Grey’s Anatomy: Why Ellis Grey HATED Meredith! 💔

In the series Grey’s Anatomy, the relationship between Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, and her mother Dr. Ellis Grey, often portrayed by Kate Burton (with Sarah Paulson in one flashback episode), is undeniably challenging to watch. Ellis is shown as a formidable and unmatched surgeon, yet falls short in her role as a mother. The emotional torment Meredith endured from her mother permeates throughout her life. Though Meredith seems to come to terms with the fact that Ellis was in a position she wasn’t cut out for, she still holds her mother in high regard for her groundbreaking work in surgery.

Grey’s Anatomy offers insightful commentary on the challenges women encounter in their workplaces, particularly when managing family responsibilities alongside career aspirations, which can prove more daunting compared to men. Ellis, however, is a character that audiences find it challenging to empathize with as she frequently gives off an unpleasant impression towards her daughter. Meredith had valid reasons to keep her distance from Ellis and even considered abstaining from pursuing general surgery due to not wanting to emulate Ellis. Yet, the series still manages to weave another intricate storyline.

Ellis Grey’s Story In Grey’s Anatomy Explained

Ellis Grey Set Out To Become One Of The Best Surgeons Of Her Time, No Matter The Cost

During her time, women faced greater obstacles in the medical field for success; during season 6, episode 15, “The Time Warp,” Ellis was the lone female resident amidst a male-dominated program, where Richard Webber (usually portrayed by James Pickens Jr., but played by J. August Richards as a young man) was the sole Black individual. Driven and relentless in her career, Ellis found her personal life, including her husband and child, to be pesky distractions. Despite her strong professional focus, she embarked on an affair with Richard, who was also married at the time.

The specific circumstances leading to Ellis’ marriage with Thatcher (Jeff Parry) and the birth of Meredith are not fully explored, leaving us to infer that these decisions might have been hasty, influenced by societal norms of the time. Later, when Ellis learns she is pregnant with Maggie (Kelly McCreary), she chooses not to inform Richard and gives the child up for adoption. This suggests that she recognizes her own inability to care for a second child responsibly. However, she does take custody of Ellis away from Thatcher, perhaps too proud to allow him to raise a child that she didn’t want herself.

After settling in Boston, it’s plausible that Ellis leaned heavily on school and childcare services for Meredith, freeing her up to concentrate on her profession. Additionally, she places great demands on Meredith, hoping to instill the idea that one shouldn’t abandon a career for family responsibilities. Interestingly, Ellis exhibits characteristics similar to Cristina (played by Sandra Oh), who values her work above all else and even chose to terminate a pregnancy because of this. However, Meredith realizes that Ellis never truly intended to be a mother, lacking the compassion that Cristina possesses, which creates challenges for both of them.

Ellis Felt That Having Meredith Stood The Way Of Her Career In Grey’s Anatomy

Ellis’ Resentment Of Meredith Is Apparent From The Time She Was Young

Meredith believes that the burden of not loving her child as deeply as surgery might’ve broken Cristina, but Ellis didn’t seem to experience this struggle. Somehow, Ellis managed to convince herself that she could still be an influential mother by encouraging Meredith to excel. Yet, she harbored resentment towards Meredith for taking time from her work. This situation was incredibly painful for Meredith, as she’s always known that her mother didn’t want the responsibility of raising her.

In Grey’s Anatomy, Meredith finds a way to accept her situation and views her mother as a source of inspiration for her career. However, she acknowledges that Ellis was not fit to be a mom. This narrative underscores the importance of careful consideration when deciding to become a parent.

What Happened To Ellis Grey In Grey’s Anatomy

Ellis Made History As A Surgeon & Died From Alzheimer’s

Despite being a single mother, Ellis managed to achieve fame and win awards as a renowned surgeon, serving as an inspiration for many young doctors, particularly women, including Meredith. At times, it seems her criticisms of Meredith might have been unwarranted given her success. Yet, a situation where she had to forgo a career opportunity for her child may have felt more significant in the moment than it ultimately proved to be. Unfortunately, Ellis’ career was eventually halted when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

During this period, Meredith looks after her mom and keeps Ellis’ wish of not disclosing it to others. Ellis’ brief moments of clarity reveal she hasn’t mastered parenting skills, expressing regret over missed time in her own life and being harsh towards Meredith. Eventually, Ellis passes away due to the illness’s complications, an event that takes place early on in Grey’s Anatomy. This storyline is heavy, still impactful years after Ellis’ demise, but Meredith manages to carve out her own path and enjoys a fulfilling life despite her mother’s mistakes.

2025-05-18 16:43