Station 19 season 7 being the last guarantees having to say goodbye to most if not all its protagonists, but one in particular could easily return to its parent series Grey’s Anatomy. Station 19 season 7’s first half established many of its protagonists’ final storylines, hinting at the struggles SFD and Station 19 will have to face before saying goodbye to the firefighting drama. With that being the case for most characters, Andy’s ending storyline was already signaled by Station 19 season 6’s finale with her appointment as Station 19’s captain, her rightful place given her history within that firehouse.
While Andy’s happy ending would predictably result in her leading the firehouse she grew up in, other characters’ story arcs for Station 19 season 7 surprisingly pushed them away from the firehouse. Maya’s attachment to her career would unlikely cause her to retire, but Maya’s increased focus on her family in Station 19 season 7 already hinted at her smaller role in the firehouse’s future. Similarly, Station 19 season 7 already saw Jack and Theo having to retire or quit the force. Another character could be forced to face a similar fate, based on his Station 19 season 7 arc.
Station 19’s link to Grey’s Anatomy was provided by Ben Warren leaving his residency to become a firefighter, making him the connection that made many crossover events possible. Given his marriage to Grey’s Anatomy’s protagonist Miranda Bailey, his return to a more central role in the medical drama would work, especially considering how often he appeared in Grey’s Anatomy season 20. Indeed, whether because of a doctor’s appointment or a chance meeting resulting in helping the interns handle a patient’s mental health crisis with Miranda, Ben appeared in three out of five Grey’s Anatomy season 20 episodes until episode 5.
However, what hints at his possible return to Grey’s Anatomy is his Station 19 season 7 storyline foreshadowing Ben’s retirement. While only Station 19 season 7, episode 4 let Ben return to his full duties, his persistent back pain made it impossible for him to wear his gear, and episode 5 saw him secretly use drugs to perform his usual duties. Not only has Station 19 season 7 yet to tackle his back pain thoroughly, but the story could also lead to a serious illness stopping Ben from continuing as a firefighter, making his return as a doctor more likely.
While Ben consistently appeared in at least one episode in every season since Grey’s Anatomy season 6, his impact on the medical drama’s main storylines was little in the seasons simultaneous to Station 19’s. His retirement due to a serious illness would be as impactful for Station 19, as it would mean the end of his firefighting career and separating himself from his Station 19 family, as for Grey’s Anatomy, as his illness would affect Miranda’s life and likely be treated at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Ben returning in whatever capacity to Grey Sloan Memorial would also close the circle on Station 19, making his return coincide with the firefighting drama’s ending, just like Station 19’s start was prompted by his career switch. This could let most of the original Station 19 firefighters continue their lives after Ben as they did before his arrival, letting Station 19 correspond to a window into their lives through Ben’s rookie perspective at first until the end of his career and the firefighting show simultaneously.
