The return of a key character from Grey’s Anatomy for season 20 might greatly benefit the ABC medical drama by resolving two potential issues. The confirmation in early February of the return of two well-known characters and the addition of two new ones for Grey’s Anatomy season 20 may pique viewers’ excitement.
Given the significance of one of the characters’ return—a character who wasn’t particularly important in the first season of Grey’s Anatomy but was nevertheless a cherished physician at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital for ten seasons—this may matter even more.
With Ellen Pompeo’s decreased role as Meredith sticking around for season 20 of Grey’s Anatomy and Kelly McCreary’s departure as Maggie, viewers witnessed the rapid departure of two of the medical drama’s most prominent characters.
Two significant characters will remain gone from Grey Sloan Memorial’s everyday life, even if the two made a temporary comeback for the Grey’s Anatomy season 19 finale and Pompeo will play the same role in the upcoming season 20. This adds much greater significance to the reappearance of other major players.
Arizona’s Comeback Could Link The New and Old Guard Of Grey’s Anatomy
While several doctors have been at the core of Grey’s Anatomy for many years, only Richard and Miranda have essentially remained for the whole run without leaving.
While Teddy joined Grey’s Anatomy intermittently starting in season 6, and Owen has been a part of the show since season 5, many of the interns and residents have seen more doctors come and go than join Grey Sloan and remain for several seasons.
Even the residents of Grey Sloan Memorial’s most important mentors, Nick Marsh and Winston Ndugu, have only been there for a maximum of two or three seasons. Finally, Jessica Capshaw’s return to Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Arizona Robbins in season 20 can serve as a bridge between the show’s veteran characters and their narratives and the newest trainees.
Given that residents like Taryn Helm and Levi Schmitt had previously worked for Arizona, her temporary return could provide them with some sense of normalcy amidst a lot of changes in their lives as residents and in the lives of the doctors whom they look up to.
In addition to Richard and Miranda, Arizona’s reappearance may give the new interns a connection to the previous season of Grey’s Anatomy.
But Arizona’s comeback can also be a fitting tribute to her character’s departure from Grey’s Anatomy in season 14, which left several stories concluding suddenly and clumsily despite having the ideal motive—her family. One of the best reasons Sofia departed was to move to New York, where she could live happily near both of her mothers—especially since many of the main characters had left by passing away.
Despite all the suffering Callie caused Arizona, it seemed that Arizona was content just messaging her, opening the possibility of a romantic relationship between them. Arizona’s return in Grey’s Anatomy season 20 will finally provide viewers with an update on her life in New York and close the gaps left by her sudden departure.
If it was too painful to revisit her and Callie’s past, an update might also offer more details about her current life with Sofia and Callie, as well as a brand-new love tale.
The number of episodes that Capshaw is scheduled to guest star in as Arizona on Grey’s Anatomy season 20 may determine whether or not Arizona has the happy ending that season 14 denied her.