Grey’s Anatomy Roundtable: Meet Andy Herrera!

While Amelia and Alex struggle to find a way to save their patient, Jackson becomes concerned about April, and we’re introduced to the leading lady of the upcoming Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, Station 19.

Tell-Tale TV writers Lauren Busser, Alamin Yohannes, and Ashley Bissette Sumerel are joined by Starry Constellation Magazine writer Jamie Steinberg to discuss Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 13, “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” below.

• Lauren Busser (@laurenbusser)
• Alamin Yohannes (@alaminyohannes)
• Ashley Bissette Sumerel (@ashleybsumerel)
• Jamie Steinberg (@NotYerAvgChick)

Describe your first impression of Andy Herrera. Are you excited to see her on Station 19?

Lauren: Honestly, the second I heard that she put her hand in a body cavity, I thought, “Oh god, this is going to be like the bomb in the body cavity episode right? Wait, it can’t be because she has to live on to fight fires.”

As the episode went on, I really did take to her personality, and I think that she’ll make for a really great central character for Station 19. What really sold me on her was how she took the phone call for Meredith at the end and started going to bat for Meredith to get the polymer. If she brings that to the firehouse, I think Station 19 is going to be pretty awesome.

Jamie: She was Meredith in the body of a firefighter. She was willing to do whatever it took to save a life. She still had emotions and depth. They seemed like in another life (or maybe this one) they could be each other’s person.

Alamin: Andy seems like a good person, but her first impression feels like an odd introduction for a central figure of a television show. I was a huge fan of Jaina Lee Ortiz on Rosewood and I’m very happy she landed the leading role on Station 19. While I’m sure she’ll be great in the series, her introduction on Grey’s didn’t feel like a new lead’s intro, but a fun recurring character who could be Meredith’s friend.

The smart thing about the introduction was how they made Andy interesting. The character, who I am sure is very good at her job, was brought onto the series in an unfamiliar situation where she was surely nervous. It created the perfect situation for viewers to get to know her well, and she even formed a bond with Meredith.

Ashley: I absolutely love her. I agree with Jamie that she’s a lot like Meredith Grey, and I think that’s really exciting to see. The two of them could definitely be friends, and I hope they will be, especially since that could help make for fun crossover episodes with the new show in the future.

Also like Alamin says, I think they managed to show a lot of depth with her character already. I feel like we had the chance to learn a lot about Andy and to become invested in her in a pretty short amount of time.

Tom Koracick is back. What do you make of his character? How do you expect his presence to affect Amelia?

Lauren: He definitely doesn’t have an upbeat personality when it comes to the outcome of the case he was called in on. I can’t see it affecting Amelia very well in the long term because he’s already made some jabs about her not being up to snuff without the tumor they removed earlier this season. While we haven’t really explored the effects of the tumor’s removal, I feel like his jabs at her ability may start to get to her.

Jamie: OMG, this guy is wild. First, he seems like a self-centered playboy just there to get as much attention as possible. However, he and Amelia do have chemistry and they seem to bring out the best in each other. So, while he does have his eccentricity, he also is really invested in saving lives (and actually maybe really does like Amelia).

Alamin: I am not a fan of Tom Koracick. Not one bit. Yes, he’s brilliant and saved Amelia, but he’s a real jerk. Not even his fun exchange with Kimmy changed my mind about him.

While I like that a character was introduced that would give Amelia more to do, I am very happy he has not been announced as a new series regular. It’s a shame too because I’ve been a fan of Greg Germann since the days of Ally McBeal.

Ashley: He’s terrible, but I think he’s really interesting. He’s clearly brilliant, but his ego is going to be a problem, and as for his relationship with Amelia, I think we’ve only scratched the surface of how complicated it is and will become.

Is Jackson right to be concerned about April and her use of the word “party” as a verb?

Lauren: I think Jackson is allowed to be concerned. April is the mother of his child, and I think he sees how much the events of “Personal Jesus” affected her. I do like seeing characters grow and evolve, so I am not sure this is a bad change for April, but I do think that it’s a drastic change that is happening very fast.

Jamie: For sure. It is extremely out of character for her to be partying so much — let alone using it as a verb. It obviously shows she has some demons eating away at her though that she needs to address.

Alamin: While the end of the episode with Arizona and April hinted at a problem, I am very torn about Jackson’s actions. Arizona was absolutely right about Jackson needed to let April build her new life without him and that’s doesn’t change because she is having more fun.

The thing is April has also been through a lot recently and her friends could have to step in. Jackson has every right to worry about the mother of his child, but his attitude during the “party” conversation felt like more like he was looking down on her than concern.

Ashley: Yes and no. I think he knows April better than anyone, and even though Arizona is right to point out that she can be a different person without him, I think Jackson realizes she’s not being herself.

At the same time, it feels very patronizing and overbearing. Hopefully, Arizona will be the one to step in and help — it seems like she might be.

Who was the MVP of this episode, and why?

Lauren: I think it’s Andy. It feels strange to call a guest star the MVP, but I think her pivotal role in saving the patient is what makes me think of her as the MVP.

Jamie: I’m going with Andy. Not only did she help save that little boy by putting her hands in his chest — she helped save Meredith’s contest entry by stepping in to speak to the Spanish doctor about the patent.

Alamin: Miranda Bailey. Richard’s concerned quickly turned to smothering and resulted in another great episode for Bailey. From talking about her “vacation” to the great scene in the OR where she stands up for herself. It was the standout scene of the episode as far as I’m concerned.

Ashley: My first reaction is to say Andy, but since that’s been said, I’m going to say Alex Karev. What we see of him in this episode is really wonderful, especially when he tries to sing with Kimmie. He shows such a range of emotions and I love how much we’ve seen his character evolve over the years.

Name one character you’d like to see get more screen time.

Lauren: This is hard because I feel like we got quite a few really quality storylines this episode. I think I can use more Karev though. I really want to see more Karev.

Jamie: Gosh, I don’t have one. I think they all have gotten some great storylines this season.

Alamin: I’d like to see Owen get more screen time. Grey’s Anatomy has this great chance to really explore Owen as an individual now. We met him after he’d served in the military with problems from his time abroad and his own family. The post-Christina Yang, post-Amelia Owen with his sister back is someone we have yet to meet, so viewers should get to know him better.

Ashley: I agree with Lauren. I want to see more Alex Karev. That’s probably always going to be my answer to this question.

Summarize your reaction to this episode with a gif:

Lauren:

Jamie:

Alamin:

Ashley:

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What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also check out our review of Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 13, “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” right here.

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

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