For fans of Grey’s Anatomy, the news that Jessica Capshaw’s Dr. Arizona Robbins will be making a comeback to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in season 20 is exciting. Arizona, one of the first openly gay characters in Shonda Rhimes’s long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, is connected to TV history in general, not just the show’s illustrious past.
Nevertheless, the plot of the pediatric surgeon’s cameo must eventually address a significant unanswered topic regarding Arizona’s romantic life. To put it frankly, viewers have a right to know what transpires during Arizona and Dr. Callie Torres’s (Sara Ramirez) absence.
Not only is Dr. Arizona Robbins’s comeback thrilling in and of itself, but the greater narrative hook is undeniable. Whether you love or hate it, the romance between Callie and Arizona helped shape multiple seasons of Grey’s Anatomy and continues to be the most influential LGBTQ+ relationship on the program.
Grey’s Anatomy season 20 can’t ignore the “Calzona” elephant in the room, even though Ramirez isn’t expected back. In the years that followed, Callie and Arizona’s relationship might have taken off or stagnated despite their frequently tumultuous chemistry; after all, their exits left a lot of possibilities open.
Callie & Arizona Weren’t Together When They Left Grey’s Anatomy
Viewers were initially perplexed as to why Sara Ramirez’s Callie quit Grey’s Anatomy following season 12, but the actor has subsequently explained that they felt compelled to take a break. Ten years into the show, Ramirez reached out to Rhimes, who was already developing a new narrative for Callie’s 13th-season storyline.
Fortunately, Callie’s season twelve tale concludes with the orthopaedic surgeon leaving for New York City with her new colleague, Dr. Penny Blake (Samantha Sloyan), the physician who was managing Derek Shepard’s (Patrick Dempsey) care when he passed away.
This is even though Ramirez’s departure was unplanned. A custody dispute arises when Callie believes she has the right to take their daughter Sofia across the nation rather than first consulting with Arizona about the transfer to New York. Following multiple brutal courtroom encounters, the ex-couple had a serious falling out.
Despite winning the custody dispute, Arizona kindly suggests a shared custody arrangement. To put Sofia closer to both of her parents, Arizona decides to move to New York after season 14, forcing her to leave Grey’s Anatomy.
Although the romantic aspect of Callie and Arizona’s relationship is never discussed on the program, it is hinted that they make up. Many characters from Grey’s Anatomy have gone and come back.
Viewers are curious about how the program will handle Callie’s off-screen journey now that Dr Arizona Robbins has joined the select group of Grey’s characters who have left the show yet have managed to avoid death.
Arizona and Callie have custody of Sofia, therefore their stories are intrinsically interwoven regardless of whether they are romantically involved. While fans of Grey’s Anatomy season 20 may be hoping for a call-out to Callie, the show should refrain from overtly pandering to their desires.
Grey’s shouldn’t force Callie and Arizona to reconcile just because Callie and Penny split up. In the mid to late 2000s, Grey’s Anatomy was a pioneer in the television industry when it came to depicting more nuanced LGBTQ+ characters. For instance, Arizona is presented as an out lesbian character who is wholly at ease with who she is.
As for Callie, when she comes to terms with her bisexuality, it’s one of the most iconic coming-out storylines on television. Even though Callie and Arizona’s romantic history is full of high points, their toxic connection is undeniable.
They were never a good fit, even though the aftermath of the plane tragedy may have sealed their split. To put it succinctly, they work better together as co-parents.