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Nothing could have prepared the TV-watching world for this, not even a cryptic hint on Twitter from the Grey's Anatomy official handle warning America that it would never forget Thursday night's episode. Dr Derek Shepherd, McDreamy to fans, is dead. He was killed in a car crash midway through the episode and his body was identified at the conclusion by wife Meredith.
Actor Patrick Dempsey, who played Dr Shepherd for a decade on the medical drama, told
Entertainment Weekly: "I think it will be very shocking, the way it happens. It's really going to be powerful. But life is like that. I think any time an original cast member has left, there's always a void that will never be filled. Shepherd is a beloved character. People don't want to lose him. He's been in their lives for over 10 years. But it goes on, and it will evolve."
Entertainment Weekly, also ran this statement from Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes: "Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character-for Meredith, for me and for the fans. I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our 'McDreamy.' Patrick Dempsey's performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example-happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true-of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey's Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say: the carousel never stops turning."
The official Twitter handle put out a series of tweets grieving Dr Shepherd. This is the most recent one:
Twitter is inconsolable. #GreysAnatomy is trending as a huge outpouring of grief and shock accompanies the flatlining of one of the show's original and best-loved characters.
Fans aren't feeling very kindly towards Shonda Rhimes:
Fans also felt that without the McDreamy-Meredith romance, there's little point in watching the show: