‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Finally Reveals Dr. Winston Ndugu’s Tragic Backstory
Grey’s Anatomy fans still don’t know everything about the newer characters. Winston Ndugu (Anthony Hill) joined the show in season 16. The latest episode revealed his unfortunate family history.
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from the Grey’s Anatomy episode “Road Trippin.”]
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ introduced Winston’s brother
The episode “Road Trippin” showed Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) and Winston preparing to do the Ross procedure on a young girl. It’s a cutting-edge heart surgery that only a few have done before. Maggie’s patient is a young girl, which makes it even more unique. The girl’s family drove from Boston because it was too risky to fly.
Winston’s brother, Wendell (Rome Flynn), also surprised him right before the surgery. He apologized for not making it to their wedding, but he revealed he has a job as a medical sales representative.
Later Wendell talked to Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), who was temporarily acting as Chief of Surgery, to pitch him drone technology that could transport a defibrillator. Owen seemed impressed, but Winston was offended. He pulled Wendell aside and found out his brother got the job by using his name and lying, saying he knew Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.).
Winston was furious about this and was close to giving up on the surgery. Maggie asked him if he was in the right headspace to do it, and he revealed his tragic backstory.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ finally reveals Dr. Winston Ndugu’s tragic backstory
Winston revealed why he was so angry at his own family. “My mom had cancer,” Winston told Maggie. “Wendell and my dad, they flipped out on the outside. Wendell would get into fights with anyone who crossed him, and my dad drank and just threw away money. He landed in jail a few times. Even after everything he put us through the years, mom forgave him, and she would use her money for her treatment to bail him out.”
Winston admitted he was freaking out but kept it to himself and started having panic attacks. He almost lost his fellowship and blamed his family for it. The doctor said he’s not letting his brother affect him again.
The married couple did the surgery together. Luckily, they were successful in the end, and Winston had a few words for his brother.
Who is Rome Flynn?
This isn’t Flynn’s first Shondaland role. He previously played Gabriel Maddox in seasons 5 and 6 of How to Get Away with Murder. His character was a law student of Annalise’s (Viola Davis) and the son of Sam Keating (Tom Verica).
It’s unclear if Flynn will have more episodes on Grey’s Anatomy. But the end of the new episode shows the brothers plan to spend more time together, and Winston will even introduce Wendell to more doctors. So it’s possible fans will get to watch that.
