind fansâ reactions:
1. Deceptive introduction: Viewers know each episode will involve some type of medical crisis. At the beginning of the episode, Shepherd administered first aid to four people injured in a crash, making it seem as though their injuries would be the focus of the show.
2. The crash itself: There are no cars on the road when the four people are rushed to hospital. Suddenly, a transport truck appears out of nowhere and crashes into Shepherdâs car on an otherwise empty roadway.
3. Locked-in syndrome: Though McDreamy is gravely injured, viewers were privy to his thoughts in a gut-wrenching inside look at âlocked-inâ syndrome. Shepherd, a veteran neurosurgeon, is aware of his doctorâs errors and realizes he is doomed, but is unable to speak up because of his injuries.
4. Wifeâs decision: Shepherdâs co-worker and wife Meredith Grey tearfully makes the decision to âpull the plugâ on her husband without consulting other doctors or family members.
5. Song choice: Long-time fans of the show recognized the first notes of âChasing Carsâ by Snow Patrol, the same song that played several seasons ago when another character died. âYou know when they play Chasing Cars on Greyâs Anatomy itâs bad,â one fan wrote on Twitter.
"Grey's Anatomy" is available in Canada on and .