Grey's Anatomy's Cristina Quandary: 4 (Mostly) Plausible Exit Scenarios For Yang

By Team TVLine Sept. 5, 2013 2:45 pm EST

Addison

Cristina Takes Flight When She Gets Her Own Wing! It would take something pretty major to tear Cristina away from BFF Meredith, especially when she’s just survived touch-and-go surgery and has a newborn at home. But an offer from Addison (Kate Walsh, who remains on Rhimes’ most-wanted list) to relocate to Los Angeles’ St. Ambrose Hospital to head up her own cardiothoracic wing would certainly qualify as the career woman’s epitome of “pretty major,” right?

Cristina Takes Flight When She Gets Her Own Wing!

It would take something pretty major to tear Cristina away from BFF Meredith, especially when she's just survived touch-and-go surgery and has a newborn at home. But an offer from Addison (Kate Walsh, who remains on Rhimes' most-wanted list) to relocate to Los Angeles' St. Ambrose Hospital to head up her own cardiothoracic wing would certainly qualify as the career woman's epitome of "pretty major," right?

burke

Burke Sweeps Cristina Off Her Feet and Out of Town! Realizing that he made the biggest mistake of his life the day he left Cristina at the altar, Burke (now played by Idris Elba — hey, we can hope!) returns ready to accept his ex-fiancee for who she is, not who he wanted her to be. And, since her proximity to Owen only serves as a painful reminder of their shattered relationship, she welcomes the chance to start over somewhere — anywhere — else!

Burke Sweeps Cristina Off Her Feet and Out of Town!

Realizing that he made the biggest mistake of his life the day he left Cristina at the altar, Burke (now played by Idris Elba — hey, we can hope!) returns ready to accept his ex-fiancee for who she is, not who he wanted her to be. And, since her proximity to Owen only serves as a painful reminder of their shattered relationship, she welcomes the chance to start over somewhere — anywhere — else!

cristina

Cristina Sets Owen Free, Returns to Mayo Clinic In the wake of her split from Owen, Cristina finds it increasingly difficult to work at Grey Sloan. Not only does her heart ache every time she passes her ex in the halls, but she knows that he won’t — can’t — move on with her around. Even with Constance Zimmer’s Alana now on staff (hey, we can hope!), he’s living like a monk rather than go after the wife and family he so craves. So Cristina accepts an offer from her old flame at the Mayo Clinic to return to Minnesota, setting both herself and Owen free to begin their lives anew.

Cristina Sets Owen Free, Returns to Mayo Clinic

In the wake of her split from Owen, Cristina finds it increasingly difficult to work at Grey Sloan. Not only does her heart ache every time she passes her ex in the halls, but she knows that he won't — can't — move on with her around. Even with Constance Zimmer's Alana now on staff (hey, we can hope!), he's living like a monk rather than go after the wife and family he so craves. So Cristina accepts an offer from her old flame at the Mayo Clinic to return to Minnesota, setting both herself and Owen free to begin their lives anew.

cris

Cristina Gives Away Her Heart! If Rhimes does decide to lay Cristina to rest, we know that (1) her death will be handled with great sensitivity, and (2) it will have a long-lasting impact on those she leaves behind. (See also: Mark’s demise.) And what would be more profoundly meaningful to both her and her loved ones than the heart doctor — critically injured in an accident — donating her ticker to save the life of someone else? We’re crying already, just thinking about it!

Cristina Gives Away Her Heart!

If Rhimes does decide to lay Cristina to rest, we know that (1) her death will be handled with great sensitivity, and (2) it will have a long-lasting impact on those she leaves behind. (See also: Mark's demise.) And what would be more profoundly meaningful to both her and her loved ones than the heart doctor — critically injured in an accident — donating her ticker to save the life of someone else? We're crying already, just thinking about it!