Grey’s Anatomy Review: You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (Season 13 Episode 9)

Honestly, it wouldn’t be Grey’s Anatomy without a heck of a cliffhanger.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 13 Episode 9 gives us exactly that as wonder whether or not Alex will actually accept the plea deal or if he’ll listen to Meredith’s advice.

Alex wants to take the plea because he feels guilty, but mostly it’s out of concern for Jo. She finally confesses her big secret to him, and if she gets on that stand, it could change her life. It almost seems noble that Alex would sacrifice himself by taking that deal, except that he’s missing the bigger picture.

Meredith pleads with him not to do it, and Alex just repeats, “you’re going to be fine.”

The possibility of Alex going to jail has allowed us to focus more and more on Meredith’s relationship with Alex, and even though it’s impossible not to talk about the way Alex’s character has evolved, you have to also consider how Meredith’s character has changed.

She’s gone from the “dark and twisty” Meredith to one who actually likes to have people around.

It’s for that reason that the music of from “You Haven’t Done Nothin'” is especially significant.

Did you notice that we’ve heard these songs before?

It opens with Tegan and Sara’s “You Wouldn’t Like Me.” That’s the same exact song that plays when Season 1 Episode 2, “The First Cut is the Deepest,” opens, as Meredith puts up a flyer in search of roommates — her first attempt at reaching out.

On Season 13 Episode 9, that song plays as Meredith carpools with Alex and Maggie to work, and they talk about Alex’s impending trial. Meredith is convinced that Alex should be hopeful, but what she doesn’t really say is that she also doesn’t want to lose someone she considers family.

Then later, another song from Season 1 Episode 2 is repeated in this episode.

It’s a cover of the “Somewhere Only We Know,” which is the song that ends “The First Cut is the Deepest” as Meredith accepts George and Izzie as roommates, and decides that “You can waste your life drawing lines, or you can live your life crossing them.”

That song also plays during surgery for both episodes, but on Season 13 Episode 9, that songs ends just before Jo tells Alex that she’s married. Note the lyrics: “This could be the end of everything.”

Grey’s Anatomy has recycled music before, (like when we lost Derek)and I think it’s incredibly effective. It not only manages to draw some strong parallels and create symbolism, but it brings back memories of earlier seasons to keep the grounded.

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At this point, I’m worried for Alex. It’s entirely possible that the show could move forward with Alex in jail for two-years. I hope it doesn’t go there, but I’m definitely in suspense.

What I suspect could happen instead is that DeLuca will drop the charges — not because he cares about Alex, but because of Jo. Just as Alex wants to take the deal and save Jo from having to get on the stand, DeLuca could keep her from getting on the stand by letting this whole thing go.

Should he? Probably not. But let’s be honest — he’ll became an incredibly likable character if he does.

It’s also worth noting, by the way, that in managing the families of the victims from the building collapse, Bailey tells DeLuca to take photos of all of the victims and put them up on a board.

The first person to have this idea was Alex — it was his solution to the chaos from the ferryboat crash in Season 3.

Meanwhile, Richard realizes that Minnick is taking his job. Bailey has placed herself as the villain, even though she feels like to be the best at her job, she has to set aside her own personal feelings and do what she thinks she needs to for the hospital.

Maggie overhears Richard and Bailey arguing about it, and does something incredible.

She starts rallying the other doctors. It looks as though, unsurprisingly, there isn’t a single surgeon at the hospital who won’t stand behind Richard Webber.

As exciting as that is to see, it means trouble for Bailey. And I hate to think of how this will sever their relationship. Of course, let’s not forget who started this whole thing in the first place… Richard’s wife.

Other Thoughts:

• Amelia leaves Owen, presumably, at the end of the episode. They couldn’t even have half a season of happiness as a married couple before everything fell apart.
• Arizona’s way of “winning” in flirting with Minnick is one of my favorite things. They’re about to be on opposite sides, though, so it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out.

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.

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