Cristina Yang’s Legacy of Self-Respect and Career First Still Haunts Owen After 11 Years

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11 years since Sandra Oh’s departure, Dr. Cristina Yang continues to hold thematic significance within Grey’s Anatomy; this legendary character left an indelible mark on both the show and pop culture that a decade hasn’t diminished. Cristina played a pivotal role in shaping the most memorable periods of Grey’s Anatomy, particularly through her close bond with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), and their unwavering support for each other as they both excelled in their demanding surgical careers. Furthermore, Cristina’s complex love story with Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) unfolded over several seasons, starting from his introduction in season 5.

In the series “Grey’s Anatomy,” Cristina ultimately departs Grey Sloan Memorial to pursue an exceptional career opportunity in Switzerland, whereas Owen continues to appear regularly on the show. Previously, Owen had a prolonged relationship with Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) that spanned multiple seasons, but subsequently married Teddy Altman (Kim Raver). It’s worth noting that Teddy was once Cristina’s cardiovascular mentor and added to the drama when she also harbored feelings for Owen. Despite his romantic entanglements throughout “Grey’s Anatomy,” Owen’s relationship woes are conspicuous, suggesting that he may still carry the lingering influence of Cristina’s impact on his life.

Cristina Yang’s Best Grey’s Anatomy Legacy Has Been Her Ability To Always Choose Herself

Cristina Put Herself & Her Dreams Before A Failing Relationship

In essence, Cristina and Owen’s union disintegrated due to the former’s unwillingness to have children and the latter’s desire for them. While they faced numerous other issues, this fundamental disagreement remained an insurmountable hurdle in their relationship. Regrettably, they failed to address this matter before tying the knot – a hasty decision prompted by the hospital shooting incident. However, even prior to this, Cristina firmly stood her ground, indicating that she would never sacrifice her identity for a relationship, evident in a minor incident where she missed a surgery due to being with Owen.

In this scenario, when Cristina expresses that she doesn’t wish to have children, Owen becomes insistent on persuading her and views her reluctance as a rejection of his desires, thereby making the issue solely about him. This tension escalates when Cristina unintentionally gets pregnant and remains firm about having an abortion. Owen evicts her from their home, appears to accept her decision initially, then becomes upset with her about it again after several months – all while secretly cheating on her as a result of his anger. Throughout these events, however, Cristina stays true to her own aspirations and refuses to yield.

In Cristina’s mind, she often ponders how her life might look if she were to make a choice for Owen, but deep down, she acknowledges that such a decision would lead to her unhappiness. On the popular TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” characters like Meredith and Bailey (played by Chandra Wilson) grapple with achieving a balance between work and family life, especially when they become mothers. These strong, independent women excel in their professional lives while being devoted mothers. Cristina serves as a significant thematic element because she consistently prioritizes her career above all else, even in the context of relationships where she yearns to work, demonstrating her understanding of what truly makes her happy.

After a significant chance comes along, Cristina decides to step away from the show, even though it means parting ways with Meredith and Owen. In essence, Cristina’s impact can be encapsulated by her closing words to Meredith: “He is not the sun. You are.” Cristina stands out as a strong character due to her consistent prioritization of herself in an environment where society often encourages women to do the opposite. While she acknowledges that Meredith sometimes needs to make sacrifices for her family, she doesn’t allow her to forget her individual identity, which is vital for Meredith to understand and also serves as a model for her daughters.

Teddy Chooses Herself & Ends Her Marriage With Owen In Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Finale

It’s Something Cristina Would Have Done

In the climax of Grey’s Anatomy season 21, Teddy ultimately decided to end her marriage with Owen due to a long and tumultuous history marked by multiple romantic upheavals, betrayals, and family complications. Despite incidents such as Teddy dialing Owen on her wedding day while cheating on him, and Owen concealing his involvement in providing illegal assisted death to veterans, their deep-rooted past and shared children kept them trying to reconcile. The persistence of their relationship, which seemed destined by their history, was truly remarkable.

After Owen confesses his feelings for Nora (Floriana Lima) but decides not to leave Teddy due to this, Teddy ultimately walks away from him. In the final episode of the season, she successfully performs an operation deemed impossible and saves Nora’s life, realizing that just as living without Owen seemed impossible earlier, so did accomplishing this operation. As a result, Teddy decides to prioritize herself for a change, which opens up new avenues for both her romantic and professional endeavors. Owen perceives Teddy’s actions as “giving up,” when in reality, she is embracing the journeys of other strong female characters.

Cristina’s History With Owen In Grey’s Anatomy Makes Teddy’s Relationship Better

Can Owen Learn From His Relationship History?

It’s past time that Owen and Teddy ended their relationship, as it underscores issues with Owen’s personality. Specifically, when he’s in a relationship with someone he deeply cares for but doesn’t share the same life goals (typically children), he tends to resort to abusive tactics, attempting to manipulate her into altering her views. When he’s with a woman who desires a family, he remains fixated on the one who didn’t or finds ways to sabotage it. He consistently neglects the woman who seems perfect for him or her ambitions, instead creating more difficulties for her.

In essence, when Teddy makes the choice to prioritize herself over Owen, a similar pattern emerges as with Cristina choosing herself. Throughout the series, Grey’s Anatomy consistently portrays women navigating careers, families, and relationships successfully. While it can be disheartening to see relationships end, it’s important to remember the societal context in which women have historically been expected to prioritize homemaking and supporting their partners.

The storyline conveys a significant point: Characters such as Teddy, Cristina, and Maggie (Kelly McCreary) prioritize their mental wellbeing and aspirations over maintaining relationships. This decision might encourage Owen to examine himself and determine what commitments he’s willing to make to sustain a relationship, considering past experiences with Cristina, Amelia, and now Teddy. However, the narrative of Grey’s Anatomy season 21 appears to be reaching a predictable end, as Teddy is following in the footsteps of her former student, allowing her to pursue her own happiness.

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2025-06-02 01:08