Shonda Rhimes Haunted by Shocking 'Grey's Anatomy' Deaths

In a recent interview, Shonda Rhimes, the legendary creator of the hit medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy', looked back on the show's 21 seasons and the difficult decisions she's had to make regarding character deaths. Rhimes revealed that she had not actually watched many episodes of the show, but recently went back and viewed the season 8 finale and season 9 premiere, which featured the shocking deaths of series regulars Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan.

Rhimes was taken aback by the grisly nature of the scenes, describing them as a "freaking snuff film." She explained that during the time she was writing those episodes, she was focused solely on serving the story, not worrying about the impact on the actors or the show's devoted fanbase. Rhimes believes her job as the creator is to be the "keeper of the story," even if that means making difficult choices.

The plane crash storyline that led to Lexie and Mark's demise remains one of the most talked-about and impactful moments in 'Grey's Anatomy' history. While the episodes generated massive ratings for the series, Rhimes now admits she finds the scenes "horrifying" in hindsight. As she continues to oversee the show in its 22nd season, Rhimes remains committed to staying true to the story, even if it means breaking the hearts of viewers.