Grey’s Anatomy Review: Go Big or Go Home (Season 14 Episode 3)

There’s yet another death on Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 13, “Go Big or Go Home,” but it’s not one the doctors are particularly choked up about.

The legendary Harper Avery dies suddenly while visiting Grey-Sloan Memorial, and it happens just after he fires Bailey.

I don’t think anyone imagined that decision would stick, especially with Catherine and Jackson on her side, but this is definitely a surprising way for that issue to be handled.

The fact is that Bailey has come into her own as chief, after a few hiccups along the way, of course, and the decisions she’s been making for the hospital are good ones.

Meanwhile, Meredith has been in a terrible mood, and it’s affecting everyone around her. The reason seems obvious, though it’s also pretty complex. Not only is she hurt over losing Nathan, she’s hurt that her dream didn’t come true while his did. Even deeper than that, she’s watching him throw it away by not fighting for Megan — when Megan has actually given Nathan a free pass to be with Meredith.

Meredith has always had this habit of sacrificing — and sabotaging — her own happiness. In some ways, it makes her a good person, sure. But it’s also frustrating that she always seems to be taking two steps back when it comes to taking care of herself.

Megan has no interest in staying in Seattle because of her son, which means the only way she could be with Nathan is if he does in fact move back with her.

Either that, or her son would need to move to America, which is nearly impossible. So while it makes sense that Meredith would want to push Nathan toward Megan — she knows if Derek were to return to her after all this time she’d drop everything to be with him — it’s also frustrating.

Meredith’s therapist is there at least, to lend an ear, though he’s also a patient at the hospital. He notes that Meredith has come a long way, and he’s right. Deep down, there’s still some dark and twisty, but it’s not what it used to be. She has absolutely grown over the years.

The next challenge for her, and what will be her primary focus for the foreseeable future, is going to be her sister-in-law.

Thank goodness Amelia doesn’t decide to keep her tumor a secret for much longer.

She’s been working with Andrew and keeping an eye on it herself, and more importantly, she brings in an old teacher to be her doctor. He insists it’s time for her to tell her chief and that she can no longer work, since this tumor has been impairing her judgement for ten years.

Ten. Years.

That means that for as long as we’ve known this character, including her time on Private Practice, she’s had this tumor growing inside her brain. That affects everything we know about Amelia, and every decision we’ve ever watched her make.

Once she realizes how long it has been affecting her, her first concern is her patients. From Nicole Herrman to every risky case she’s performed over the past decade, she can’t help but wonder if she’s caused more harm than good.

Richard is there for her when she needs him, though, and he reviews her cases with her. Calmly, carefully, he takes a practical approach and then is able to ease her mind — her mortality rate is even lower than her brother’s was. His advice now is for her to focus on telling the people who love her and getting the help she needs.

The good news is that the tumor is benign. The bad news is that it’s the size of a grapefruit. And watching her get settled into her hospital bed is absolutely heartbreaking.

I’m reserving judgement for the moment, because this arc could certainly offer some interesting possibilities. But it feels unsettling to know that something like this has been affecting Amelia for as long as the character has existed — and across two different television series.

Other thoughts:

• I’m so glad Jamie takes April’s advice, despite the fact that she didn’t actually marry the guy who proposed to her with a flash mob…
• Carina is already a wonderful addition to the series. I hope she sticks around for a while.
• Jo’s “homecoming” sign is adorable. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a couple resolve their issues and have a chance at happiness.
• Speaking of happy couples — Ben and Bailey are so fantastic together. I love the little moments we’ve been getting to see of these two together.

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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