This 3-Year ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Storyline Just Made Meredith Grey’s Advocacy Even More Powerful

Were season 22 to reprise one Grey’s Anatomy season 19 story, it could make Meredith’s Alzheimer’s study arc much more powerful. Grey’s Anatomy seasons 20 and 21 have made Meredith’s Alzheimer’s research her biggest focus, with it bringing the most consequential developments since Meredith’s departure from Seattle. Grey’s Anatomy season 22 can nevertheless use another story to support Meredith’s study.

Since Jackson offered Meredith the solution to her problems, giving her a place to study the illness that was always inextricably linked to her history in the city where Zola’s school was, studying Alzheimer’s centered Meredith’s every move. With Grey’s Anatomy season 21’s ending introducing Meredith spending more time in Seattle, one forgotten story can make Meredith’s advocacy more powerful.

Simone’s Grandma’s Alzheimer’s Was Very Important In Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 But Has Since Been Forgotten

What defined Simone’s story when Grey’s Anatomy season 19 introduced her was her mother dying giving birth to her at Grey Sloan Memorial and her grandmother being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which was especially impactful because she had been Simone’s mother figure her whole life, having barely met her mother. However, Grey’s Anatomy subsequently made Simone’s grandmother a more marginal figure.

The ever-present drama of Lucas and Simone’s relationship dominated Grey’s Anatomy season 21, making the need for a breakup extremely clear. With the two lovebirds repeatedly butting heads, seemingly breaking up, only to get back together in the next episode, Grey’s Anatomy season 21 had little time for Simone’s grandmother, except for when Lucas mentioned visiting her.

Grey’s Anatomy season 19 undoubtedly set up Simone’s grandmother as an important part of her life. With season 21 focusing greatly on Simone’s personal and professional progress, it would make sense that Simone would share that part of her life, beyond Lucas, with her grandmother.

Grey’s Anatomy season 22 can fix season 21’s mistake by having Simone’s grandmother play a bigger role, which in turn can benefit Meredith’s Alzheimer’s story. This can also make Simone and Meredith’s connection come full circle after season 19 hinted at the former being the latter’s replacement because of their history with Grey Sloan and Alzheimer’s importance in their lives.

How Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Bringing Back Simone’s Grandma Can Link To Meredith’s Alzheimer Study

Meredith and Amelia’s Alzheimer’s research went through major upheavals in Grey’s Anatomy season 21. Between Catherine and Jackson’s cease-and-desist letters and the difficulties finding new backers, Meredith and Amelia spent most of season 21 in limbo, at least when their study was concerned. Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 12 proved groundbreaking for how it gave their research a new direction.

By realizing that their prospective financiers didn’t understand the importance of studying Alzheimer’s in women, Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 12 pushed Meredith to decide to fund the study by herself. This solved the problem they had been facing since publishing their findings in Grey’s Anatomy season 20’s finale, and it tailored their research like they wanted.

Simone’s grandmother returning in Grey’s Anatomy season 22 can show what Meredith meant when she faced those evaluating her funding proposal in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 12, through an emotional story. This way, Simone’s bond with her grandma would return front and center, and Meredith and Amelia’s research would also have a recognizable face, making it even more urgent.