Callie Torres
Encyclopedia
Calliope Iphegenia "Callie" Torres, M.D.
, is a fictional character
from the ABC
television series Grey's Anatomy
, portrayed by actress Sara Ramírez
. The character is the former Chief Resident and is an attending of orthopedic surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, and the daughter of a wealthy family in South Florida.
(T.R. Knight). They begin dating, and George uses the relationship to help get over his feelings for his colleague, Meredith Grey
(Ellen Pompeo
). He discovers that Callie has been living in the hospital basement. She explains that it is convenient for work, but when Richard Webber
(James Pickens, Jr.
), the hospital's Chief of Surgery finds out, she is forced to move in with George. His friends shun her, and George becomes uncomfortable with the rate at which their relationship is progressing, so Callie moves into a hotel. She is dismayed that George appears to value his friends, Meredith and Izzie Stevens
(Katherine Heigl
) more than her, which results in them breaking up. In the aftermath, she meets and has a one-night-stand with plastic surgeon Mark Sloan
(Eric Dane
), who becomes her friend. George is jealous of her fling, but is distracted by his father’s ill-health. Callie supports him through his father's death, and the two marry in Las Vegas
on the spur of the moment. Izzie is highly unsupportive of the marriage, and Callie is pleased when George seemingly chooses her over his friendship with Izzie. However, when Callie confesses to George that she is a wealthy heiress and had kept this hidden from him, George feels betrayed. Combined with this, Callie becomes suspicious that Izzie’s feelings for George are more than platonic. Confused, George confides to Izzie about his relationship woes over alcohol, leading to a drunken sexual encounter between the two.
Callie and George reconcile, but Callie remains unaware of George's one night stand. She becomes increasingly suspicious, and announces to George that she wants them to have a baby together. Shortly thereafter, however, she discovers that George has been unfaithful, ending their marriage. Callie moves out of her hotel room, and into an apartment being rented by intern Cristina Yang
(Sandra Oh
). Though her personal life is troubled, Callie thrives professionally when she is appointed as the hospital's Chief Resident. However, she soon begins struggling to cope in the role. Her personal problems and desire to be performing surgery rather than filling out paperwork see her demoted soon thereafter.
Callie forms a friendship with Erica Hahn
(Brooke Smith
), the hospital's new head of cardiothoracic surgery
. They become increasingly close, and Callie begins to question her sexuality. Mark helps her to realize that she has feelings for Erica, and in the season four finale, they share a kiss. The two embark on a relationship, although neither has been with another woman before. Erica finds it easy to accept her lesbian sexual identity, but Callie struggles with her bisexuality, and cheats on Erica with Mark. Erica initially forgives her, but after an argument about work, Erica resigns from Seattle Grace and moves away.
Mark comforts Callie through the break-up, but she grows increasingly dismayed by her single status. New pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins
(Jessica Capshaw
) approaches Callie to reassure her that she does not need to be alone, and kisses her. Upon later learning that Callie has only recently accepted her sexual identity, Arizona rebuffs her, but comes to realize she has misjudged the situation. They begin dating, though their relationship is tested when Callie comes out to her father. He is unsupportive, and cuts her off financially and emotionally. Callie considers lying and telling her family that she has broken up with Arizona, but decides against it. Arizona supports Callie when George is killed after being hit by a bus. When she is not granted a position as an Attending
, she publicly berates the chief and resigns from her post. She begins working at the neighboring Mercy West hospital, and when the two hospitals merge, she is promoted to an attending surgeon.
Callie's father visits with a priest, and tells her that homosexuality is a mortal sin. Arizona speaks with him, discussing her background and how her parents accepted her. Ultimately, Callie's father is able to accept and support her also. When Callie mentions that she would like to have children, Arizona states that she has no interest in parenthood. Their differing stances on the issue lead them to break up. Soon thereafter, a gunman commits mass murder at the hospital. Relieved to have survived, Callie and Arizona reconcile, and Arizona agrees that they will have children together. When Arizona wins a prestigious grant to help treat children in Malawi
, a disgruntled Callie agrees to move there with her, as the position will last for three years; however, her lack of enthusiasm causes Arizona to end their relationship and go without her. A heartbroken Callie moves in with Mark, and they have a one night stand. Arizona returns for Callie, apologizing and hoping for forgiveness. Callie initially rebuffs her, and later reveals that she is pregnant with Mark's baby. Arizona agrees to raise the child with her, but dislikes that Mark will be a permanent part of their lives. When Callie is twenty-three weeks pregnant, she plans a weekend breakaway to thank Arizona for her support. En route, Arizona proposes to her, but before Callie can respond, they crash into a truck. Callie is treated at Seattle Grace, where her daughter is delivered early. When she regains consciousness, she accepts Arizona's proposal.
