Grey’s Anatomy to Revisit Controversial George Storyline from 18 Years Ago with a New Twist

Warning! SPOILERS ahead for Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, Episode 13.

Potential Year Repeats for Lucas in Grey’s Anatomy Season 21

The new group of interns introduced in Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 has parallels with past interns, especially considering the ongoing themes of ambition and persistence in Season 21. This season has iterated on the fact that Lucas, unlike his peers, might face a repeat of his intern year. Historically, the series has spotlighted the trials faced by interns and residents, yet not every batch has captivated audiences quite like this new class, which includes Simone, Lucas, Mika, Jules, and Blue. Their ambition is particularly pronounced as they approach their last chance to become successful surgeons.

The journey of these interns has mirrored previous seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, spanning several episodes that expose them to life-threatening situations and emotional turmoil, reminiscent of Meredith, Alex, George, Izzie, and Cristina’s earlier crises. The dramatic finale of Season 20 indicated a brighter future, as all new interns passed their exams. However, the latest developments in Episode 13 bring attention back to Lucas’s struggles, as he is unable to advance with the others due to a tragic incident from Season 19.

Why Does Lucas Face a Year Repetition?

The Consequences of Season 19’s Events

Lucas’s initial struggles as an intern were compounded by the overwhelming responsibilities placed upon him. Despite this, with guidance from Nick Marsh, he started to improve, including obtaining an ADHD assessment. His dedication to patient care became evident when he bravely attempted to save Sam Sutton during the dramatic Season 19 finale, even without the presence of any attending physicians except for a collapsing Teddy. However, this act drew an investigation, ultimately leading Catherine Fox to impose a punishment on him.

Understanding Lucas’s potential, Bailey advocated for him after witnessing his dedication in caring for Dorian and developing a first responder database during the Seattle wildfire. Nonetheless, this advocacy did not sway Catherine’s decision in the Season 20 finale. The outcome was intended as a punishment: Lucas would repeat his intern year due to his breach of protocol in the Sam Sutton incident, a decision reflecting Catherine’s focus on rules over the potential benefits of Lucas’s actions.

George vs. Lucas: Different Reasons for Repeating an Intern Year

Contrasting Paths: Lucas Excels While George Fails

Throughout their journeys, both Lucas and George faced the prospect of repeating their intern years, yet their circumstances differ greatly. In Season 21, Lucas’s discussions with Nick and Richard showed his determination to challenge the decision regarding his punishment, feeling it was unjust, especially given that he excelled, achieving the highest score in his class. In contrast, George had to retake his intern year after failing his exam in Season 3.

This parallel with George not only heightens the tension surrounding Lucas’s situation but also underscores the unfairness of the punishment when considering his merit. The contrasting reactions to this potential setback highlight a significant shift in character development; Lucas is striving to avert repeating such a daunting year, while George initially avoided returning out of embarrassment after failing—in Time Season 4, he eventually reconciled with his setback.

As this ongoing narrative unfolds, viewers are left contemplating the implications of Lucas’s predicament, questioning whether the internal politics of Grey Sloan Memorial truly value the success of its residents, or whether it succumbs to the whims of retribution that overshadow the commitment to nurturing talent.

For the latest updates and insights on Grey’s Anatomy, tune in every Thursday at 10 PM on ABC.

Upcoming Episodes

Stay connected with Grey’s Anatomy and catch all the latest action each Thursday night at 10 PM on ABC.

Source & Images