Grey’s Anatomy Season Finale Review: Family Affair (Season 12 Episode 24)

Grey’s Anatomy ends its season on a high note with Amelia and Owen’s wedding, the birth of April and Jackson’s baby, and reconciliations between Miranda and Ben and Callie and Arizona.

Plus, Jo finally explains why she said no to Alex.

Let’s address that issue first, as it comes up quickly and seems to be only one thread of the whole episode, but an important one.

Jo is already married and apparently Jo isn’t even her real name. If she doesn’t close down and actually gives us some details this could have bigger implications.

How did she come up with the name Jo Wilson? Identity theft? Let’s not discount that she must have feared for her life if she fled and changed her name, but isn’t that an issue of fraud?

Oh, and Alex doesn’t help matters by coming in and punching DeLuca, who was just trying to help!

The center of the episode was Amelia and Owen’s shotgun wedding. Meredith is apprehensive about their relationship and worries that Amelia is rushing into things.

It all leads to a very maudlin monologue about if you can get a second chance at love. Meredith is under the impression that Cristina was Owen’s one great love. Amelia is under the impression that she already had her one great love as well.

The answer to this question comes from Richard Weber. Richard lost Adele and then found Catherine. Although, you could also make a case for Miranda as well—the other Grey’s Anatomy doctor that’s been remarried.

In the end, Amelia makes it down the aisle, albeit after initially fleeing. Maybe Owen and Amelia’s relationship will work out. Their marriage isn’t going to fix any of their problems but maybe love will win out in the end.

It sounds really cliché, but we want to believe it. We need a new Meredith and Derek to root for. Nothing will top their love story, but other characters should get a chance to write their own stories.

Of course, it’s not a big day on Grey’s Anatomy unless something goes a little bit sideways. For this episode, that’s the birth of Jackson and April’s baby, which also brings reconciliation between Miranda and Ben.

While looking for the rings, April goes into labor. Ben is with her and when her water breaks she has him do her pelvic exam.

Ben breaks the news that her baby is breech and there’s pressure on the umbilical cord.

It’s storming and they’re not going to get to the hospital in time. Immediately, we recall the events of “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” and It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding).

April is on Meredith’s kitchen counter and Ben needs to perform a C-section. There is no anesthesia and no supplies. Arizona is on the phone to talk him through it and Bailey says she trusts him.

The result of this tension filled plot is a healthy baby and a stable mom. We can’t be the only ones that let out a sigh of relief hearing that news after Ben starts cutting into April’s stomach.

In previous episodes, Jackson and April were worried that their baby might not be okay. After Samuel, it is hard for them not to expect the worst.

Going into this story-line, we thought, “Oh no, not again,” and we were relieved when the baby survived.

Kudos to Ben for his brilliant performance—he should specialize in trauma surgery once his suspension is up. (Bailey, maybe you should see about lifting that.)

As a series finale, this is the kind of story we expect from Grey’s Anatomy. It’s thrilling, exciting, and unpredictable. In a season that had a lot of struggle, this year it ended happy, which is what these characters need.

What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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