Lexie Gray Initially Had a Means Worse Loss of life on ‘Gray’s Anatomy’

Regardless of being an amazing fan-favorite character, Lexie Gray (Chyler Leigh) was certainly one of many Gray’s Anatomy characters to fall sufferer to showrunner Shonda Rhimes‘ pen. She met her demise within the Season 8 finale after being on the ill-fated aircraft that was meant to carry the docs to Boise to help on a conjoined twin surgical procedure. The crash had an impact on each member concerned. It price Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) her leg, nearly destroyed Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) hand and any probability of doing surgical procedure once more. However most notably, it price Lexie and Mark (Eric Dane) their lives. Nevertheless, that wasn’t all the time meant to be the case, in accordance with Shonda Rhimes. Lexie was going to die, she knew that a lot, however her unique thought for Lexie’s demise was a lot worse. Which is stunning contemplating how devastating and brutal her demise is to start with, however Shonda’s unique plan would have brought about a good larger uproar — even to her.

Gray’s Anatomy

A drama centered on the non-public {and professional} lives of 5 surgical interns and their supervisors.

Launch Date

March 27, 2005

Fundamental Style

Drama

Seasons

20

Lexie’s Loss of life is Considered one of ‘Gray’s Anatomy’s Most Devastating Moments

Within the present, Lexie is among the six docs from Seattle Grace chosen to help on the conjoined twin surgical procedure in Boise. Alongside her was her sister Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Derek, Cristina, Mark, and Arizona — who herself had taken the spot initially meant for Alex Karev (Justin Chambers). When the aircraft crashes, Lexie is discovered pinned beneath a bit of the aircraft, and although the docs try to transfer it and free her, she is aware of that it is no use, she’s dying both approach. Mark tries repeatedly to push the aircraft off of her out of sheer denial, and insists that Cristina go discover fluids to try to assist stabilize her, however she is aware of it will not assist. Nonetheless, she goes, leaving Lexie and Mark alone as he repeatedly denies that she is dying. Finally he has no alternative however to simply accept her destiny, and easily lies down on the bottom and takes her hand. He tells her that he loves her, and that she wants to remain alive as a result of they will get married, and have youngsters, and that they are meant to be collectively. Lexie echoes his assertion of “Meant to be,” and dies holding Mark’s hand and envisioning their life collectively. It is gut-wrenching to observe, particularly when including Mark’s response into the combo. However in Shonda’s unique plans, Lexie wasn’t even meant to be on the aircraft, and she or he was presupposed to die again on the hospital.

Lexie Wasn’t Supposed To Be On the Airplane

In an interview with TV Line, Shonda Rhimes spoke about killing off Lexie Gray. “I adored that character and I couldn’t think about the present with out her,” Shonda gushed. “It was essential to me that her exit would have most influence. The aircraft was going to crash it doesn’t matter what. I actually wasn’t positive, due to contract negotiations, who was going to die in that crash.” When she realized that Chyler Leigh could be leaving the present, Shonda was tasked with discovering a option to write her off. And since that is Gray’s Anatomy we’re speaking about, Lexie could not simply stroll out of the hospital alive and by no means return. There was an excessive amount of that she’d be forsaking. So Shonda determined she must kill the character off in an effort to tie up free ends. However her unique plan did not contain Lexie being on the aircraft.

“In my early finale plans, as soon as I knew Chyler was leaving the present, Lexie wasn’t initially even on the aircraft. She was going to die again on the hospital by doing one thing so simple as slipping and hitting her head. She would have been dying over at Seattle Grace whereas different individuals have been dying within the woods. Which wasn’t my favourite plan. She would have died with out Mark at her aspect. With out the possibility to say goodbye to him. With out the possibility to listen to that he liked her. I wished them collectively when she left us.”

Lexie dying on the hospital would not have been a giant deal, had it not been for the truth that the aircraft crash could be occurring concurrently. As Shonda identified, Lexie would have been dying again in Seattle, and there would have been no approach of contacting Meredith or Mark, or anybody, for that matter. She would have died with out saying goodbye to her sister, with out attending to see Mark one final time. Granted, Lexie dying as a result of she fell and hit her head is not precisely far-fetched. Since we first met her, we have recognized and liked Lexie for a way adorably clumsy she is, so it would not have been a totally out-of-character approach for her to die, but it surely actually would not have accomplished her character any justice. Likelihood is her demise would have felt extra like a joke amongst audiences. Particularly compared to the opposite deaths we had beforehand seen for major characters, like bus crashes, shootings, and so on… So, as devastating because the aircraft crash was, it gave followers a greater probability at getting closure for the beloved character.

Mark Sloan’s Loss of life Was Inevitable With out Lexie

Going into Season 9, Shonda Rhimes was tasked with writing out Eric Dane’s character, Mark Sloan as effectively, as he was departing the sequence. Shonda tossed round many concepts, however nothing felt proper for the character. “I had many choices for tactics Mark might go away the present. However any possibility that didn’t embrace him dying required him to a) grieve for Lexie indefinitely and b) willingly stroll away from his daughter.” Rhimes defined. “We fought about this incessantly within the Writers Room. I didn’t need Mark to die however, because the writers rightfully argued again, Mark couldn’t abandon Sofia (Eva Ariel Binder) and he actually couldn’t abandon Callie (Sara Ramirez) as soon as Arizona’s leg was amputated.” She additionally revealed she toyed round with the thought of sending Mark to Los Angeles to be with Addison (Kate Walsh).

“I liked that concept, but it surely nonetheless required Mark to desert his youngster.” She defined. “Additionally, that will by some means recommend that every part he mentioned to Lexie when she was dying was simply forgotten. So… I fought it and I debated it and tossed and turned about it however ultimately, I needed to do what was proper for the integrity of the character. Mark would by no means willingly abandon Sofia and he would by no means willingly abandon Callie. So Mark dies. And he and Lexie get to be collectively in a approach. Their love stays true.”

Clearly, there was by no means going to be a straightforward option to say goodbye to Lexie or Mark, and we’ll by no means actually be over both of their deaths, however Shonda Rhimes’ reasoning for each is smart and exhibits respect for not solely the characters, however the followers as effectively. It is not nice closure, we would actually like to have seen them survive and stay a contented life collectively, however at the very least they get to be collectively for eternity — and that is fairly darn romantic.

Gray’s Anatomy is obtainable to stream on Hulu within the U.S.

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