The fall season finale of Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 Episode 8, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clearing,” really threw as much spaghetti at the wall as it could. With viewership at an all-time low for the series, they finally put all of the cards out on the table, leaving us on a literal cliffhanger. Is Owen dead?!

While they still have the rest of the season to finish in 2022, they needed to make sure viewers were left desperate for more. Not only was Owen’s survival left pending, but so was Schmitt’s career, and Farouk’s surgery. So, when we return, we’re in for a LOT of answers.

They finally pulled off a Grey’s Anatomy midseason finale. But, was it enough to bring back viewers or to even raise viewership?

At this point, 18 seasons in, there’s bound to be repeatable storylines. While not a direct comparison to the plane crash at the end of Season 8, nowhere near as nailbiting, the car dangling off the cliff with Teddy, Owen, and Hayes is certainly trying to regurgitate similar feelings of uncertainty.

Owen on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Liliane Lathan)

And as much as I don’t want to believe Owen is being written off, I can’t imagine he survived a fall like that! According to the preview for the next episode, a clear crossover with Station 19, the rescue team found a dead body, but as we learned in this episode, the driver likely suffered a stroke. So, it’s most likely they’re trying to make us believe it’s Owen.

Meanwhile, Bailey’s reveling in compliments from her new surgeon student. During the tabling session in the last episode, she went on about how their surgeons used to attract new students. Yet, she never saw herself as the surgeon to attract a student.

And, of course, the new Weber Method couldn’t come without its hiccups. I hate to say it, but Schmitt’s ego and extreme confidence in his abilities is to blame for the death of his patient. However, this is definitely not going to look good on the hospital’s residency program. I hope Schmitt didn’t put Bailey and Weber’s careers in jeopardy.

We can’t go through another lawsuit that puts the hospital at risk of bankruptcy.

Amelia on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Liliane Lathan)

Also, what did Schmitt do! There’s no way they’re going to put him on a complicated surgery, so how could the surgery have gone so wrong so fast?

Just as Megan received good news about Farouk’s donor heart, she’s going to be devastated when she finds out it might have been compromised by the car crash.

Somehow Teddy’s going to find a way to get to the hospital and save the heart and Farouk.

I do wonder though if Megan’s comment about not wanting to live if Farouk doesn’t survive is a foreshadowing of Owen’s death. Because, would she want to live if Owen ended up dying?

Maggie and Richard on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Raymond Liu).

So who is it going to be, Farouk or Owen? Unless they do go down the path of a Christmas miracle and everyone is safe and sound. But, we want some drama! So, give us a death. Owen finally got his happily ever after with Teddy, but that hasn’t stopped Grey’s before!

What did you think of this Christmas special? Was it enough to make you come back for more? Don’t forget to leave your comments down below!

Stray Musings:

• This might be picky, but Jo’s elevator phone call has perfect reception, and I know for a fact that elevators easily cut out service. Maybe Grey Sloan Memorial is stealing all of the good cell reception!
• Teddy easily foreshadowed the car accident. She raved too long about how perfect the heart was. Whenever the doctors are in a car and the cameras stay too long on them, you know it’s not going to end well.
• It was Meredith’s first time talking about her COVID-coma beach dreams! I like her friendship with Hayes, they can relate as widowers.
• We finally got the queer kiss between Amelia and Kai!! I couldn’t be happier. Sorry, Link! It was obvious he was going to walk out at the wrong time and witness the moment. Now things are set up nicely for Link and Jo.

Rating: 4/5

Grey’s Anatomy Review: Today Was a Fairytale (18×07)

The doctors’ personal lives are what keep us coming back for more. Plus, the cool surgeries don’t hurt. It was a balancing act, at least for the original Grey’s Anatomy. However, as time has passed, there were moments both the storytelling of personal lives and surgeries faltered. But, “Season 18 Episode 7, “Today was a Fairytale,” pulled us back in and positioned the storylines of the doctors for exciting new developments.

One major revelation came when Jo and Link’s friendship entered new territory–romantic territory. They’ve always had a close bond that never crossed the friend boundary, but as two beautiful and single people always do, they’ve found the spark. It seems like an easy setup between the two, as they’re both basically raising their children together and have known and been there for each other during the hardest life moments. Although, one thing I appreciated about their connection was that it really seemed platonic.

Especially since they’ve both been mourning the loss of their relationships, there haven’t been moments for them to explore any feelings they may have harbored or continue to harbor for each other. That is until Link makes the mistake of confessing his past crush on Jo. And what’s a girl to do when their attractive best friend admits that? Jo attempts to reciprocate her feelings, but clueless, Link ruins the moment to plan ways he can win Amelia back.

Jo and Link on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Liliane Lathan)

Sorry Link, but it looks like you may be too late in your discovery, and Amelia’s nursing a new crush over her coworker Kai. The tension between the two masterminds is overflowing. But for whatever reason, the writers have decided to take their time with this pairing.

While Meredith and Nick have only started seeing each other and already seem to be in a serious relationship, granted, they’ve known each other much longer and have already gone through the courting phase years prior. Still, why can’t things speed up between Amelia and Kai?

One theory is that Amelia’s serious about Kai, and her intense feelings and attraction are scaring her. Amelia’s known for her impulsivity, which burned her in the past. So, perhaps she wants things to progress slower with Kai.

Before, they hadn’t shared many scenes, but this entire episode felt like the final escalation before they inevitably jump each other’s bones.

Kai and Amelia on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Liliane Lathan)

As Kai and Amelia are saving the study from being pulled out from under Meredith, Meredith’s back to feeling like an expendable employee again, rather than the star surgeon.

