‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Fans Hate Meredith’s New Love Interest, But Not For the Reason You Think

The world has long been mourning the death of Doctor Derek Shepherd. Okay, maybe just Grey’s Anatomy fans have been missing the swoon-worthy McDreamy. Either way, a new love interest for Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey has been a long time coming.

However, fans are disapproving of this season’s potential fling and its been hard to sell them on the Derek Shepherd replacement.

Love has always been a tricky thing for Meredith Grey

Thinking back to when Derek (Patrick Dempsey) was still alive, their relationship, however fairy tale worthy, still had its share of ups and downs. Lots and lots of ups and downs. The entire series (and their ill-fated relationship) began when Meredith and Derek met at a bar near the hospital where he was an attending doctor and she just starting as an intern.

Unfortunately for Meredith, Derek was already married. Thus began their roller-coaster romance.

Between the drama of simply working together, to Derek’s attempts to work things out with his wife, they had a slow start to a successful relationship. Although the two eventually got (post-it note) married and started a family together, his untimely death in season 11 left Meredith heartbroken and on her own again.

Meredith has dated some since then

There have been some dates and Meredith’s signature one-night stands since then. For instance, Meredith dated Dr. Will Thorpe in Season 12, soon after Derek’s passing. In fact, he was the first guy she’d dated since her husband’s death. Ultimately, that’s why a relationship didn’t work out between the two, because Meredith was still too broken. Will seemed like a nice guy and even said he would wait for her. But, that is yet to be seen.

That same season Meredith spent some time with Nathan Riggs, but his fiance, Megan, came back into the picture unexpectedly and Meredith encouraged him to reunite with Megan.

Meredith Grey is getting back in the dating saddle

Season 15 brought some changes for Meredith. Most notably, her efforts to get back into the dating scene. At the beginning of the season she went on one blind date with John, played by fan-favorite Josh Radnor.

Unfortunately, he complained about dating desperate single moms and that was then end of that.

But, despite the bad date, this was the start of Meredith’s quest for new love.

Some fans aren’t happy with her newest love interest

We thought it would just be a diehard loyalty to Derek which would keep fans from embracing Meredith’s new man. But, that’s not the only reason viewers aren’t supportive of Meredith’s new relationship with Andrew DeLuca. As season 16 plays out, it will be interesting to see if viewers are able to get behind this budding romance.

Reddit user Crazycatgirl16 points out that writers seem to use new characters to spice up a boring plot line. “…they pull out the let’s introduce a new character card even though we have a big enough cast already.”

She laments on a message board dedicated to dissecting the lack of originality in recent episodes of Grey’s. Other common complaints on the thread include too many “surprise” pregnancies and an overuse of the “love triangle” plot line.

Both of these complaints hit home on the Deluca front. Not only was he a new character in the show for Season 15, but he also was one of two men vying for Mer’s affection. The triangle existed between Meredith, Deluca, and Link. Ultimately, Deluca is the lucky winner of Meredith’s heart. For now.

But, Deluca does have some support

Some fans have been turned to the Deluca side, perhaps more will be swayed as the season continues.

Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for both Season 16 and 17, we’ll see how long the MerLuca relationship lasts.