Teddy Altman has been a recurring character on first appeared in season 6 of the show, leaving at the end of season 8. Then she returned again in season 14 and became a regular from season 15.
Her military experience, turbulent relationship with Owen Hunt, and her incredible talent for cardio and trauma surgery have been at the center of her story. Dubbed "Desert Barbie" by Cristina Yang, Teddy Altman is as talented as she is beautiful, even if she's not always perfect. Here are some of her best and worst moments from the show.
Best: Mentor To Cristina
Teddy Altman showed her incredible skills as a mentor by being one of the best teachers Cristina Yang could have had.
Teddy understood how talented Cristina was, and she knew just the amount of pressure she needed to push Cristina to become better than she already was. Teddy shaped Cristina to become the best version of herself surgically, and the things she learned under Teddy were invaluable.
Worst: Her Behavior After Henry's Death
Teddy's attitude towards Owen after the death of her husband was incredibly harsh. She was understandably upset, but she lashed out at Hunt even in professional settings that severely undermined his authority in front of their peers and students.
While Hunt was just following protocol to some extent, Teddy was incredibly difficult to work with in the weeks that followed Henry's death.
Best: Marrying Henry
It was an incredibly sweet relationship that Henry and Teddy shared. Teddy initially married Henry to help him with his insurance needs because he couldn't afford surgery otherwise. But they eventually fell in love and they were incredibly good for each other.
Teddy and Henry's love story was tragically cut short with Henry's demise though.
Worst: Hiding Pregnancy From Owen
When Teddy arrived in Seattle, she first went to Owen's house to tell him about their baby. She thought they'd have a good reconciliation and that everything was going to be fine.
She ended up at the doorstep of a house with Amelia, Owen, a teenage kid, and a baby. Assuming the worst, Teddy decided not to tell about her pregnancy to Owen. Maggie had to carry this secret for quite a long time as well, making things very difficult, because she knew Amelia was getting closer to Hunt again.
Best: Amicable Break Up With Mark
Teddy and Mark were an incredibly good looking couple. But they both went into their relationship with starkly different expectations.
Upon finding Mark in bed with someone else, Teddy calls off their relationship. But it is quite amicable with Teddy pointing out that she and Mark had never made any decisions to be exclusive. Owen seemed to be more worked up about the whole thing than Teddy.
Worst: Telling Cristina That She Wanted Owen
Teddy was going through intense emotional turmoil when she realized that not only had Owen picked Cristina over her, but that she had lost a friend in him as well. She decided to leave Seattle because there was nothing left there for her, but Cristina was adamant that she stay.
Cristina told her that Teddy could have whatever she wanted as long as Teddy chose to stay at the hospital. Teddy said that she wanted Owen, and it was quite a dreadful thing to ask of Cristina.
Best: Telling Jackson To Take Himself Seriously
Jackson is a really handsome guy, and he used that to get himself into surgeries. He thought that it was the only way he'd be able to get ahead because the competition was too tight otherwise.
But Teddy made it clear to him that unless he started taking himself seriously, no one else would. And that he was more than just a pretty face. It was a decent thing for Teddy to do and motivated Jackson to do better.
Worst: Cheating On Owen
Teddy and Owen were perfect together. They were best friends and they loved each other. They were even parents to two kids.
The perfect image of a family was shattered when Teddy slept with Tom Koracick on what was meant to be her wedding day with Owen. To make things worse, Teddy accidentally left a voice note to Owen in the middle of it, which Owen heard being played out loud in the OR. Teddy broke Owen's heart and also humiliated him in an incredibly painful manner.
Best: Letting Cristina To Help Owen With His PTSD
Teddy Altman very graciously stepped back and decided not to get involved with Owen when she noticed that he was severely affected by PTSD. Teddy was with Mark at this time, and she knew Cristina was helping him.
She offers her advice to Cristina, but by not getting directly involved, spares a lot of emotional distress for all the parties involved.
Worst: Not Telling Owen The Truth About Their Daughter's Name
It is revealed later that Teddy Altman was in a relationship with her friend Allison before she had ed away. Hunt only knew Allison as Teddy's friend and not the person she was in love with.
When she later reveals the story behind their daughter's name, Owen is just angry because their daughter's name was based on a lie. Teddy had dealt him a series of serious blows, and this seemed to be the final nail in the coffin.
