Can we stop trying to make Merlex happen?

During episode 10 of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Shonda Rhimes, creator of the hit ABC medical drama, answered the question that’s been plaguing audiences since Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) death — is Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) in love with Alex (Justin Chambers)?

“Do I have feelings for Alex?” Mer said to her therapist in the Season 12 installment. “That’s funny. No.”

But even Mer’s straightforward answer wasn’t enough to convince Merlex shippers that there’s nothing going on between these long-time friends. So, we’re here to put an end to that cockamamie idea with five reasons Meredith and Alex shouldn’t date:

1. Meredith’s New Journey Doesn’t Include A Man

When it was first revealed that Martin Henderson was joining the “Grey’s Anatomy” cast as a handsome, blue-eyed doctor, fans went wild with the thought that his character Nathan Riggs could be the new Derek. But Rhimes shut down the idea of a new romance for Mer, revealing that a relationship isn’t apart of Meredith's plan ... including a relationship with Alex.

"I have not planned to [introduce a new love interest for Meredith] and that's not really the focus of what we're doing with her right now," Rhimes told E! News. "Meredith is in a rebirth and she's evolving. I'm watching the character do what the character's doing and I'll see where it goes."

2. Best Friends v. Lovers

We’ve seen best friends fall in love on “Grey’s Anatomy” — like George (T. R. Knight) and Izzie (Katherine Heigl) — and we all saw how that ended up. The two were unable to make their relationship work because they were more vital to each other as friends. And as for Meredith, Alex is her rock. He is her person and to take that away from her would just be cruel.

3. Alex Is Already In Love

Have fans forgotten about a character named Jo (Camilla Luddington) — the woman Alex asked to marry him? Even if Meredith does have feelings for Alex, he is completely head-over-heels for the girl he proposed to in the Season 12 winter finale. And Alex is more in tune with his feelings for Jo than ever before when he thought he might have lost her. (In episode 10 it was revealed that Jo had booted Alex from their home after needing some space.)

4. Pompeo Even Has Trouble Envisioning Merlex

During an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, the “Grey’s Anatomy” actress shared her thoughts on Meredith and Alex getting together.

“Let’s say Meredith is going to wind up with Alex’s character and I can’t reconcile [that]. As difficult as that is for me to wrap my mind around, that would make it interesting if I had to do those scenes,” she admitted.

5. Meredith First Single Experience

During Meredith’s therapy session, her doctor tells her that she’s not married anymore and not exactly a widow considering she’s “moved on” from Derek’s death. “So, what are you?” he presses. But Meredith doesn’t know.

For 12 seasons she’s been the girl at the bar but with Derek gone, Meredith is starting over on a new, single slate. She’s not romantically linked to anyone for the first time and because Season 12 is about the evolution of Meredith, it doesn’t seem likely that Rhimes will throw her into another romance.

What do you think of Meredith and Alex dating? Are you Team Merlex? Sound off in the comments section below. “Grey’s Anatomy” airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

RELATED STORIES