'I'm a Grey's Anatomy mega fan and here's why it should have ended after season 14'

Grey's Anatomy has been a hit with fans ever since it first graced our screens in 2005.

The ABC medical drama centres around Dr Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), tracing her journey from surgical intern to fully-fledged doctor.

The inaugural season saw Meredith and her fellow interns embark on their intern year, where they had to grapple with the pressures of hospital life.

Guided by Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr) and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Meredith, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), George O'Malley (TR Knight), and Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) were quickly immersed in the demanding world of surgery.

Throughout the seasons, viewers have been gripped by a rollercoaster of drama and death, reports the Mirror US.

From the heart-wrenching plane crash that took the lives of Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), to the hospital shooting, bomb scare, and the accident that claimed McDreamy, aka Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), there have been countless unforgettable moments.

But it's not just the dramatic narratives and shocking plot twists that keep us hooked.

It's also the characters who have captured our hearts from the very beginning, each bringing their unique charm to the show.

There was Cristina, whose biting wit and relentless ambition always elicited a chuckle, and Callie, who loved fiercely and knew her value.

Alex's transformation from a loathsome Lothario, aka "evil spawn", to a paediatric surgeon with a heart of gold was one of the many character arcs we've seen on Grey's Anatomy. However, the show, which is currently ABC's longest-running scripted primetime series, seems to have lost its touch in recent seasons.

With its 22nd season set to premiere in October, one can't help but question if it should have continued for this long?

As a TV writer and an ardent fan who has rewatched the series multiple times, I believe that Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital should have closed its doors after the 14th season.

Over the years, we've grown attached to the lead characters, from the original MAGIC intern group to the MAJAC era, following the addition of Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and April Kepner (Sarah Drew) in the sixth season.

So, when a new batch of interns were introduced at the start of the 19th season, it left a sour taste in my mouth.

With most of the main cast having departed by then, these newcomers became the focus of each episode, which felt out of place. We barely know them, so why should we care about their stories right away?

Being a One Tree Hill enthusiast, I was excited to see Sophia Bush's character, Cass Beckman, join the show. However, despite her charm and charisma, it wasn't enough to justify another season for me.

It's evident that the heart of the show has shifted with the departure of numerous long-standing stars. Thus, it seems like a missed opportunity not to have concluded with Meredith's triumphant win of the esteemed Harper Avery Award in season 14.

The series also wrapped up with the nuptials of fan-favourite duo Alex and Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), who were tragically separated by the writers when actor Justin Chambers exited the show in season 16.

As an ardent Jolex supporter, I've opted to erase season 16 episode 16 from my memory, preferring to reminisce about their blissful wedding day on the ferry boat.

The finale of season 14 also signalled the end of April and Arizona Robbins' (Jessica Capshaw) full-time roles on the show.

Naturally, it would have been the ideal way for the show to say goodbye, with April remarrying Jackson instead of Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening), of course.

Unlike its axed spin-off, Station 19, Grey's Anatomy simply doesn't have any other direction to take.

So, why not wrap up the show on a relatively positive note before all we can recall are its shortcomings rather than its triumphs, of which there were plenty.

Grey's Anatomy is available to stream on Disney Plus