Grey’s Anatomy: 17 Moments Where Arizona Robbins Shined

Grey’s Anatomy: 17 Moments Where Arizona Robbins Shined (continued):

11. Jessica Capshaw’s Performance (Season 11 Episode 5, “Bend and Break”)

I think Callie and Arizona deserved a better story than the one they got from Season 11 on. That said, I absolutely love Season 11 Episode 5, “Bend and Break”  as a piece of art.

I watched Jessica Capshaw’s scenes and tried to pick the moment she shines the most. But there isn’t just one. I love Arizona’s conviction at the beginning of the episode. But there is beauty in her journey by the end. Even though her marriage doesn’t continue as she wants it to, her vulnerability admitting what she does takes strength.

There is also so much explored in her career on this episode as well. Failure, success, pressure. “Bend and Break” was a preview of all of the possible paths Arizona’s journey on the show could take.

12. Arizona’s Birthday (Season 6 Episode 8 “Invest In Love”)

It’s Arizona’s birthday in Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 8, “Invest In Love.” As one should on their day, she dominates the episode. But there are three scenes on the episode that absolutely capture her essence.

The first is when she kicks Dr. Webber out of the OR as she’s trying to save Wallace’s life. She cares about her patient’s life more than the possibility of losing the money his parents donated to the hospital. With Dr. Webber in the OR, the money is breathing down her neck, and that’s not in her patient’s best interest. So, no matter who she has to scream at, Arizona’s going to scream for her patients’ lives.

The next scene will bring tears to anyone’s eyes. Arizona brings Wallace’s parents to see his body one last time, and when his mother breaks down in tears, unable to say the magic words to ensure he has good dreams, Arizona says them for her:

“Bad dreams, bad dreams go away. Good dreams, good dreams here to stay. Bad dreams, bad dreams go away. Good dreams, good dreams here to stay. Bad dreams, bad dreams go away. Good dreams, good dreams here to stay.”

Three times, so it will work.

Last, of course, there is the “I love you” scene. When Arizona gets home, she finds Callie wearing lingerie amidst the aftermath of her failed surprise birthday party. And she says the three magical words. It’s one of the sweetest “I love you” scenes in the show’s history.

13. Telling Mark to Live (Season 8 Episode 24 “Flight”)

Arizona and Mark have a tumultuous relationship. But he’s involved in a few of Arizona’s most shining moments because that journey was so real.

After Lexie dies on Season 8 Episode 24, “Flight,” Mark feels ready to die. I can’t say I blame him. Lexie is  the love of his life. But Arizona isn’t having it. Sofia’s waiting for him, Callie is, and, she reminds him with tears in her eyes, that she’s waiting for him.

TV shows underestimate how much the little moments matter. This was a beautiful small moment in one of the most difficult season finales in Grey’s Anatomy history.

14. Fighting with Mark and Saving Sofia’s Life (Season 7 Episode 18, “Song Beneath the Song”)

I’ve mentioned that Mark and Arizona’s relationship is rocky, to say the least. That’s perhaps most evident on Grey’s Anatomy Season 7 Episode 18, “Song Beneath the Song,” the musical episode.

They fight about medical decisions for Callie and Sofia and at one point Mark calls Arizona “nothing” because she’s not a biological parent and Callie and Arizona aren’t married. But Arizona keeps fighting for the people she loves.

Ironically, Arizona’s lack of legal status with Callie is what allows her to jump right in and save Sofia’s life when she has complications immediately after birth. It’s quite powerful to watch a mother literally save her child’s life.

15. Callie’s Baby Shower (Season 7 Episode 17, “This Is How We Do It”)

Arizona Robbins is me at a baby shower. They’re absolutely horrible. But I do love a good tiara. And Arizona’s grumpy cynical side is quite refreshing to see. Even she can’t be perky all of the time.

This is also “the proposal” episode. While it’s not the best scene (they’re arguing and then get hit by a truck…I mean…) I love that Arizona is the one who asks. It’s very in character for her. She’s optimistic and perky most of the time, but she gets what she wants.

Sometimes asking is the hardest part. But it goes to show you: don’t mistake a happy, compassionate person for an unambitious one.

16. Standing Up to Chief Webber (Season 6 Episode 7, “Give Peace a Chance”)

Arizona Robbins’ problems with authority is one of the funniest subplots in her early seasons. In Season 6 Episode 7, “Give Peace A Chance” she somehow ends up guarding the door behind which Derek is doing a surgery on a staff member’s spinal tumor that the chief has forbidden.

When the chief finds out and tries to get past Arizona to yell at Derek, she doesn’t allow it. She does stand up to him because a member of the hospital’s life is on the line and she will not let Richard Webber’s anger interfere with Derek’s concentration. But when it’s over she collapses into Callie’s arms in tears.

It’s funny, but it’s also a human quirk that makes her relatable. As much as she stands up for her patients and friends, when authority is involved sometimes she cries while doing it. That’s OK. What makes her human is what makes her shine so much as a character.

There are also some funny moments in later years when former Chief Webber is suddenly Arizona’s wingman. But these early authority issues stand out for me.

17. Alex Reminds Her of Herself (Season 8 Episode 2, “She’s Gone”)

Arizona and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) is one of the most well-written mentor relationships on the show. We could do a whole other list of “Best Arizona and Alex Moments.” One of the moments that shows Arizona’s personality best is on Season 8 Episode 2 “She’s Gone.”

Cristina accidentally shocks Alex, exposing an arrhythmia in his heart. When Arizona visits Alex to see how he’s doing, she insists that he makes up with his friends, because she worries about him. And she doesn’t want to worry about him. Also, taking personal problems into his professional life makes him a bad hire.

She cares. Compassion makes a teacher great.

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What are some of your other favorite Arizona Robbins moments from Grey’s Anatomy? Let us know in the comments below!

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