ABC's Grey's Anatomy - Episode 10.22 We Are Never Getting Back Together
Cristina looks to Meredith for advice as she assesses her future at the hospital. Derek and Amelia work together on a difficult surgery involving conjoined twins. Meanwhile, Jo is spread too thin when she tries to work on several cases at once and Stephanie realizes the truth about Bailey's bubble boy case.
It has been awhile since I last wrote about Grey's Anatomy. In fact, the last time I did was way back in October 2012 when the doctors were dealing with the deaths of Mark and Lexie and the aftermath of the plane crash. A season and a half later and the show is getting ready to say goodbye to one of strongest characters - Dr. Cristina Yang. From the very beginning, Cristina has pushed the boundary with stereotypes and gender lines. She's in love with her work. She wants to be a doctor and revolutionize modern medicine. Along the way she's had two equally compelling love interests - Dr. Preston Burke and Dr. Owen Hunt. In his own way, Burke too excelled beyond basic characteristics. He was the successful surgeon. He was getting ready to peak in his career. The two of them were in love and were going to get married - even though they had vastly different ideas of their future. Cristina is such a strong character because she knows exactly what she wants in this life and does not falter for anything or anyone. She has changed over the course of the show but she hasn't stopped being Cristina Yang. Hunt and Burke both have an ideal of who they wanted her to be when they were both with her. Knowing that she will never become what they want is both heartbreaking to them and tragic for anyone who wants either pairing to end up together in the endgame."We Are Never Getting Back Together" is a special episode of Grey's Anatomy because Isaiah Washington returns after a seven year hiatus. Putting aside all the drama that happened behind-the-scenes, he was a pivotal character for the show in its early years and an important figure on Cristina's journey. It does feel fitting that his return will coincide with her upcoming departure. The show acknowledges how important he was in Cristina's life while also noting how toxic they would have been together. Both have gone on to accomplish exceptional things. Cristina was nominated for the Harper Avery Award and wants to 3D print a real beating heart. Burke won that award and then went on to build a hospital in Switzerland that was fully financed on its own - without any government funds. She's found happiness in her work and Meredith has always remained her rock (We can just forget the awkwardness of their fight earlier in this season, right?) He's started his own family and is in love with his life. He's now making a sacrifice for the person he loves that he never could have made if he had been with Cristina. And yet, that connection is still there and he wants her to be his successor at the hospital. He's proud of the amazing surgeon she's become. He knows she can make a real difference with these resources. And she's in love with the idea of having those resources to do everything that she can possibly think of.
When it comes to Cristina's exit, it should be a celebratory thing. Yes, she's a strong character and we want her to stick around for the show's entire run. But we got ten years of an amazing performance by Sandra Oh. Especially in the second half of this season, the show has given her a fantastic arc to send her out on. Now, we're getting the precise details that will facilitate her departure from Seattle and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. It's keeping in tone with the character. She's always been about her career and this really is the best opportunity for her now. She lost the Harper Avery. But so what? In Switzerland, she can do so more than win an award that everyone around her has essentially deemed worthless now. And that's exciting - but also bittersweet.
Some more thoughts:
- "We Are Never Getting Back Together" was written by Joan Rater and directed by Rob Corn.
- Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey have already signed new contracts for two more seasons. But I feel the writerly wheels turning for the other characters whose actor's contracts are up at the end of the season. Alex is off in a private practice and Bailey could get in serious trouble for injecting the deconstructed HIV virus into the bubble boy.
- As far as sibling pairings go, Derek and Amelia do make for one impressive team and there's also interesting story to tell because of their familial relation. Caterina Scorsone is sticking around for the final two episodes of the season. I wouldn't mind at all if she came back on a regular basis next year either.
- And yet, I'm a little surprised on how little I remember about Amelia's story from Private Practice even though she was one of the best characters on that show.
- So, one (or more) of the residents is getting fired. I think I have a pretty good idea on who.
- The April-Jackson marriage has been odd and awkward this year. It's not distractingly bad but it has made Jackson much more of a jerk.
