I loved this episode. I genuinely loved everything about it.
People love hating on Grey’s Anatomy. People love to nag about how long the show’s been on and how everybody’s dead, but hasn’t the show done a spectacular job of reinventing itself? It’s still relevant today (just look at the ratings), and if it can keep churning out unique episodes like this one, then it can stay on the air for as long as it likes.
High Hilarity
It’s been a while since I laughed this much in an episode of Grey’s, but Judgement Day is an absolute hoot in every way. The “lesbian gratitude cookies” inject the show with a hysterical narrative that affects almost every single character to amazing effect. Whether it’s Maggie and Arizona’s epic dual convo (read it in its entirety below), Alex almost ruining Owen’s big day with his new foster baby, or Bailey’s sex store revelation, everything is just beautifully on point and rooted in character. Grey’s has a rap for being a tearjerker, but the show is quite capable of confidently executing a comedic episode like this one and have it be wonderfully successful. Not many shows can brag about that!
Papa Owen
Although Owen becoming a dad came out of left-field last week, I quite enjoyed Amelia helping him adjust to his new status quo while balancing Alex’s munchies. Alex is always so serious on the show, so it’s refreshing to see him cause havoc in an amusing way. You can tell Justin Chambers had a ball with this subplot. However, while Amelia choosing to stay at the end was super sweet, I can’t help but feel that this is going to get complicated with Teddy’s impending return. But hey, I know Shonda wouldn’t have it any other way.
Harassment Hijinks
Last week’s cliffhanger is further expanded on this week through Catherine’s revelation that Harper Avery was a bonafide Harvey Weinstein when he was alive. It’s a very timely subplot, and it allows Catherine to bust out one heck of a monologue (which you can also read fully below). Debbie Allen has such a unique energy that I love when she gets meaty material. I’m guessing the final stretch of the season will focus on the media’s wrath now that the scandal’s been revealed. I’m curious to see how the writers will tackle this one and if the ramifications will truly stick.
Bits & Scalpels
– Jackson talking about his mom’s vagina on the microphone was hilarious (as was April laughing hysterically).
– Maggie says Jo looks like a cartoon. That’s actually very true.
– It’s a small moment but notice how DeLuca gets completely mesmerized by the painting in the hallway.
– Bailey high in the OR was insane, especially with the spinning camera. That was a nifty touch.
– Adorable: Bailey’s “I love you” to Meredith. Her smashing Grey’s hand and incapacitating her however… not so cute.
– I love how Jo steps up and makes Meredith proud in the surgery. Richard’s pen is mighty impressive. I wonder if anyone is close to creating something like this in the real world?
– Although Sam’s departure was far from sad, it was very fitting to see DeLuca hallucinate her staring at him on the ground. No words necessary.
– Alex and the chip baby.’Nuff said.
– Dr. Roy’s been fired. Thank God, he was useless.
– I’m pretty sure Arizona name-dropping Callie is foreshadowing for Jessica Capshaw’s departure at the end of the season.
– Marie Cerone is one of the 13 women that Avery harassed. Uh oh.
– Ominous ending with The Harper Avery on the table. It’s a odd contrast to the comedic goldmine that is Maggie sitting down with that tray of cheese.
Grey Banter
Maggie: You had time to make cookies?
Arizona: They are lesbian gratitude cookies.
Maggie: What?
Arizona: I mean, that’s what they call them. Remember my patients who had the cancer – that turned out not to be cancer?
Maggie: Lesbian gratitude cookies are delicious.
Maggie: (high) I don’t I don’t think I need my neck anymore.
Maggie: I really want some cheese.
Arizona: I pressed fast-forward on Carina, I think.
Maggie: It’s such a good food. There are so many kinds.
Arizona: I asked her to I asked her to stay here instead of going back to Italy.
Maggie: Oh. Cheddar. String cheese. Brie. The kind with the holes in it.
Arizona: It’s You know, we haven’t even really been dating that long.
Maggie: Swiss!
Arizona: Oh, I probably freaked her out. I mean, who who asks a person to give up their country for them?
Maggie: Sometimes I just stand in the cheese section of the grocery store and just [INHALES DEEPLY] Mozzarella. Gouda. Munster.
Arizona: She’d be a woman without a country.
Maggie: Dill Havarti.
Amelia: You were supposed to stay in the bedroom until after the social worker leaves.
Alex: Smells like Owen in there.
Alex: Oh, crap. I just crushed chip baby. This chip smells like Owen.
April: I always wanted a Harper Avery. I had a Jackson Avery. It’s not the same thing.
Amelia: Do you want a diaper genie?
Owen: Does he come to the house?
Catherine: You do not get to do that. You do not get to stand there in judgment of me. That – 30 years ago, getting harassed at work, getting groped at work wasn’t something we could protest. It was something we had to take with our morning coffee. It was part of the job. And if we made a noise, if we fussed, we were told we were overreacting and, more often than not, we lost the job and our reputation along with it. I was not then who I am now. I didn’t have the voice then that I have now. I had choices. I could stand there and let your grandfather fire those women and drag them through the mud, or I could make sure they got some money, a leg to stand on, a path to move forward on. I’m not ashamed of myself, Jackson,
Must-Download Tunes
Conclusion
A truly funny hour that’s also one of my personal favorite hours of Grey’s Anatomy ever.
High April and Bailey is something I never knew I needed. I genuinely laughed out loud at their interactions! Their lines, the human bagpipes… all of it, absolutely HILARIOUS!
“I thought marijuana made people peaceful, but I don’t think I ever hated you more.”
“I always wanted a Harper Avery. I had a Jackson Avery. It’s not the same thing.”
— These 2 lines killed me!
Those lines were so epic! So glad you loved the ep too Tag!
It amazes me how this show can still keep up this type of energy 14 seasons in when shows like Scandal couldn’t hold onto this type of quality for more than 2 seasons. While Greys has had its fair share of underwhelming episodes I can’t recall a moment where I’ve ever felt this show needed to end or that it had overstayed its welcome. I’ve watched every episode and look forward to watching this show for years to come. This episode was amazing and highlighted everything I love about this show. I love Drunk Bailey and was equally as enamored with High Bailey!