The show is surrounded around Meredith and Derek's relationship and without the core characters it's hard to stay engaged. With Derek out of the show, the basis of the plot seems demolished. Should the show have ended after his death? Do you agree with how the plot continues after he dies? What makes him so great that people would question whether or not the show should have ended after his death?
As someone who still watches the show, I think the dynamic definitely changed after his death. From the very first episode, it was all about him and Meredith. I don't think the show should have ended just because there still are a lot of other characters. For me, the way he was written off was horrible. It felt so rushed and I hated it. For example, Meredith pulled the cord before anyone got the chance to say goodbye, something I don't think would actually happen. I also did not like how the show skipped ahead a year. It was just rushed and I don't think Shonda wrote him off in a proper way. I think just his and Meredith's relationship is a reason people would question if the show should have kept going. Theirs was epic, something we have been following since the beginning. – diehlsam9 years ago
The show has undergone so many changes through its seasons that this moment wasn't the show "jumping the shark" because it has jumped the shark so many times (and still I keep watching!). I think that the show simply has a different purpose than it did in that first season, where clearly Derek/Meredith's relationship was central. Now, it is focusing on the ensemble cast more, and so it could, in theory, exist past Meredith even being on the show (after all, the "Grey" in Grey's Anatomy doesn't need to be Meredith--the hospital is named that now, too). I think this is where the show is attempting to head, although whether that is a good idea, I'm not so sure. – cray03099 years ago
Millions of people were devastated when Shonda Rhimes killed off Dr. Derek Shepherd from her hit television series Grey's Anatomy. Upset fans vowed never to watch the show again, but Rhimes insisted the show would go on without him. With the new season premiering in 24 hours, discuss what kind of effect Derek's absence will have on the show, its huge following, and the ratings. Is Rhimes's writing strong enough to carry the show forward without the McDreamy star who so many tuned in each week to look at?
With many deaths that this series brings, I often feel a dark void when watching the show. This definitely changes the dynamic of the show immensely. So much of the story line was about Merideth and Derek, for about 10 seasons I would say. We, at least I did, loved seeing a couple that had to go through so many trials and tribulations end up together and build a life together. All that is now gone. So what is the point? Well, I think the point is that life continues to go on even though our favorite parts of it begins to vanish. – caitlinndwyer9 years ago
First and foremost, Meredith will definitely be effected by his absence. She now is a single mom who has to raise their three children without their father. Shonda's writing is strong enough, as she has proven season after season, but sometimes shows just run their course. It's been on the air for ten years now. Even without factoring the death of Derek, at what point do you just call it quits? Another show that lost its main characters was One Tree Hill. Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton both left, but the show continued on for a few more seasons. At the end of the day, it really just comes down to the fans and if they're still engrossed in the show. – diehlsam9 years ago