It feels so good to have Grey’s Anatomy back.
After twelve seasons, it’s safe to say that there aren’t any shows quite like this one. The world Shonda Rhimes has created is superbly compelling, and its characters (at least the originals) are fully realized. In addition, there isn’t a fictional character on television that I’m attached to more than Meredith Grey.
I wasn’t sure how much I was going to love Alex’s arc this season after he beat up DeLuca in last year’s finale, but it warmed my heart to see him and Meredith bond over this horrific event. It’s amazing how much they still stick up for each other after all these years, and it’s even more impressive how the writers manage to make Mer’s betrayal at the end believable. Even though Alex confessing and putting himself in jail does show he’s grown over the years, I like that Meredith wasn’t dumb enough to cover for him because she too has grown over the years, and she knows that keeping this secret would come back to bite her some day. Sure, it’s a little infuriating (plus, it didn’t mean anything since Alex confesses anyway), but it does make sense from a character standpoint.
Of course the whole Jo/DeLuca thing is not worth spending an entire episode on, especially since the “big fight” bogs down to one simple misunderstanding. It also doesn’t help that I found almost every character other than Meredith, Alex, Richard and Catherine unusually maddening (yes, Maggie, I’m looking at you). And when did Jo become so unlikable?
However, for the first time since she was introduced way back in season six, April seems to be getting some major character development. It was oddly intriguing to watch her stand up to her mother-in-law about baby names, and I’m cautiously optimistic about more April/Catherine banter in the future. Their amusing exchanges provided this dramatic hour with some much-needed comic relief.
Bits & Scalpels
– The premiere was directed by Debbie Allen (who plays Catherine). What a multi-talented woman!
– I’m a little worried about the direction of Alex’s storyline. I hope it doesn’t end up like Mike’s prison arc on the most recent season of Suits because I lost interest in that very quickly.
– Meredith and Nathan have a lot of chemistry, so I’m disappointed she ends up pushing him away for Maggie.
– Speaking of Nathan, he’s looking a lot more like Derek this season. McCoincidence?
– Raise your hand if you don’t care about DeLuca’s surgical career possibly being over.
– How horrible is Jo when she visits a traumatized DeLuca in the hospital only to make sure he doesn’t tell anyone she’s secretly married?
– How horrible is this Jo-is-secretly-married subplot?
– Looks like Amelia and Owen were out on their honeymoon, huh? At least it’s good to know neither of them backed out at the last second.
– Funny how Meredith promises Maggie never to lie to her again, only to literally do that a few seconds later when Nathan shows up at their doorstep.
– I’m so glad Alex doesn’t get mad at Meredith for telling Bailey. The last thing we need is a melodramatic Alex/Meredith fight right now.
– Oh lord, judging by that promo, next week’s episode does not look good. At all.
Grey Banter
April: Her name is Harriet.
Catherine: Harriet? Oh, I like it. Tubman.
April: Exactly, Tubman. Also, The Spy, which is a very good book.
Catherine: The name that I’ve built will open doors to this little girl. I’m just thinking about her future.
April: Well, the name Kepner means something too.
Catherine (under her breath): What?
April: Where I come from, it means good people. A tireless work ethic, a quality price for good pork.
Catherine: Now, you get to rest and heal. Harriet is just fine, she’s got her grandma, and that’s what grandmas are for. So now, just relax. Sleep for an hour. You’ve got a whole life to hold her. Rest and heal, she’s gonna need you.
(Pause)
Catherine: Couldn’t you hyphenate?
Ben: Is it just blind loyalty?
Meredith: It’s not blind, he’s earned it. When I first got here, he was one of the worst people I had ever met in my life, and now he’s one of the best, and I know both of those people are still in there. I just want to make sure the right one wins.
Must-Download Tunes
All I Do by Yuna
Bring It Back To Me by Martin Luke Brown
Hallelujah by Alicia Keys
Conclusion
Not the worst season opener – and certainly not the best. Grey’s is back, people!
Chris Rating
B