Grey’s Anatomy Review: It’s All About The Mamas (Season 11 Episode 9)
On “Where Do We Go From Here,” it’s all about the inherent struggles of motherhood.
Thankfully, much of the focus remains where it should be: on Meredith. Derek is gone, leaving her in need of help with the kids. But rather than seeing her spend much time at home, she’s working throughout most of the episode, leaving a potential nanny waiting patiently.
As she works through her own issues, a case comes in that motivates Meredith in way that isn’t surprising. We’ve seen her instinct in action before, and she’s certain the mother who ran her car off the bridge didn’t intentionally hurt her children. That comes from a parallel about her own life and her worry over balancing work and two kids. Sadly, that whole idea is glossed over way too much.
Owen thinks Meredith is wrong about the patient, but we all knew she was going to be right about this one. Owen seems to be symbolizing a flat, patriarchal character these days, with the women proving him wrong left and right.
Meanwhile, Jackson tells April the news about their baby, and her reaction is one of shock and anger. Like many of the doctors on the show, she chooses to consume herself with work to deal with the pain.
She blatantly screams feminism when Jackson takes that away from her, upset that “two men” made a decision about what was best for her and forcing her out of the operating room. And wouldn’t you know, the other man in that scenario is Owen. Of course, both Jackson and Owen’s actions come from a good place, but April is the one who knows how she needs to deal.
Bailey’s motherhood is also discussed, but unfortunately, it feels like filler. She spends too much time arguing with a little boy about why she needs to call his parents, and then eventually has a heart-to-heart with Alex where he tells her she’s a great mom. He even alludes to the fact that she’s been a mother figure for many of the doctors, including himself. I have to say, I really miss the days of Bailey mentoring our original group of interns.
Other Thoughts:
- Hooray for Owen’s mention of Christina, especially with Meredith talking about giving her a call. This also gives Owen a chance to remind us why it was a good thing for Christina to leave.
- For a moment, it looked as though Derek might come rushing back home to Meredith. Thankfully, that’s not the case. The two of them agree to try and work things out from a distance, staying true to their vows but realizing they need the time apart. That’s going to give better for potential for interesting stories, and I think it’s the right decision.
- Want to talk about how many times I cried watching this episode? Jackson breaking down in front of Richard is enough to make anyone sob. Then, April finally allows herself to cry when she announces to Jackson they are having a boy — I’m getting choked up just thinking about that scene.
What did you think about “Where Do We Go From Here?” How do you feel about Meredith and Derek’s decision? And just how many tissues did you need while you watched? Share your thoughts on this episode of Grey’s Anatomy in the comments below!
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.