An open letter to Shonda Rhimes, ABC Network, Krista Vernoff, and whomever else was involved in this decision (prepare for many embedded Grey’s quotes) *SPOILERS AHEAD*

Dear All,

I love you. I love Grey’s Anatomy. I love it so much that my friend and I have a PowerPoint about it. Grey’s Anatomy  has changed me for the better and made me fearless. Grey’s Anatomy has taught me to be my own superhero; it has altered my world perspective. I have become empowered, and I’ve empowered others. I have become stronger, kinder, braver, and more ambitious because of this show. Grey’s Anatomy  has the power to transform lives, and it’s inspired not only me, but millions of others.

This show has reminded me that I can do more—can be more—than I am today. Because of Grey’s Anatomy, I have fire, I am unstoppable. Because of Grey’s Anatomy, I don’t let fear keep me quiet. I have found my voice, and I have filled the damn silence. Because of Grey’s Anatomy, I have a better understanding of the person I am and the world I live in.

I will always love and defend this show. The characters and storylines have taught me how to love, how to dream, how to cope, and how to be a freaking shark. Even though failure is inevitable and unavoidable, I never let failure get the last word. I hold on to what I want. I step forward into the unknown, where I assume it will be brilliant. 

Unfortunately, I cannot do any of these things with the next season of Grey’s Anatomy. The decision to fire Sarah Drew and Jessica Capshaw was a disastrous one.

From what I have gathered, the impetus for their departure is because you want to reinvent the show and follow new storylines and characters. I can tell you right now that reasoning is unfounded. The only characters the fans care about are being killed off or let go. We do not want to follow new characters that we do not care about; we want to follow the stories of the characters we know and love. They are why we started watching Grey’s Anatomy, and they are why we continue to love the show.

April Kepner is the first devout Christian character I’ve seen portrayed so well in a television show. Her faith and virginity are not laughing points, and April doesn’t try to hide them; rather, her beliefs are a source of pride for her. April Kepner reminds us that our personal choices do not define our professional life, and she inspires us to hold steadfast to our beliefs. People mock her for staying a virgin, question her views, and make fun of how pious she can be. April refuses to succumb to their judgments and continues to trust in her faith and herself. April Kepner inspires us all to be strong, independent, faithful, and to stay true to ourselves.

Like April, Arizona Robbins is one of the last light-hearted characters left in Grey’s Anatomy. Though I live for the serious, ambitious, and sharp surgeons in Grey’s Anatomy  who are making medical breakthroughs and dramatic storylines left and right, I need someone to lighten the show up. Arizona is not just a smart and sensitive surgeon, but she is hilarious and unequivocally bright. She proves not all surgeons (or at least, TV surgeons) are cold-blooded and ruthless. Arizona is confident, friendly, and optimistic. Not to mention she is an inspiring LGBT character and a working mother. She is loud and proud, and she keeps us watching.

I want you to listen to your own words. “We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons…even the biggest failure, even the worst, most intractable mistake, beats the hell out of never trying.”

I ask you to try. I ask you to fix this mess. Because April and Arizona cannot leave. Fire someone else. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO FIX YOUR SHOW. TAKE IT. Here’s a list of people I (and many others) would love for you to get rid of instead of Arizona and April:

Andrew DeLuca

I thought his last name was something like Massimo, not DeLuca. I don’t even know his freaking name. I had to look it up. That’s how irrelevant he is. Sure, he’s nice eye candy. I have nothing against the actor! But I couldn’t care less about him and his storyline. He has never taught me how to smile in the dark like Arizona. He has never inspired me to stick by my beliefs like April. All he has done is get in the way of plots I actually care about.

His girlfriend

Who is she? I don’t even know her name. Is she even his girlfriend? I don’t know—because I DON’T CARE.

Maggie. Pierce, is it?

I wouldn’t know, because I DON’T CARE. She is not half the cardiothoracic surgeon Cristina Yang is. She has no fire. I don’t hate her, but I definitely don’t love her! She’s been here for three seasons, I think? It feels like 13, because she is so boring that every scene with her feels like the length of four episodes. I’ve tried to like her, and at times I have! But if I have to choose between Maggie and April/Arizona, I freaking choose the latter.

Side note: Speaking of Maggie, please do not ever make Jaggie a thing. I will not know how to continue on with my life. They have no chemistry. The most chemistry Maggie has ever had with someone is her college professor who literally just taught her chemistry. Bring back JAPRIL. I LOVE JAPRIL. WHY DO YOU MESS WITH GOOD THINGS?

Amelia

Why didn’t you let her die of her brain tumor? You had a perfect opportunity!!! I’m kind of over the Shepherd family. They are all assheads. Amelia and Owen do NOT work, so thanks for breaking them up! You know who works?? CRISTINA AND OWEN. *edit* actually, no thanks for breaking them up, because in the last episode you put them back together again! Why are you doing the things that you do???

The Italian orgasm doctor – who is she?

I think she is Deluca’s sister, which is stupid, because WE DON’T CARE ABOUT DELUCA. WE DON’T WANT ITALIAN ORGASMS, WE WANT CALZONA. Just get rid of her. Bye-bye. What’s her first name? Katrina? I think? That’s a hurricane. I don’t want a hurricane at Grey Sloan Memorial. We have been through enough. I would rather have hurricane Tortilla than hurricane Katrina DeLuca orgasm.

Literally every single one of the useless interns you have introduced

I loved loved loved  the episode with Qadri’s hijab, but I would sell you all my organs to drop her and keep April and Arizona. All the interns, including Glasses, have done nothing to inspire me, to touch me, or to make me laugh. They are just annoying. They are just in the way. Please leave.

Please take into consideration my suggestions. I only wish the best for Grey’s Anatomy. I have nothing against the actors, solely the characters. This disastrous decision to get rid of April and Arizona was so unexpected. “The unexpected…is what changes our lives.” Well, NOT IN A GOOD WAY. This is traumatic. Please fix this. Bring back April and Arizona.

Sincerely,

Isabel Knudson

Future part-time cardiothoracic surgeon.