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April Kepner

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April Kepner
Grey's Anatomy character
File:AprilKepnerpicture.jpg
The Season 9 Gallery Picture of Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner
First appearance"Invasion"
6x05, October 15, 2009
(as recurring cast) "With You I'm Born Again"
7x01, September 23, 2010
(as main cast)
Created byShonda Rhimes
Portrayed bySarah Drew
In-universe information
TitleM.D.
OccupationAttending surgeon
FamilyJoe Kepner (Father)
Karen Kepner (Mother)
Libby, Kimmie and Alice
(sisters)

April Kepner is a fictional character from the ABC American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Sarah Drew.[1] She was a recurring character in the show's sixth season, before being promoted to a series regular in season seven. She was introduced in the episode "Invasion" as a former surgical resident at Mercy West Hospital who joins the staff at Seattle Grace Mercy West after the two hospitals merge to compensate for the absence of some of the central cast members, and was created to be disliked by her colleagues.[2] The character was originally contracted to appear in two episodes, Drew's contract was extended to the remainder of the sixth season, with her becoming a series regular in the seventh season.[2][3]

Although initially focusing on neurosurgery during her residency,[4] Kepner finally settles on trauma surgery as a specialty.[5] After failing her boards, Kepner departs upon her contract’s expiration, but returns as a surgical attending when Chief Hunt offers her job back. The character's focal storyline involved her struggle with fitting into the new work environment, her religious believes and balancing her duties as the hospital's chief resident and as of the end of season eight, her struggle to maintaining a relationship with her one-night stand and best friend Jackson Avery. The character received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike and was described as "annoying", "neurotic" and "insecure".[6][7]

Storylines

April was born on April 23 in Columbus, Ohio. Her mother Karen is a teacher and her father Joe is a farmer. She is the second of four daughters; her sisters are Libby, Kimmie, and Alice. April is a surgical resident from Mercy West Hospital, and she joins Seattle Grace after the merger of the two hospitals. April is seen locking heads with Lexie, who, finding her annoying, reads her red diary, in which April writes all her feelings, which indicates how insecure April actually is. Lexie uses her diary to unnerve April and later apologizes. After she made a mistake that lead to a patient's death, April is fired. However, Derek Shepherd rehires her when he becomes the new Chief of Surgery. As she is not confident anymore, she spends her time doing errands for Shepherd and develops a crush on him. In the season six finale, she discovers the body of her best friend Dr. Reed Adamson, who has been shot. She later runs into the shooter Gary Clark, who lets her go after she tells him about her life. She later tearfully reveals to Yang that she did that after remembering a technique she says she learned from Oprah. While Cristina Yang operates on Derek, she waits with Meredith Grey in the scrub room. When Owen Hunt is shot, she helps Meredith treat his gunshot wound. Following the shooting, April and Jackson Avery move in to Meredith's. and the two become closer prompting a jealous outburst from Meredith's sister Lexie.

In the episode "Superfreak", April reveals that she is a virgin because she wants the first time she has sex to be special, and because she thinks guys find her annoying. She shows potential as a trauma surgeon by commandeering an ambulance to transport hurt "patients" during a trauma drill. She develops feelings for Alex who almost makes her lose her virginity when he tries to sleep with her but stops when she asks him to take things slow. When Jackson finds out about this he assaults Karev. Later, April agrees to go on a date with Dr. Robert Stark, believing him to have a good side. Her fellow residents make fun of her which prompts her to break up with him. April also impresses Hunt by coming up with an idea of checklist while treating the patients, which would bring down the chances of human error. In the season seven finale, she is ultimately granted the position of Chief Resident. April initially struggles with her new status as her fellow doctors do not listen to her and do not take her seriously.

As the end of the fifth year of residency is near, the surgical residents, including April, prepare for their boards exams for the different fellowships they plan on joining. The night before taking the exam, April loses her virginity to her best friend, Jackson Avery. This causes her to re-evaluate her faith during her Boards Exams which causes the examiners to feel uncomfortable. While freaking out in the men's restroom, she gets into a fight with Jackson which eventually leads them to having sex again. It is revealed that she is the only one out of the residents to have failed her Boards Exams. In the episode Migration, she is laid off by Owen Hunt who states that there were other, better candidates for her position. During the same episode, April receives phone calls from her other hospital choices retracting their offers due to her not being a Board certified surgeon. Months later, Hunt goes visit April who came back at her parents' farm and overs her an attending position at the hospital.

