Grey’s Anatomy Review: Momma Knows Best (Season 15 Episode 4)
All it takes is for the other person to say “the one thing.”
On Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 4, “Momma Knows Best,” Meredith goes on her first date set up by her matchmaker, but it’s possibly going to be the first of many.
Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) guest stars as John, Meredith’s date, and their conversation goes better than anticipated. It’s a little awkward at first, but only in the way that such a situation would likely be. I actually really enjoy seeing these two bounce off of each other.
ELLEN POMPEO
They decide they’re having fun and like each other enough to keep their date going even when they realize they’re with the wrong blind dates. It’s all very cute, and it’s interesting to see Meredith in such a new position.
You even think this might go somewhere, but then he does it. He says the one thing. He talks about single mothers and their “desperation,” as he puts it.
What follows is, I think, one of my all-time favorite Meredith Grey moments. She has no interest in someone who could take such a view, and she knows that immediately.
John: You have a kid.
Meredith: I have three. And while I don’t feel like I’m on any sort of clock, I also don’t feel like they’re holding me back from anything.
It’s such a pivotal moment for her, because she knows what she wants and what she’s not willing to accept. At the same time, she handles it with grace. She’s kind, but she kindly walks away. It reveals so much about her character, and that’s why I love that we’re going in this direction with her.
JAINA LEE ORTIZ, ELLEN POMPEO
Derek’s death, her children, her sisters, her career, the other tragedies that have surrounded her — these things have shaped who she is, and that colors how she’ll develop a relationship with another person.
Meanwhile, Alex is continuing to learn what it means to be chief, and in a move that’s very fitting for his character, he breaks a rule to save a patient.
The whole thing says more about the costs of medicine and the problems with insurance than anything else. That someone would have to take such a risk to their own health because of cost is a heartbreaking reality.
I worry for Alex in moments like this, but it seems like a win all around, even with Richard. As much as I enjoyed watching Richard adjust to Alex as chief on Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 3, “Gut Feeling,” I hope we’re at the end of that now.
I do love their banter, and Alex’s reasoning for being able to use Richard’s mother’s advice as opposed to any advice he would have gotten from his own mother.
Alex: Well, let me tell you something my mother used to say. “Bats! There are bats everywhere, Alex! And they know everbody’s phone numbers!” So how about you let me borrow your mom for a minute?
Alex may be unsure of himself in this new job, but I think it’s something he can excel at, and I love seeing him challenged in this way.
Much like Meredith is taking a new journey of her own to let us see more to her character, the same is true of Alex here. And his character deserves that focus.
As a crossover episode with Station 19, “Momma Knows Best” actually leaves something to be desired. We get to see Ben, which is nice, and Herrera and Dean bring a fun energy to the hospital.
OKIERIETE ONAODOWAN, JAINA LEE ORTIZ
Herrera even hands out some solid advice to Meredith (I’d love to see their friendship continue), but otherwise? It feels less like a major crossover event and more like a natural connection between the shows.
What connects the episodes is the boy, Max, who can’t get a straight answer about what’s going on with his mother. He runs off and eventually puts himself in danger, leading into the episode of Station 19. It’s a heartbreaking story, and I want to know more about Max and his family.
AMARI AND AMIR O’NEIL
He brings out something in both Maggie and DeLuca, who take the extra step to be there when he’s found on Station 19. While I’d like to see Jackson return soon just as much as anyone, this has been kind of a nice chance to focus on Maggie in some different ways in his absence.
Dean’s crush on her is also very, very sweet.
As for Owen and Amelia — they haven’t figured out their relationship, exactly, but they work well together as co-parents, and it’s lovely to see them together in such a positive way.
Amelia gets some good mothering advice from Owen’s mother, which is also a nice moment. What I think I like most, though, is the moment when Betty calls Amelia and Owen “lame” while also sort of accepting the discipline.
Other thoughts:
- Everyone’s reaction to Meredith being dressed up for a lunch date is great. A little over the top, but great. I especially like Link’s reaction to her.
- Alex and Meredith taking a bet on how long her date will last is fun, too, and a nice reminder of their friendship.
- How does Jo know Link?? I have so many questions.
What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
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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: Momma Knows Best (Season 15 Episode 4)”
*I have to leave this comment for a class, so you can totally disregard*
The thing I love about Grey’s Anatomy is how they uphold the dignity of every human person. They ways they fight for their patients is very moving. I love how the review mentions that Alex is willing to pretend that a boy has an emergent injury in order to remove the “bleb” from his lung, which has been causing underlying health issues but couldn’t be removed due to insurance problems, and how it is so fitting for his character to do such actions for the sake of those he loves. This is also shown by how the review desires to know more about the little boy and the ways Maggie and Andrew fight so hard him who has no idea his entire world is about to change by his mom unexpectedly dying. Even though the dad is trying to protect his son, they see that it is actually hurting the boy more by not telling him and they try their best to care for him, and I love
While the review never directly mentions this, it is very interesting to watch the storyline with Jackson and Maggie play out. While Jackson is on a hunt to find God in his life, they portray his search in such a way that he is going crazy, hurting the people around him, and is frankly looking for something that won’t be found. It is beautiful that they put his search for truth in the show, but they do it in a way that takes away from the beauty of the storyline, instead of adding to it. With that being said, I also understand that the show itself isn’t trying to persuade me one way or the other about religious beliefs. There have been other characters (Like April Kepner) who has mentioned that God is the most important thing in her life and the joy of her life. Grey’s Anatomy tries to show different lifestyles, cultures, and beliefs. It is a fairly diverse show, and it does its best to balance all of the different viewpoints and beliefs without getting too political.
I love how the review mentions that Meredith knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to get it, but is also aware of how her actions effect others. Her actions in this episode inspire viewers to stick to their beliefs, and not be afraid of rejection because of them. But also to not overreact and hurt others because they said something that hurt you. It shows me that Grey’s Anatomy is constantly showing real-life, every-day struggles, and I think that is why it is so popular and all the reviews are so good. It has the drama, but also the day-to-day struggles and how different characters get through them. It truly is relevant to experience, but in a way that is skillfully developed. The quality has only gone up as the show goes on. The camera angels are always perfect, and you can hardly tell that the people on the operating table aren’t real. The quality of the content is high, and the content itself is entertaining.
As the show goes on, it does become more and more political. While there are no politics present in this episode, later down the road it becomes mostly political. Being aware of the attitude of the producers is important, because the storyline can easily make you believe in things that directly go against your moral beliefs- but you must be extremely careful in this show especially, as it is so similar to real life situations, it could cause you to question your moral/religious beliefs.
In all, this episode of Grey’s Anatomy is good media to be consuming, and this is a good review. While there may be some moral issues, being aware of those going into your time watching Grey’s Anatomy should be all you need to sit down and enjoy the show.
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