Grey's Anatomy takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

[TMC]

My theory is that this show takes place in a small corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I have several reasons for this, some based on general thoughts about the series, some based on specific similarities, and some based upon real-world connections between the show and the MCU.

First, the show generally shows slightly larger-than-life characters overcoming almost supernaturally long odds. In the course of the show the team has faced mass shootings, a ferry crash, a plane crash (which members of the team were onboard for, and survived), massive storms, terrorist attacks, unexpected traumas, and an array of other trials, all without leaving their own besieged city. While this is in part because the show is a primetime drama which continually aims to shock viewers by escalating events, the regularity with which these events occur seems extreme, to the point that characters in the show even comment on the frequency of disasters (their hospital, Seattle Grace/Mercy West quickly earns the nickname "Mercy Death").

In a world of extremes like the MCU, catastrophes happen everyday – it is up to extraordinary characters to heroically overcome these odds and save lives. In this way, thematically, the show and the MCU are similar. In addition, Grey's Anatomy frequently showcases advancing technology – from drug trials to experimental vaccines to radical procedures and synthetic compounds – that might match up with the technologically advanced world of the MCU. This leads to a more specific similarity seen in episode 22 of the most recent season ("We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together").

In this episode, Cristina Yang, a heart surgeon, is invited to a cutting-edge hospital in Zurich, which she soon realizes is run by a former dalliance of hers, Burke (who left her at the altar, but let's not get too soap-opera with this). Yang thinks that Burke is trying to offer her a job in order to lure her back romantically, only to discover that he does not want to employ her, but to retire and place her in charge of his hospital. The way this plays out, and the hospital itself, is remarkable similar to scenes and elements from Iron Man 2.

First, in the hospital Burke shows off a 3D holographic modeling software program that maps the human heart in real-time. This technology amazes Yang, and is very much like the program Tony Stark uses in his workshop, right down to the manipulable model. We are still a few years away from this technology in the real-world, but it has become relatively commonplace in the MCU, and real-time monitoring of critical organs even shows up in Iron Man 3 as well, in the form of a brain mapping software developed by AIM. In addition to the similar technology in this episode, the conversation about Yang's job offer is extremely close, almost down to the dialog itself, to Tony's offering of a CEO position to Pepper Potts. In both cases, the party offering the job (Tony/Burke) struggles to find the right words to say, or even to broach the subject. The other party (Yang/Pepper) reacts indignantly, and misunderstands the other’s attempt as inconsiderate or inappropriate.

Finally, in both cases the job offer is outright stated in an exasperated burst: Tony says “You don’t understand. I’m trying to make you CEO!;” Burke’s line is “I’m not trying to hire you to work for me, I’m trying to hire you to replace me.” In both scenes this leaves the other party shocked. Only later do they begin to feel some sense of excitement or responsibility at the prospect of their new position.

The final piece of evidence that Grey’s could take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn’t come from the show itself, but from a real-world connection. Grey’s Anatomy is owned and broadcast by the American Broadcasting Network, or ABC. ABC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, which just recently acquired Marvel Studios, so both the Grey’s Anatomy show and the MCU are owned by parent company Disney. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...wned_by_Disney

Does this theory change anything about either the show or the MCU as a whole? Not necessarily. It might make the more extreme events of the show more explainable in a world constantly on the brink of cataclysm, but otherwise it is just an interesting connection. Will these two ever crossover or acknowledge these similarities in any way? Doubtful. But can you imagine how cool of a show a drama about a medical team responding to events like the Battle of New York could be?