After twelve weeks of recovery, both Callie and baby Sofia are discharged and allowed to leave the hospital, with Arizona and Mark in tow. Callie recovers from her surgery, but deals with the backlash from her mother's attitude toward the wedding and her granddaughter in "White Wedding". Callie and Arizona marry in a garden after the minister's wife is laid up at the hospital, and Miranda Bailey officiates the ceremony, attended by many of the staff at the hospital.
Erica Hahn
, in a relationship dubbed "Eri-Cal" and later "Callica" by Entertainment Weekly
. Rhimes stated that: "Callie and Erica have an undeniable chemistry, and watching the story unfold is something the writers are looking forward to. I wanted to illuminate their relationship in the same way we do all relationships on the show — it will be funny, sweet, honest, and a little bit dirty." She explained that in developing the relationship between the two: "we wanted it to be real – not some stunt to get people talking. We wanted to see what would happen if a woman suddenly had feelings for another woman." The two characters shared a kiss at the end of season finale, with which After Ellen have noted: "Callie and Erica became the only regular lesbian/bisexual female characters currently on network television. This is also the first time that two regular characters on a network show have begun a lesbian romance, as opposed to one becoming involved with a new lesbian character introduced expressly for that relationship."
Before embarking on the storyline, the show's producers consulted with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to ensure they maintained realism throughout. Trish Doolan, star of April's Shower was invited to consult in the workshop sessions which took place, and surmised that; "They were really wanting to be truthful to the two characters they're focusing on in the woman-woman relationship", with Nikki Weiss, who also consulted, adding: "they didn't want to stereotype anything either, and write from a place where they didn't understand it. [...] I don't think they did it as a stunt to get people back to watching after the strike
. I really think that they wanted to develop these two characters, and that you could see a closeness with them way before they ever decided any kind of — I think they just have a chemistry together, as actresses, too. You could tell that in the room. They definitely have a chemistry."
, AfterEllen.com
was largely positive, assessing that: "The story line offered both the drama Grey's is known for and a truthfulness network television has rarely achieved when it comes to lesbian relationships." Trish Doolan and Nikki Weiss, invited by GLAAD to consult with Grey's Anatomy
producers on the storyline, praised the effort put in to researching the issue by the writers and actors involved, though were more negative on the scene which saw Hahn kiss Callie in an elevator in front of Mark Sloan. Weiss commented: "I just felt like, if they really cared about each other, I don't think they would do that as a stunt. That seemed a little, I don't know, forced. [...] [It] was more like a conquest, like he could have [Erica] too or something." AfterEllen.com
agreed with this view, criticizing the way the scene was edited so as to keep cutting to Mark's point of view, as though "privileging the male gaze."
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television series Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
, portrayed by actress Sara Ramírez
Sara Ramírez
Sara Ramírez is a Mexican-American singer/songwriter and actress. She is known for her role as Callie Torres in Grey's Anatomy and as the original Lady of the Lake in the 2005 Broadway musical Spamalot, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.-Early life:Ramírez...
. The character is the former Chief Resident and is an attending of orthopedic surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, and the daughter of a wealthy family in South Florida.
Storylines
Callie is introduced as an orthopedic surgeon with a crush on intern George O'MalleyGeorge O'Malley
George O'Malley was a fictional surgeon from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor T. R. Knight. Knight appeared as George from the beginning of the show until its fifth season finale. Knight will not be returning to the show and has been released from his contract...
(T.R. Knight). They begin dating, and George uses the relationship to help get over his feelings for his colleague, Meredith Grey
Meredith Grey
Meredith Grey is a fictional surgeon and the series protagonist on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo. In 2007, Pompeo was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Meredith...
(Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Kathleen Pompeo is an American actress, known for playing the title role of Meredith Grey on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.-Early life:...
). He discovers that Callie has been living in the hospital basement. She explains that it is convenient for work, but when Richard Webber
Richard Webber
Richard Webber is a fictional surgeon from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actor James Pickens, Jr., and was created by Shonda Rhimes...
(James Pickens, Jr.
James Pickens, Jr.
James Pickens, Jr. is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as Dr. Richard Webber on the ABC drama television series Grey's Anatomy, and for his supporting role as Deputy Director Alvin Kersh on later seasons of the Fox Network science fiction series The X-Files.- Early life...
), the hospital's Chief of Surgery finds out, she is forced to move in with George. His friends shun her, and George becomes uncomfortable with the rate at which their relationship is progressing, so Callie moves into a hotel. She is dismayed that George appears to value his friends, Meredith and Izzie Stevens
Izzie Stevens
Isobel 'Izzie' Katherine Stevens is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on ABC in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and was portrayed by actress Katherine Heigl from 2005 to 2010...
(Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl
Katherine Marie Heigl is an American actress and producer. She is possibly best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on ABC's Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2010, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series in 2007...
) more than her, which results in them breaking up. In the aftermath, she meets and has a one-night-stand with plastic surgeon Mark Sloan
Mark Sloan (Grey's Anatomy)
Mark Sloan is a fictional surgeon from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Eric Dane.-Storylines:Mark first appears in season two, introduced as a highly-respected otolaryngologist sub-specialized in plastic surgery and the former best friend of neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd...
(Eric Dane
Eric Dane
Eric Dane is an American actor. After appearing in television roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he became known for playing Dr...
), who becomes her friend. George is jealous of her fling, but is distracted by his father’s ill-health. Callie supports him through his father's death, and the two marry in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
on the spur of the moment. Izzie is highly unsupportive of the marriage, and Callie is pleased when George seemingly chooses her over his friendship with Izzie. However, when Callie confesses to George that she is a wealthy heiress and had kept this hidden from him, George feels betrayed. Combined with this, Callie becomes suspicious that Izzie’s feelings for George are more than platonic. Confused, George confides to Izzie about his relationship woes over alcohol, leading to a drunken sexual encounter between the two.
Callie and George reconcile, but Callie remains unaware of George's one night stand. She becomes increasingly suspicious, and announces to George that she wants them to have a baby together. Shortly thereafter, however, she discovers that George has been unfaithful, ending their marriage. Callie moves out of her hotel room, and into an apartment being rented by intern Cristina Yang
Cristina Yang
Cristina Yang is a fictional surgeon on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy. The character is portrayed by actress Sandra Oh, who won a Golden Globe and a SAG Award in 2006 for the role...
(Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh is a Canadian actress. She is best known for the role of Dr. Cristina Yang on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, for which she has won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award. She also played notable roles in the feature films Under the Tuscan Sun and Sideways, and had a supporting role on the...
). Though her personal life is troubled, Callie thrives professionally when she is appointed as the hospital's Chief Resident. However, she soon begins struggling to cope in the role. Her personal problems and desire to be performing surgery rather than filling out paperwork see her demoted soon thereafter.
Callie forms a friendship with Erica Hahn
Erica Hahn
Erica Hahn is a fictional character from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actress Brooke Smith. Hahn was a recurring character through the show's second and third seasons, and joined the main cast in the fourth season...
(Brooke Smith
Brooke Smith (actress)
Brooke Smith is an American actress. She is best known for her role on the TV show Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Erica Hahn and for her role as Catherine Martin in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs.- Early life :...
), the hospital's new head of cardiothoracic surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
. They become increasingly close, and Callie begins to question her sexuality. Mark helps her to realize that she has feelings for Erica, and in the season four finale, they share a kiss. The two embark on a relationship, although neither has been with another woman before. Erica finds it easy to accept her lesbian sexual identity, but Callie struggles with her bisexuality, and cheats on Erica with Mark. Erica initially forgives her, but after an argument about work, Erica resigns from Seattle Grace and moves away.
Mark comforts Callie through the break-up, but she grows increasingly dismayed by her single status. New pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins
Arizona Robbins
Arizona Robbins is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by Jessica Capshaw. She was introduced in the show's fifth season as an attending surgeon and the new head of pediatric surgery.Originally contracted to appear in three episodes, Capshaw's contract was...
(Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Brooke Capshaw is an American actress. She is known for her role as Jamie Stringer in The Practice and for her role as Dr...
) approaches Callie to reassure her that she does not need to be alone, and kisses her. Upon later learning that Callie has only recently accepted her sexual identity, Arizona rebuffs her, but comes to realize she has misjudged the situation. They begin dating, though their relationship is tested when Callie comes out to her father. He is unsupportive, and cuts her off financially and emotionally. Callie considers lying and telling her family that she has broken up with Arizona, but decides against it. Arizona supports Callie when George is killed after being hit by a bus. When she is not granted a position as an Attending
Attending physician
In the United States, an attending physician is a physician who has completed residency and practices medicine in a clinic or hospital, in the specialty learned during residency. An attending physician can supervise fellows, residents, and medical students...
, she publicly berates the chief and resigns from her post. She begins working at the neighboring Mercy West hospital, and when the two hospitals merge, she is promoted to an attending surgeon.
