Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Captures the Grim Reality of Life at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital

This article discusses PTSD and contains potential spoilers.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Grey’s Anatomy, season 21, episode 8, titled “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”

Character Exits in Grey’s Anatomy: A Tale of Grief

Fans of Grey’s Anatomy are reeling from the simultaneous departures of Levi Schmitt (played by Jake Borelli) and Mika Yasuda (played by Midori Francis). While Levi’s exit is on a more upbeat note, Mika’s departure resonates as one of the show’s most poignant exits. Struggling with the haunting memories of her sister Chloe (portrayed by Julia Rose), who tragically died in a car accident, Mika makes the heart-wrenching decision to leave Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Despite her attempts to readjust to life post-recovery, a distressing event pushes Mika to end her relationship with Jules (Adelaide Kane) and bid farewell to her colleagues.

Mika Yasuda’s Departure: Trauma and Healing

How Survivor’s Guilt Affects Mika

In the unfolding narrative, Mika’s departure highlights a significant shift in the show’s storytelling, emphasizing mental health and personal grief over traditional character deaths. Her struggles at Grey Sloan—intensified by memories of Chloe—ultimately lead her to the realization that healing necessitates a distance from the hospital environment. While the show does leave open the possibility for her return, the emotional weight of her exit makes it unlikely that she would choose to return to such a traumatic workplace.

Confronting Past Trauma: A Realistic Portrayal

Mika’s Journey After the Accident

Adelaide Kane and Midori Francis in Grey's Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy has long been recognized for its depiction of PTSD among its characters. Throughout its run, the show has tackled mental health by allowing characters to navigate the complex realities of trauma. Mika’s experiences, particularly her intense reaction to a patient’s injury, exemplify the toll such trauma can take—she unconsciously pleads for her sister’s life to be saved, a poignant reminder of her unresolved grief.

Midori Francis herself reflected on Mika’s journey, noting, “The only way Mika would leave the hospital is through something truly catastrophic. And the creators gave me a profoundly compelling storyline to portray.”

The Haunting Legacy of Grey’s Anatomy

How Trauma Shapes Every Main Character

Jackson and April discussing in Grey's Anatomy

Mika Yasuda stands out as the first character to leave Grey Sloan directly due to her trauma. Throughout the series, numerous characters have endured loss and faced personal demons prompted by catastrophic events within the hospital’s walls. For example, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) and Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) both had significant moments of departure triggered by grief following traumatic incidents, though neither left Grey Sloan permanently for the sake of their mental health.

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Ultimately, Grey’s Anatomy effectively showcases the varied paths to healing, illustrating the support systems in place at Grey Sloan while also acknowledging that for some characters, including Mika, stepping away is the healthiest choice. Most past exits revolve around career developments, but Mika’s departure starkly highlights the impact of unresolved grief in a setting where tragedy is all too common.

For further reading on this topic, check out the [Midori Francis interview](https://deadline.com/2024/11/midori-francis-interview-mika-yasuda-leaving-greys-anatomy-1236183422/) from Deadline.

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