Penny Blake was a largely detested ing character on the hit drama, Grey's Anatomy. She came onto the scene in the eleventh season as a doctor working on a dying Derek Shepherd. Derek sadly ed away, partly because Blake didn't push for the correct care. Fans would never forgive her for letting this serious ball drop.
While letting Derek was likely the worst thing Blake did, it wasn't her only offense. She made plenty of other questionable life decisions in her short stint on the show. Penny is plenty bad, but that didn't mean that everything she did was a flop. She had a couple of good moves in there as well.
Worst: Pitted Amelia and Meredith Against One Another
When Penny came to work at Grey-Sloan Memorial, she ended up causing drama with the current doctors and surgeons. Penny's arrival ended up creating strife between Meredith and her sister-in-law Amelia. The tensions between the two ladies mounted, and Penny had more than something to do with that. It seems that wherever Penny goes, a bit of chaos follows. She doesn't exactly have a solid track record of bringing people together.
Best: Spoke Out For Callie
When Penny took the opportunity in New York, Callie wanted to go with her, but the whole custody issue was hanging in the balance. During Arizona and Callie's legal woes over their daughter's living arrangements, Penny takes the stand in of Callie.
She tries to prove to the courts that she loves Sophia too and is heavily involved in the little girl's life. She wants nothing more than for her girlfriend to have her child with them. Penny has some issues on the stand and makes some missteps, but at least she tried!
Worst: Made Work Hard
Derek unexpectantly ed away, leaving Meredith a single, working mother. Life was far from easy in those early days. Penny Blake didn't make things any better when she decided to take a job at the hospital Meredith worked at.
Why Penny wanted to work at Meredith's hospital, and directly under her at that, is beyond us. Poor Meredith had to stare Penny in the face day after day, all while acknowledging that Blake was really good at her job. That said, it was actually Meredith who ultimately gave the green light to Penny's employment.
Best: She Was Willing To Give Up Grey-Sloan
After the worst dinner party in the history of television, Meredith really lays it on thick with Penny. Experiencing Meredith's devastation at losing her husband all over again makes Penny wonder if Grey-Sloan is really the right place for her.
She tells Meredith that she will decline the prospective job opportunity, but something she says makes Meredith think again. She tells Penny that she will see her on Monday.
Worst: She Ruined Merdith's Party
As if Meredith had not had it bad enough, Penny popped up and made things exponentially worse for everyone's favorite doctor. Following Derek's death, Meredith hosts a dinner party and invites Callie to it.
Callie decided to bring a date to the event, and who pops up at poor Meredith's dinner table? Yep. It's Penny. The fun party took a dark turn with the unexpected houseguest, who almost certainly brought back painful memories for Meredith Grey.
Best: Consulted Her Partner On Life Choices
Callie decided to apply for a grant in New York City, and with the of several attendings, she managed to secure the position. While she very much wanted to take it right away, she first consulted Callie on the opportunity.
Her love and respect for her partner were highlighted here. In a show where the professionals can be pretty cut-throat, Penny managed to showcase a loving, sensitive side to her personality.
Worst: Took Callie Away
To be fair, Callie has her own mind and is capable of making her own decisions. She decided to follow Penny to New York City after Penny landed a position there.
While Callie ultimately called this shot, Penny didn't exactly try to deter her from following, nor did she take into the fact that Callie should stay on the west coast with her daughter Sophia. It felt selfish and made Penny no friends or fans.
Best: She Respected Arizona
Penny and Callie quickly became a couple, and when Callie's daughter Sophia came into the hospital, Penny treated her. Callie found this out and claimed that this wasn't okay. She told Penny Arizona wasn't ready for Penny and Sophia to meet yet.
Upon learning this, Penny immediately apologized to Arizona. Here we saw Penny's deep respect for Sophia's other mother, and fans realized that she had no desire to step on Arizona's toes when it came to Sophia.
Worst: Contributed To Derek's Demise
Penny made some serious missteps and engaged in multiple Derek's final demise was the worst.
While Penny was working at a small teaching hospital, Derek was brought in with severe and life-threatening injuries. She knew he needed a scan of his head, but when the head surgeon decided against it, Penny didn't persist on it. The result was Derek's ing.
Best: Helps Save Meredith
Penny might not have been able to save Derek, but she might have saved Meredith. As many fans , in season 12, Meredith was severely injured after one of her patients attacked her, inadvertently.
It was Penny who found Meredith after Lou attacked her. Penny treated Mer's injuries intently and then made sure to follow her progress as she healed from her attack. When Meredith has a panic attack after a visit from her kids, Penny goes against protocol and snaps the wires keeps her jaw shut to alleviate the rising panic.
