ABC's Grey's Anatomy - Episode 15.06 "Flowers Grow Out of My Grave"
Meredith has a patient whose family is celebrating Day of the Dead, making the doctors remember loved ones they have lost. Richard shares unexpected news with Meredith about her father, Thatcher. Teddy tries to tell Owen that she is pregnant but they get sidetracked. Jo encourages Link to pursue one of the doctors.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of ABC's Grey's Anatomy.
"Flowers Grow Out of My Grave" was written by Kiley Donovan and directed by Nicole Rubio
There has been so much death over the course of the series. Basically every character has been touched by it somehow. That's a part of their jobs as doctors. But they've lost loved ones as well. Family members and colleagues have died. And now, remembering those who've been lost and fearing what may come next defines the stories throughout this hour. Meredith is given the news that her father is dying. She hasn't had a meaningful interaction with him since Lexie died. Neither of them put the effort in to maintain that relationship. She doesn't feel like spending some time with him at the end of his life will change any of the feelings she has towards him. She will forever see him as a deadbeat who only did the bare minimum of reaching out even when they fully understood each other as adults. He doesn't even know that Maggie exists. That's how isolated he is in all of this. It seems like the story is building to Meredith reaching out to Thatcher because of the losses she has experienced in her life. She would love having one more conversation with any of the people who have died on her - Lexie, George, Ellis, Mark and Derek. Instead, she calls Alex because she would rather spend time with those she loves and appreciates at the moment. She doesn't want to be with someone out of some kind of biological obligation. She doesn't owe anything to Thatcher. Of course, her going over to Alex and Jo's also means she has to cut Link's hair. He has proven to be a charming addition to the show this season. And now, it will be a bit easier to take him seriously thanks to this haircut. But it also seems like the show is potentially setting up a new love triangle for Meredith with both Link and DeLuca showing an interest in her. Again, it's perfectly charming. However, it would seem to drop Cece out of the equation entirely which would be awkward considering how much importance she has had in Meredith's love life so far this season. Meredith is still going out on blind dates. None of them have worked out so far. She doesn't view Link or DeLuca as long term options. But that really could change at any moment. Elsewhere, fear of the unknown is proving quite destructive for Amelia, Teddy and Bailey. Teddy wants to tell Owen that she's pregnant but she still can't quite do it. That is starting to become really frustrating. She needs to just tell him already. Meanwhile, Amelia is freaking out because Betty is no where to be found. She fears that she is getting high again. That uncertainty is terrifying and means that Amelia and Owen have to team up to do something. And finally, Bailey continues to see her stress remain at a high level. It's all stemming from Ben's job as a firefighter which may actually be pushing them past a breaking point. That would be absolutely heartbreaking considering how stable they've been as a couple for so long. But the show is introducing a hot and sexy new couple as well in Nico and Schmitt. Sure, it's difficult when Nico pulls away not wanting to be a part of someone's coming out story. But it's also a new sense of drama that will absolutely propel things forward in a very engaging way. As such, it ensures that there are some new characters this season with some actual spark to them that are worth investing in. The veteran cast is still very exciting to watch. But it's always engaging to see what the newcomers can bring into life at Grey Sloan Memorial as well.
