What Happened To Mika In Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, Episode 8? Midori Francis’s Exit Explained

Mika Yasuda’s arc has been eventful in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, and its midseason finale wrapped up her storyline at last, doing so bittersweetly considering what her departure from Grey Sloan Memorial can mean for some characters. Midori Francis’s exit from Grey’s Anatomy was announced as season 20 was still airing, making it possible for the medical drama to craft an impactful exit storyline that would do justice to Mika Yasuda. Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 8 seemingly did so, letting Francis show her range in her farewell episode and setting up a different balance within the intern group.

Grey’s Anatomy season 21 started awesomely for Mika, who had not only been readmitted to the OR but also shared a moment with Jules in Grey’s Anatomy season 20’s finale. However, Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 3 already hinted at how her arc before Francis’s departure would have been heartbreaking, as her younger sister Chloe had gotten a cancer diagnosis and she had to grapple with that and taking care of her. Mika and Chloe’s car accident only made things worse, with Chloe dying in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 7 effectively making Mika responsible for her sister’s death.

Mika Officially Leaves In Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, Episode 8

Mika Survived The Car Crash But Chloe Didn’t, Affecting Her Greatly

Mika seemed to take her sister’s death better than expected in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 8, at least based on her willingness to return to work to form a new routine. However, assisting Bailey as their patient went into cardiac arrest brought Mika back to the day of the car accident and how it was her fault. Mika’s heartbreaking outburst asking Bailey to “save her” and “to take her” instead showed how much she blamed herself for Chloe’s death, along with her inability to walk Grey Sloan’s halls without seeing Chloe wherever she went.

Mika didn’t hide her difficulties from the other interns, instead relying on them, especially Jules. The two finally hooking up nonetheless made the matter even sadder after Mika spoke with Bailey. While Bailey only wanted Mika to rest for longer, Mika was sure that seeing Chloe everywhere around Grey Sloan wouldn’t have changed with more rest. This restricted Mika’s choices, effectively making her realize the only way she could have moved on included leaving Seattle altogether, thus simultaneously making Mika’s departure the best thing for her now and incredibly miserable based on what that would mean for Mika and Jules.

Mika’s story arc in Grey’s Anatomy season 21 was painful because of what she had to go through, but dealing with Chloe’s death also gave Midori Francis the best possible storyline to showcase her acting skills, something likely on her mind given her reasons that pushed her to leave the medical drama. Indeed, while offscreen drama persuaded other Grey’s Anatomy actors to leave the show, Midori Francis’s exit was described as “amicable” and motivated by Francis wanting to take the “next step” in her career.

Can Mika Still Return To Grey’s Anatomy?

Mika’s Return Can Happen, But Not Anytime Soon

Mika’s departure from Grey Sloan set her up to get better, despite the bleak picture Grey’s Anatomy season 21 painted of her emotional state. While her arc motivated well why she couldn’t stay at Grey Sloan Memorial anymore, it also gave Mika the possibility to return in the future for a visit, when she finally processes Chloe’s death. However, Grey’s Anatomy must give Mika the time to heal before setting up her possible return, especially after it forced her to go through so much since season 19.