Over the years, fans have been introduced to so many interesting characters on Grey's Anatomy. Some ended up tugging at our heartstrings more than others, and perhaps the one character that everyone had trouble letting go of was Derek Shepherd - the love of Meredith's life that left this world too soon.
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While he was alive and working at Grey Sloan Memorial, there was a lot to love about Derek. There was also a lot of sadness and strife surrounding him and his life. Derek is a deeply flawed and complex individual, yet Meredith loved him regardless. Here are just some of the saddest things about everyone's handsome, maybe-misunderstood, and often wayward doc.
Serious Fidelity Issues
Viewers never even knew a Derek who didn't have fidelity issues. Derek's inability to stay true to the person he has committed to is a serious character flaw. He cheated on Addison with Meredith and then cheated on Meredith with his assistant in DC. His serial cheating is simply sad, especially considering how much Meredith loved him, flaws and all.
Endured A Divorce
The sparks had already flown when Grey's Anatomy viewers discovered that Meredith's McDreamy was married. His wife Addison was back in New York while Derek was out in Seattle talking up Meredith like he didn't have a care in the world. Meredith was clearly Derek's forever person, and he and Addison were never meant to be. While Derek ended up with the woman made for him, divorce is still a sad circumstance to go through - especially as it meant ending an eleven-year relationship.
Derek Took A Bullet
One of the most emotional and intense moments that the show ever saw was when an active shooter took over the hospital that Derek and the other surgeons worked at. As fans remember, the season 6 finale saw Derek placed in immortal danger when Gary Clark returned to the hospital to enact his revenge. Derek spent most of the episode ensuring that everyone was safe.
However, it wasn't long before he ran into Gary Clark, who proceeded to shoot him in front of Meredith. The doctors are able to save him, but this moment took every viewers' breath away.
Addison Cheated On Him
Derek has displayed issues with fidelity since fans first met him. However, it didn't take long to discover the reasons why he had these insecurities. As fans remember, Addison arrived in Seattle at the end of season 1 and revealed that she was married gave Derek.
After seeking him out, Meredith later learned that Addison had cheated on him with his childhood best friend. There was no excuse for him keeping it a secret from Meredith, but the fans did sympathize with the fact that he was betrayed by the two people he trusted most.
Derek Witnessed His Father's Death
Seeing terrible things happen to your parent would do a number on anyone, and sadly Derek saw his father lose his life. As many fans remember, Derek's dad owned a shop, which Derek and Amelia hung out in frequently.
While they were there, the shop eventually got robbed. Since Derek's father refused to give up the watch, it eventually cost him his life. To make matters worse, Derek had witnessed it all as he had been hiding in the back with Amelia. One has to wonder how that shaped Derek as an adult.
Dr. Shepherd Lost His First Child
Derek Shepherd and Meredith have had a relationship that seemed to have been tested at every possible turn. One of those many tests came in the sixth season when Meredith discovered that she was expecting Derek's baby.
Sadly, their joy was short-lived. Meredith suffered from a miscarriage because of the severely stressful events surrounding the pair. The aftermath of the loss was massive and stayed with the couple for years.
He Dies Knowing He Could Have Been Saved
Back in season 11, fans were taken by surprise when they witnessed Derek's car get hit by a truck. Instead of going to Grey Sloan, Derek ends up arriving at a hospital that does not have good resources or medical expertise. The surgeons also don't seem aware of his reputation either.
What makes the situation even worse was that Derek could not speak or tell them what was wrong. As a result, he passes as a result of his injuries. Not only does Meredith have to turn his life support off but she also realizes that the hospital's negligence cost Derek his life.
Passes Alone
Fans have seen so many characters on Grey's Anatomy pass on. At least favorites, like George, had friends working on them, trying to save their lives. Poor Derek didn't have this luxury. The professionals who received his battered body didn't know him. They weren't his friends.
In the end, Derek was alone in his final hours. Even for someone who had seen so much loss in his life, leaving Earth like this had to be terribly scary and difficult. What was more tragic was that Derek's family didn't even get a chance to say goodbye - which was something he wished for in "The First Cut Is the Deepest."
The Trauma Of Resuscitating Amelia
Derek and his sister Amelia have an interesting relationship. Derek hasn't always been supportive of Amelia, and even seems insecure and jealous of her talents when she came to work in Seattle.
That said, he was there for her when she needed help. When Amelia overdosed and was gone for roughly three minutes, Derek was the one who had to resuscitate her. While Amelia got help and sobered up, it was clear that this trauma had deeply affected him and their relationship.
He Never Met His Daughter
Derek and Meredith really had to fight for their relationship. There were times that they broke up, and other times where there were infidelity and secrets between them. Nevertheless, they managed to pull through, get married, and start a family.
The pair had two children and a third on the way when Derek suddenly passed away. However, Derek never had the chance to meet Ellis as Meredith was unaware that she was pregnant when his accident occurred.