Why Meredith Won't Leave 'Grey's Antomy'

If you are a fellow Grey's Anatomy fan, I have one thing to say to you: I am so sorry for your loss. The world doesn't seem the same now that McDreamy isn't in it, and after Derek Shepherd died at the hands of incompetent doctors during last Thursday's heartbreaking episode, I've kind of been in shock. Well, shock and a constant state of anger towards Shonda Rhimes, of course. After 11 seasons, it's fact that if you're a surgeon on Grey's, you're probably going to die a tragic and horrifying death at some point, but I never imagined the male lead of the show was at risk. Unfortunately, I (like so many others) was wrong. And now that Derek's gone, obviously all bets are off, so is the other main character at risk? Will Meredith leave Grey's Anatomy too?

Fortunately, there is good news — something that we as Grey's fans can desperately cling to when next week's two-hour episode airs and Derek isn't in it. It doesn't seem like Ellen Pompeo's planning on going anywhere. Of course, I said that about Patrick Dempsey, too, since both of them had upped their contracts through Season 12 last year, but obviously, contracts don't necessarily mean anything, as we have all just learned the hard way. Instead, the answer to this one is coming directly from Pompeo, who seems psyched for where Grey's will take Meredith from here after the loss of her husband.

On Monday, Pompeo posted her condolences to fans on Twitter, along with a promise (of sorts) that we can feel confident that Meredith isn't dying or leaving — at least, not in the foreseeable future.

See? It's fine! Everyone can chill knowing that Grey's Anatomy will, for the time being, remain Grey's Anatomy, even if the name of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital might be getting longer as more and more central characters die off. Besides, seeing Meredith on Grey's post-McDreamy is definitely going to be good TV. As someone who's been to hell and back over the past decade, I'm sure Meredith will handle her husband's death as well as anyone could.

And as much as I already miss Derek, there's a lot to look forward to. Meredith becoming the reigning genius of the surgical world, Meredith possibly continuing Derek's research in his honor, Meredith raising her children as a single mom, Meredith possibly falling in love again eventually — but not too soon, or the fans (me included) will revolt. Now that Meredith officially has nothing left to lose, how will that affect her life? Derek's death sucks, but it does open up a world of new storylines and possibilities — and the chance for the rest of the cast to step up and fill his place.

While part of me wants to throw in the towel on Grey's in an act of self preservation now that the impossible has happened, as long as Meredith's still kicking, I'm in it for the long haul. No matter how angry this damn show makes me — and over the years of plane crashes, hospital shootings, and repeatedly killing my favorite characters, I've gotten pretty angry — I just can't stop watching. Do your worst, Rhimes — as long as Pompeo promises she isn't going anywhere.

Image: Kelsey McNeal/ABC