Meredith Grey

[Fortunate Fiasco]

I don't want to get virtual tomatoes pelted at me or anything, but I have read many a review that has expressed Ellen as a weak actress for the central character...and I thought this might be a good topic of discussion.

I have thought about this long and hard and my opinion has actually changed over time, at first I didn't really think that Ellen was a very strong actress compared to the other characters, especially actresses like Sandra Oh & Kate Walsh...Like for example when Meredith breaks down in bed with George, that sort of seems very fake crying whereas Sandra can express so much in just a look. So in comparison I felt she paled a lot.

I also found her voice quite irritating for a long time, it always sounds slightly rough, and I've gotta be honest that put me off slightly.

Anyhow, I really think that Ellen's acting has improved a lot since the beginning of Grey's...I do think that the trials and tribulations that Meredith has gone through as the main character has strengthened the character anyway...but still I feel that maybe in comparison to other actors/actresses on the show she isn't the strongest, but I could never imagine anyone else playing Meredith. I think maybe I feel this way too because if I'm honest Meredith has never been a favourite character of mine, I don't have too many similarities with her character and maybe thats why I feel 'I know her less' if that makes sense. I'm trying to think of an episode where I felt that Ellen's acting just blew me away and I laughed and cried with her, normally if an actor/actress can do a scene that makes you cry along with them I consider them good lol! I duno if I've ever had that with Ellen despite Meredith's bad luck, but I do bow down to her performance as high Meredith in 'What I am' she totally cracked me, and that scene between her and Addison was really well done.

[Silent Noise]

I’ve also read a lot of options on this subject; and a lot actually dislike her with a passion. But I think if they dislike the main character so much then why do they watch the show? Or How can they stand to watch it? I know I couldn’t.
I personally like Meredith and a think Ellen goes a good job, but when compared to Sandra Oh and Kate Walsh and some of the other she is a lot lower on the scale. Though I haven’t seen those scenes what you mention ^ I have found myself finding some of the things Meredith does unbelievable - if that makes sense? She just doesn’t deliver some of her lines right??
I also found her voice a little annoying / and still do at times but I just got use to it.
I agree though Ellen=Meredith.

[Serotonin]

People tend to take a look at the character more than the acting. If they don't like the character then they don't like the actor/tress. It's harsh but it happens.

I'm not a hater, but I dislike Meredith's character for reasons I won't go into. But that has nothing to do with what Ellen is capable of as an actress. That's the way it's written and just the way it is. It's one of those things. To be honest, there are moments where I just think she does an awful job, really hashes it. But other times it is so damn good, even if I hate the character I have sympathy. For me, that takes quite a lot. That is acting.

There are bad times in there for everyone, even the bigger stars. To be fair when she went into it she was nowhere near as big as some of the other cast members. So that put her at a disadvantage straight away - having more recognisable people to pit herself against. I think she did well to hold her own when it started out, it couldn't have been easy with so much competition. Compared to them she is just plain inexperienced - but that isn't anything she really has any control over.

She has improved since the beginning, no doubts about it for me. That may have something to do with learning from and befriending her fellow cast members, you just don't know. But she has grown. However, it will be hard for me to ever see it as others do simply because I do not like Meredith. I can't help that.