For Grey’s Anatomy fans who began the season wondering whether Dr. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) was gay, the May 22 season finale finally offered an answer — she might just be, now that Callie (Sara Ramirez) made her move. The two-hour episode — which culminated with Callie planting a big ol’ buss on Erica outside of Seattle Grace — had us asking: For the love of The L Word, could Eri-Cal eclipse Meredith and Derek as Grey’s It Couple? Creator Shonda Rhimes hints that we may not have seen the last of this budding romance. “Callie and Erica have an undeniable chemistry,” says Rhimes. “And watching the story unfold is something the writers are looking forward to. I wanted to illuminate their relationship in the same way we do all relationships on the show — it will be funny, sweet, honest, and a little bit dirty.”
As for Smith, she doesn’t think Dr. Hahn was coming out of the closet in the last few weeks leading up to the finale. In fact, she and Rhimes specifically talked about Hahn not being gay when Smith first joined the show last fall. “Earlier this season, we felt it was too obvious that a strong, powerful woman would be a lesbian,” says Smith. “In fact, Dr. Hahn decided she wasn’t going to have a relationship at work, though clearly she came to the wrong hospital.”
Like the fans, Smith said she and Ramirez were kept guessing about their relationship until days before taping of the final episode. Even costars like Patrick Dempsey were caught off guard by the surprise kiss; Smith remembers him gasping at the table read and saying, “Are you two getting together?”
“Sara Ramirez is not a bad choice. She’s pretty hot!” says Smith. “Why not? I’m game.”
addCredit(“Grey’s Anatomy: Michael Desmond”)
Indeed I find it obvious that a strong, powerful woman has to be a lesbian. I am all for having some diversity on the show but I think it was not a surprise at all.
I’m a happily married woman, but if I was going to go gay, Sara Ramirez would definitely be my choice of woman!! Yowza, she’s hot!!
Love. Love. LOVE Callie and Erica! Way to go, Grey’s.
I couldn’t agree more, Kathy. Sara is amazingly sexy!! Now if they’d just find some reason for Callie to sing on the show…holy moly!
i think Cal-Eri works better.
Why make a sterotypical choice of a stong woman having to be gay? And finally a great looking man like McSteamy having a relationship with a “normal” looking, non stick thin person and they make her gay. Really.
I’m a little disappointed with the direction the character of Callie has taken. She is the most beautiful woman on the show. And, the kiss was hot. But, I would watch Sara Ramirez kiss a lamp post! She’s a strong woman with curves and it seems the writers never really knew what to do with her to flesh her character out. My preference would have been to see her in an interracial relationship that actually worked. ER tried and chickened out with Eriq LaSalle and Alex Kingston. C’mon, Grey’s Writers! Give us a little swirl!
no surprise. lame attempt to garner better ratings.
I’m very disappointed with the direction the show is taking with Callie and Dr. Hahn. I guess I won’t be watching the show next fall and others I’ve discussed this with won’t either.
I think it’s wonderful that everyone thinks of a lesbian woman being “strong and powerful” that’s a great stereotype!! Finally we have a gay character on Grey’s!!
Why would having gay characters necessarily be considered a grasp at ratings? Grey’s has always had one of the most diversified casts on tv, racially speaking. To me, having gay “regulars” seems like a natural. Having said that, please PLEASE, Shonda…don’t let this be a “phase” for Callie.
I’m personally disappointed in the Callie/Hahn relationship. It is entirely too stereotypical for those characters and it’s really not a surprise. I’m all for the shock value of the unexpected relationships but this one was seen coming for a while. I wish the writers could drop this relationship and become more creative with those characters. I love the show and I LOVE that Meredith and Derek are back together and the whole Izzie and Alex thing is awesome! I always loved them together and knew he was secretly still in love with her. But if they focus on Callie/Hahn too much or drag that relationship on, I’m going to loose interest pretty quickly. I want to see those characters do something more…something completely unexpected. But who knows, maybe Hahn isn’t gay and totally rejects Callie. I guess we will just have to see next season.
Why do TV shows have to bring in gayness to get ratings? This show has now sucked b/c it has to stoop that low to get ratings. Pathetic!
I saw this coming weeks ago. blah blah blah. The direction seemed sort of obvious to me.
Not entirely a surprise as they’ve been building towards it the last 5 episodes or so but it is a surprise when you look at Callie’s character since she’s been on the show. She was married to George for pete’s sake. I seriously doubt that anyone saw this coming prior to this season. Anyhow, I love it! I think that if the writers stay with this (an not make it a “phase” like Rach said) it could be a wonderful love story. The characters are such great friends and seem to get along great so hopefully this will be a long term, normal, healthy, happy relationship!