The Sensational Secret Behind Alex Karev's Possible Return to Grey's Anatomy

Summary

Justin Chambers' enigmatic Instagram post alludes to a potential resurgence in Grey's Anatomy, but the plausibility of his character, Alex Karev, making a comeback hinges on the return of Izzie Stevens as well.

The sudden departure of Alex Karev and the rationale behind his exit sparked controversy, as it unravelled his character growth and inflicted emotional harm upon Jo. Devoted fans yearned for a less rushed departure, even suggesting that his character should have met a tragic demise instead.

Returning to the show alone would further damage Alex's character. However, if he were to return with Izzie, it could be a momentous occasion and potentially prevent any further harm to his character. Justin Chambers' mysterious Instagram post alluding to Grey's Anatomy suggests a possible comeback, but there's only one realistic way for his character, Alex Karev, to make a return. Alex's departure in season 16, episode 16, titled "Leave a Light On," stirred controversy as it was explained through letters to Meredith and Jo, and ultimately hurt Jo in the process. The decision to reunite Alex with Izzie offscreen made viewers feel that his exit was rushed, particularly since Chambers' last appearance on the show was in season 16, episode 8, titled "My Shot."

Alex Karev Could Only Come Back If Izzie Stevens Did Too

: Despite the surprising nature of Alex's exit from Grey's Anatomy, his decision to relocate for the sake of his children gave his departure a sense of purpose. However, some fans of the show expressed their disappointment, believing that this storyline undid Alex's character growth, particularly in how he betrayed Jo. While Justin Chambers' Instagram post featuring a coffee cup and sleeve with the faces of Chandra Wilson, Ellen Pompeo, and James Pickens Jr., captioned "A fresh cup of Greys," subtly hinted at a possible return, there is a potential risk of further diminishing Alex Karev's character if his return were to happen.

Alex Karev’s unexpected departure from Seattle in Grey’s Anatomy was justified by his dedication to his children and his realization that he never stopped loving Izzie. Hence, if Chambers were to reprise his role as Alex in Grey’s Anatomy, Izzie would have to accompany him. It would contradict the reasons he gave Jo and Meredith for leaving if Alex were to return alone. Heigl’s challenging exit from Grey’s Anatomy has made the possibility of Izzie’s return unlikely. Nonetheless, recent remarks from both Heigl and creator Shonda Rhimes suggest some mending of fences between Heigl and Grey’s Anatomy, making a potential return for Izzie not entirely impossible. In such a scenario, the reunion of Alex and Izzie would be significant and protect Alex from any tarnish.

Alex Karev Coming Back Alone Would Ruin His Character Even More

In the Instagram post shared by Justin Chambers (above), a coffee cup featuring a Grey's Anatomy sleeve catches the attention. Accompanied by the caption 'A fresh cup of Greys', one might initially assume that this is a mere nod to the show's branding on the sleeve. However, considering Chambers' past involvement as a character in Grey's Anatomy, it is natural to speculate that the mention of a 'fresh cup' alludes to his possible return and the potential for exciting new storylines.

Although Izzie's return to Grey's Anatomy isn't entirely implausible anymore, a potential solo comeback by Alex Karev would be more believable. However, Alex's independent return to Seattle runs the risk of further damaging his character. In "Leave a Light On," episode 16 of Grey's Anatomy season 16, Alex's move to Kansas already undid the progress he had made as a character. He simply disappeared and later explained his reasons through a letter, which was perceived as a hurtful gesture since he didn't have the decency to discuss everything face to face with Jo. While Alex's motivations could be seen as somewhat noble, the lack of personal communication intensified the pain caused by his actions.

If Chambers were to return to Grey's Anatomy, Alex Karev's character would either be compromised by returning alone or significantly altered if he were to come back with Izzie.