Long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy is still the highest-rated drama on ABC in the US, which is incredible given that the show is 15 seasons in.
If you’d prefer not to read any spoilers about the current season of Grey’s Anatomy, we suggest you stop reading right now.
With 8 episodes aired so far, Grey’s Anatomy is on its mid-season break but fear not, it’ll be back later this month. Following the departure of Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner and Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins, season 15 started off on rocky ground but I thought I’d take a look and see how the season is faring.
I’ll start with the things that are working this season…
Meredith gets her groove back!
Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) getting back into the dating game has been executed well. With the help of her matchmaker patient Cece (Caroline Clay), albeit reluctantly at first, Meredith is starting to move on following Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) tragic death. She had a bit of a disastrous date with John (Josh Radnor) early in the season but by episode 8, Meredith was stuck in a potential love triangle with new doctor Link (Chris Carmack) and DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti). Personally I’m shipping MerLuca but some fans are noticing sparks with Dr. Tom Koracick (Greg Germann), even though according to showrunner Krista Vernoff he’s not in the running for Meredith’s heart.
Schmico
One of the most surprisingly delightful storylines so far in season 15 is the romance that’s blossomed between new doctor Nico Kim (Alex Landi) and clumsy but loveable intern Dr. Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli) aka Glasses. Nico arrived as an out-and-proud character and he stirred up feelings in Levi that the accident-prone sweetheart didn’t know he had. Watching the storyline unfold has been gripping and when they finally got it on in the back of an ambulance during a storm, it was everything I wanted it to be and more.
Richard teetering on the brink
You know what Richard (James Pickens Jr) really could do with? Arizona to come back and be his confidant. Seriously, why did they get rid of that character again? Anyway Richard has had a tough season and it’s going to be even tougher when season 15 resumes and he finds out about Catherine’s (Debbie Allen) illness. Richard’s partial breakdown in episode 7, Anybody Have a Map, was heartbreaking and doesn’t bode well for the future of the character as I suspect the only way he’ll be going is further downwards into a spiral.
Alex as the Chief
I’m as surprised as anyone that I’m writing this but Alex (Justin Chambers) is a refreshing change as the Chief. Sure he’s winging it and making a ton of mistakes but I thought the storyline was going to be a total disaster. It’s nice to see him in a good place with Jo (Camilla Luddington) now they’re married and he’s got a bit more of the maverick feel to him that both Owen and Derek had in their earlier days.
The nods to the past
The past has very much been in the present during season 15 and I like that. Episode 6 Flowers Out Of My Grave paid a lot of fan service while the reintroduction of Thatcher (Jeff Perry), even if he is on the verge of dying, is a nice link back to the show’s early seasons.
And what about what’s not working?
Jackson’s personality shift
I know that Jaggie isn’t a popular pairing with fans but I’m all for it. I like them together and I think there’s potential there. That having being said, this season Jackson (Jesse Williams) has turned into an absolute douche-bag. First there was his turnaround about religion, then his disappearing act followed by his admission about talking to other women behind Maggie’s (Kelly McCreary) back. Jackson used to be a fun character but this season so far he’s been an unbearable grump.
The return of Teddy
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) but she’s been poorly served by the writers this season. Following her shock return at the end of season 14 and the revelation that she’s expecting Owen’s (Kevin McKidd) baby, Teddy has spent most of season 15 either not on screen or trying to pluck up the courage to tell Owen. The whole reveal to Owen has been drawn out and Kim Raver has been completely wasted as series regular while the show has made us warm to the idea of Owen and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) being together again with their unconventional family. The cliffhanger suggested that Owen, Amelia and Teddy are going to have to hash it out while stuck in an elevator but this storyline needs to go somewhere, and fast.
Bailey and Ben taking a break
I didn’t see this coming and given that Ben (Jason George) makes appearances here and there, I’m not sure why it’s happened. I get that Bailey (Chandra Wilson) has re-evaluated following her heart attack but how taking a break from her husband is going to stop her worrying about his new career as a firefighter I’m not entirely sure. I understand she wants space to get back to a good place but ignoring her fears about Ben probably won’t help in the long run.
The conclusion
When you have a show like Grey’s Anatomy, that’s been going for 15 seasons, it really shouldn’t be in as good health as it is. With so many lead characters not every storyline is going to work for everyone but there’s more working than not in my opinion. We may only be 8 episodes in but I’m very excited about the rest of the season has to offer.
Grey’s Anatomy returns in on 17th January 2019 on ABC in the US. It is expected to return to Sky Witness HD shortly after in the UK.
