'Grey's Anatomy' and the Para-Social Relationship We Can't Escape

Grey's is back. Last night was the 10th season premiere and most fans came into it thinking "I cannot believe that I STILL watching this show!" Why? Because it has gotten a bit out of hand as far as the melodramatics. The network knows it, the writers know it, and the fans most certainly know it. After a ferry accident, George's bus accident, a hospital killing spree and a plane crash, I think it's safe to say that Grey's gives General Hospital a run for its money (and that's not even including all of the love triangles).

So, why do we stay? We stay because we've developed a parasocial interaction (or parasocial relationship) with these characters that we just cannot escape. A parasocial interaction is a one-sided relationship in which one party knows a great deal about the other, while the other does not. Christina Yang doesn't know you, but you've been with her since she started he residency. You remember her relationship with Preston Burke and how his mother messed up her eyebrows at the wedding that never happened. You've seen her heart grow a size and a half, her relationship with Owen crash and burn over and over and over again, and last night you saw her cry over love (over love? OVER LOVE!). You're invested and that is why you, and the rest of us, stay.

I'm actually tired of Grey's at this point, but I cannot stop watching. I find myself gripping on to any glimmer of newness that I can find. "Oh my gosh Yang hugged Bailey back! Let's dance!" I believe that this will grow tiring sooner than later, but what can I do? I've been in a relationship with these people for almost 8 years. I can't give up on these fictional characters that have no idea I exist!

Next week's episode looks like we will be returning to the usual Grey's love problems foolishness. I will be sitting there watching attentively. I will still be telling Kepner to shut-up even though she can't hear me and commenting on how good-looking Avery is for the entire episode. I've settled into my dilemma and hey, you should too. Welcome to the 10th season of Grey's Anatomy.