Colin Snow
In the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. is a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. Over the course of the series, she embarks on several relationships with fellow doctors, including Preston Burke, Owen Hunt, and Meredith Grey. While there is mention of Yang having sexual relationships, there is no specific indication that she sleeps with an old guy. However, while in Minnesota, Yang does develop a friendship with a near-retirement cardio surgeon, Craig Thomas, whom she teases about his old age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character | Cristina Yang |
| Show | Grey's Anatomy |
| Actor | Sandra Oh |
| Character's profession | Surgical intern, later a cardiothoracic surgical fellow |
| Romantic relationships | Owen Hunt, Preston Burke, Dr. Parker |
| Miscarriage | Yes |
| Abortion | Yes |
| Old guy's name | Craig Thomas |
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What You'll Learn
Cristina Yang's relationship with Dr. Parker
Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy. During her time on the show, she had a sexual relationship with Dr. Darren Parker, the head of surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Yang initially left Seattle to work at the Mayo Clinic, but had difficulties adapting to her new colleagues' way of working. She developed a friendship with a near-retirement cardio surgeon, Craig Thomas, who she teased about his old age. She also began an affair with Dr. Parker, which resulted in quickies in his office. Through her, Dr. Parker was informed of the old surgical procedures that Dr. Thomas was using.
During a phone call with her friend Meredith Grey, Cristina revealed that having sex with Dr. Parker was her way of trying to fit in and make friends. She confessed that she didn't even like Dr. Parker, but that it wasn't necessary to like a sex friend. She did, however, become regular friends with Dr. Thomas, telling Meredith that he was her best friend in Minnesota. She reassured Meredith that Dr. Parker was fine and that it was just a way to get an orgasm.
Cristina and Dr. Parker's relationship was not without its challenges. On one occasion, Cristina went to Dr. Parker's house to ask him about his issues with Dr. Thomas. He was disappointed that she came to talk about work rather than have sex. He told her that they couldn't fire Dr. Thomas, only force him to retire, and that telling her this broke several board regulations. Cristina interrupted him and asked him to name one mistake that Dr. Thomas had made. He admitted that Dr. Thomas was years behind in his medical education, which Cristina had pointed out herself.
After Dr. Thomas died from a heart attack, Cristina returned to Seattle. Her relationship with Dr. Parker appears to have ended at this point, as there is no mention of them continuing their affair after her return to Seattle.
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Yang's friendship with Craig Thomas
In the popular TV series Grey's Anatomy, Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., develops a friendship with a near-retirement cardio surgeon, Craig Thomas, played by William Daniels. After moving to Minnesota, Yang meets Dr. Craig Thomas, who is on the board responsible for officiating fifth-year residents such as herself. Yang initially resents Thomas, believing that his old-fashioned approach to medicine means he has nothing to teach her. However, as they work together at the Mayo Clinic, she grows close to him and comes to respect his wisdom.
Yang and Thomas' friendship is peculiar because he is her superior and mentor, but this does not stop them from forming a close bond. Yang constantly teases Thomas about his age, and they share great banter. Thomas is the only person in Minnesota who makes Yang feel like she belongs, and he enjoys having another surgeon to talk to who does not patronise him. Their friendship is also beneficial to Yang's surgical skills, as she learns about cardio from Thomas.
Despite their close relationship, some fans argue that Yang and Thomas were not technically real friends. Their friendship is brief, and after Thomas dies suddenly during surgery, Yang never mentions him again and does not grieve for him. However, Yang is visibly heartbroken by his death, and his passing is the impetus for her to move back to Seattle.
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Yang's marriage to Owen Hunt
Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy. She is portrayed by actress Sandra Oh. Yang is introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital and eventually becomes a cardiothoracic surgical fellow.
Yang meets Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), an army trauma surgeon, when he treats her for a stab wound to the stomach from a falling icicle outside the hospital. The pair are immediately attracted to each other and share a brief kiss. Hunt is later honorably discharged from the army and is hired as Seattle Grace's chief of trauma surgery. Yang and Hunt begin a flirtation, and Yang grows emotionally, deciding to support her friend Meredith in her relationship with Derek Shepherd. However, Hunt has repressed memories of his time in Iraq and PTSD, which causes him to behave erratically and even attack and strangle Yang while asleep. Yang attempts to be emotionally supportive but ends their relationship as she is afraid of sleeping next to him.
