With almost 17 seasons so far, even the most loyal fans of Grey's Anatomy have trouble remembering the couples who have broken up and the characters who have come and go. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her half-sister Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) are two of the most memorable doctors and not just because Meredith is the show's main character.
After over a decade of season finales full of surprises and twists and crazy medical cases, fans know that Meredith and Lexie are two of the most well-crafted and relatable characters on the popular series. They might each have their flaws and problems, but so does everyone. Comparing the two is a lot of fun.
Meredith: A More Independent, Stronger Person
When comparing Meredith and Lexie, Meredith wins in terms of being a stronger and more independent person.
Especially at the beginning of her time on the show, Lexie is like a scared little girl, unsure how she fits into the world and into the hospital. It's understandable as she's young and going through some family stuff, but it doesn't make her a very interesting character.
Lexie: A Much Kinder Person
Not every Grey's Anatomy doctor is super sweet but it's safe to say that Lexie is one of the nicest people to ever work at the hospital.
While Meredith has her moments, Lexie is a much kinder person than her half-sister, and that counts for a lot, especially on a show where bad things are constantly happening.
Meredith: A Better, More Creative Doctor With A Legacy
Meredith has been through some terrifying surgeries and while Lexie was a solid doctor and Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) loved mentoring her, Meredith would definitely win in a battle of the doctors.
Meredith is more creative and intelligent when it comes to the field of medicine and it's clear that she's always got a bright future ahead of her.
Lexie: An Unlikely Love Story With Mark
Lexie has an unlikely romance with Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) and it's sweet and moving to watch them fall for each other.
Sure, they have many ups and downs, but that's part of the joy and fun of watching a soapy show like Grey's Anatomy. Tragically, they both die in the plane crash at the end of the eighth season. While Meredith has a great relationship with McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey), they have a lot more problems.
Meredith: Doesn't Whine Like Lexie Does
Meredith has been through so much that fans often forget some of her backstory. But even though she has been put through the wringer, she doesn't whine or complain. She wakes up, works hard, and goes to bed, and then does it all over again the next day.
Lexie, however, whines a lot. She often seems very weak and timid, and those things make it hard to support her all the time or think that she's an amazing character.
Lexie: Funnier And Quirkier
Meredith is a pretty dark person, and she doesn't have a lot of humorous moments on Grey's Anatomy.
Lexie is a funnier and quirkier person and the way that she approaches life and her relationship with Mark Sloan is pretty memorable. When he dates Julia (Holley Fain), Lexie is super jealous and has a lot to say about her. She says, "Are you going to tell Mark not to move in with Julia? She sews eyeballs for a living, I mean gross. Plus, she has naturally thin hair which could be a sign of early menopause." It's hard to picture Meredith delivering a funny piece of dialogue like that.
Meredith: Has A Better Head On Her Shoulders
In the fourth season episode "Lay Your Hands On Me," Meredith cooks breakfast for Lexie, and Lexie actually eats eggs and doesn't tell her sister that she is allergic. That poor choice lands her in the hospital, and it seems so silly.
Lexie sometimes made bad decisions, and it was hard to watch, as she seemed to have a hard time asserting herself. Meredith is a much better character because she has a better head on her shoulders.
Lexie: Had A Brighter Outlook On Life
Many funny Meredith Grey memes often poke fun at how "dark and twisty" the character is. While it works on an entertainment level, as watching Meredith struggle is never boring, it can get a bit old.
Lexie, on the other hand, had a brighter outlook on life (which is why it's even more tragic that she died so young). She wasn't afraid to smile at people or try to be friendly, unlike Meredith, who doesn't have time for people who she doesn't already know (unless she's treating patients).
Meredith: A More Compelling Family Story
Meredith can be really mean, and that's definitely because she's gone through so much pain and suffering.
Meredith has a more compelling family story. Sure, Lexie is her half-sister, but Meredith has watched her mother suffer from Alzheimer's and before that, she learned about her mom's tragic love story. She even watched her try to kill herself as a young kid. This makes Meredith a better character in terms of storytelling because no other character on the show can compete with her backstory.
Lexie: Not So Scared To Let People In
Lexie wasn't always a favorite character but she was never scared to let people in. She had crushes and fell in love and allowed herself to feel a lot of different emotions.
For this important reason, Lexie is the better character as being afraid to be vulnerable is Meredith's biggest character flaw and often her downfall.