Grey’s Anatomy Review: When I Grow Up (Season 11 Episode 18)

It seems like the MerDer drama is over, at least for now.

On Grey’s Anatomy, “When I Grow Up,” both Meredith and Derek almost seem like different characters. They are both happy and full of inspirational words about life — and it’s a refreshing change of pace.

Meredith is even so happy that she makes fun of herself to Amelia, saying she’d want to punch her own self in the face for talking about how “blessed” she is. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Meredith in this sort of mood. She’s abandoned her “dark and twistiness” before and made Cristina sick to her stomach. It’s likely that the other shoe will drop soon (probably when she learns Derek kissed another woman — because you know that’s going to come out sooner or later) but for now I want to enjoy a happy Meredith.

And a happy Derek. This also isn’t the first time we’ve seen Derek come out of a funk that made him completely unlikeable and insufferable I’m thinking specifically of the time he threw the ring in Meredith’s face. If you think about it, these two have had some really nasty ups and downs.

Derek has also managed to check his ego at the door, and thank goodness. I’d probably have thrown something at the television if he demanded his job as head of neuro back or fought for a cool case. Instead, he’s accepting of Amelia as his boss and of clipping aneurisms. His attitude has totally changed. He’s even looking better these days.

I’m hopeful that we’ll get to see more bonding between Amelia and Derek throughout the rest of the season. I like their interactions, and I think they both have a lot to offer each other. Amelia even opens up to Derek about Owen, and I’ll admit Derek’s encouraging response surprised me a bit.

Amelia: I think I’m falling in love with Owen Hunt. And I’m really afraid that it’s going to destroy me.
Derek: It wouldn’t be love if it didn’t.

For some reason, I expected Derek to be protective and unsupportive of the budding relationship between Owen and Amelia, but it seems like he’s on board. Whether or not that lasts remains to be seen.

Other Thoughts:

• A surprise moment that stands out in this episode comes from Jackson. I’ve been finding it a little odd that he’s been obsessed with his “plastics possie” idea and the need to bond with Ben. But it’s made clear when he tells April that he wants to do for others what Mark Sloan did for him.
• It also reminds me that I’m not entirely over Mark’s death! RIP.
• I love that the mother of the two cops who died was able to see the list of how many people their organs were used to save. That case was heart-wrenching. In fact, the cases lately have all been really thoughtful ones, so kudos to the writers for that.
• Speaking of characters I miss, can Addison please come back for a guest appearance?

What did you think of Grey’s Anatomy Season 11 Episode 18? 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.