Grey’s Anatomy: Facing Challenges

This week, in an emotional and powerful episode, Grey’s Anatomy took on two controversial topics—the Iraq war, via Owen’s flashbacks, and physician assisted suicide. Plus, one relationship seems to be taking off while another has some issues; Derek and Richard both face challenges in their new roles.

After an opening scene with Owen not being able to sleep, we see Teddy talking to Kim, her patient with stage four lung cancer. Kim wants to end her life through physician assisted suicide. To do so, the patient needs two doctor signatures and Teddy has asked Owen to sign off. Teddy is surprised and then angry when Owen refuses and goes to Derek behind his back about it. She even yells at Owen in the caf asking “what the hell is your problem?” Teddy then gets Mark to sign off as the second signature.

What Teddy doesn’t know is this situation hits a little too close to home for Owen and reminds him of his time in Iraq—which he begins having flashbacks of. First it is of playing soccer with Teddy and their superior officer, Dan. Then while transporting injured soldiers with Dan in a humvee (Teddy went in a helicopter), they hit an explosive device. The explosion kills everyone except for Owen and Dan, who is severely injured and in a lot of pain. In a tearjerking scene, Dan gives Owen his wedding ring to return to his wife, they recite a Hail Mary together, and Dan encourages Owen to propose to Teddy. Dan then begs Owen to let him die.

As Kim’s husband is returning to Seattle Grace with the barbiturates that will kill her, he sees Owen sitting on a bench outside the hospital. Owen tells him, “there’ll be a moment when she dies, her face will relax and all that pain will be gone. And you’ll know with absolute certainty you did the right thing.” Owen advises him to hang onto that moment. Later that night, Owen still cannot sleep and also can’t stop thinking about Teddy and their time in Iraq.

Meredith excitedly interrupts Derek’s meeting to tell him about a tumor that she diagnosed and will soon operate on, or so she thinks. An overwhelmed Derek is struggling to balance his responsibilities as Chief and feels he cannot eat in the cafeteria without being bombarded with requests. He also misses surgery and steals Meredith’s surgery to perform himself. Meredith is less than happy and makes her feelings known to Derek. Jackson cheers her up by explaining “the key is to think of yourself as one of the ‘Whos down in ‘Whoville.’ You know when ‘the Grinch’ came down and stole all of their presents, they didn’t let that ruin Christmas for them. Instead, they came out on Christmas morning and they sang. You’re going to go into that surgery and sing. Sing Cindy Lou, sing.” Jackson is such a cutie and my favorite “Mercy Wester!”

Meanwhile, Richard is feeling awkward and is not fitting in with the rest of the doctors now that he is no longer “the Chief.” No one will sit with him at lunch in the caf (mean!) and his “I’d hit that” conversation with the guys doesn’t go over too well. Mark tries to explain that it is a sign of respect because they still see him as “the coach” not a player.  Towards the end of the episode, Richard offers Derek some advice about being “Chief” and says they can eat lunch together.

On the relationship front…Mark instructs Callie (multiple times) to tell Arizona that she wants kids. Callie finally admits to Arizona, who at first thinks she is breaking up with her, that “I want to have a baby at some point in my life. I have to have a baby.” Arizona is obviously upset when she pulls her hands out of Callie’s.

Mark is amazed at what you can learn about someone by just talking and not having sex. No kidding! For example, “Teddy hates the word ‘moist’ and would really prefer people say damp.” But when Teddy shows up at his door, after her patient’s death, they do a little bit more than just talking…

This week’s episode was extremely moving. What a fantastic performance by Kevin McKidd! With Owen focusing on Teddy, I wonder if the end is near for Cristina and Owen? Also, it is amazing how the relationships have become intertwined and more complicated. We’ve seen Cristina & Owen, Teddy & Mark, Lexie & Mark, Lexie & Alex and we know that Teddy (maybe not after being with Mark) and Owen seem to be harboring feelings for each other.  Wonder what they will come up with next…

Last review, I mentioned I heard rumors that Katherine Heigl was leaving Grey’s. Well, if you haven’t heard, I can confirm this week that she is officially done, citing that she wants to spend more time with her daughter Naleigh, and her appearance in the January 21^st episode was her last as Izzie Stevens.

Since there are only a few more episodes left this season, I want to share one other tidbit I heard about casting. It has been confirmed that Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) will continue on in season seven while Charlie (Robert Baker) and Reed (Nora Zehetner) have been let go. No word yet on April (Sarah Drew). I am thrilled to hear that Jackson will be back. As far as Charlie and Reed go, sorry but I just didn’t like them.

Next Week: A baby for Mer/Der? (A baby could be a fun addition to Grey’s!) Plus, Alex’s brother shows up at Seattle Grace Mercy West.

For another opinion on this episode, read Shell-Shocked Owen by Tanya Lane.

Season 6, Episodes 18: Suicide is Painless (originally aired March 25, 2010)

For more Grey’s Anatomy, click here.

Thursdays 9/8c on ABC

Photographs courtesy of ABC, Craig Sjodin, Scott Garfield, and Michael Desmond.