Over the previous twenty years, dozens of characters have come and gone on Gray’s Anatomy.
I’ve liked tons of them; I’ve hated just a few of them, too.
However one primary character has been criminally underdeveloped, underused, and misunderstood for years, and it’s time we talked about it.
Amelia Frances Shepherd, M.D., F.A.C.S.
The factor about Amelia is that she’s one thing of a polarizing character, and I believe that largely stems from the truth that Gray’s Anatomy has accomplished nothing to honor her backstory.
I’ve talked with these Gray’s followers who dislike Amelia, and the consensus appears to be that she’s boring, noncommittal, and underdeveloped.
However those that have additionally seen Gray’s Anatomy’s first spinoff collection, Personal Apply, know that Amelia has an entire historical past that the flagship present has all however brushed below the rug.
Personal Apply launched Amelia in 2010 throughout its third season, and he or she joined the primary solid by the next 12 months.
As soon as Personal Apply ended, the character moved to Seattle and put down roots, formally turning into a recurring character on Gray’s Anatomy in 2013.
I’m not going to let you know her total backstory intimately as a result of we’d be right here for days if I attempted, however I do suppose some highlights are vital sufficient to say.
At first look, Amelia Shepherd appears to be like like one thing of a nepo child.
She’s the youngest sister of world-famous neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (whose specialty she targeted her profession on, too).
She has three different siblings, all of whom are docs.
Her mom was a nurse within the Navy, whereas her father was a small enterprise proprietor.
However trauma began early for Amelia, and for some purpose, the hits continued to come back for many of her life.
As a result of, , watching her father get murdered in entrance of her when she was 5 years outdated wasn’t sufficient, apparently.
A Lifetime of Ache and Struggling
Gray’s Anatomy has briefly proven particulars of Amelia’s historical past with dependancy, however it was on Personal Apply that the darkish story performed out.
If I cried a pair dozen instances watching Amelia hit all-time low after which beat the chances, that’s my enterprise.
Gray’s followers know that Amelia misplaced her father at a younger age, and her brother’s demise was a serious plot level for the present, however apart from a few refined mentions, her different losses have not often come up.
Right here’s a nutshell assessment of the largest traumas Amelia confronted in lower than three seasons on the spinoff:
- Her shut good friend acquired a terminal prognosis and tasked Amelia with serving to her die on her personal phrases.
- She relapsed on medication, a interval that just about value her her pals, her profession, and her life.
- Whereas in mattress subsequent to Amelia, her fiancé died of an unintentional drug overdose after taking medication they’d obtained utilizing Amelia’s prescription pad.
- After her fiancé’s demise, Amelia discovered she was pregnant along with his child.
- Earlier than she may wrap her head round how devastating that was, her child was identified with anencephaly whereas in utero — that means her child could be born and not using a mind, and his situation was incompatible with life.
- After giving beginning, Amelia held her child for 43 minutes and named him Christopher earlier than sending him away to donate his organs.
Amelia Has Overcome the Odds
Clearly, this checklist doesn’t even contact on the issues she’s been by since beginning on Gray’s Anatomy full-time.
Regardless of the frankly weird and disturbing variety of severe tragedies Amelia has suffered, she has grown right into a steady, type, and profitable girl.
She’s had a son, Scout, whom she co-parents amicably together with her ex. She’s the chief of neurosurgery at Gray Sloan.
Given her backstory, you’d suppose she’d be one of the vital lively and fascinating characters on the present.
So why do the writers maintain pushing her to the background?
The alternatives for creating Amelia’s character are nearly countless.
She’s canonically queer, having had significant relationships or crushes on folks of all genders.
Romantically, her potential is huge open.
Her lengthy, dynamic historical past on the present, and extra broadly, within the Gray’s/Personal Apply universe, makes her the proper candidate to exchange Meredith because the present’s lead.
So why haven’t they accomplished simply that?
As an alternative, the writers have moved away from the thought of a lead in any respect, generally making the present really feel disjointed because of this.
Amelia Shines When It’s Her Time
I don’t deny that in previous seasons, Amelia has been given just a few vital storylines.
Her relationship with Kai Bartlett, the present’s first primary non-binary character, was groundbreaking.
Her time mentoring Betty/Brittany, the teenager mother combating dependancy, was a robust reminder of how far Amelia has are available her personal journey.
And, after all, her friendship with Richard has been an enormous a part of his story, lastly having somebody on the hospital who understands his previous and presents a pleasant ear of assist when wanted.
It’s not simply that it’s been years since Amelia has been a focus of the present; it’s that even when she was, she appeared to exist to additional different Gray’s Anatomy characters’ storylines.
Aside from her personal mind tumor and the one she miraculously took out of Nicole Herman (Geena Davis), what number of tales has Amelia had that had been nearly her?
Amelia’s Tales Revolve Round Everybody Else
We not often see her together with her son, Scout, who is usually as an alternative getting used largely to point out how Hyperlink and Jo navigate parenting collectively.
Her first son, Christopher, not often will get a lot as a passing point out.
She by no means speaks of her personal losses except it’s to tie into one thing occurring with one other character, most just lately with Lucas within the comfort retailer.
Hopeful followers (myself included) have been eyeing Amelia’s interactions with new peds surgeon Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales), searching for a slow-burn romance between the 2.
However midway by Gray’s Anatomy Season 21, we’re no nearer to seeing the 2 division chiefs collectively.
Whereas the remainder of the season is undoubtedly already meticulously mapped out, my honest hope for Amelia is that she’ll be dusted off and dropped at the forefront by the point the credit roll on the season finale.
With a historical past like Amelia’s and the unbelievable expertise that Caterina Scorsone brings to the desk, it’s really a waste to cover this character below all her potential.
Inform Us How You Really feel!
What say you, Gray’s followers?
Do you suppose Amelia deserves extra display time, or is it higher to deal with different characters because the present goes on?
Let’s chat within the feedback!
Gray’s Anatomy will return on Thursday, March 6, at 10/9c on ABC.
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