ABC's Grey's Anatomy - Episode 15.12 "Girlfriend in a Coma"
A patient gives Meredith some clarity on her dating situation around the holidays. The strain on Bailey and Ben's marriage comes to a head. Betty drops a bomb on Owen and Amelia.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of ABC's Grey's Anatomy.
"Girlfriend in a Coma" was written by Kiley Donovan and directed by Debbie Allen
Most of the time Grey's Anatomy is pretty episodic when its comes to its medical storylines. The story is typically contained to one particular episode in which it has thematic resonance for whatever is going on in the doctors' lives at that moment. However, there are a few instances in which some patient stories carry over across several episodes. That's the case here with the show actually examining just how arduous and difficult the healing process can be. A few episodes ago Meredith and Link miraculously saved Natasha's life on the day of her wedding. But her journey didn't end by the conclusion of a successful story. It's still one that ends in tragedy because she dies from recovery complications. There is so much hope after she wakes up and seems to be making progress. And yet, she spends months in the hospital and slowly starts to deteriorate once more. She may inspire Meredith to take action in her romantic life just like Cece did. But Meredith also stands with confidence in being able to help Natasha's fiancé Garrett stay strong despite the worst happening to them. It's heartbreaking when Natasha asks to be removed from life support and the doctors give them the wedding they always dreamed of having. It's bittersweet because it's the end. But it's beautiful as well because it's a perfect moment that shows just how loving the couple actually was. And then, it all builds to Meredith kissing DeLuca on the roof of the hospital. That moment comes after an hour in which she is continually teasing both DeLuca and Link. She is leading both of them on with Jo saying that she is now in a love triangle. DeLuca and Link have different tactics as well. They are both hurt upon being stood up by Meredith. DeLuca is the more insistent one who pushes Meredith to make a commitment. Meanwhile, Link has a little more experience and a full plate of his own as a doctor who welcomes this opportunity when it presents itself from Meredith. As such, this love triangle will more than likely continue to pop up even though it seems likely that Meredith and DeLuca will be a thing for the immediate future. Elsewhere, the show officially pulls the trigger on Teddy and Koracick becoming a couple. That's surprising but worth it based on Amelia and Owen's reactions. But more importantly, Bailey and Ben finally have a conversation about the future of their relationship. Now, all of this is made further complicated by Station 19 taking a longer hiatus and not returning until mid-March. As such, that could mess up the continuity of this particular story because it was playing out on both shows. However, it's very emotional and affecting here because both get to say their peace while accepting that they need each other in their lives and can never take a break from it ever again. It's the outcome that seemed a little expected. But it was never a guarantee because they were on separate shows. And finally, Richard and Jackson are adjusting to Catherine going through rehab and needing more help following her surgery. She is stubborn and refuses to let anyone in to help her. It's so difficult even though there was a happy outcome to all of this. And yet, it still leaves Jackson feeling very uncertain in his life and unable to draw a full breath. The uncertainty of all of this may only create more problems for him. Maggie can relate to that because she went through this already with her mother. And yet, the situations are very different as well because Catherine can still have a fulfilling life even though she's still living with cancer.
