ABC
Well at least Bailey’s mom’s long-standing Alzheimer’s had a good cover-up reason for why we’ve conveniently just learned about it this episode. (Unlike Richard’s supposed hip replacement in Boston a few years back.) Having Bailey on the beach (for the only two-ish scenes we got with Mer this week) and confessing to Grey that the reason she never talked about her own mother’s Alzheimer’s was because she didn’t want Meredith to be pained by it, knowing that Bailey’s mom was so much older and lived a much longer, healthier, and happier life than Ellis ever did. (It’s still total crap – but at least it was an excuse given!)
Bailey and Maggie’s expressional-confessional scene was also very moving; at any time in life it’s an impossible difficulty beyond compare to attempt to be the voice of advocacy for your parent. And having no idea if palliative care or extraordinary measures is the right call, and whether or not its being made because its what you think is best for them or what they think is best — they nailed this one on the head in that conversation.
It’s incredibly difficult to watch; Bailey has always been this pillar of strength, so watching her express so much doubt (and surprisingly it did not trigger her OCD) and fury and frustration was really harrowing. And grab the tissues for the ugly cry because Bailey does the voice-over outro this week – trying to give those ‘statistical losses’ to this pandemic a voice, by expressing who they were as a person and adding their name and age, including her own mother as the final delivered line. (Double whammy – Grey’s airs an almost minute long screen of names, presumably of real life individuals of color who have unfortunately lost their lives to COVID-19. It’s a hard look at reality.)
The knock-down ending ties in strongly with the overwhelming head-hitting message of how disproportionate COVID-19 is among Black and Brown communities; Maggie & Bailey discuss it, Webber and Jackson discuss it. Jackson says it best: ‘not pre-existing conditions, it’s the existing condition of being Black.’ And it’s brutal and raw and honest and in your face. Though not without a hint of the hilariously awkward humor that Richard gets out when he tells Jackson he’s handled the Catherine-mask-wearing situation. With sex.
ABC
Tom Koracick – lord – that’s a little hiccup. You never quite expect to feel bad for that character, right up until you do. But don’t worry – he lives to be slippery another day. Though asking Teddy for a sponge bath was undeniably funny. So maybe they will work it out; we shall see. Odd but comforting how Amelia basically gave her absolution with ‘yeah you did bad, but I’ve done worse, and to Owen.’
Not wild about Amelia going into the hospital, but Link did it last week. (Should we be worried that Link’s face will be stuck wearing that deep confusion look because he can’t seem to wrap his head around the fact that Amelia slept with Koracick?)
JoJack seems to have jumped to the back burner (maybe gone forever? Here’s hoping!) but only long enough for Jo to – what – decide she wants to be Addison Montgomery? Why does she have to leave surgery to deliver babies? Wasn’t Addison an OBGYN/Surgeon? We all need a little more joy, but like Schmitt said, ‘eat, sleep, think on it.’
An emotionally moving and evocative episode this week, even if Meredith is still deep in her COVID-sleep … and we haven’t seen much of DeLuca (and we respect not actually seeing the kids – they’re all home safe – not on set!) Next week will be the winter finale (just six episode – wowee!) And it’s a crossover … maybe we’ll have a third returnee to Meredith’s beach? We’ll have to wait and see.
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