Reviewer Rating: 4.6/5.0
4.6
It’s official; Grey’s Anatomy just wrapped up its midseason break, and boy, did the latest episode give us a lot to think about until spring.
The first few minutes seem mundane, with a confusing November heat wave and a six-week time jump setting the stage.
But after that, the rest of the hour maintains a steady pace, with scenes ranging from the surprising to the jaw-dropping. Let’s get started!
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 Callback
I’ve mentioned it before, but this season is filled with callbacks, hints, and subtle references to old Grey’s Anatomy storylines.
This episode continues that trend, with several nostalgic moments.
The most obvious example is placing Lucas at the center of a convenience store armed robbery, making him the third generation of men in his family to face a gun-related death (or near-death experience).
You may remember from previous seasons when Christopher Shepard (the father of Derek, Amelia, and three other sisters, one of whom is Lucas’ mother) was robbed at gunpoint in his convenience store die.
As young children, Derek and Amelia were both present when their father died, the first of many significant traumas they both suffered.
Years later, in “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 6 Episode 24, a mass shooting occurred at the hospital and Derek had a brush with death.
Arguably, given Lucas’ family history, it was probably inevitable that he would end up in this position.
More (yes, more) callbacks
As a gunman targets her, a convenience store employee (Gladys) can’t take his eyes off Joe and Lucas, leading him to spy on the doctor’s appearance and foil their escape plan.
The moment was very reminiscent of the one during the mass shooting when Bailey tried to hide from Gary but was caught because Charles kept looking at her from under the bed.
Our memories are also stirred a little in the moment as a grieving Micah reaches out to Jules for physical comfort and almost begs her as he tries to guide her.
In Grey’s Anatomy Season 4 Episode 15, Alex says goodbye to Rebecca when she is hospitalized for mental health issues, and he seeks comfort for Izzy, just like Micah did in the latest episode That way.
Plus, Amelia and Winston’s patients underwent surgery that looked a lot like Joe’s pause surgery in Season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy!
There are definitely some Grey’s Anatomy fans who are disappointed with what they consider to be repetitive storylines, but I find them comforting in a way. It’s nice to know that the show remembers its roots and can rely on the history it’s already established to continue developing the characters and their stories.
While there are many reasons to complain about the direction the show has taken in recent years, their dedication to incorporating new stories into the old ones is part of the reason the show remains enjoyable.
When will Amelia be happy?
Look, Amelia Shepard is my favorite character on this show.
I think she was criminally misunderstood and underutilized, and while I appreciate that they brought her over after Private Practice ended, I don’t think Gray did a good job of porting her history with her.
This fall finale proved that even when they did highlight Amelia, they did so in a way that made her suffer.
There was a time when she openly grieved the death of every man she loved. Her father, her brother, her fiancé and her son were all taken from her in horrific ways.
The latest horror cliffhanger puts Joe and Lucas in danger, with the suggestion that Lucas suffered a gunshot wound before the end credits rolled.
This means that when the show returns next year, Amelia will have to face the possibility of another man she loves dying tragically, and there’s nothing she can do about it.
She also just had a near-panic attack during surgery, which was so out of character for Amelia that I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Amelia – Competent, smart, and confident, Amelia copes with fear and stress by striking superhero poses and going into life-saving mode – she’s not one to have a nervous breakdown on the operating table.
Granted, this gives us a nice moment of friendship and camaraderie between Amelia and her ex-brother-in-law, but it feels like an unnecessary moment of struggle.
Dr. Beltran is annoyingly absent from this episode, so we don’t even get to see any peeks, kisses, or flirting moments between them, which throws us into trouble.
Saying goodbye to another fan favorite
It’s no secret that Midori Francis is exiting Grey’s Anatomy this season, and Mika Yasuda’s character finally came to an end in the fall finale.
Six weeks after her sister’s death, Mika was still grieving, and despite still reeling from the trauma of her loss and brush with death, she returned to work.
Frances’ performance in this episode is simply incredible, and her portrayal of the way grief rearranges your molecules is raw and beautiful.
Yasuda had some sad moments, she even screamed at Bailey while running the code, and it really looked like she was going to be locked out of the show.
Luckily, the writers allowed Yasuda to take what she needed on her own. When Bailey asked for extended bereavement leave, Mika chose to resign.
This decision honors what Mika knows about herself, what she can handle, and what she needs to heal and move on.
Tell sad stories
Throughout the incident, Mika sought advice and comfort from people she trusted.
Bailey connected with the interns by sharing her experience of losing her mother.
Griffith listens kindly as Mika gazes into the room where Chloe died, and the advice she gives her friend is a profound truth about grief. Mika asked Simone if she would ever feel normal again, and Simone had a beautiful response:
“I think it’s your norm now and every day you get a little more comfortable.”
From my personal experience with loss, I have found this to be true. Things never truly go back to normal and you are no longer the same person you were before the loss.
But you move on and that loss becomes part of your soul and becomes a part of you, along with a million other things—good and bad.
The worst place to be pregnant is Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital
Not that I’m interested in getting pregnant again, but if I do, please keep me away from Seattle and this hospital.
We see these characters go through miscarriages, stillbirths, lose their children shortly after birth, and deal with nearly every pregnancy complication with the help of their sons.
Does the show allow for the birth of healthy babies? Sure, but even those deliveries were ridiculous.
Meredith gave birth to Bailey during a blackout, Bailey gave birth to Tucker while her husband was undergoing brain surgery, and Callie gave birth to Sophia and April prematurely after a near-fatal car accident. Giving birth to Harriet via DIY C-section in Meredith’s living room…need I continue?
Anyway, the point is, I think we all knew that Joe’s pregnancy was bound to be dramatic in some way.
So when she started bleeding and convulsing at gunpoint, no one was surprised.
We won’t know her fate (or the fate of the twins) until next year, but the scare is scary enough even without the added stress of pregnancy.
My guess is that this story will somehow make Jo feel enormous guilt for complaining and worrying about her pregnancy while her twins are in danger, and I despise that trope.
Pregnancy is hard. It is often scary, uncomfortable, and limiting. It can be painful, even excruciating, and debilitating at times.
So if pregnant people can go through this, they should complain without feeling guilty.
Hopefully Joe’s situation will provide enough reason to bring back Dr. Carina DeLuca, who’s been on my wish list since Station 19 aired the series finale.
bit and bob
- The tension between Beckman and Altman is clearly still there, as is the passion between Owen and his friend Nora. Maybe the idea of an Ultraman/Hunter open marriage isn’t completely closed yet?
- It’s great to have Ben back, but he’s still as hot-headed and arrogant as he was before he became a firefighter. He always thought he knew what was best, but that never caused him trouble.
- Did Gladys skip the convenience store employee training day where they teach the whole “don’t be a hero” thing? Nothing in that safe is worth your life, Gladys!
- I’m not excited about the Blue/Molly storyline, and I think it’s unfair that she continues to show up while he’s working. I love Blue and hope he is happy, he deserves better.
- I have absolutely nothing good to say about Teddy, but I must admit that she is a very competent and effective leader.
That’s all for now, folks! Grey’s Anatomy is set to release new episodes in the spring, but the discussion doesn’t stop there.
Stay tuned for my mid-season report card coming soon, and let’s discuss the season so far in the comments!
I also want to hear all of your theories on how the rest of the season will play out, so don’t feel weird about it.
Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, March 6 at 10/9c on ABC.
Watch Grey’s Anatomy online