Development

Casting and creation

"I think it's a really fun character and, of course, getting to be on that show is wonderful and exciting for any actress in Hollywood."

Drew on her role in Grey's Anatomy[2]

Drew was cast in late September 2009 and first appeared on the show in the fifth episode of the sixth season as one of the residents from the Mercy West Hospital after its merger with Seattle Grace.[2] Drew was brought aboard Grey's Anatomy after former collaborations with the Series' producer and creator Shonda Rhimes;[3] She was formally featured as a guest in two episodes of Private Practice in 2008 and was one of the main cast in Rhimes television pilot Inside the Box (2009) which was eventually not picked up by ABC.[3] Her casting came after the absence of some of the central cast members, notably Katherine Heigl departure after her maternity leave and Ellen Pompeo's absence due to pregnancy.[2][3]

Drew was originally contracted to guest star in a multi-episodes story arc where her character would be eventually fired from the series after two episodes.[3] However she was promoted to a series regular On June 9, 2010 for the seventh season of the show.[8] Rhimes said in the wake of the news about the promotion: "Kepner has really been folded into the group" of Grey's Anatomy. She also added "It'll depend on what the studio and the network decide to do with those actors, but I fully advocate to have [the characters]".[9] Drew explained that she received the call for her promotion the morning after the sixth episode of season six was telecast on 29 October 2009 (the firing episode). She described the call as a "totally happy surprise".[10]

Characterization

"I love the idea that there's this person that everybody kind of hates, yet they all have to deal with, [and even] lean on. She is one of them, even though they find her terribly annoying, and I think that that's sort of charming."

Rhimes on Kepner's personality.[11]

Drew's character has been called intelligent, hardworking, thorough and determined by Grey's Anatomy executives.[12] But she is also considered vulnerable, insecure, sensitive and overly eager by her colleagues.[12] Of the character, Drew said: "April is a very, very good doctor. She really knows what she's doing, she's worked really hard, and she certainly wants to do her best and stick around."[2]

In the seventh season, April's position as chief resident and her struggle to get a handle on her fellow residents formed the central arc of her storyline. Rhimes explained: "Watching April try to be in charge of Cristina and Alex and Jackson is a pretty impossible task, and it’s made for comedy, it’s one of the funniest things we’re working on this season."[13] One of Kepner central characteristics is her religious believes, notably her chastity and her instance on saving herself for someone she truly loves.[14] Drew also described her character as "annoying", "neurotic" and "really insecure".[15]

April and Jackson sexual encounter makes her re-evaluates her faith and jeopardizes the course of her career .

Kepner entertained several relationships throughout her time on Grey's Anatomy. In her early appearances, she is introduced as best friend and roommate with her Mercy West follow resident, Reed Adamson. At the season six final, When Reed is tragically murdered by Gary Clarks during the shooting, April is the first to find her when she trips over her dead body. In season seven April form a friendship with Meredith Grey and she eventually moves into her house. Ellen Pompeo offered regarding their bond: "Meredith will accept April in order to get the audience to accept her," [16]

She first develops a crush on Derek Shepherd in season six. Carina MacKenzie from The Los Angelos Times called it "ridiculous" and added: "April is drooling all over Chief McDreamy. Vomit. (...) She's been reduced to a 12-year-old with hearts in her eyes and a painful inability to be subtle."[7] She briefly has feelings for Alex Karev who almost makes her lose her virginity when he tries to sleep with her in Something's Gotta Give. Wetpaint commented that he made her feel "worthless and unwanted when she was at her most vulnerable."[17] Kepner also briefly dates Dr. Robert Stark, a senior pediatric surgical attending. After her fellow residents make fun of her, she breaks up with him, creating a coldness between them. However, it is Stark who recommends her as chief resident to Dr. Hunt. Drew stated: “She sees a side to Dr. Stark that he doesn’t show to anyone else at the hospital, and she finds that part endearing...I think they enjoy the companionship.”[18]

In the end of season eight, Kepner embarks on a relationship with her best friend turned lover Jackson Avery (Williams), who she loses her virginity to and that eventually leads her to reflect on her faith and fail her boards.[19] Critics praised the chemistry between April and Jackon.[20]

Reception

Kepner's crush on Shepherd in season six was disliked among television critics.

