Grey’s Anatomy Ruined Alex Karev Long Before His Controversial Exit

While many viewers wish their favorite show would last forever, that's not always the best case scenario. If anything, the longer the show goes on, the more likely it is that the writers will turn against the beloved characters and ruin their development.

While this is a disturbing thought, there are enough cases to prove this to be true. One of the worst cases of characters suddenly forgetting everything they've learned is How I Met Your Mother 's Barney Stinson, another is Grey's Anatomy's Alex Karev.

What Happened Between Karev and Deluca?

As one of the 5 original interns who started their career in the very first season, Alex Karev has had a 16-year journey right in front of the camera. Starting out as one of the least likable characters on the show, he ended up as the fan-favorite doctor by the final season he appeared in.

After the actor who portrayed Alex, Justin Chambers, announced his intention to leave, the writers had to find a way to send him off. And while Grey's Anatomy has never been afraid to kill off a character, with Karev they decided to go with a less traumatic option. But it completely destroyed his character.

He left his wife, his best friend and his job to be reunited with his former lover Izzie Stivens and two of his children. It could have been better explained and explored, but all Alex did was leave them letters and disappear. Ever since, his exit has become one of the most controversial throughout the show’s history.

While many viewers find this ending deeply out of character and unsatisfying, some believe that Alex's character had gone too far even before his exit. In season 12, he beat up Andrew Deluca, throwing years of anger management out the window.

Everything that made Alex so beloved was tied in one way or another to his growth and determination to be a better person. All the people who surrounded him year after year influenced his personality and made him better, and yet Grey's Anatomy found a way to ruin it for shock value.

Right now, the show has aired its 20th anniversary season and is likely preparing scripts for season 21, which is set to air this fall. So if you are interested in seeing how the writers continue the characters' arcs today, keep an eye out for the premiere date.