Callie's father visits with a priest, and tells her that homosexuality is a mortal sin. Arizona speaks with him, discussing her background and how her parents accepted her. Ultimately, Callie's father is able to accept and support her also. When Callie mentions that she would like to have children, Arizona states that she has no interest in parenthood. Their differing stances on the issue lead them to break up. Soon thereafter, a gunman commits mass murder at the hospital. Relieved to have survived, Callie and Arizona reconcile, and Arizona agrees that they will have children together. When Arizona wins a prestigious grant to help treat children in Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, a disgruntled Callie agrees to move there with her, as the position will last for three years; however, her lack of enthusiasm causes Arizona to end their relationship and go without her. A heartbroken Callie moves in with Mark, and they have a one night stand. Arizona returns for Callie, apologizing and hoping for forgiveness. Callie initially rebuffs her, and later reveals that she is pregnant with Mark's baby. Arizona agrees to raise the child with her, but dislikes that Mark will be a permanent part of their lives. When Callie is twenty-three weeks pregnant, she plans a weekend breakaway to thank Arizona for her support. En route, Arizona proposes to her, but before Callie can respond, they crash into a truck. Callie is treated at Seattle Grace, where her daughter is delivered early. When she regains consciousness, she accepts Arizona's proposal.
After twelve weeks of recovery, both Callie and baby Sofia are discharged and allowed to leave the hospital, with Arizona and Mark in tow. Callie recovers from her surgery, but deals with the backlash from her mother's attitude toward the wedding and her granddaughter in "White Wedding". Callie and Arizona marry in a garden after the minister's wife is laid up at the hospital, and Miranda Bailey officiates the ceremony, attended by many of the staff at the hospital.
Development
The end of the show's fourth season saw Callie grow closer to cardiothoracic surgeonCardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
Erica Hahn
Erica Hahn
Erica Hahn is a fictional character from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actress Brooke Smith. Hahn was a recurring character through the show's second and third seasons, and joined the main cast in the fourth season...
, in a relationship dubbed "Eri-Cal" and later "Callica" by Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
. Rhimes stated that: "Callie and Erica have an undeniable chemistry, and watching the story unfold is something the writers are looking forward to. I wanted to illuminate their relationship in the same way we do all relationships on the show — it will be funny, sweet, honest, and a little bit dirty." She explained that in developing the relationship between the two: "we wanted it to be real – not some stunt to get people talking. We wanted to see what would happen if a woman suddenly had feelings for another woman." The two characters shared a kiss at the end of season finale, with which After Ellen have noted: "Callie and Erica became the only regular lesbian/bisexual female characters currently on network television. This is also the first time that two regular characters on a network show have begun a lesbian romance, as opposed to one becoming involved with a new lesbian character introduced expressly for that relationship."
Before embarking on the storyline, the show's producers consulted with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to ensure they maintained realism throughout. Trish Doolan, star of April's Shower was invited to consult in the workshop sessions which took place, and surmised that; "They were really wanting to be truthful to the two characters they're focusing on in the woman-woman relationship", with Nikki Weiss, who also consulted, adding: "they didn't want to stereotype anything either, and write from a place where they didn't understand it. [...] I don't think they did it as a stunt to get people back to watching after the strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
. I really think that they wanted to develop these two characters, and that you could see a closeness with them way before they ever decided any kind of — I think they just have a chemistry together, as actresses, too. You could tell that in the room. They definitely have a chemistry."
Reception
Discussing the character in terms of her relationship with Erica HahnErica Hahn
Erica Hahn is a fictional character from the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actress Brooke Smith. Hahn was a recurring character through the show's second and third seasons, and joined the main cast in the fourth season...
, AfterEllen.com
AfterEllen.com
AfterEllen.com, founded in April 2002, is a website that focuses on the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media. AfterElton.com, its brother site for gay and bisexual men, was launched in January 2005. The websites were founded by Sarah Warn, who initially served as the editor in...
was largely positive, assessing that: "The story line offered both the drama Grey's is known for and a truthfulness network television has rarely achieved when it comes to lesbian relationships." Trish Doolan and Nikki Weiss, invited by GLAAD to consult with Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
producers on the storyline, praised the effort put in to researching the issue by the writers and actors involved, though were more negative on the scene which saw Hahn kiss Callie in an elevator in front of Mark Sloan. Weiss commented: "I just felt like, if they really cared about each other, I don't think they would do that as a stunt. That seemed a little, I don't know, forced. [...] [It] was more like a conquest, like he could have [Erica] too or something." AfterEllen.com
AfterEllen.com
AfterEllen.com, founded in April 2002, is a website that focuses on the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media. AfterElton.com, its brother site for gay and bisexual men, was launched in January 2005. The websites were founded by Sarah Warn, who initially served as the editor in...
agreed with this view, criticizing the way the scene was edited so as to keep cutting to Mark's point of view, as though "privileging the male gaze."
External links
- Callie Torres at ABC.com