Grey’s Anatomy fans better grab their person because ABC is already teasing Meredith Grey’s farewell.
This week, the network released a tribute video in honor of Ellen Pompeo (Meredith), who’s stepping down as a series regular. The clip was a walk down memory lane because it featured old footage combined with new scenes from the emotional goodbye episode (which will air on February 23).
The clip begins with a flashback to the first season, featuring Meredith’s first visit to Seattle Grace Hospital (later renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital). “This is your arena,” Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) says in a voiceover. “Today, you are the doctor.”
It goes on to show a montage of scenes set to a cover of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.” (The song was used multiple times throughout the show, but it was first played in the season 2 finale.)
The flashbacks also feature several fan-favorite characters, including Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), George O’Malley (T.R. Knight), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) and Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh).
In a heartbreaking voiceover, Meredith explains that her co-workers have become family. “I have a lot of memories of people,” she says. “This is the place where I fell in love. The place where I found my family. This is where I learned to be a doctor.”
“I’ve saved lives, and I’ve had my life saved,” Meredith adds. “I’ve been through broken bones and a broken home. And the death of people I love.”
The clip ends with Meredith hinting that she’s passing the torch to the new residents cast members, including Benson Kwan (Harry Shum Jr.), Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane) and Mika Yasuda (Midori Francis). “As one chapter closes, a new one opens,” Meredith says.
It’s the end of an era.
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