‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Why Sara Ramirez Never Thought Callie Should Choose Between Love and Surgery
Sara Ramirez joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy in season 2. She played Dr. Callie Torres, an orthopedic surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, throughout the show. In between breaking bones, Callie suffered heartache on several occasions. However, when it comes to love and surgery, Ramirez shared why her character never needed to make a choice.
A look at Callie Torres’ (Sara Ramirez) love life on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
When many Grey’s Anatomy fans first met Callie, she was head over heels for Dr. George O’Malley (T.R. Knight). Although he had feelings for Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), George and Callie started dating quickly. The surgeons also became closer after George’s dad died in season 3. Several days following his death, the couple got married in Las Vegas.
Although Callie wanted the marriage to work, George did not. Shortly after their wedding, viewers watched as George hooked up with Dr. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl). Once Callie found out about the affair, she filed for divorce. However, the pair continued to work together until George died in season 5.
Callie continued to date after her divorce from George. She started a friends-with-benefits relationship with Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) in season 4. Additionally, Callie came out as bisexual during that season, and had a small fling with Dr. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith). Nonetheless, Callie found her true love during season 5 when she met Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw).
Sara Ramirez shared one ‘running theme’ Callie and other female characters have on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Following their initial meeting, Callie and Arizona became one of Grey’s Anatomy’s most famous couples. For several years, fans watched them fall in love, get married, have their daughter, Sofia, and face health and career setbacks. One of their biggest hurdles came in season 8 when Arizona was one of the doctors involved in a deadly plane crash. Although she survived the event, Arizona eventually had to get one of her legs cut off at Callie’s request. The plane crash resulted in Arizona cheating on Callie with Dr. Lauren Boswell (Hilarie Burton).
Callie found out about Arizona’s betrayal in the season 9 finale of Grey’s. During season 10, Callie separated from her wife and kicked Arizona out of their apartment. In an interview with Grey’s Anatomy’s blog, Ramirez explained that Callie lost herself and her career goals because of her marriage. She also said that her character and other female doctors at Grey Sloan often question if they can have a family and a career.
“I want her to choose both,” Ramirez said when asked if Callie should choose between love and surgery. “Why can’t she have it all? I want her to have it all, and I think that’s another wonderful theme that runs through Grey’s Anatomy with all the female characters. Can we put family and career first?”
Why did Torres leave ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Callie and Arizona managed to work on their marriage in season 10. However, they couldn’t sustain their relationship and officially decided to divorce during Grey’s Anatomy Season 11. Eventually, Callie moved on and dated Dr. Penny Blake (Samantha Sloyan). Unfortunately, many Grey’s fans were “forever mad” by the pairing due to Penny coming in-between “Calzona.”
When Penny decided to move to New York in season 12, Callie wanted to follow her girlfriend. However, Arizona didn’t want their daughter to leave, which caused a custody dispute. Once Arizona received full custody of Sofia, she and Callie agreed to split visitation. In season 13, Callie and Penny broke up just in time for Arizona to leave Seattle for New York so Sofia could have both moms in one city.
