Grey’s Anatomy Review: Top 5 Moments from “With or Without You” (Season 11 Episode 17)

Derek is back, and we finally find out the answer to the question we’ve been asking for the past two weeks — did he cheat on Meredith?

Meanwhile, Owen is surprised to learn that his mother has been dating a much younger man, and he doesn’t trust him as far as he can throw him.

There are several fantastic moments in this episode, from the darkly funny to the emotional, but these are the ones that made it to the top of my list. So, here they are — my top five moments from “With or Without You.”

#5 – April convinces the patient to let them remove the leech from her sinuses

I have a new found love for April Kepner these days, and her strategy to get the patient to let them remove the creature from her sinus cavity (this makes me squirm just thinking about it) is hilarious. She starts by explaining to the woman why the creature, which turns out to be a leech) is living in her sinus cavity, calling it a “cozy” place to live.

Then, she says that eventually, the creature will get hungry and start chomping away. She even describes her sinus tissues as “tasty” before saying that her brain will be a holiday feast. Guess what? That makes the patient cooperate.

#4 – Owen Accepts His Mom’s Boyfriend

Owen’s reaction to his mother’s boyfriend is honestly a logical one, and it’s sweet that he’s so protective. But it doesn’t take long to realize that this guy isn’t actually playing Owen’s mom. He sticks around for her even when he doesn’t have to, and he isn’t afraid to stand up to Owen.

Owen finally accepts it (sort of, at least) and we get to see a sweet moment with the boyfriend by his mom’s bedside — and Owen looking on with a little shock, but mostly happiness to see his mother in love.

#3 – Alex Hugs Meredith

Alex is arguably the character who has changed the most on this show, and seeing him be there for Meredith and insist on giving her a hug just proves that even further. Such a sweet moment.

#2 – Amelia and Owen finally get together

Thank goodness! Guys, I was starting to think these two would never get the chance to seal the deal. I’m a big fan of Amelia and Owen as a couple, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops.

#1 – Derek Calls “Post-it”

So, granted, things aren’t as bad as some may have imagined. Derek did kiss another woman, but he immediately felt guilty — and also seemed to have a wake-up call about Meredith. When he and Meredith finally talk, and she’s giving him the cold shoulder, he says he calls “post-it.”

Derek: I am calling “post-it.” Zola and Bailey, tumors on the walls, and ferryboat scrub caps. I thought D.C. was everything. I was wrong. You. You. You’re everything. I love you, and I’m not going to stop loving you. Meredith, I can’t live without you. I don’t want to live without you. And I’m going to do everything in my power to prove it.

It looks like there’s still hope for MerDer after all, though I’m worried that Derek leaves out that one important detail when he tells Meredith who answered his phone.

What did you think of “With or Without You”? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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.