Grey’s Anatomy Review: Danger Zone (Season 14 Episode 5)

While Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 5, “Danger Zone,” is a strong episode that offers some significant backstory, it also sends us in something of a frustrating direction.

The focus on this part of Owen’s life is something I really appreciate. We’re getting this chance to see not only what happened to his sister and why he felt responsible, but we get to see him as a leader in completely different kind of role.

We also get to see him with Teddy in a time before he ever knew Cristina or Amelia, and most importantly, we get to see him with the sister we only learned about recently.

What happens with her isn’t out of character in the slightest. This is exactly how we should imagine Owen would be with his sister, because it’s always been in his personality to be too protective of the people he cares about, even if that means interfering in their lives in ways they shouldn’t.

There’s a pattern with the women Owen has married, and seeing him lose his sister explains that pattern. He married Cristina after the mass shooting in the hospital — after she quit working, and when she was clearly in need of emotional support. Owen came to her rescue.

He did the same with Amelia — marrying her following a trauma (or several, really) and more significantly, knowing that she was in need of that support.

In trying to protect his sister, he lost her, so any chance to protect someone else would feel, perhaps, like redemption for Owen.

For that reason, it’s probably for the best that he ends things with Amelia. That doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating, though. Is it the right choice for the two of them, given the circumstances they’ve been handed? Yes. It seems like the healthiest move for the both of them.

But had it not been for the tumor, for Amelia leaving home only shortly after getting married, or even for getting married so quickly, those two could have been so incredibly good for each other.

That’s what I always felt their relationship was born out of, after all. The fact that they understand each other. Even though their trauma’s weren’t the same, they understood each other in ways no one else would be able to.

Unfortunately, that’s not where the story took them.

I want to see both of these characters happy — they’ve both been through so much, as an audience member, I feel like I need a break as much as they do.

I am curious to see what Owen does next, because Meghan’s advice to him about being happy by letting go of his ideals seems like it could be drastically life-changing.

Speaking of Meghan, I continue to adore Abigail Spencer in this role. This character is so complex and strong, and Spencer hits on every emotion, both large and small, with precision. Her happy tears at putting her feet in the ocean — she makes you feel all of that with her so powerfully.

That includes her new family.

It seems Riggs is really leaving Grey-Sloan, especially considering that he’s obviously invested in this new family.

We get one scene with Meredith on this episode, when Riggs texts her to tell her thank you, and she responds in kind.

As much as what I really wanted was for those two to end up together, it’s a fascinating story that they came into each other’s lives when they did, and that Meredith was able to be a part of his life in that moment — and to be able to help, both practically and emotionally.

And even if this does mean it’s over for them entirely, it’s not like their connection was for nothing. They understood each other in a way no one else could, and I think that allowed for great progress in Meredith’s healing process.

She needed Nathan at that time in her life, and they’re connection was — is — incredibly special.

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

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

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