Kepner received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. Carina MacKenzie of the Los Angeles Times initially liked Kepner writing: "April was my favorite intern when the Mercy Westers were first introduced. I loved her little book of platitudes and her refusal to cave to her own insecurities". However, she didn't appreciate the story of her having a crush on Derek Shepherd calling it "vomit", and added "she's been reduced to a 12-year-old with hearts in her eyes and a painful inability to be subtle."[7] Mariella Mosthof from wetpaint stated: "Despite her obnoxious yet well-meaning tendencies, we briefly flirted with the idea of liking April's character last season, and it looks like there's plenty of opportunity for her to come back and charm us again yet again this time around." Kepner was included in TV Guide's list of The Most Loathed TV Characters, adding:"The extremely neurotic April (she makes Liz Lemon look laid back) has slowly made strides with fans thanks to her personal setbacks — she lost her treasured virginity to her best friend and failed her boards — but she still has a long way to go."[6] TV Fanatic included her in their list of Worst Character on TV. Christina Tran commented: "Could she be any more annoying?!?"[21]

Drew stated that it was initially "hard" for her as an actress to play an unpopular character but deemed her "interesting" and when she was informed by the writers that her character would get Dr. Shepherd(Dempsey) shot in the finale, her reaction was: "Oh, come on, guys, really? They already hate my character, now they're going to hate her even more!"[15] However, critics reception to the character gradually changed in season 9, Courtney Morrison of TVFanatic wrote: "April has grown since her character was introduced. She’s no longer much less annoying than she used to be, and she’s honest. A girl with principles is a girl you want to do well." and described her and Avery as "a couple for whom viewers can root".[22]

References

  1. ^ "Character Bios". ABC.com. Retrieved 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f "'sarah-drew-previews-character-greys-anatomy-rol". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Sarah Drew Dishes on Dream Grey's Anatomy Gig". Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  4. ^ Brian Tanen (writer), Chandra Wilson (director) (2010-10-21). "Almost Grown". Grey's Anatomy. Season 7. Episode 05. ABC. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Interview with Sarah Drew". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "The Most Loathed TV Characters Pictures, April Photos". TV Guide. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c MacKenzie, Carina (April 30, 2010). "'Grey's Anatomy': He's a Sloan all right". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  8. ^ "Exclusive: 'Grey's Anatomy' promotes Sarah Drew". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  9. ^ Ausiello, Michael (June 8, 2010). "'Grey's Anatomy' Exclusive: Jesse Williams Gets Full-Time Upgrade". Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  10. ^ Samson, Janalen (April 26, 2012). "'Grey's Anatomy' Interview with Sarah Drew: April is 'Super Freaked-Out'". BuddyTV. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  11. ^ "Grey's Anatomy: Shonda Rhimes Talks Mer-Der's Struggle, Cristina's Pregnancy". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "April Kapner Bio". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  13. ^ "What is in store for April this season". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  14. ^ "Will Grey's Anatomy Incorporate Sarah Drew's Pregnancy?". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  15. ^ a b "'Grey's Anatomy': Sarah Drew Knows April is 'Annoying'". Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  16. ^ Published Tuesday, Aug 24 2010, 16:06 BST (2010-08-24). "Pompeo: 'Grey's Meredith, April will bond' - Grey's Anatomy News - US TV". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^   (2010-11-12). "Top 5 OMG Moments From Grey's Anatomy Season 7, Episode 8: "Something's Gotta Give" - Grey's Anatomy". Wetpaint.com. Retrieved 2012-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  18. ^ "April and Stark?! Sarah Drew Speaks on Unexpected Grey's Anatomy Romance". TV Fanatic. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  19. ^  . "Grey's Anatomy Spoiler: Will April and Jackson Get Together in Season 9? - Grey's Anatomy". Wetpaint.com. Retrieved 2012-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  20. ^ "Grey's Anatomy Round Table: "Love the One You're With"". TV Fanatic. 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  21. ^ "Staff Round Table: Worst Character on TV". TV Fanatic. 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  22. ^ http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/greys-anatomy-review-theres-nothing-left-to-squeeze/
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