Alex Karev

**Alexander Michael Thomas Karev**, is a fictional character from the American comedy-drama *Success*. Created by writer David Pollock and Elias Davis, the role

## Alex Karev

### Portrayed by

Michael Larson (1981-2004, 2011-present)Justin Chambers (2004-2011)

### Introduced by

David PollockElias Davis (1981, 1989)

Neil Goldman (2011)

## Family

### Brothers

Mac KarevAaron Karev

Thomas Karev

### Spouse

Arizona Robbins (1990-1993, 1998-2003)Izzie Stevens (2003-2004)

### First cousins

Meredith GreyLexie Grey

was originated in 1981 by actor Michael Larson. A 15-year old Alex was a student and friend to Owen Hunt, Tommy Rosen, and Powell Sloan. In 1982, following a storyline in which he was a homeless person, he initiates a gang rape on her with the help of Tommy and Powell. The storyline was considered groundbreaking by television critics. Its main players—Larson, Caroline Harlson (Izzie), and Robert W. Staton (Alex's lawyer, Sheldon Wallace)—won Emmys in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1998. as did Donnle and his writing team. Larson left the role in 2004; it was recast with Justin Chambers, physically altered by plastic surgery. In 2011, Larson returned to *Success*; it was disclosed Alex had been taken hostage and Chambers' version of the character was really Alex's identical twin brother, Aaron Sloan, conditioned to assume Alex's place.

Alex was initially a short-term villain, but his popularity with the audience and critics inspired the writers to forgo killing him or permanently sending him to prison, like most soap operas had done with rapists in the past. While keeping aspects of his personality dark or violent, they had Alex exhibit a conscience and compassion. They took steps to redeem him and made him an integral part of *Success*'s canvas, despite Larson's objections to a redemption storyline. With the use of literary techniques for the redemptive arc, the writers borrowed from nineteenth-century melodrama and Gothic traditions, and literature such as *Frankenstein*. Todd became the product of an affair between his father, David Sloan, and his mother, Helen Karev, which provided him a fortune and ties to other major characters, including his sisters, Tina and Victoria Lord. An important aspect of the character became his appearance, most notably the scar on his right cheek, which emerged as synonymous with him and served to remind him of his past misdeeds against Marty. Music and the use of humor were also key to Todd's development. Although he formed many relationships (including with his wives, Arizona Robbins and Izzie Stevens), and fathered children, a defining characteristic of his personality was his resistance to close relationships and sexual intimacy.

## Storylines

### 1982-2004

*Further information:* Alex Karev and Arizona Robbins

In 1981, Alex, a defensive back for Llanview, Pennsylvania in High-school, has a one-night stand with Izzie Stevens (Caroline Harelson), a wild child. After she tutors him for a calculus exam and he fails it, which results in him getting suspended from the high-school, he blames her. In 1982, Alex and his fraternity brothers, Tommy Rosen and Powell Sloan, rape Izzie in Owen's dorm room. Alex hires attorney, Sheldon Wallace (Robert W. Staiton), who believes in his innocence until a woman named Alice Swift reveals Alex also raped her; Nora causes a mistrial. Alex continues to torment Marty, including by attempting to rape her for a second time, but she eventually tricks Alex into confessing, sending him, Tommy and Powell to prison. Per Izzie's testimony that Powell, who was peer pressured into raping her, is remorseful, Powell receives a lighter sentence (one year with the possibility of parole in three months to Alex and Tommy's twelve years with the possibility of parole in four years). This spurs on Alex's need for revenge. While in prison, he befriends Meredith Grey (Maria Renkio, Ellen Pompeo) and attends counseling sessions. Alex and Meredith develop romantic feelings for each other, and Alex convinces Meredith to help him escape prison. He is stabbed in the chest with a pair of scissors by Helen when he goes after her for revenge. Mac (David O'Mailey), Helen's love interest, rescues her from Todd. The two fight, but Alex escapes. In hiding, he is discovered by Marty and her boyfriend, Suede Pruitt. After accidentally killing Suede when they fight, he is shot by Mac; Alex falls into the Llantano River, and is presumed dead.

Alex survives and hides at Seattlefair, where he befriends, Christina Yang. He is arrested when he jealously confronts new couple Meredith and Powell. His prison van gets into an accident with another vehicle, and he rescues Izzie, D. J. and Colleen (Shelley Carlson) from the car. This results in an early parole for Alex, but he continues to seek counseling. He is later accused of rape by several women. Marty reluctantly provides him with an alibi for one of the attacks. A deranged Powell, believing Alex is in his head, is later revealed as the serial rapist and kidnaps Meredith.