Preston or Owen for Christina?
This is the central debate for Cristina Yang’s character, as both relationships were incredibly significant and deeply flawed. The image you sent perfectly captures the two most important romantic storylines in her life.
Here is a breakdown of the case for each:
1. Preston Burke (Top Image)
This relationship was defined by ambition, mentorship, and intellect.
- The Good: Burke was Cristina’s equal in the O.R. He was the only one who truly understood her “surgical soul.” Their bond was built on a deep, shared respect for their craft. He was her teacher, and she was his star pupil. The relationship was passionate and intense, rooted in their mutual brilliance.
- The Bad: Burke didn’t just love Cristina; he tried to change her. He pushed her to be a “wife” she never wanted to be, taking “pieces of her” away (as she famously said). The power dynamic was always off, with him as her boss and teacher. He ultimately left her at the altar, which was a profound trauma, but his final act (years later) was giving her an entire hospital in Switzerland—proving he finally understood that her first love would always be surgery.
2. Owen Hunt (Bottom Image)
This relationship was defined by passion, trauma, and fundamental conflict.
- The Good: Their meeting was a dramatic “meet-cute” (he saved her with an icicle). Their connection was raw, immediate, and intensely passionate. They were “trauma-bonded,” helping each other through immense PTSD (his from the war, hers from the hospital shooting). For a time, he provided a level of emotional support and “normalcy” she’d never had.
- The Bad: Their core values were completely incompatible. Owen desperately wanted a traditional family and children; Cristina was, and always had been, clear that she never wanted kids. This one issue made their relationship tragic and toxic. His resentment over her abortion, his PTSD-fueled violence (choking her), and his infidelity poisoned what they had. They loved each other, but they wanted completely different lives.
The Verdict
This is why the debate is so popular:
- Burke understood her MIND (her ambition, her drive).
- Owen connected with her HEART (her trauma, her vulnerability).
Ultimately, both men tried to force her into a box she didn’t fit in. The “winner” was arguably neither of them. Cristina’s true “person” was Meredith, and her true love was cardiothoracic surgery.