Medical drama Grey's Anatomy has been no stranger to plot twists over the last 16 years. Whether it be the surprise introduction of Derek's estranged wife at the end of season 1 or the plane crash that left several doctors dead and injured in season 8, Grey's has constantly shaken things up for shock value and to propel the storylines of the main characters forward.
Some storylines haven't been complete surprises, however. Fans have guessed departures from the show before they happened due to actors not renewing their contracts or being cast in other projects. Other times, guest stars don't make big enough impacts to stay on the show for an extended period of time, making their exits less of a plot twist and more of an expected plot device.
Cristina & Burke's Breakup
Cristina and Burke's relationship mirrored that of Derek and Meredith's (where an intern and an attending fell in love). Although Meredith and Derek were far from the perfect couple on Grey's Anatomy as their problems were evident from the start, fans soon learned that Cristina and Burke weren't either as their issues had a way of slowly revealing themselves.
When Burke proposed to Cristina and she had a hard time saying yes, or even picturing herself wearing a ring, fans knew the relationship was doomed. They continued going forward with planning their nuptials, but it was a surprise to no one when Burke realized that he couldn't marry someone who didn't want to marry him. It was a heartbreaking season finale, sure, but also a plot twist that viewers could see from a mile away.
Addison's Exit From Seattle Grace
Addison Montgomery's arrival at the end of season 1 was a complete shock. When she announced that she was Derek's wife and that Meredith must be the woman sleeping with her husband, fans' jaws dropped to the ground. It was the perfect way to end the first season and set up her character arc going forward.
However, it didn't surprise anyone when she decided to leave Seattle Grace and start a new life for herself. She could only stay working at a hospital with her ex-husband, his new girlfriend, and her ex-lover for so long before things would get old. Plus, she was such a dynamic, fascinating character that it was only right that she would get her own spinoff in Private Practice.
Mark Sloan's Daughter Leaves
Nobody foresaw Mark Sloan getting a visit from his secret, pregnant teenage daughter, Sloan Riley, during season 6, but fans could tell that her stay was only going to be temporary.
Sloan's character was used as a plot device to break up the otherwise healthy relationship between Mark and Lexie, creating tension between them as Mark grew closer to his daughter and her unborn child. Once the baby arrived, it was only a matter of time before Sloan decided to split, leaving her father heartbroken.
Callie Surviving The Tragic Car Wreck
When Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins got into a horrific car accident in season 7 that resulted in the infamous musical episode, fans weren't sure what to expect. Callie had just found out she was pregnant episodes prior, and she and Arizona had only recently resumed their romantic relationship following Arizona's return from Africa.
Though Grey's has had no problem killing off main characters in the past, it did seem unlikely that they would kill both Callie and her unborn child, especially after giving Sara Ramirez an entire episode to showcase their musical talent. When Callie survived and baby Sofia was born at the end of the episode, fans were relieved more than shocked.
Henry's Death After Marrying Teddy
For most of her first few seasons, Teddy Altman was used as the third point in the love triangle between herself, Owen Hunt, and Cristina Yang. She wasn't given any real storylines of her own until Henry Burton was introduced as one of her patients in season 7.
Due to his lack of medical insurance, Teddy made the decision to marry him so that he could get the care he needed. This resulted in the two of them actually falling in love, though happiness between a main character and a guest star on Grey's is usually short-lived. This is why Henry's death in Grey's Anatomy eighth season was one of the most heartbreaking, yet predictable, leaving room for Teddy's character to continue to grow.
Mark's Dying Post-Plane Crash
The plane crash in the season 8 finale had viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering which beloved doctor was going to die from their injuries. Within the first half-hour, it was revealed to be Chyler Leigh's Lexie Grey that didn't make it, being buried underneath the back half of the plane the group traveled in.
After an emotional goodbye and confession of true love, Mark Sloan practically gave up on surviving, wanting to be reunited with the love of his life. Arizona ensured that he made it back to Seattle alive, but in the first episode of season 9, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. His death was sad and tragic, but not a complete surprise, given that there was no way Mark could've gone on without his Lexie.
Owen & Teddy's Inevitable Relationship
It was established from Teddy's introduction on the show that she and Owen Hunt had a history of deep friendship and unrequited love. Despite always seeming to miss one another and mes the timing of things, the two were always in a 'will-they-won't-they' romantic situation.
That's why it was a shock to no one when Teddy and Owen finally got together and even had the baby. His prior marriages failed due to wanting different things than his partners, but with Teddy, they seemed to share similar ideas for the future. Although they aren't one of Grey's Anatomy's best couples, it does make sense to keep them together.
Alex's Exit And Divorce From Jo
Justin Chambers played Alex Karev for 16 seasons on Grey's Anatomy, and his departure from the show was reported before his final episode aired. This gave fans a heads up about Alex's exit from Grey's Anatomy and allowed them time to theorize about all the ways his character could bid farewell.
One of the most obvious choices was that he would be leaving his wife Jo Wilson since Camilla Luddington had renewed her contract for another season. Although many Grey's Anatomy fans came up with some great storylines for Alex's departure, the pediatric surgeon ended up leaving Jo for his ex-wife Izzie - which many fans had predicted could happen.
Derek's Death
Even though Patrick Dempsey had signed on for season 11 and 12 of Grey's Anatomy in 2014, his character, Derek Shepherd, died toward the end of the show's eleventh season.
While it was a twist that changed the course of the series, it wasn't a complete shock to fans as Derek wasn't as involved in that season's storylines as he had been before and Meredith was getting a lot more independent storylines. In a way, it was like the writers were preparing fans for a Derek-less show, which is why fans were not surprised when his on-screen death occurred.