No new footage of the unique collection common was included in Thursday’s episode, which revealed how Alex Karev’s storyline concluded.
Alex Karev has formally left the constructing.
After 16 years and simply as many seasons on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, the destiny of the character performed by fan-favorite Justin Chambers was revealed throughout Thursday’s episode. Billed as a farewell to Alex, the unique collection common’s final episode aired again in November. No new footage of Chambers was included within the episode although he did present voiceover for the flashback-heavy hour. At the top of the day, Alex is alive and dwelling in Kansas together with his former spouse, Izzie Stevens. Alex wound up calling his former flame — performed by former unique star Katherine Heigl — in a bid to assist save Meredith’s profession. The newly rekindled couple at the moment are dwelling on a farm in Kansas with their twin youngsters. As a part of the voiceover, Alex revealed in a letter to Meredith that Izzie referred to as him 5 years in the past to use embryos they froze years in the past once they have been married and she or he was present process chemo as a part of her most cancers therapy.
Chambers despatched shockwaves by means of the Grey’s fan group in January when he introduced that he could be exiting the Shondaland drama that he has referred to as dwelling for practically 20 years. Unlike different unique stars who made the choice to depart, Chambers had a subdued — and unpublicized — departure when it comes to the final scenes he appeared in. The Nov. 14 installment noticed Alex step in to assist save Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) profession. Since then, the character has been talked about however hadn’t appeared on display screen since.
“It is nearly impossible to say goodbye to Alex Karev. That is as true for me and for all of the writers at Grey’s Anatomy as it is for the fans,” showrunner Krista Vernoff mentioned Thursday evening in a press release. “We have loved writing Alex. And we have loved watching Justin Chambers’ nuanced portrayal of him. For 16 seasons, 16 years, we have grown up alongside Alex Karev. We have been frustrated by his limitations and we have been inspired by his growth and we have come to love him deeply and to think of him as one of our very best friends. We will miss him terribly. And we will always be grateful for his impact, on our show, on our hearts, on our fans, on the world.”
As for Alex’s present spouse, Jo (Camilla Luddington), she additionally acquired a letter through which he defined that he went to reunite with Izzie and might’t come dwelling as a result of they’ve kids. He famous that Jo would perceive why he wanted to keep in Kansas higher than anybody, given their parental points. He additionally mentioned that he left her his possession shares in Grey Sloan and signed divorce papers. He reiterates that he loves Jo and can also be in love with Izzie, with the twins because the tipping level to why he cannot return to Seattle.
“There’s no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that’s defined so much of my life for the past 15 years,” Chambers mentioned in a January assertion. “For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time. “As I transfer on from Grey’s Anatomy, I need to thank the ABC household, Shonda Rhimes, unique forged members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, and the remainder of the superb forged and crew, each previous and current, and, after all, the followers for a unprecedented experience.”
Other farewells included Bailey (Chandra Wilson), who additionally acquired a letter through which Alex thanked her for making him a fantastic surgeon — and shocked her by revealing that he is a father of two with Izzie. (Bailey’s response, for what it is price, was successfully what number of longtime Grey’s viewers responded to studying of Alex and Izzie’s reunion.) Richard (James Pickens Jr.) additionally acquired a letter and, after initially being indignant, understood the choice as a result of he, too, missed out on seeing his daughter (Maggie, performed by Kelly McCreary) develop up and was at one level in love with two girls (Ellis Grey and his first spouse, Adele).
All in all, Alex despatched letters to his spouse and all three of the characters who’ve been with Grey’s because the pilot. The episode ended with a montage of scenes recapping Alex and Izzie’s romance.
Chambers has been a pivotal a part of Grey’s and has develop into a key confidant for star Pompeo each onscreen and off throughout their decade and a half working collectively. Alex is at present one of many docs who exited the present’s central hospital, Grey Sloan, to develop into chief of employees at Pacific Northwest as half of a bigger storyline that noticed quite a lot of prime docs fired after an insurance coverage fraud scheme involving Meredith and her makes an attempt to assist a household in want.
Chambers’ departure arrives as Grey’s is ABC’s No. 1 scripted drama, a uncommon feat for a present in its 16th season. “When we have been in season two, I’d say to all people, ‘Do you suppose we have got two extra years? I simply wished to get my youngsters to faculty.’ And now a few of them are finished with it!” Chambers advised The Hollywood Reporter final February as Grey’s Anatomy made tv historical past when it broke ER’s file for TV’s longest-running primetime medical drama.
Chambers is the newest collection common to depart Grey’s, which has weathered the exits of unique stars together with Sandra Oh (Cristina, season 10), Patrick Dempsey (Derek, season 11), Katherine Heigl (season six), T.R. Knight (season 5) and Isaiah Washington (who was notably fired in season three).
The veteran collection has all the time introduced in new faces to assist fill the void, with fellow fan favorites like Jesse Williams (Jackson), Luddington, Kevin McKidd (Owen) and the returns of acquainted faces together with Kim Raver (Teddy) and Caterina Scorsone (Amelia).
