Grey’s Anatomy: 17 Moments Where Arizona Robbins Shined

She may have moved on from Grey Sloan Memorial, but Jessica Capshaw’s Arizona Robbins will remain one of the most important characters in Grey’s Anatomy history because of who she represented — the LGBTQIA and disability communities.

To honor Arizona and Capshaw, I’ve gathered (in no particular order) 17 moments from the show that let the character’s strength, vulnerability, and optimism absolutely shine.

1.  Introducing Herself to Dr. Bailey (Season 5 Episode 11 “Wish You Were Here”)

From the moment Dr. Arizona Robbins steps on to the Seattle-Grace Peds floor in her roller sneakers, Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) doesn’t want to trust her. I get it. She’s really perky, wears a ponytail, and Miranda has an emotional attachment to her patient. Transplants are never a first choice.

Arizona understands too. She just doesn’t really care — her patient matters more than whether or now anyone likes her. Miranda gets offended that Arizona snaps at her, but Arizona is having none of it.

“You’ve been second guessing me from the moment I’ve arrived, and I get it…But I’m not the problem, the patient is. So how about you stop thinking about me and start focusing on him.”

Nice to meet you, Dr. Badass. You’re gonna fit in, here.

2. First Kiss with Callie (Season 5 Episode 14 “Beat Your Heart Out”)

Speaking of introductions, Arizona introduces herself to Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) in the most fantastic, brave way possible…with a kiss.

Ok, wait. I’m lying. She introduces herself, tells Callie she knows things about her because people talk, and tells Callie that when she gets over being ghosted by Erica Hahn, people will be lining up to date her. Then, when Callie asks for proof, she kisses her.

It’s my second favorite first kiss in Grey’s Anatomy history. As far as the character’s history, it ranks pretty high on my badassery scale (remember, these are in random order.) I’m not sure I would spontaneously kiss someone I knew really well in a bar bathroom, let alone a stranger.

3. Talking to Callie’s Dad (Season 6 Episode 5, “Invasion”)

Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 5 doesn’t just include the invasion of the Mercy Westers. Callie’s dad visits too, with some rather unwelcome biphobic sentiment.

From her own experience, Arizona understands that for some parents, accepting a child’s sexuality is a process. Instead of getting mad at him, she uses the opportunity to teach Carlos Torres (Hector Elizondo)  about the kind of unconditional love she received from her father. It’s one of the most iconic speeches in the character’s history:

“I’m a good man in a storm. I love your daughter and I protect the things I love….and she’s who you raised her to be.”

It’ll still bring tears to your eyes today, trust me.

4. Bonding with Dr. Herman (Season 11 Episode 12, “Thee Great Pretender”)

Unpopular opinion alert: my favorite relationship Arizona has throughout her entire run is the one she has with Nicole Herman (Geena Davis.) Above her friendship with April, and yes, above her romantic relationship with Callie.

It does benefit from being part of an arc with a clear end rather than a core relationship at the mercy of a “new” story every season. But still, this late in the show the mentor/mentee relationship is refreshing again. Plus, Capshaw and Davis have wonderful acting chemistry.

I love the whole story. It’s hard to pick a “moment” to highlight. The arc’s climax doesn’t hit until the next episode, but Season 11 Episode 12 “The Great Pretender” sees the women let their guard down in front of each other and bond as humans, not just doctors. I guess stealing couches together will do that.

5. On the Stand (Season 12 Episode 22, “Mama Tried”)

There is no denying that the Japril/Calzona custody battle bait and switch in Season 12 was unnecessary on both sides. But it happened. And if you think about it, Calzona’s custody story is the one that needs to be told.

Jackson and April are heterosexual. I can tell you that custody story with my eyes closed. But with same-sex parents, one of them is usually going to have genes in common with the child while the other does not. That’s messier. There is at least one mother in the world who drew strength from Arizona’s speech.

Was the episode realistic? It’s hard to say for sure without living it. But it’s hard not to hear the absolute power and love in Arizona’s words on the stand:

“You’re not going to imply that I’m any less Sofia’s mother because we don’t share the same DNA. Because that would be offensive. It would be offensive to anyone in the room who has an adopted child or is an adopted child. And for you to say that…I chose to be Sofia’s mother. It did not fall into my lap. There was a choice and I could stay or I could run and I chose motherhood; and it was the best choice that I ever made.”