Without much progress on the study, Hamilton’s losing patience as his Parkinson’s is advancing. He threatens to find a replacement for Meredith. My biggest question is, what is Meredith doing for the study? She’s hardly in the lab, and this time she jumps in on an emergency surgery for Nick. One that’s completely unrelated to the reason she’s in Minnesota.

At this point, Meredith is just a face for the show. She’s becoming a side character whose name is used more often than her actual person.

There’s a constant buzz around the viability of Grey’s Anatomy revolving around how long Ellen Pompeo wants to continue. Still, I don’t think there would be much difference if Meredith left the series entirely.

As she mentioned, she’s pissing off both bosses, so she might as well move to Italy. Is that a threat?

Dr. Hamilton and Meredith on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Liliane Lathan)

Don’t forget to comment down below what you thought of this installment. Do you foresee Link and Jo getting together?

Stray Musings:

• Amelia and Kai had their moment!! They were so close, and I really thought we were going to get that kiss. Stop teasing us! Give us what we want.
• I wonder if their research and study to cure Parkinson’s is founded on fundamental research currently being done.
• What was the point of Winston and Maggie’s scenes? They were basically in bed the entire episode.

Rating: 4/5

Grey’s Anatomy Review: Every Day Is a Holiday (With You) (18×06)

It’s finally that time, Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 Episode 5, “Bottle Up and Explode!” brought us a big event and a death. While it wasn’t a death directly in the Grey’s Anatomy family, it was an unfortunate end to a beloved character on Station 19. In the first few minutes, we were left wondering and worrying if something had happened to Ben, but once they revealed that he was fine we were able to breathe.

Not that I want anybody to die, but the show continues to feel stale and these big events are merely ghosts of the show’s former glory. These major pipeline explosion episodes used to be written well and have more at stake. Instead, “Bottle Up and Explode!” felt like an episode focused on Station 19. 

The majority of the storylines were cut short and underdeveloped, including Meredith’s Minnesota plot. This has been a theme for the last couple of seasons, but I continue hoping there will be a magical shift.

Meredith and Amelia’s time in Minnesota remains the most interesting part of the show, however, it seems to take a backseat to what’s happening in Seattle. Heck, Meredith and Amelia weren’t even clued in on the pipeline explosion. In typical Grey’s Anatomy, Meredith would’ve received updates on what was happening and would have left Nick standing as she ran home to be with her family.

Meredith and Nick on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Eric McCandless)

But, this is a new Grey’s Anatomy, and Minnesota is a bubble of Midwestern calmness. They forget their lives in Seattle and focus on what and who they are around in Minnesota. Link and Amelia are just done apparently, and rightfully so. It ended so abruptly. But, I couldn’t be happier, because Amelia deserves to explore her autonomy and sexuality, and who better to do that with other than Kai.

The two are both equally married to their careers and the current research. Yet, aren’t focused on trying to make this a quickie relationship. They’re both allowing the flirtation to flow free.

Meanwhile, the men in the room, aka Koracick and Hamilton, are allowing old tensions and history to stir up anger and hatred. This is why men shouldn’t be allowed anywhere! My guess is that it’s not just Koracick’s personality that ignites a fiery passion in Hamilton’s feelings, but it’s his age. As Hamilton revealed Koracick slept with his daughter, we’re left wondering the age difference between Koracick and said daughter.

After the few moments we’re graced with by the quietness of Meredith’s lab, we’re immediately thrown back into the chaotic whirlwind happening in Seattle.

Dr. Bartley and Amelia in the research lab on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Bonnie Osborne)

In the midst of the explosion that’s injured many firefighters, Megan Hunt is attempting to deal with a tragedy of her own, on her own. With Farouk’s heart condition, she’s spooked that anything could happen in the OR, and given Grey Sloan’s history, she has a point.

So, as Winston and Hayes are working on the surgery, Megan forces her way in to hold Farouk’s hand. If it weren’t for her being a scared mother, her presence would’ve never been approved. It seems it might’ve been more dangerous to perform surgery in front of a terrified and invested mother!

But, even with the minor complication of Farouk’s heart swelling, he manages to leave the OR table healthy and strong.

Ok, I guess I can’t totally avoid the major part of the episode, but again Grey’s Anatomy fans are never going to be as invested in a Station 19 death. It’s the series attempt at bringing viewership up for both shows, and we see what you’re doing!

Megan Hunt and Dr. Hayes on Grey’s Anatomy. (ABC/Bonnie Osborne)

I’ve never been a fan of crossover episodes. I’m never going to run over to Station 19 to watch an episode that doesn’t totally affect the overall plot of Grey’s Anatomy, nor are many other viewers. So they should stop trying.

Although, since it did happen, now we must discuss it. The unfortunate demise of Miller will affect the lives of Bailey and Ben forever, as they just gained a new daughter. If you remember Bailey’s miscarriage in Season 16 broke her, she’s finally getting a miracle that she’s not prepared for.

Initially, she’s hesitant in saying yes to guardianship over Pru because she’s worried about losing another baby. But, of course, once she sees the adorable and innocent face, unaware of her father’s death, it breaks down all of Bailey’s walls, and the three walk away a new family.

What did you think of this episode? Which new relationship are you most invested in? Please leave your comments down below!

Stray Musings:

• The amount of times Owen has gone through PTSD moments in the hospital while he’s trying to help with a trauma event is excruciatingly high. I understand it’s part of his character, but during this hour it just felt like it was a cop-out character development that kept him out of the picture.
• How did Megan make it into the OR! Whenever a surgeon’s beloved family member has been on the table, there’s been absolutely no bending of the rules.
• They’re really doing a SLOW build-up with Amelia and Kai. Now that they are both aware of their singledom status and their attraction is clear, will they just give us something?!

Rating: 3/5

Grey’s Anatomy Review: With A Little Help from My Friends (18×04)