Grey’s Anatomy Fans Are Outraged Over How This Character Was Treated

by

Quick Links

  • DeLuca’s Complex Relationships With Other Characters in ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘
  • DeLuca’s Experience With Bipolar Disorder in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
  • DeLuca’s Heroic Death and the Underwhelming Aftermath in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Caution: Plot twists from Seasons 11 to 17 of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’

Over two decades, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has solidified itself as a medical drama classic, thanks to its gripping storylines, compelling characters, and heart-wrenching scenes. Viewers have met numerous distinctive personalities, from doctors to patients, throughout the 21 seasons. Some, like Dr. Meredith Grey and Dr. Miranda Bailey, have been with us since the start, while others, such as Dr. April Kepner and Dr. Lexie Grey, had brief but impactful runs before their departures. However, one character in particular has faced an exceptional amount of hardship at the hands of the show’s writers.

Dr. Andrew DeLuca, portrayed by Giacomo Gianniotti, didn’t get the fair treatment his character deserved during his seven-season run on the show. Although DeLuca wasn’t particularly popular among fans, partly due to his short-lived romance with Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) following Derek Shepherd’s departure, it was still unfair that he consistently faced so many unfortunate events. Despite these challenges, DeLuca managed to persevere. Unfortunately, just as he began excelling in his role as a skilled surgeon and finding his footing within the show, tragedy struck, and his character was prematurely written off the series.

DeLuca’s Complex Relationships With Other Characters in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

In a brief turn of romantic events involving Meredith Grey and Andrew DeLuca, it appeared that their relationship was heavily skewed towards Meredith, with many instances suggesting she was filling the void left by her deceased husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). Moreover, the pairing sparked worries due to the substantial age difference and Meredith’s position of authority over DeLuca. As if this wasn’t enough complexity, DeLuca started encountering episodes of mania, which later turned out to be associated with his undiagnosed bipolar disorder. These factors ultimately led to their breakup.

Apart from Meredith, DeLuca also experienced some intense disagreements involving Dr. Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) and Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers). One such incident occurred when DeLuca escorted a drunken Jo home from a bar. Upon arrival, he found that Alex Karev was her boyfriend and mistakenly believed DeLuca was taking advantage of her. Before DeLuca could clarify the situation, Alex attacked him, leaving him injured to the extent that he required hospitalization.

Despite all the complications, Meredith chose to support Alex over the incident, deliberately withholding the report to the police and trying to dissuade DeLuca from pursuing legal action. Ultimately, he decided not to press charges primarily due to his worry about Jo’s emotional well-being. However, even after everything that transpired, Alex never extended a heartfelt apology to him.

DeLuca’s Experience With Bipolar Disorder in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

During DeLuca’s tenure on Grey’s Anatomy, viewers learned that his father was a renowned surgeon. Yet, because of an untreated bipolar condition and other complications, his neglect led to the deaths of four patients during operations. This troubling fact weighed heavily on DeLuca, who feared he couldn’t shake off his father’s problematic past and the potential of inheriting bipolar disorder. Regrettably, signs of the disorder surfaced during DeLuca’s residency period.

In my humble opinion, one standout moment occurred in Season 16, episode 18, aptly named “Give a Little Bit.” During this particular episode, DeLuca found himself in a troubling situation as he grew suspicious that one of his patients, Cindy Wright, was involved in human trafficking. The supposed aunt, Opal, was the suspect. I raised this concern with Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson), but unfortunately, my claims fell on deaf ears as I lacked concrete evidence at the time.

Consequentially, DeLuca faced a mental health crisis at work, necessitating a temporary leave to seek appropriate care. Upon receiving his bipolar disorder diagnosis and starting medication, he made significant strides, excelling as a hospital attending. However, this progress was unfortunately fleeting.

DeLuca’s Heroic Death and the Underwhelming Aftermath in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

In the end, DeLuca’s suspicions about human trafficking proved to be true when Erin, whose real name was Cindy, returned to the hospital following her escape from Opal. Seeking solace in someone who understood her plight, she sought out DeLuca. Despite his own struggles, he stood by her, helping treat her wounds. Later that day, as he was leaving the hospital, he encountered Opal. To prevent further harm to Erin and other potential victims, he decided to pursue Opal, with his sister Carina accompanying him. This chase unfolded in a crossover episode with Station 19, culminating in DeLuca being stabbed by one of Opal’s associates. Although Opal was arrested by the police, DeLuca suffered mortal wounds.

Following an emergency operation at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital, there was hope that DeLuca would make it through and recover from his wounds. However, while he was recuperating in the ICU, he began to hemorrhage and passed away shortly afterwards. After his demise, the characters continued with their lives as if nothing had occurred. Apart from his sister, no one appeared to be deeply affected by the loss. No remorse or regret was evident either. It is suggested that if action had been taken against the human trafficker at the outset, DeLuca’s death could have been averted. His last appearance on the show was in a video played during his memorial service, which took place in the hospital parking lot due to COVID restrictions.

Unfortunately, DeLuca’s character in Grey’s Anatomy was destined for something different and less favorable. It’s a pity that he is no longer present in the series as his character provided valuable representation, particularly for individuals dealing with bipolar disorder. Sadly, the show used this aspect of his character only to further plot developments, which eventually concluded when DeLuca managed to handle his mental health issues. Grey’s Anatomy can be watched on ABC and is also available for streaming on Netflix and Hulu.

Read More

2025-02-15 19:33