To admit that she could run? That running from motherhood was a possibility? Women are often villainized for thinking such things, let alone saying them out loud. Then daring to leave court to go do their job. So, that scene? It’s next to “badass” in my dictionary.

6. Champagne in the Closet (Season 10 Episode 4, “Puttin’ on the Ritz”)

It’s not quite so badass to hide in a supply closet during a party to avoid watching your ex tell people you’re dead. I wish Arizona had stormed into the benefit on Grey’s Anatomy Season 10 Episode 4 “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and declared herself back from the dead.

But commandeering champagne from said party via an intern is pretty badass, as is the vulnerability. Arizona is vulnerable when she tells April Kepner (Sarah Drew) what it feels like to know people are staring at you. It’s a pretty strong start to the fan favorite friendship known as Kepzona.

As a disabled woman, I have to say it’s also pretty admirable that Arizona doesn’t smack April when she asks to try on Arizona’s leg. It’s a joke, and it does work.

But drunk or not, I’d smack my really good friends if they asked to sit in my wheelchair. It’s hard to believe, but the supply closet scenes are some of the first real moments April and Arizona share. PSA: You have to really know your audience when you ask a question like that.

7. Confronting Nick (Season 8 Episode 22 “Let The Bad Times Roll”)

I wish we knew more about Arizona, particularly her family. We do get tidbits about them throughout seasons, but we don’t see them more than once…maybe twice during her whole tenure at Grey-Sloan.

Someone we do get to know is Nick, her deceased brother’s best friend. Nick waits six years to ask Arizona for help treating his cancer, and she is pissed.

At the end of Season 8 Episode 22, “Let the Bad Times Roll,” we see Arizona in one of her most vulnerable moments when she screams at him for not coming to her sooner.

She couldn’t save her brother Tim, but if Nick had just come to her sooner, there was a chance she could’ve saved him. Watching her come to terms with essentially losing another brother is absolutely heartbreaking, and one of the most intimate moments viewers get to have with Arizona Robbins.

8. She Likes the Girl who has the Sandwiches, (Season 5 Episode 22 “What A Difference a Day Makes”)

My favorite time period in Calzona’s relationship is Seasons 5 and 6. When it’s new it feels the most natural. On the 100th episode of Grey’s Anatomy Season 5 Episode 22, “What A Difference a Day Makes” Izzie and Alex get married, but Callie and Arizona are dealing with fallout from an awkward date.

When Arizona realizes that Callie is being distant and mean because the restaurant they went to the night before was too expensive, Arizona assures her that even though she doesn’t like sandwiches she “likes the girl who has the sandwiches.”

It’s a moment that showcases Arizona’s sweet and optimistic personality perfectly. She might have money, but she doesn’t feel the need to spend it if it will prevent her from furthering her relationship with Callie. Compromising in a new relationship can be awkward, but that’s the first moment Arizona proves her commitment. Oh, also they have sex that night, so that’s kind of a big deal.

9. A Moment to Miss Timothy (Season 7 Episode 20 “White Wedding”)

Arizona’s shining moment on her wedding episode, Season 7 Episode 20, “White Wedding” is when she’s in pain. She has been strong, dealing with Callie’s family and her dad’s rigid scheduling, holding in her thoughts to get it done.

But on her wedding day, when Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) comes to move her along, she’s in tears, completely broken. “I need a minute to miss my brother,” she tells him. They hug, and the pain of the girl who just wants to dance with her brother at her wedding is palpable through the screen.

It’s a shining moment for Capshaw as well. The scenes where her emotions are motivated by Arizona’s brother Tim, who died in the army, are some of her best. I wish we had met Tim via flashbacks.

10. A Shoulder to Cry On (Season 11 Episode 24, “You’re My Home”)

Writing this list has involved a lot of re-watching. But there was no need to re-watch this scene from Season 11 Episode 24, “You’re My Home.” Arizona is simply sitting in a church pew and holding April as she cries about the uncertainty of her marriage.

Technically,  Drew had a lot more work to do in this scene. But if you’ve ever had to sit and keep quiet while your friend cries or vents about her man, well — you know how hard it can be.

Arizona has made some questionable decisions in this friendship, but this was not one of them. A true friend is one who can just sit and hold you while you cry. We know Arizona isn’t shy about saying what she thinks, so this must have been hard for her. 

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