Ellen Pompeo Talks About Meredith's suivant Act After Losing McDreamy 

 all but confirming that Meredith is ready to take the next step with Nathan, the stage has seemingly been set for the MD’s first serious relationship since the death of her beloved McDreamy. For her part, Ellen Pompeo says she feels an obligation to do the storyline justice — and that means regularly speaking up behind-the-scenes on behalf of her alter ego.

Grey’s Anatomy‘s Ellen Pompeo Teases the Ep That Will ‘Make Everybody Cry’

“We constantly try to find the right balance and portray a widow or widower moving on,” the actress told TVLine over the weekend at PaleyFest. “That’s a storyline that is important to me to portray in the right way. It doesn’t always go my way, but I’m constantly struggling and fighting for the character and working on the storyline to make sure that we do it justice for all the people out there that have lost their spouses.” 

much into the promos for this week’s episode, suggesting that it remains to be seen if Mer is indeed ready to move on. “We don’t know that [she] is — we have to wait and see,” she demurs. “I think the process of getting to that place is what we want to watch.”

There’s also the pesky issue of her sister Maggie harboring a crush on the same guy, a complication that has not vanished. Teases Pompeo: “Meredith’s very concerned about Maggie’s feelings.”

Sneak a peek at the aforementioned promo below, and then share your position on Mer/Nathan in the comments.

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I am glad Meredith is concerned for Maggie’s feelings . At the same time I want Meredith and Riggs together . I like the idea two people falling in love after they lost theirs to death is so amazing and touching .

Meredith is so very concerned about Maggie’s feelings that she’s lied to her countless times over the season when Maggie has given her ample opportunity to come clean about her and Nathan hooking up and Meredith having (childish playground) feelings for him.

I’d like it if at the end of the series Meredith didn’t end up with any man. McDreamy was the love of her life, and her and the fans who have been on this ride for all these years have been jilted because of his death.

I honestly love them together. We all loved Merder but Nathan is here now and they both seem to understand each other completely. They both lost the love of their life. And Mer shouldn’t worry about Maggie she’ll get over it. Sometimes you have to think of your own happiness. Team Merthan!

Sorry to say, but I’m totally underwhelmed by Nathan – let alone the idea of him and Meredith as a serious couple. Is it just me? I don’t see anything beyond the surface. (And the fact that – especially if he had darker hair, he’d resemble Patrick Dempsey to a VERY uncomfortable level – yet no one mentions that at all.) As a couple name, I think I’d call them “Meh.”

Not a Nathan fan at all, the character has added nothing of value to the show. I have no interest is seeing him with Meredith. I would love to see Meredith fall in love again after Derek’s death, I just need it to be with someone else.

I like them together. This season hasn’t been one of the better ones, imo, but maybe a bit more emphasis on Mer/Riggs would help.

Meredith should show every one that you can fall in love more than once, even after loosing the love of your life. Be with Nathan Mer. I ship this relationship 100%. And clearly a lot of other people do too. #TeamMerthan

Season 12 handled Meredith’s widow arc really well. It was definitely one of the top reasons that made the season so good. I hope they get back into it for the latter arc of this season. It’s by far more compelling and emotional than anything they’ve done all season. And by that I don’t mean keep her single. I liked her with Nathan, I just wish the drama concerning them was more mature and had a deeper meaning like the loss of spouses drama other than love triangle crap with Maggie.

Well put! The Maggie triangle is cheap crap, but exploring moving forward is honest material.

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