Despite this, the pair eventually rekindle their relationship. Owen brings in Teddy Altman, his friend and colleague from the army, as the new head of cardiothoracic surgery. When it is revealed that Hunt and Altman may be potential lovers, Hunt and Yang's relationship is challenged, and eventually concluded by Yang. During a hospital shooting, Owen is shot and injured, attracting the sympathy of Cristina, who subsequently restores their relationship. Due to the emotional reverberations of the shooting crisis, Owen and Cristina decide to wed each other shortly after their reconciliation, not wanting to risk separation. There are some concerns from Cristina's friends that Owen is taking advantage of her PTSD to rush her into marriage, which she had previously decided against.
In Season 9, Cristina and Owen's marriage is strained. Cristina is working at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, while Owen is in Seattle. Owen has an affair with an unnamed friend of a patient, which leads to a break in their relationship. Cristina eventually returns to Seattle, and Owen asks for a divorce. However, he later shows that he is still in love with her and only asked for a divorce so that Cristina and the others involved in the plane crash could get the money. Cristina and Owen reconcile before Miranda Bailey's wedding. In Season 10, Cristina decides to accept a job at a state-of-the-art clinic in Switzerland. Owen supports her decision and spends the two weeks leading up to her departure with her.
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Yang's abortion without telling Preston Burke
During her internship, Cristina Yang has an on-and-off relationship with the chief of cardiothoracic surgery, Preston Burke. Yang and Burke's relationship leads to an accidental pregnancy, and Yang schedules an abortion without informing Burke due to his behaviour towards their lack of relationship status. Yang confides in her friend Meredith Grey, arguing that she is too young and too talented a surgeon to have a child. However, before the abortion can take place, Yang experiences an ectopic pregnancy and collapses in the operating room due to a burst fallopian tube. Following this incident, Burke discovers her pregnancy, and they resume their relationship after her miscarriage.
Yang's decision to terminate her pregnancy is a significant moment in the show, as it portrays her as a strong and independent woman who makes a choice that breaks the taboo surrounding abortion in American television. This plotline showcases Yang's unwavering dedication to her career and her resolve not to have children, which is further emphasised by her later break-up with Owen Hunt due to their differing desires for children.
Yang's abortion also sparks a conversation about the relationship between religion and television. While her decision is not criticised for religious reasons or portrayed as a divine retribution, it does prompt discussions about unwanted pregnancies and introduces a religious perspective on the topic later in the series.
It is important to note that while Yang's abortion is a pivotal moment for her character, it is not the only factor influencing her relationships. Burke, for instance, is criticised for not seeing her as an equal and using ultimatums to get his way. Their relationship ends on their wedding day when Burke leaves Yang at the altar, publicly humiliating her.
Overall, Yang's abortion without telling Preston Burke is a bold narrative choice that showcases her character's independence and commitment to her career. It also contributes to broader conversations about abortion, religion, and personal relationships.
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Yang's relationship with Dr. Shane Ross
Cristina Yang is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy. Her relationship with Dr. Shane Ross is one of her key storylines.
Shane Ross is a resident at the Klausman Institute for Medical Research under Cristina Yang. He was previously a surgical resident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Yang and Ross's first fling occurs in Season 10, Episode 10, "Somebody That I Used to Know." Shane overhears Cristina telling Alex that she performs better in surgery when she's having frequent sex. He then offers his services to Yang, and they begin a sexual relationship. Yang also becomes his mentor, passing on the skills she learned from Altman.
Ross eventually leaves Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital to work with and learn from Yang in Zurich at the Klausman Institute for Medical Research. He sees this move as a fantastic way to develop his education and work with some of the world's most intuitive equipment. Yang agrees to take him with her, and they start a new professional life together.
In reality, the actor who played Shane Ross, Gaius Charles, was only given a short-term contract, which is why his character arc was cut short. Despite his short run on the show, he was involved in several intense storylines.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Cristina Yang does not sleep with an old guy. While in Minnesota, she develops a friendship with a near-retirement cardio surgeon, Craig Thomas, who is described as an "old guy". However, their relationship is platonic, and they work together on surgeries.
Cristina Yang, a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, has several relationships throughout the show. She has an on-and-off relationship with Preston Burke, her mentor and chief of cardiothoracic surgery, and they get engaged. She also has relationships with Owen Hunt, a trauma surgeon, and Dr. Parker.
Cristina breaks up with Owen due to his psychological trauma from his time in the army, which manifests as PTSD. Owen's PTSD causes him to strangle Cristina in his sleep, and she breaks up with him out of fear for her safety. Additionally, Owen cheats on Cristina, further straining their relationship.
Yes, after breaking up with Owen, Cristina begins a mentorship and sexual relationship with Dr. Shane Ross, a second-year resident. She also forms strong friendships with Meredith Grey, her "person," and Callie Torres, who supports her during her breakup with Owen.
