culture Text by SOPHIE MATLOF
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Art by DAVID TOMZ
GREY’S ANATOMY TAKES ON COVID SHOW PORTRAYS HEALTHCARE IN PANDEMIC
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EREDITH GREY LAYS When COVID-19 broke out across on the asphalt of the park- the world, filming and production of most ing lot, helpless and uncon- TV and movies quickly came to a halt as scious. Cormac Hayes spots the world sheltered in their homes –– and her and rushes to her side, screaming for Grey’s Anatomy was no exception. As the others in the parking lot writers, producto get her a gurney and ers, directors and oxygen. At the height It’s kind of shown me crew quarantined of the pandemic, Mere- how hard it is for them at home, they wondith is admitted into the dered whether this ICU at Grey Sloan Me- and helped me gain a real life experience morial Hospital with lot of respect for their was something they COVID-19 — while could bring into the the hospital struggles work right now.” new season of the to keep the staff safe — RACHEL ELLISEN, junior show as a way to and the patients alive open the eyes of the around her. audience to healthThis is the premise of the latest season care workers risking their lives during the of “Grey’s Anatomy,” one of ABC’s most pandemic. They took advantage of the successful shows of all time and America’s opportunity by focusing season 17 on longest-running medical drama. The TV COVID-19. show’s 16th season was abruptly cut short The newest season is filled with all of with the onset of the COVID-19 pandem- the usual drama that follows the doctors of ic, as with many other shows. But when Grey Sloan Memorial including cheating season 17 premiered in November, it once scandals, new and surprising relationships again enraptured viewers with a thrilling and the trials of parenting. However, this plot and proved that despite the years it has season, the normal drama is accompanied run, “Grey’s Anatomy” will continue mak- with the overwhelming exhaustion and ing history as a staple TV medical drama. overwork resulting from COVID. It is also
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set apart by the onscreen return of beloved characters who met their demise in earlier seasons. Though the show has been rumored to be nearing the end of its long run, considering lead actress Ellen Pompeo’s contract will be up at the conclusion of season 17, fans are happy to see that the drama of the show hasn’t changed. Palo Alto High School students have enjoyed watching the latest season and have found the portrayal of the pandemic to be eye opening, as they watched healthcare workers struggle to continue through the challenges of COVID-19. “Watching the newest season has shown me so much about how doctors are working during COVID,” junior Rachel Ellisen said. “It’s kind of shown me how hard it is for them and helped me gain a lot of respect for their work right now.” “Grey’s Anatomy” has always been able to make a mark by centering the storylines on subjects that need more discussion such as mental health. Season 17 was no exception, touching viewers around the world with the ability to shine light on a current human experience. Even if season 17 is its last, the legacy of Grey’s Anatomy will live on as a trailblazer of the industry. v
KEEP FIGHTING — Miranda Bailey urges protagonist Meredith Grey to fight for her life as she struggles through complications of COVID-19.
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