Richard Webber and Meredith Grey are two of the longest-running characters in Grey's Anatomy, having been on the show since its inception. They are very fond of each other, as evidenced by Richard's concern for Meredith during her Covid coma, but they have done deplorable things to each other in the past too.
Whether it was accidental, neglectful, or even just plain spiteful, the way they have acted towards each other makes fans wonder if their relationship is as healthy as it seems.
Richard Had An Affair With Ellis Grey
This affair occurred way before the series began but it still had an extremely long-lasting impact on Meredith's life, culminating in the reveal of her half-sister, Maggie Pierce. To have an affair with any married person is the wrong thing to do.
With Richard and Ellis, it was even worse, as it split up Meredith's mother and father and caused Ellis to further resent her daughter. In fact, Ellis was so distraught by Richard leaving her that she cut her wrists in front of Meredith, likely traumatizing her in the future.
Richard Employed Derek's Killer
While Miranda Bailey was the one who employed Penny Blake, Richard knew about it and did not tell Meredith. Blake was one of the doctors who treated Derek Shepherd before he died due to negligence on their part. No one would want to work with one of their husband's killers.
Despite all this, Richard knowingly kept Blake's new position at the hospital secret from Meredith. Not only was this a huge betrayal on a personal level, but Meredith was also on the hospital board. She should have been notified regarding Blake's employment as a professional courtesy.
Richard Employed Addison Montgomery
Addison Montgomery is one of the most popular Grey's characters, demonstrated by the positive reaction to her recent comeback in Season 18. However, in her first appearance, she was very much maligned by fans simply because she was Derek's wife.
Bringing her on board was a cruel thing to do, as it caused Meredith's first break up with Derek. Meredith was clearly distraught when Derek chose Addison, as evidenced by the fact that she ended up getting drunk at Joe's Bar. Richard's decision ultimately caused Meredith a year of anguish.
Richard Was Ungrateful Towards Meredith
In the Season 9 finale, Richard ended up electrocuted in the hospital basement. He was eventually found, but suffered severe injuries. Meredith was chosen as his healthcare proxy and she elected to perform a difficult surgery to keep Richard alive.
After Richard woke up, he berated Meredith furiously for keeping him alive. This was heartbreaking to watch as Meredith was devastated by his words. Furthermore, this was a rare occasion where Richard was deliberately cruel without reason or excuse.
Richard Got Drunk At Work
During Season 6, Richard began drinking again and it affected both his social and professional life greatly. Meredith was one of the first people to realize he had fallen off the wagon, but Richard asked her not to tell anyone. This was an unfair position to put Meredith in.
Firstly, this jeopardized Meredith's career, as she was complicit in hiding a surgeon's drinking problem. Secondly, Richard's drinking affected Meredith's relationship with her husband, as she was uncomfortable with keeping such a secret from him.
Meredith Was Complicit In Richard's Drinking
Richard's drinking was no one's fault but his own. However, a good friend would try to encourage Richard to get help. Meredith knew he was drinking but still did nothing. In fact, she benefited from the situation because Richard started to give her private lessons.
Furthermore, Meredith refusing to say anything actually harmed Richard even more. He carried on drinking and lost his job as Chief of Surgery. Not to mention, Meredith's inaction also indirectly caused complications from several of Richard's botched surgeries.
Meredith Got Richard Fired
Richard is no stranger to professional misconduct, having been fired or demoted at least 3 times over the course of the series. Not all of these occasions were his fault though. In Season 7, Meredith interfered in a medical trial, which Richard took the blame for.
While Meredith's actions were noble, they cost Richard his position as Chief of Surgery. Richard worked incredibly hard to earn that role, overcoming racism and alcoholism in order to climb that ladder. Meredith did not think about the consequences of her actions and how they would affect those around her.
Meredith Refused To Invite Richard To Her Wedding
Richard is a father figure to Meredith, which is why it was so surprising and hurtful when Meredith refused to invite Richard to her wedding in Season 5. It was a very selfish act on Meredith's part, as Richard is essentially her non-biological father.
Admittedly, they were fighting heavily during this time, but even Derek asked Meredith to reconsider. It is evident throughout Grey's that Meredith and Richard are like family, so this is certainly one of the worst things Meredith ever did to Richard.
Meredith Constantly Puts Herself In Danger
Meredith and Richard are extremely close, which is why it must hurt Richard so terribly to see Meredith lying at death's door on several occasions. Some of these cannot be helped, such as Meredith contracting a severe case of coronavirus.
However, there are other instances where Meredith was deliberately reckless. When Meredith put her hand on a live bomb, for example. It caused Richard unnecessary pain to see his surrogate daughter act so cavalierly with her life, especially in the earlier seasons.
Meredith Blamed Richard For Her Tragic Childhood
Meredith and her mother had a very contentious relationship. Ellis emotionally neglected Meredith and when Meredith was older, she blamed Richard. Granted, Richard and Ellis had had an affair, but Richard was not responsible for Ellis's poor parenting skills.
It was unfair of Meredith to condemn Richard. He felt culpable enough already and Ellis seemed to use Richard as an excuse. Lots of people have been hurt, but they do not use it to excuse shameful parenting. Besides, Richard made up for it by acting like the father Meredith truly deserved.