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When I Watched Grey’s Anatomy for the Very First Time

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Clemson chapter.

When I Watched Grey’s Anatomy for the Very First Time

     Okay, so I might live under a rock. I might live under a rather large rock where 
 
shows about surgery do not enter. This rather large rock shielded me from the 
 
hectic world that exists within the walls of the Seattle Grace Hospital.  You might 
 
think that a biology major like myself wouldn’t reside under this large of a rock. 
 
Naturally, I should have the whole series memorized and anxiously anticipate the 
 
return of season 12. I’m not really sure how I allowed this show to slip by me, but it 
 
had.  
 
     Enter my freshmen year of college. Show the shocked faces of my new friends as 
 
they discover that I have not seen this epitome of hospital drama. Imagine the 
 
confusion on my face when I watch the season premiere in my dorm room 
 
surrounded by people who know, love, or hate each character.  Examine my 
 
perplexity in listening to my friends rave about the show and list of episodes like the 
 
back of their hands. 
 
     So, what did I do?
 
     For the most part, I largely ignored it. I’d listen in on their conversations here and 
 
there without fully understanding anything. But something changed. Two months 
 
into college, and I found myself seated on a comfy futon at 10 PM on a Thursday 
 
night watching the very first episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
 
 
     Honestly, besides the basic “hospital drama” criteria I categorized the television 
 
show under, I did not know much about the plotline. I had zero idea about the 
 
characters. If I’m being completely honest, I couldn’t even tell you the protagonist’s 
 
name (although I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan and I completely ADORE her cat 
 
Meredith, I was not aware that was the protagonist’s name). So, yes, I did live under 
 
a rather large rock.
 
 
    But, I did it! I watched my very first episode of Grey’s Anatomy with my best 
 
friends. There was no one I’d rather experience that with than with people who 
 
could quote every line. However, if you want to know what goes on in a person’s 
 
head as they watch Grey’s for the first time, feel free to scroll through the following 
 
lists of 45 random thoughts/feelings/questions/concerns as I encountered the 
 
intense and amazing show which is Grey’s Anatomy with my Grey’s obsessed friends. 
 
1. I thought this was a doctor show, but instead, the show starts like this?
 
2. Derek :)
 
 
3. Am I supposed to like George? Does anyone like George? 
 
4. These people look a lot different from the people I see on TV today. They look 
 
so young.
 
 
5. How does 7 years turn into 12 seasons?
 
6. Everyone around me knows all the words…I should have started watching 
 
earlier. 
 
7. How can I remember all these names? It might take me 12 seasons. 
 
8. “If I’m sleeping don’t wake me.” Wow, that sounds like me on a daily basis
 
 
9. Who is Ellis Grey? I feel like I’m a little clueless.
 
10. Hey, there’s Derek again? I didn’t see that one coming. 
 
11. I’m laughing. This is funny. 
 
12. He’s totally good looking. 
 
13. Can I handle watching surgery? And, how can they be eating snacks while 
 
watching surgery? I don’t understand.
 
14. There’s a lot of blood. Wait, the patient is going to be okay, right? 
 
15. I kind of feel bad for George. He looks so sad. 
 
16. What does 007 even mean? Oh, wait is it a state of mind? Never mind, my 
 
friends told me.
 
17. Is she waking the mean doctor?
 
 
18. I like Bailey. She’s sarcastic and witty.
 
19. Did George just put himself in the friend zone?
 
20. Katie is going to be okay right? Please let Meredith fix this.
 
21. She fixed it right? Why is everyone upset? Didn’t she just save her?
 
22. Oh, she just threw up. If I were Meredith, I’d probably throw up more. 
 
23. He just promised a patient. He’s not supposed to do that, right?
 
24. I get mean when I’m tired too. 
 
25. Diagnosing someone? I don’t think my mind could work like that when I’m 
 
that exhausted.
 
 
 
26. Do all hospitals have libraries?
 
27. Katie is the one in a million. Since they found the problem, she gets better 
 
right?
 
28. Does this mean Christina and Meredith aren’t going to be friends?
 
29. The soundtrack of this show is pretty good.
 
30. Oh my gosh…I don’t want to watch people die. I feel bad that George has to tell 
 
the family. 
 
31. I’m going to cry.
 
 
 
 
32. 48 Hours is a long time.
 
33. Where is Meredith’s mom?
 
34. You go Meredith! 
 
35. “Alright everybody, it’s a beautiful night to save lives.” Well said Derek. 
 
36. This is an intense show. I have a newfound appreciation for surgeons. 
 
37. They all look exhausted. I would be too. 
 
38. I think Meredith and Christina are friends now. Good.
 
 
39. I love how much Meredith loves this. 
 
40. So, are Derek and Meredith a thing? I think they probably will be. 
 
41. There’s Meredith’s mom! 
 
42. Gosh, this is sad too. She has Alzheimer’s. I don’t know how if I can handle 
 
this.
 
43. The feels. 
 
44. I don’t know if I can do this. It might be too much. 
 
45. Well, onto episode two.
 
 
     There you have it friends. I hope you won’t judge me for living under that rock for 
 
so long. But, it’s better now, isn’t? I understand. I get how Grey’s will draw you in and 
 
refuse to let go. So, like I said, I better start episode 2. Welcome to the game readers 
 
 
Caitlin Barkley is currently a senior at Clemson University pursuing a degree in both Biology and Psychology. In 2016-2017, she served as the Campus Correspondent and Editor-in-Chief for Her Campus Clemson after joining her freshman year. She is also an ambassador with the Calhoun Honors College, a teacher with Clemson Dancers, and a member of Tiger Strut Dance Company. Caitlin is a colonizing member of the South Carolina Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi, and she serves as the current Chapter President. A few of her favorite things include coffee, her Clemson ring, and fuzzy blankets! Follow her on Instagram @c_barkley19
Hey! My name's Liz and I'm a Sigma Kappa at Clemson University! I love my school more than anything in the world and love sharing that with y'all!!