First appearing in “Dream A Little Dream Of Me: Part 1” of Grey’s Anatomy, Kevin Mckidd’s character, Owen Hunt, is introduced as an honorably discharged army surgeon. He starts working at Seattle Grace Mercy West when he moves to Seattle after leaving his previous career. In the first few episodes Owen appears in, it is very clear that he struggles with a common effect of serving in the army: PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Around 30% of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans suffer from this disorder as portrayed by Owen Hunt. Although he tries to combat his mental issues by suppressing his feelings, he has several outbursts that contribute to the hate he receives throughout the show.
Arguably his worst moment happens on “Elevator Love Letter” when Owen almost kills his girlfriend, Christina Yang. Due to his PTSD, Owen is forced to endure vivid nightmares of his time in combat. Unfortunately, the effects of those nightmares are sprung onto Christina as well. Christina does her best to cope with the trauma Owen caused her that night and ends up forgiving and continuing on in their on-and-off relationship. Eventually, the pair gets married and Owen argues with Christina over her choice to not have kids even though he was aware of her opinion beforehand. Christina works as a cardio surgeon and really enjoys her career, so children have never been in the picture for her. Owen, on the other hand, decides he cannot deal with her choice to be child-free and instead tries to persuade her into complying. Since Christina is extremely hard-headed, the couple end up getting divorced after their 5 year relationship due to their different outlooks on life.
Years later, Owen gets into another relationship with his best friend, Teddy Altman and emotionally affects her as well. Their relationship begins when Owen flies to Germany because his girlfriend, Amelia Shepherd, told him to reconnect with her. Soon, Teddy learns this valuable information and kicks Owen out of her home. Amelia and Owen continue their relationship when Owen returns from Germany, but Teddy steps into the picture when she decides to move back to Seattle in order for a closer family connection with herself, Owen, and Teddy’s new baby on the way. Owen chooses to stay with Amelia throughout most of the pregnancy, but due to his overprotectiveness of Teddy and the new baby, Amelia leaves him before the baby is born. Teddy and Owen end up marrying later on and keep their little family going, but this situation not only causes an emotional rift between Owen and Amelia, but also between Teddy and Owen.
Clearly, Owen struggles to be a good partner to all three of his long-term relationships. Many people disagree with the opinion that Owen Hunt is the worst character in Grey’s Anatomy, but he has a terrible personality and is hard to get along with in the show. Some blame his less desirable qualities on his struggles with PTSD, but even after his treatment, Owen continues his reckless and hurtful behaviors. Undoubtedly, Owen Hunt is one of the worst characters in the 20-season-long show and deserves every ounce of hate he receives for his appalling behaviors.