'Grey's Anatomy' theory explains why the series experiences so much heartbreak every season

Each fan of “Grey’s Anatomy” has probably, at one point or another, asked how Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital could ever take that much drama everyday. From the bomb threats to the plane crashes and shootings, there is definitely a surplus of rollercoaster stories -- which might just be covering the true underlying narrative.

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The stories that have made up the entire 13 seasons have been heartbreaking. And while Shonda Rhimes’ might just be behind everything -- how could the series have lasted otherwise? -- there might be an actual reason fo rthis. A theory from Entertainment Weekly describes that all the drama might just be hiding something even more heartbreaking.

The theory that Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) actually has Alzheimer’s disease has been thrown about before. Especially since her mother, Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), died from the same illness. Meredith herself tested positive for several genetic markers for Alzheimer’s in season 9.

It was actually in the pilot episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” when the disease was first incorporated into the show. At that point, Meredith’s voice narrations were part of stories that she was telling her mother, who then lived in an assisted facility. But Ellis died in season 3, and the publication strings together that Meredith could be narrating the subsequent seasons to her children instead. Adding in dementia to this equation could explain why the stories have gotten more and more far fetched as the series has progressed. Meredith, in essence, has blended in fiction to her reality.

If this proves to be true, the “real” ending of various characters could actually be different. For instance, Derek Shepherd’s (Patrick Dempsey) death might not have been as tragic as “Grey’s Anatomy” audiences saw. He could have, instead, simply chosen to leave Meredith -- but her disease might have altered this part of her past.

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This theory will remain a theory until the series comes to a close, but there is no doubt that the it is becoming more and more plausible. “Grey’s Anatomy” returns to the small screen in the US on Jan. 19 via ABC News. It also airs on Channel 7 in Australia.