[voiceover] We begin life with few obligations. We pledge allegiance to the flag. We swear to return our library books. But as we get older we take vows, we make promises, we get burdened by commitments, to do no harm, to tell the truth and nothing but, to love and cherish till death do us part. So we just keep running up the tap until we owe everything to everybody and suddenly think... what the.
“Tainted Obligation” · Season 6, Episode 4
In this episode: Meredith Grey (2), Miranda Bailey (1), Richard Webber (1), Lexie Grey (1)
[to Meredith] I didn't want to do this, I didn't want to have to come to you for anything, ever. So I thought if I looked up your blood type, and it was the wrong one, then that would be it. Then I could just stop thinking about it. But I can't, because you have his blood. And I know that he's not your dad, I know that he was never there for you and I would never ask you to give him anything, he doesn't deserve a thing from you, he doesn't. But he's, he's going to die Meredith. And so I'm asking you to give something to me. I'm asking, I am asking you to give me my dad, because as crappy as he was to you, god, he was wonderful to me. He never missed a single dance recital, he was there at my 5th grade graduation, what is that? That's not even real. I know he's not your dad, I know that. But somehow you have his blood, and I don't. So I'm asking you, give me my dad.
I had five interns. Four of you have been on this table. One of you has cancer, one of you died. You better not pull anything funny on me, Grey.
I have responsibilities, to make this hospital the best medical facility it can be, to repair what I've broken, even if it was twenty years ago. If I am now the bad guy, if I am now the villain here... well... so be it.
[voiceover] The thing about being a surgeon, everybody wants a piece of you. We take one little oath, and suddenly we're drowning in obligations. To our patients, to our colleagues, to medicine itself. So we do what any sane person would do. We run like hell from our promises, hoping they'll be forgotten. But sooner or later, they always catch up. And sometimes you find the obligation you dread the most isn't worth running from at all.
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