Throughout its 21 seasons, Grey’s Anatomy has side-stepped some of the confines that come with medical dramas and, instead, it has embraced its soap opera quality, giving it the space to experiment with more dramatic stories. So, whether it’s a messy breakup or heartbreaking death, Grey’s Anatomy continues to captivate fans with its gut-wrenching storylines. Yet, despite its many episodes, there’s one that still stands out: “How to Save a Life.” Not only did this episode signify Derek’s death, but it highlighted the fact that the show was losing an entire piece of its appeal and history.
There have been many changes in the hospital since Derek’s death; Grey’s Anatomy spent a significant amount of time depicting Meredith’s grief and struggles with single motherhood. On top of that, other characters have come and gone. However, some fans have theorized that Dr. Shepherd’s death was just a cover-up, and he will grace their screens again when the time is right.
Some Fans Think That Derek Faked His Own Death
Derek Shepherd was once the most important part of Grey’s Anatomy until his tragic death in Season 11, Episode 21, “How to Save a Life.” After being hit by a truck, the surgeon was rushed to Dillard Medical Center in DC. Although the medical team tried their best to save him, Derek didn’t receive a head CT in time, so the medical crew didn’t really get the full scope of his injuries until it was too late. Thus, Derek later passed away, leaving behind his children and Meredith.
While this episode completely changed the trajectory of Grey’s Anatomy forever, some fans believe that it was simply an excuse for something much greater. According to a Reddit threat, a lot of audiences believe that Derek faked his own death so that he could continue working on his brain mapping project without any issues. The theory suggests that the FDA uncovered that Meredith tampered with the Alzheimer’s trial, so they would have to take action immediately. Because the US government was already aware that the FDA would take away Meredith’s medical license and the CPS would have to take custody of her children, the government decided to fake Derek’s death so that the problems could stop there.
The Redditor believes that the US government staged the entire car crash and that all the workers at Dillard Medical Center were simply government agents in disguise waiting to take Derek back to DC. In addition to this theory, a lot of audiences believe that this story will be the basis of the show’s final episode. Many fans argue that Derek will return in the last ever episode and reveal to his wife and children that he has been alive and well the whole time. Therefore, the finale would focus on Meredith and Derek as they rebuild their lives as a happy couple once again. How the rest of Grey Sloan reacts is another issue, but for now, a lot of fans support the idea that Meredith and Derek should be together at the end.
While a lot of audiences refuse to believe that the US government would go as far as to fake a man’s death just so that he could continue working for them without upsetting his wife, there’s a lot to be said for this theory. As a whole, it’s a tad ridiculous and doesn’t really account for the immense grief that was expressed throughout Seattle Grace Hospital. However, it could explain why Meredith has been acting so strange since losing her husband. Grey’s Anatomy has a tendency to leave a lot of loose ends, and at this point, audiences have just learned to accept it. Yet, there’s still one thing that fans don’t understand: why Meredith didn’t call Derek’s sisters or mother to inform them that he was in the hospital.
Grey’s excuse was that Derek wasn’t very close to his family and that she just wanted to focus on him. While part of this makes sense, the audience is well aware that Derek has a solid relationship with his siblings, especially Amelia. Although the pair had experienced difficulties in the past, Derek saved Amelia’s life when she overdosed and was even pronounced dead for three minutes. Thus, it would be wrong to say that Derek wasn’t close to his family. But, perhaps Meredith knew that Derek was faking his death the whole time. This would explain why she didn’t tell his family about the accident, because she knew that when the time was right, he would return and join them.
The car crash scenes in “How to Save a Life” were filmed in the iconic Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California.
In addition, this theory could also answer why Meredith hasn’t really moved on from Derek’s death. Of course, it goes without saying that it’s incredibly difficult to lead a normal life after the death of a loved one, but Meredith takes this to a new extreme. Since Season 11, Meredith has met several eligible suitors but hasn’t experienced anything serious. Even though Meredith has been with Nick Marsh for the past couple of seasons, their relationship is somewhat hidden from the audience. When Meredith was with Derek, the audience would catch a glimpse of their most intimate moments, as well as their most distressing fights.
Meredith rarely mentions Marsh, and fans just feel as if they are going through the motions of a very boring relationship. However, if audiences take this Grey’s fan theory into consideration, it could be said that Meredith hasn’t enjoyed a serious relationship after Derek because she knows her true love is returning one day. While the initial fan theory may seem a tad steep, the bare bones of the idea make perfect sense. It could be argued that Meredith is not grieving Derek because he died, but more because he is in DC and away from her. This theory could also explain why Derek wasn’t given a CT after a major head injury, an instance that fans often view as a massive inconsistency.
These Fan Theories Help to Keep Up the Hype Surrounding Grey’s Anatomy
Despite its comparisons to shows like The Pitt, ER, and General Hospital, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Grey’s Anatomy isn’t like other medical dramas. Over the past 10 years or so, the writers have focused wholly on entertaining the audience, a tactic that seems to be working very well. However, because of the extensive nature of Grey’s Anatomy, fans aren’t really sure what’s going to happen in the end, or if it even will. As such, fan theories help to keep the show fresh and force audiences to ponder its elaborate future.
Although fans are more than happy to sit through another 21 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, a lot of audiences are beginning to think about the show’s end. Now that Meredith Grey has taken a backseat and is arguably no longer the show’s main protagonist, fans aren’t sure how the drama will come to its natural conclusion. The idea that Derek faked his death and will arrive at Grey Sloan to greet his wife in the final episode is such a comforting thought for fans.
Plus, it allows fans to believe that Grey’s Anatomy will eventually come back to its roots and will give Meredith the chance to have the life she’s always dreamed of. Grey’s Anatomy enjoys watching fans conjure up some weird and wonderful theories in the hopes that it will surprise them with its next cliffhanger.
