Grey’s Anatomy Review: Both Sides Now (Season 13 Episode 5)
There’s a reason Amelia is clinging so desperately to the idea of being pregnant.
On Grey’s Anatomy Season 13 Episode 5, “Both Sides Now,” Amelia is convinced she’s pregnant even though she hasn’t taken a pregnancy test. And she’s so convinced, that she’s sharing the news with her friends and colleagues.
She isn’t, however, sharing it with Owen just yet.
The desire to have a child is what ultimately ended Owen and Christina’s relationship. Owen wants a family, and he has, on more than one occasion, shown that he would probably make an amazing dad. It’s even perfectly ironic that he takes on babysitting responsibilities with Harriet, which he enjoys so much it feels a little heartbreaking.
He just needs to learn that putting two diapers on a baby isn’t exactly a great idea.
For Amelia, though, the stakes are even higher. I have to wonder what it’s like for anyone watching who never saw Private Practice and aren’t really familiar with her story. In fact, I think it would all be more powerful if we could have flashbacks to some of those scenes.
Because Amelia was pregnant once before, which she explains in this episode. She found out she was pregnant after the father died, and then she learned the baby wouldn’t live. I don’t necessarily want to see those heartbreaking scenes again (that was some of the worst ugly crying I’ve done when watching a TV show) but I think it must be strange for people who never saw all of that.
Naturally, Amelia wants the second chance. She wants it so much that I worry we’re going to see her go through a hysterical pregnancy. At least in this case she finally does take the test, and she and Owen both witness the results– and they’re both disappointed.
Meanwhile, much of this episode focuses on patients, which I really appreciate.
In this case, Bailey and Meredith each have a patient who needs a liver. Bailey’s patient has been waiting for it for years, while Meredith’s needs it immediately in order to survive.
One of my favorite moments from “Both Sides Now” is seeing Meredith and Alex together. Theirs have become some of my favorite scenes because I love the way their friendship has evolved. Thankfully, Alex is able to talk some sense into Meredith to keep her from coercing Bailey’s patient into changing her mind.
All Bailey wants is to have a day full of joy, which is pretty rare at Seattle Grace Mercy Death Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, but Meredith’s patient complicates that. DeLuca needs that joy too, and I have to admit, his character is continuing to grow on me this season. (Particularly when he calls Jo out on her self-pity.)
In a bittersweet way, they actually get a happy ending. Because Maggie’s patient is left brain-dead after his surgery, and he’s a match for Meredith’s patient. As always, Grey’s Anatomy really knows how to pull on our heartstrings.
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 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.
One thought on “Grey’s Anatomy Review: Both Sides Now (Season 13 Episode 5)”
5 episodes into the new season and I’m just not feeling it. Alex, Jo, Deluca being one reason . . . but the main? This ridiculous and annoying Meredith/Riggs/Maggie storyline. Nothing about it is cute, funny or makes any character likable. JMHO
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