After learning that Maggie and De Luca are a couple in 12×11 “Unbreak my heart” , last week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy provided some comic relief between the new third wheel in their relationship; Pain from the past arose for Owen, Riggs, Amelia, Meredith and April.
Whilst seemingly happy at the revelation of her new pregnancy, April’s happiness borders on a knife edge in her secrecy from Jackson, as Meredith and Amelia, gain some closure from the return of Katie Bryce. The first patient she and Derek ever treated; in the series pilot, Amelia finally emerges from her brother’s shadow, as Meredith can finally look back on her life with Derek, with content. Elsewhere, Riggs finally cements himself as a part of the dark and twisty; and totally belonging in Grey’s, with the revelation of what happened to Megan.
As 12×12; “My Next Life” sets to air out the past, close its doors and move on, Meredith concurs. Opening with “any day where no one died is a good day” the episode sets out to emphasise the happiness, in living in the present.
With a lesson on respecting the dead; the cadavers who have gifted her students with an opportunity to learn, the episode follows a recent, well-rounded trait, of teaching our protagonists once more; in season 1 fashion.
As Meredith lives her job, Owen and Amelia are seen back together (and in the sheets), as Jo comes across the ring Alex proposed to her with.
Elsewhere Riggs, is set to be initiated into the Grey’s club as his own journey of respect begins.
Much to Meredith’s dislike, his referral of the mortician as ‘the plumber’ sets Meredith’s mission to initiate him, into action.
Meanwhile, Webber puts De Luca on his service. Whilst Ben calls it an honour, De Luca is worked to the bone in Webber’s chastity mission to protect Maggie’s honour. Unbeknownst to his motives, and unaware of his relation to Maggie, De Luca is hesitant to protest to his apparent fortune as Webber’s aid.
The golden ticket to drama; Webber sacrifices his role as a teacher and fails to inspire this week – much to our own entertainment. Also downtrodden, Edwards expresses her boredom over Amelia’s playing safe in the OR. Recently sober, Amelia is afraid to let Neuro consume her; just as she’s confronted with her brother’s looming shadow. Promising to give Edwards a solo lead on the next aneurysm, Edwards rejects her gift as Katie Bryce returns from season 1 with the most challenging one yet. Unaware the Derek has died, Katie is more shocked to learn that a once clumsy intern; Meredith, is still at the hospital.
As Amelia and Meredith battle for control of the patient, their relationship with each other- and not just Derek – is forced into, confrontation.
As Amelia tries to save Katie, Riggs and Meredith argue over the treatment of a cancer patient who is bleeding out. With her own past still unresolved, the tragedy of her case, forces our characters to ultimately face their own histories.
Elsewhere, Jo leaves her own door to the past open, telling Alex to keep the ring, despite not being ready for marriage.
As the episode continues, Owen encourages Amelia to live her life in the present, and not in the mistakes of her past. Succeeding in saving Katie, as Meredith relents, the couple decide to move forward afresh also. Meredith learns to trust Amelia as her cancer patient takes precedence. With the call to her past being the sole thing she and Riggs agree on, the patient’s time is running out for repair; in all aspects.
As blood trails the hallway on the way to the OR with her patient, Meredith flashes back to her and Derek’s time with Katie. As her eyes meet Katie’s, Meredith looks forward in an effort to focus on the present; and her patient. Sadly, a saddened son arrives to learn his estranged mother has died.
New to the emotional involvement that comes with residence in a hospital, Riggs defends his use of the term ‘plumber’. Unlike the war zone, the emotionality of his recent loss, causes Riggs to reveal that Megan took his place in a helicopter when she died.
With her own onus of her patient, Megan insisted in taking up the sole place for a doctor on the chopper, only to disappear without a trace.
Getting defensive, Riggs calls Meredith out on her inability to discuss Derek, whereas, I’m left wondering if we’re supposed to ship the pair yet.
As the episode ends, we see happiness in April and Arizona, as repair begins within Amelia and Meredith. As Avery tries to find financial closure with April; unbeknownst to her secret, Alex figures her secret out, warning her to tell him before he figures it out too.
Tonight’s episode brings our characters to a military hospital, as they’re forced to work together against the ethics of a militant, less dark and twisty, environment.
Grey’s Anatomy airs tonight at 8|7c on ABC!
[Featured Image Courtesy of ABC/Ron Batzdorff]