Since Sandra Oh left "Grey's Anatomy," no character has been able to replace her sass as Cristina Yang. As honest and sarcastic Cristina acted, she was fierce, loving and unstoppable. Cristina taught fans more than how to be a phenomenal cardiothoracic surgeon; she taught us how to be strong, capable women.
1. Her Friendship
Since Meredith and Cristina entered Seattle Grace Hospital as interns together, they became inseparable. They complimented each other in both wit and intelligence. As patients, boyfriends and a vast amount of problems came and went, their true friendship endured the worst possible traumas. Although they both aren't the most vocal about their feelings and devotion to each other, Cristina showed it everyday from offering to take care of Meredith and Derek's unborn baby, attempting to save her sister, becoming Meredith's emergency contact and many more. And let's face it, everyone needs their own "person."
"If I murdered someone, she's the person I'd call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. She's my person."
2. Her Independence
"Sometimes the future changes quickly and completely, and we're left with only the choice of what to do next. We can choose to be afraid of it, to stand there trembling not moving, assuming the worst that can happen or we step forward into the unknown and assume it will be brilliant."
3. Her Strength In Crisis
During Seattle Memorial Grace Hospital's many catastrophe's, Cristina was constantly the voice of reason while saving lives and holding others together. For instance, during the Hospital shooting Derek was shot in the chest. Without an attending's help, she had to remove the bullet from his heart as she promised Meredith she would save him. The shooter came into the ER and saw Cristina operating and held her to gunpoint. After the experience, she experienced PTSD, but was able to get herself back onto her feet.
Another example would be her taking care of her colleagues after the plane crash. Her shoulder was dislocated and she was terrified and overwhelmed. But she still helped Arizona create her leg splint, console Lexi, inform the pilot of his injury, carry Mark's body and help Meredith look for Derek and insure her best friend that everything would be okay. As her friends were either dead or asleep, she stayed up all night and took care of everyone.
"There comes a point where it all becomes too much. When we get too tired to fight anymore. So we give up. That's when real work begins: to find hope where there seems to be absolutely none at all."
From multiple relationships consisting of commitment issues, an ectopic pregnancy, a mishap at her wedding and an abortion, she proved that she would never need a man to get by, only her intelligence. She also was progressive in her thoughts that abortion should be the woman's choice of what she wants to do for her body. Despite her complicated love life, it's not to say that she didn't have loving relationships. And when she let someone in, she was always passionate.
"I lost myself for a long time, and now that I'm finally me again, I can't. I love you. I love you more than I loved Burke. I love you. And that scares the crap out of me."
5. Her Departure
As Cristina was nominated for the Harper Avery Award, it was later revealed that she was the best candidate in line, but did not win because Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is backed by the Harper Avery Foundation. After creating conduit hearts for children from a 3D printer, she was widely recognized as one of the best in her field. She then decided to travel to Zurich where her ex-fiancé Preston Burke showed her the facility's innovations in surgery, such as holographic hearts in the ER. Burke was moving with family and when Cristiana initially declined his offer he explained that he was literally leaving her this hospital. So decided to take the job of researcher, chief medical officer, and director of cardiothoracic surgery at the Klausman Institute for Medical Research.
Although her departure from the show struck fans since Cristina is irreplaceable, it taught fans the greatest lesson in all the seasons she was on your show. No matter what stands in the way, never stop following your dreams.
"You're a gifted surgeon, with an extraordinary mind. Don't let what he wants eclipse what you need. He's very dreamy, but he's not the sun. You are."
