Grey's Anatomy's season 17 has already seen the return of beloved characters like George and Derek, but what about Cristina Yang? With the most recent episodes dealing with the hard-hitting realities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the season has already featured an unprecedented number of tearjerking reunion scenes — quite the feat given the medical drama's history of tugging at fans' heartstrings.
Meredith Grey's storyline has been particularly difficult to watch after succumbing to the horrific virus herself before her being put on a ventilator machine at the end of episode 6. However, the coming string of episodes (which will continue after a hiatus) will be sure to demand more of actor Ellen Pompeo's acting chops than laying in a hospital bed. The recent arc has shown an unconscious Meredith visiting an ethereal beach where she has conversed with her late husband Derek Shepherd and deceased friend George O'Malley (actors Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight reprise their roles). In a season which will surely examine the many formative connections within Meredith's life as she battles the virus, the absence Cristina Yang — the cardio god and Meredith's "person" — would be particularly glaring.
Of course, the inclusions of the deceased Derek and George are clearly meant to highlight the severity of Meredith's condition, so a return made by Cristina (who's very much alive) may not be entirely comparable. The character, played by Sandra Oh, has not been seen since her exit at the end of season 10, in which Cristina left Seattle to take a job as head of her own hospital in Zurich, Switzerland. While the prolific surgeon has been mentioned in passing over the following seasons (mainly by Meredith), the show has never been able to bring about the onscreen return of the fan-favorite character. However, with her best friend in such obvious trouble, now would be the best time for Cristina Yang to come to her rescue and make an emotionally impactful return to Grey-Sloan Memorial.
With her lungs failing, Meredith may need an incredibly skilled cardiothoracic surgeon, and while Grey-Sloan Memorial currently has their own "cardio god," it's unlikely that Maggie Pierce will be allowed to operate on her sister. Teddy Altman is another candidate for Meredith's surgeon but, in terms of her arc and relationship to Meredith, that choice may not have the desired resonance for such an important and potentially gut-punching moment in the series. On the other hand, not bringing back Cristina Yang for a season promising to reinforce Meredith's relationships showcased during the show's long run would certainly feel like a missed opportunity.
There has been lots of discussion over whether or not season 17 will end up being the show's final season. While creators and cast members have walked that idea back a bit, Grey's Anatomy's current examination of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the struggles disproportionately effecting front-line workers and medical staff have made for some of the most relevant and effecting stories in the show's long history. To not have such a popular and monumental character like Cristina Yang there would certainly be a loss. While it is incredibly moving to see Meredith connect with George and Derek again, they are embodiments of her past trauma and grief, both of which she has overcame with incredible fortitude and the help of the community around her. And, since the show's origins, that sense of community has been personified in her "person," Cristina Yang.
There may be some logistical issues when it comes to coordinating Sandra Oh's return, but with Meredith's ultimate fate in question, she may be safest in Cristina Yang's capable hands. Grey's Anatomy has been full of surprises lately, so let's hope the pair are finally reunited, if not in this season, then before the series wraps.