What's Next For Alex Karev?
The new TV Guide feature on Grey's Anatomy - with its dual covers of Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey - lacks much of anything on Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers). He came into his own last year, and fans want to know what's next.
A reader wrote in to TV Guide about this and here is how Matt Roush replied ...
Q: I just read the Grey's Anatomy article in the new issue of TV Guide. I was extremely disappointed that there was no mention of Alex's character. Do you know if there will be any major storyline for the character in Season 5? Alex fans (well, me at least) have been waiting season after season for a major arc for him. He's the only original intern that has not had a major arc focused on him. It's about time, don't you think?
A: All I know is what we printed, and I consulted the editor of the piece, who says nothing about Alex was left on the cutting-room floor. So the answer is: I don't know (and if I was sitting on a Grey's Anatomy spoiler, I probably wouldn't share), but it's hard to imagine him not being involved in at least some of the major storylines, and I'm thinking whatever they have in store for Izzie would probably have some impact on Alex. I agree he's a terrific character, one of my favorites, and I enjoy the way Justin Chambers plays him, but that's possibly because he hasn't been overused. His most prominent storyline was the Jane Doe/Ava/Rebecca relationship, which seems to me a pretty major arc (although one that probably went on too long). The most common gripes I hear about Grey's Anatomy come from fans of any character who isn't Meredith or Derek. Face it. They're the stars, and the others are satellites who shine bright at key points of the season, but they're not the engine and they'll probably never be.
August 25th, 2008 9:13 AM
True, very true. Mer & Der are the stars. No doubt. Afterall, Mer is the Grey in Greys Anatomy. And Der, well, he's her McDreamy. That's always the way the fans have wanted it. With all the complaints from fans about the other characters and who's together (or not together) with who, the one consistent thread through all comments and postings and all words of fans is that they want MerDer together and they want to see more MerDer moments. Always. My guess is that Shonda and writers are very quiet about Alex right now, b/c Shonda has already said that she has a huge love story coming down the pike for Izzie and she wants all of us fans wondering if it's Alex. I certainly hope not, but she is trying to keep us wondering. Alex is great, just the way he is. Every year we learn more, are intrigued more. But we don't get overdosed on Alex. and that just works.
August 25th, 2008 10:52 AM
Sorry greysaddiction, but I'm going to disagree with you. Not all the fans of the show are interested in Mer & Der, not all the fans want to see more MerDer moments. I certainly don't. The show is an ENSEMBLE after all. The point of it has always been the five original interns and their journey in life and love: Meredith, Alex, Izzie, Cristina and George are the essence of the show. Derek comes on as an extension of Meredith's storyline because he's her love interest and that's all he's been in the last 4 seasons. He's never had his own storyline and everything he does is part of Meredith's story. Alex, Izzie, Cristina and George are more main characters than Derek because they get their own storylines and aren't around just to prop Meredith.
The show can't stand on it's own if they make it the MerDer story because the truth is the heart of the show has been and will always be the friendship and bond of the 5 core characters.
I think Alex wasn't mentioned much in the TV Guide feature because he's part of one of the other storylines that got mentioned. The most likely is he'll have a part in how the Izzie storyline plays out. Alex and Izzie have always had moments in each others storylines and I don't expect it to be any different next season even more so now that they have become closer friends as we saw in the season finale. I also think we'll be learning more about Alex's history with his abusive father and sick mother and that's why his name wasn't mentioned in the feature about the love stories in season 5.
August 25th, 2008 11:55 AM
i agree with both of you..if merder werent together i bet alot of people wouldnt watch the show because theyd get sick of not having them together anyway ..i hope alex will have a part this year i think they all need something new and i think theyll have something big this year for everyone? like george and lexie, and meredith and derek of course, but christina has someone new the army doctor and then theres izzie and alex? and markk! he needs a good role and callie and erica? well seaon 5 is goin to be great i cant wait! and alex does need a break for being an ass they should show another side of him like in the end of season 4 when he was with izzie:]
August 25th, 2008 12:08 PM
I think they should bring Alex abck like he was in season 3 with Ava, so much better. In season 4, especially at the end, with Izzie, he was so awful and terrible, I hated him.
August 25th, 2008 2:36 PM
Adrea - agree 100%. I definitely do not watch for Mer/Der or their moments. I watch for all the other characters, with Alex and Cristina being my favorites. I'm hoping both will get some major story in season 5!
August 25th, 2008 3:53 PM
I agree that Alex is REALLY underused.He is still the most uncomplete character on the show.Weaker characters,like Calli and George(who always has some major storyline)have gotten more time.The show needs a new twist or edge and I feel Alex is one of the musts for it.So is Sloan and Yang.I really love Alex because he is the most human character,with more faults than the others.PLEASE let him get something,and not something awful like Eva,who was wooden to say the least.
August 25th, 2008 4:26 PM
I don't watch for MerDer. I watch for george and Izzie. Alex, he is a true caricature and I couldn't care less about him. I also think Justin way overacts.
August 25th, 2008 4:59 PM
I watch for Gizzie and George, Izzie and Lexie too. I hate Alex, he is not human, he is a self-centered abstard who is cruel and never apologizes.
August 25th, 2008 8:31 PM
I have to disagree. Alex is in fact one of the least self-centered people on the show. It appears that he gave up his childhood to take care of his parents, and has taken care of Izzie, just to get his heart trampled on. People don't like him because he's honest and closed off (and can you blame him?). He has his faults and he deals with them the best way he can. Alex is great, because in those few moments when he opens up you can see a great amount of pain bottled up. I truly believe Justin Chambers is hands down the most talented male on the show and the fact that he has never been nominated is an insult. I really hope they give him something. I don't appreciate this whole "you like him due to underexposure" crap. I want more Alex. Yang and Sloan too.
August 25th, 2008 8:37 PM
I don't watch for MerDer. I like all the 5 interns, but my favorite is Alex, that is very underused. I want more Alex in season 5.