Grey’s Anatomy Review: Leave a Light On (Season 16 Episode 16)

Given the circumstances, the ending that’s revealed for Alex Karev on Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 Episode 16, “Leave a Light On,” is the best possible scenario. 

It’s important to say “given the circumstances,” on this. In fact, there’s a big part of me that would like to write two separate reviews of this episode: one that focuses on the episode itself with no consideration for the real-life events that forced us to say goodbye to Justin Chambers’ beloved character in the first place, and one that does.

The former wouldn’t be a great review. The latter is better.

This is one of the things that makes writing about television so wildly different than writing about other forms of media — casting changes affect stories on television. Justin Chambers’ sudden exit meant the writers needed to change course and figure out the best way to write out his character, and I believe they did that, with a few exceptions.

The episode reveals Alex’s whereabouts pretty quickly as several key characters open long, hand-written letters from Alex. He reveals he’s with Izzie and their two children.

I’d actually told a few people that there was one ending for Alex that I felt like I’d be able to accept, and low and behold, this is it. The timing is terrible considering his relationship with Jo, but again, I think in this case, we do have to consider the circumstances. 

If you’ve watched Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning, you remember the epic love story Izzie and Alex had. It was complicated and tumultuous and beautiful. And no, Alex wouldn’t have left just because he realized he still loved Izzie, as he notes in those letters. But there are children involved, and that makes the difference.

It’s also smart that the embryos came back into play. It was one of the sweetest moments Alex and Izzie had in the early days of Grey’s Anatomy, and it wasn’t that long ago that Alex and Jo discussed them.

His signing over the rights could have been the ending, but there’s been a part of me that always figured there would be more to that story. Grey’s Anatomy picks that thread right back up in order to offer closure, and it’s kind of beautiful.

It also fits logically given Alex’s last episode. He says he reached out to Izzie when he reached out to so many others for letters to support Meredith. That makes perfect sense. 

And look, other endings for Alex could have been explored, but I can’t imagine anything better than allowing him to get a happy ending. He could have been killed off, like Derek, since we know he wouldn’t have left Jo under normal circumstances.

He could have just remained at Pac North, but off-screen, and that would have felt too easy and a little cheap. But letting him return to the woman he loved in the early days and bringing those embryos back into play? It’s a satisfying ending if we have to have an ending with this timing.

All of that said, the execution does leave something to be desired. As much as I do believe Alex would leave to be with Izzie because there are children involved, I have a hard time swallowing that he would abandon Jo so suddenly and secretly.

Even though Justin Chambers couldn’t be on screen, it could have certainly been part of the story that he’d returned to get his things and tell her he was going. 

I feel the same for Meredith too, if not for the others he wrote letters to. Let us see Meredith close the door behind someone who’s leaving her home — something to suggest that Alex said his goodbyes instead of slipping away in that way. I don’t believe that’s fitting for his character, regardless of how well his letters explain his choices. 

On the other hand, the letters provide the narration and the backstory that we need, so there’s that. 

We do get glimpses of Alex’s life with Izzie, thanks to apparent body doubles and visions of the house and the children. It’s maybe even a bit too much — the focus on the kids (great casting for those kids) is actually a bit too sappy and has the opposite effect that it’s going for. 

Much of the episode also includes flashbacks, which creates a nice tribute for Alex Karev. That’s the most emotional part of the episode. We watch his journey from his first day as an intern and get a reminder as to how much he’s grown and changed.

The episode allows for some reactions as well. It’s fitting that Meredith reads her letter first, and it’s fitting that aside from Jo, the characters who receive letters are original cast members only: Meredith, Bailey, and Richard. All four characters have obviously had different relationships with Alex, and it’s interesting to consider how this affects all of them.

Mostly, in fact, I like seeing Bailey’s reaction, which ultimately has her considering her own circumstances and the decision to bring Joey into her family’s home.

Is this exit for Alex ideal? No. I’d have certainly rather seen a send-off that included him, and one that didn’t have him abandon a wife he’d just re-committed himself to. Actually, I’d have rather just seen Alex stay until the end of the series. 

Given the circumstances, though, I really can’t think of a better way to end his story. Not all of the choices made are perfect, but it works and I’m satisfied with it, especially since it so beautifully picks up an older storyline and gives it closure. 

One thing is for sure, I’m going to miss Alex Karev. This exit hurts, but it at least hurts a little less that he gets a happy ending. 

What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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Justin Chambers Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Exit After 16 Seasons