Grey's Anatomy: 10 Main Characters' Biggest Flaw & Best Redeeming Quality
If it's one thing Grey's Anatomy is known for, it's their cast of characters. Over 17 seasons, fans can easily point out which doctors or patients are ranked as their favorites. But even the strongest of characters can be riddled with guilt and bad decisions.
No one is perfect and that especially holds true for the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial. Even Meredith Grey has had bouts when it comes to her career and personal life. But even with their bad qualities, these characters have shown their ability to grow.
10 Meredith Grey
Flaw: Grief
The loss of a spouse is hard. Meredith went into a deep depression after Derek's death and in a sense, she's still there. What viewers are seeing now in Season 17 is her finally coping with it or deciding she wants to reunite. Her misery has enabled her to see a bigger picture. She knows she should move on but she won't let herself.
Redeeming Quality: Mother
Meredith was all business when she came to Seattle Grace. It was her and Cristina against the world and she was in her element. But with Derek, she started a family and those selfish ways vanished. Now a mother a three beautiful kids, Meredith proved that she can love something other than surgery.
9 Richard Webber
Flaw: Responsibility
Richard is a great surgeon but his flaws are as clear as the air we see on a cold day. For starters, he cheated is Adele with Ellis Grey. Had a child but oddly knew nothing about her. When he did find out, they both often act as if neither is of the same DNA.
Redeeming: Teacher
He's a master in the operating room but his real skills have come in the classroom. It's Richard who taught mostly everyone at the hospital. He understands surgeons better than anyone and he's great at finding their weaknesses and turning them into strengths.
8 Jackson Avery
Flaw: Childlike
Jackson grew up with money. Then he became a surgeon and earned more. But in that time, has anyone really held Jackson accountable for his childlike behavior? He doesn't mean to come across as a brat but his actions are those of a child throwing a tantrum when things don't go his way. His movement with women is proof of that.
Redeeming: Wants A Family
Jackson can be hard on his mother and vice versa. But he does love her dearly. His exploits with the women in Grey Sloan and Vic from Station 19 shows that he's searching for love, just going about it the wrong way. He wants a family, it's just finding the right woman.
7 Jo Wilson
Flaw: The Past
Jo has overcome so much in her life that in a sense she deserves her moments where she vents. At some point, the writers must give her a destination. From her ex-husband to the abandonment by her mother and now Alex, Jo must let go of that past and build that bright future.
Redeeming: Strong
What was so special about the union between Jo and Alex was that they both overcame such hardships. Jo is a strong character and despite the flaws mentioned above, she is still standing. If she can get past that darkness that's haunting her, all will be well.
6 Miranda Bailey
Flaw: Superwoman
Miranda Bailey is the glue that holds Grey's Anatomy together. She doesn't own stock in the hospital like some of the other doctors, but without her, Grey Sloan Memorial will fall. However, Miranda takes on too much which nearly caused her own death. She's the Chief, the advocate, and the mother of everyone at Grey Sloan Memorial.
Redeeming: Great Advice
Miranda wears plenty of hats. But the one that fits her so well is that of the mother figure. Miranda has watched surgeons such as Meredith, Cristina, Alex, George, and others grow into great doctors. When advice is needed, it's normally Miranda who they run to. Heck, even Richard has been known to reach out to her when things are tough for him.
5 Owen Hunt
Flaw: Aggressive
Owen Hunt has a tendency to be overly aggressive. He wanted a family with Cristina, so much so that he drove her away. Owen went after Amelia and tried to force a family on her as well. It didn't work. He then went after Teddy. He's not a bad guy, he just has to find the balance needed in his life.
Redeeming: Family Man
Even with all that aggression, Owen wants to be a family man at heart. As fans have witnessed the last two seasons, Hunt is a great dad. His relationships haven't worked in his favor but that hasn't stopped him from wanting more.
4 Amelia Shepherd
Flaw: Selfish
Amelia has been down on herself ever since she arrived in Seattle. An ex-addict looking for a new start, Amelia had a hard time fighting off her demons. She lost her brother Derek, then her husband Owen while dealing with a brain tumor. Amelia was in a dark place and was more focused on what she wanted instead of compromising for others.
Redeeming: Change
Her flaws are what makes Amelia such an interesting character. Amelia is headstrong much like her brother Derek but Amelia also learned the power of change. Not one seeking marriage or family, Amelia took a look in the mirror and knew she was wrong. It took her some time to figure it out, but when she did, she became a better person.
3 Teddy Altman
Flaw: Confusion
Teddy began as a fan-favorite character on Grey's Anatomy but slowly morphed into a hated one. Owen poured his heart out to her and she rejected him. She returned to Seattle pregnant and kept it a secret from Owen. Then, once they got together, Teddy, right before their wedding day, decided to continue her affair with Koracick.
Redeeming: Her Heart
This may not go over well with fans but Teddy is a victim of her own good heart. Think about it, she's loved Owen forever but stood back as he went through his own progression with other women. And although cheating is frowned upon, it was Tom Koracick's heartbreaking story about his past that drew Teddy in. Her heart is big but clouds her decision making.
2 Maggie Pierce
Flaw: Aloof
What has hurt Maggie's growth on Grey's Anatomy has been her inability to mesh well with her peers. Maggie is super intelligent and is a great surgeon but she's also out on an island. While her relationship with Meredith and Amelia has flourished, that's due to them living together and being sisters. Maggie has yet to really connect with others on the staff.
Redeeming: Good Friend
Maggie may not be the best when it comes to large crowds but she is trustworthy. The mere fact that she isolates herself makes her a good person to trust, especially where secrets are concerned. When someone has to get something off their chest, it's Maggie they usually go to. She's the keeper of secrets at Grey Sloan.
1 Andrew Deluca
Flaw: Refuses To Accept Help
Deluca is fighting an illness he never wanted. His father suffered from bipolar disorder and now Deluca is fighting that same battle. He's intelligent but the illness has taken its toll on his mental stability. Deluca's inability to realize he needed help almost cost him his profession and the woman he loves.
Redeeming: Karev 2.0
Andrew Deluca is the next Alex Karev. Deluca has his complicated ways about him but he cares. Alex's misgivings were often due to him doing what was considered too much by the other doctors but they learned to understand why he did what he did. It's the same with Deluca. His heart is just too big to watch others suffer. He may go overboard but he does so with a purpose.