Grey's Anatomy has always been known for its changing roster of doctors. Many Grey's Anatomy cast members left never to be seen again, but if they're lucky enough not to be killed, there's always a chance some will return. Mika Yasuda (Midori Francis) started at Gray Sloan with a lot of energy and confidence. She was one of the smartest and brightest of the year and was on track to surpass her residency, but then her sister got sick.
With the amount of time off she had to take to care for herself and trying to catch up on her work, burnout inevitably set in. Viewers watched her pull a double shift and an all-night surgery that led to the car accident that killed her sister. She clearly had a lot on her plate and staying behind wasn't an option for this ambitious young surgeon, but the fact that Dr. Helm (Jaicy Elliot) wasn't involved in any way in this story was a missed opportunity.
Yasuda's burnout ending was set 2 seasons before his departure
The first 18 seasons glorified workaholism and dedication to their careers
Mika Yasuda was one of five new characters who joined Grey's Anatomy in season 19 and brought a lot of excitable energy and a very strict work ethic. Eager to do more, help everyone, and learn as much as possible, Mika had a lot of potential as a surgeon. His paths with Taryn crossed when they met at Joe's and developed a deep attraction.
When the two began dating, Helm realized many of the same things she had previously been dealing with. Working all the time, never having enough money and being part of a rat race can have very serious consequences. As she tries to warn Mika about the dangers of burnout, she is immediately shut down as the young intern wants to work hard. This was the deepest the writers went into this topic.
Helm and Mika continue their romance, but when the former becomes his boss, the lines begin to blur. As Taryn tries to protect her girlfriend, she inadvertently negatively affects her career. She did a lot of heavy lifting and was turned down from the most challenging surgeries, much to Yasuda's chagrin. This feels like a reminder of how Helm was treated after making her own mistakes in the ER and could have been a bigger storyline in the last two seasons.
There was certainly more that could be explored here, as it felt like Helm's return was just there to serve some romantic purpose for the new cast member. When the two finally separated, not much attention was paid to any of the issues they discussed. Helm's character was sidelined once again and relegated to a very low-impact supporting role.
Grey's Anatomy hasn't known what to do with Helm for a long time
She would support Levi, but was criminally underutilized
Taryn Helm was a welcome addition to season 14 as part of the B team, with a fiery attitude and a huge crush on Meredith (Ellen Pompeo). Viewers hadn't yet had a character like her, and whenever she was given more substantial material, the actor soared. The pandemic storyline was what really gave Elliot a chance to flex his acting chops. The beginnings of her exhaustion were evident as she struggled with loneliness and isolation. Yasuda demonstrated similar feelings, especially feeling the heavy financial burden, which mirrors both characters' arcs.
After Helm had a difficult time in the operating room and her confidence was severely shaken, Bailey's (Chandra Wilson) assistance helped her pull through, but she was unable to offer the same to Yasuda. After another trauma with Levi (Jake Borelli), it becomes too much for a young resident to handle. As the team lost a patient, any confidence or feelings of arrogance were stripped from them. This bond with Levi seemed to be the main thing the writers maintained about Helm.
Levi had a mental breakdown and walked away from the show, while Taryn was left trying to pick up the pieces. As she struggled with her loyalty to her friend and to medicine, the pressure certainly took its toll. With so much to resolve, the news of the revision of the Residency Program emerged. With this forced parole came additional stress and uncertainty. Job security was up in the air, and Helm had to deal with the possibility of moving to a different hospital and perhaps even a new specialty.
Highlighting this issue was a big deal for Grey's Anatomy. After all, one of the show's driving factors was the characters' unbridled ambition. When the show officially ended, Taryn had just suffered another tough loss in the operating room. As is expected in the series' soapy melodrama, a lot happens to these characters, and it's quite surprising that any of them manage to get out of bed, let alone thrive.
When the Residency Program reopens and Schmidt seeks out his friend so they can resume their studies, Helm officially decides that enough is enough. It was very rare to see one of the doctors apparently abandon the profession that had been his dream for so long. It is at this stage in her life that she crosses paths with Mika.
Yasuda's Season 21 Exit Looks Terrible for Helm
Previous exhaustion led to a tragic death and loss of a resident
When Midori Francis' departure from the show was announced, viewers were curious to know how it would be handled. The character would be killed; there would be a chance of return; and how many tears would end up being shed if just some of the questions were raised. It turns out that it wouldn't be her who would die, but her sister would.
With a difficult cancer diagnosis, Mika tries to navigate work while caring for her sick sister, who means a lot to her. Helm has no notable involvement in any of this, despite being not only the supposed self-care advocate but also Mika's residency coordinator and ex-girlfriend. At least one relevant scene could have tied its plot points together somehow.
As the Yasuda sisters' story unfolds and the other interns help their friend, Taryn's main role is to support Levi in his departure story. In the episode "Night Moves" of Grey's Anatomy season 21, where Yasuda was clearly struggling, Helm's only job was to be upset about her friend leaving. There was no scene of Helm asking dispatchers for help, or coming up with a plan on how to help manage this situation, which is what she should have been doing.
What to expect from Grey's Anatomy after Yasuda leaves
The 22nd season of Grey's Anatomy, yet to be confirmed, has some options
There was a lot of potential to utilize this character in a better way, especially after Mika's accident, which is harrowing to watch. Although the episode already had a lot going on, even a lone shot of Helm reacting to the situation would have shown some kind of recognition. Francis does his best work at the very end of the scene, when he learns of Chloe's death, while Elliot does nothing.
Yasuda's latest episode shows how much she was impacted by the tragedy as she struggled to return to work. Helm was not yet part of this story; instead, it is Bailey and Jules who are most involved. With so much overlap in experiences and a real past romantic connection, there was a lot that could have been done with these two characters.
With more care and attention paid to Helm, there could be more to explore. Hopefully after the loss of two cast members, Dr. Taryn Helm will finally get her moment in the spotlight in Grey's Anatomy season 22. Whether it's addressing Yasuda's accident and subsequent departure, or at least a glimpse into how it impacted her on a personal level, Grey's Anatomy has the opportunity to correct a mistake that has been made for two seasons.