Cristina Yang Returned to ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ But It Wasn’t Exactly What Fans Had Hoped For

At the start of every season, Grey’s Anatomy fans ask the writers to bring back their favorite characters — no matter what the capacity. Often times, viewers beg for the return of familiar faces like Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane). But, the name that comes up the most is none other than Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) person and Twisted Sister, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). But then, on the Oct. 17 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, the Shondaland gods answered our calls, and Cristina returned — sort of.

How Cristina Yang returns to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in season 16

In the episode of Grey’s Anatomy, titled “It’s Raining Men,” a publication took Meredith’s list of article ideas about hospitals taking advantage of doctors and patients. The publication then flipped the list — without any context — into an exposé of their own, calling it “Hospital Hell at Grey Sloan Memorial.”

Seeing as Meredith’s name was attached to the piece, the recently-fired doctor felt the heat. But, no one was as fired up as Grey Sloan Memorial’s very own Chief Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson).

Of course, Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) gave Meredith a heads up in regards to Bailey’s fury. But, his message wasn’t the only warning Meredith received that day.

While serving her community service, Meredith received a text from Cristina, who moved to Zurich in Switzerland at the end of season 10.

“Move to Switzerland before Bailey murders you in your sleep,” Cristina’s text to Meredith wrote. And that’s the closest thing to Cristina’s return to Grey’s Anatomy since she “came back” for Derek’s funeral in season 11.

Fans react to Cristina Yang’s appearance on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 16

In all honesty, Cristina’s text to Meredith wasn’t exactly the big comeback we were hoping for after missing her for five long years.

“But… we need more than just a text message,” one fan on Twitter explained. “We need an actual line, an actual scene, an actual episode, with Cristina Yang herself!!!”

Nevertheless, most fans were just excited to see Cristina mentioned on the ABC series.

“THE TEXT FROM CRISTINA OH MY GOD,” a viewer tweeted.

“DID CRISTINA JUST TEXT?! I SCREAMED. SCREAMED,” another fan wrote.

And despite the lukewarm “cameo” in Grey’s Anatomy Season 16, fans were quick to point out the Cardio God is still Meredith’s person.

“Of course Meredith is texting with Cristina when she’s in trouble,” a Twitter user shared. “I love a friendship that never fades.”

Will Sandra Oh ever come back to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Cristina Yang?

In all honesty, we wish the brief Meredith and Cristina exchange hinted at an upcoming appearance by the brilliant Sandra Oh in the future. However, at this point, it seems unlikely.

Since 2018, the Golden Globe winner has been dominating in her leading role as Eve Polastri in Killing Eve. And in April 2019, Oh revealed she won’t be returning as Cristina in Grey’s Anatomy anytime soon.

When speaking with Extra, Oh was asked if she would ever reprise her role as Cristina in a cameo.

“No,” Oh answered simply. She then explained why.

“Creatively, you have moved on and while I know, and I deeply appreciate, because I can feel it from the fans, how much they love Cristina and how the show keeps Cristina alive, for me, [‘Killing Eve’] is my home now,” Oh said. “This is where I am… I am Eve and that’s where I plan to stay as long as the show will have me, and that’s really where I want to be.”

Although Oh may not come back to Grey’s Anatomy anytime soon, we’re happy her career is flourishing on Killing Eve. But, of course, Grey’s fans will always want the actress to return to the Shondaland drama — and the reactions from her “cameo” in the Oct. 17 episode prove it.

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