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TV isn't something I talk about much here on my blog but I'll let you into a little secret, I'm quite the avid viewer, especially of US shows! So when Panasonic got in touch and asked if I'd like to share a post about my favourite programme, I jumped at the chance. It did make me smile, as there was a time I'd be watching my favourite US TV shows in low quality on a tiny laptop screen - the complete opposite of the amazing 4KTV Panasonic sets I dream of owning but you do what you've got to do to keep up and avoid the spoilers right? Well, I used to anyway! Now I'm a mum, keeping up with my favourite shows isn't quite as much of a priority but I still look forward to watching them, snuggled up in bed with a cup of coffee (and sneaky bit of chocolate) in hand, when I can steal a few moments for myself. It's become one of those little luxuries.

Over the years, I've loved many shows from Gossip Girl to The Vampire Diaries but frankly, none of them have captured my heart quite like Grey's Anatomy and thankfully, despite being in it's 14th series, it's still going strong.

Funnily enough, many of the TV shows I love are recommendations from my mum, with Grey's being her very best to date. I think I started watching it about six or so years ago, so I had a good few series to catch up on but boy did I fly through them. It's just one of those addictive programmes that as soon as an episode draws to a close, it leaves you wanting to watch another and another, until you've lost several hours of your afternoon. Every spare moment I had between university lectures and studying was spent watching the characters I'd ever-so-quickly fallen in love with. And at the time, the escapism it provided was just what I needed.

Characters you relate to
But it wasn't just the escapism of being thrown into a world of surgical interns that captivated me. It was the characters - in particular the lead, Meredith Grey. I don't want to define her as a strong female lead because I know that's something Shonda Rhimes (producer of Grey's Anatomy and my other favourites, Scandal and How To Get Away with Murder) dislikes hearing. In interviews and articles I've read, she talks about how this statement is condescending and suggests that females aren't strong in real life and writing them this way is somehow revolutionary. And I guess, although I wouldn't initially see 'strong female lead' as any form of insult, the woman has a point!

So with Meredith, I'd rather say she is a woman, that I as a woman, can relate to. I may not have anything obvious in common with this character - I've not got the surgical skills and thankfully haven't suffered any near-death experiences *touch wood* but I just feel like there's depth to her character and elements that many women will be able to see in themselves or relate to in some way.

Relationships you're invested in
The relationships between the characters are also what makes the show what it is. Sure the romances are great but for me the friendships are even better. Meredith and Cristina's relationship was so vital to the show and between them, they have so many amazing quotes, with one of my very favourites being "he's not the sun, you are," something poignant Cristina said to Meredith about her relationship with Derek (it really resounded with me at the time.)

 The drama
And of course, how can I not mention the drama? It's a show that can literally make you laugh one minute and cry the next. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with so many oh-my-god-this-cannot-be-happening moments and often leaves you with a message that makes you think and perhaps even relate to your own life in some way.

The suspense
Grey's is known for it's disasters, there's been everything from a plane crash to super storm killing off cast members but I think the most terrifying of all has to be the hospital shooting episodes. I've watched them several times and still find them chilling. When the actor who played the shooter, popped up on Scandal the other day, I immediately recognised him and felt alarmed - that's how much of an impact he and the shooting episodes had on me.

Even though you'd hope no one would ever be so unfortunate to experience so much chaos, disaster and heartbreak in their lives as the characters of Grey's Anatomy, each event is played out so well that you don't for a second think, well this isn't very realistic! You're just so consumed by all the drama and emotion; wondering if your favourite character will live to see the next episode, that any artistic licensing is quickly accepted as truth.

Did I mention the characters are awesome?!
And going back to the characters for a second - even the ones you may not be that sure of to start with, you learn to love and the ones that probably aren't ever going to grow on you tend to get written out pretty quickly. April Kepner is probably the prime example for me - I couldn't stand her to start with but now she's a favourite, who I root for (and will be sad to see go!)

A winning combination
Strong characters with important relationships, exciting, emotive storylines and easy escapism are collectively, what makes a great TV show great and for me Grey's Anatomy ticks all of the boxes. I'm so glad my mum introduced me to it all those years ago and I hope that it sticks around for many years to come because quite frankly, I don't think I'll ever grow tired of it!

Do you have a favourite TV show that really stands out to you?

Megan x
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All opinions are my own.

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