Grey's Anatomy's Richard Webber’s Addiction Was Never His Worst Moment

Summary:

• Grey’s Anatomy is an ABC medical procedural drama on the air since 2004.
• Richard Webber, portrayed by James Pickens Jr., is one of the original characters, who’s been present from the beginning.
• Although the character plays the role of mentor in the lives of many others, he isn’t very loved by the fandom.
• The main reason for that is his neglectful and toxic relationship with his wife, Adele.

If there are two things you definitely shouldn't try to learn from Grey's Anatomy, it's all about medicine and all about relationships and love. Though entertaining on screen, the drama is far from realistic in both of these areas, making characters suffer for no other reason than to entertain the viewer.

While the medical side is quite understandable, as it wouldn't be a procedural without a few things being overlooked for better dramatic effect, the love and relationship aspect will make even the most stoic soap lover cringe at some point. It seems that no one who works at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is capable of acting like a responsible adult.

Through breakups, divorces, messy custody battles, and even deaths, fans can only hope that at least one relationship on the show thrives without additional challenges. However, if no one on Grey's Anatomy ever repeats Richard Webber's marital sins, that would be victory enough for the majority of fans.

Richard and Adele Webber’s Story

There aren't many people on the show who can claim to have anyone's respect at this point, because in 20 years of TV drama, there aren't many characters who haven't been touched by bad writing decisions. However, Richard Webber, who has been begging to be retired since the first year, may be the worst example of all.

At this point, the audience already sees him as an incompetent boss because of all his addiction problems and all the medical rules he's broken in dealing with them. But that wasn't the original reason people lost all respect for Dr. Webber and all hope of regaining it.

His worst crime so far is the unfair treatment of his wife, Adele.

Throughout his life, this woman has been there to help him overcome challenges and build his career. In return, he showed nothing but disrespect and general neglect. The woman knew about his professional affair with Ellis Grey but didn't want to leave him, hoping it would end one day.

Unfortunately, his work came first, no matter what she said or did. Adele lived her life selflessly, denying herself too many opportunities for Richard's sake when he failed to show up for her family even in times of desperate need, like Camille's cancer.

There's no justification for Richard Webber's past, just as there's no real way for his character to earn the audience's respect now. Though it's unlikely to happen in season 20, many believe that retiring him would be the best solution of all.

Tune in to the season 20 premiere of Grey's Anatomy on March 14 on ABC to see what happens!