Grey’s Anatomy Review: Shelter from the Storm (Season 15 Episode 9)
I just have a lot of feelings right now, you guys.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 9, “Shelter from the Storm,” picks up where we left off after the mid-season finale cliffhanger, with doctors trapped in elevators in the midst of a windstorm and lives hanging in the balance.
The episode uses the storm and the stalled elevators to its advantage (this is Grey’s Anatomy, after all) moving between memorable romantic moments, awkward tensions, suspense, and tragedy with ease. There’s a lot going on here, so let’s break it down.
ELLEN POMPEO
Meredith and DeLuca
DeLuca almost seems like an entirely different character than he was when we first met him. He’s gone through a lot since he first arrived at the hospital, but it also seems to me Meredith is bringing out a different side of him. And it’s a side that I could watch for hours.
He’s fully confident and charming in a situation where you’d imagine he would be intimidated. But he isn’t in the slightest.
It’s all a bit reminiscent of Derek, but with a different dynamic that works well. Is he trying too hard? Maybe. But this is all part of a new journey for Meredith and it’s playing out well.
GIACOMO GIANNIOTTI
She’s still hesitant and conflicted, and add to that, there’s another man who wants her attention as well.
I like what both of these men have the potential to bring out in her character, and I really appreciate seeing this “season of love” focus for Meredith.
Losing Cece
Rip my heart out, why don’t you! It’s not necessarily surprising that Cece doesn’t pull through, but it’s absolutely painful. She’s a patient we’ve become invested in because, in addition to making us love her all on her own, she’s sparked change in Meredith in a significant way.
Those are some of the best stories on Grey’s Anatomy, and even though this one ends sadly, the lasting effect is positive. Meredith connected with her and learned things from her, and we’re clearly going to see those changes continue.
Bailey’s Anxiety
Bailey has been struggling with her anxiety for a while now, and it comes up slowly on this episode. Even though it’s one of the smaller plot points on this episode, it’s one that makes an awful lot of impact. Bailey is a leader, and she’s tough, so it’s even more impactful to see her struggling to cope with something so many people can identify with.
Of all the emotional moments from “Shelter from the Storm,” seeing her break down in front of Alex tops the list, especially since he switches from anger to compassion so immediately, with such a willingness to help.
Grey’s Anatomy shines in moments like this, especially since it’s been on the air for such a long time. We remember when Bailey was the boss and Alex was childish, so to see how that relationship has evolved is really powerful.
I do wish Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 were more in sync with each other when it comes to communication with Bailey and Ben, but that’s just a sidenote.
Teddy and Owen and Amelia
I think we can all agree that Teddy’s timing is terrible and perhaps even a little unrealistic. That aside, giving Owen this challenge is really interesting for his character.
He’s always wanted a child, and Teddy is someone he cares for and has a long history with, so to have a child with her is going to bring him some joy no matter how complicated the situation may be.
The parallel of seeing Teddy and Owen work together in a trauma situation, with a way of speaking to one another that Amelia doesn’t fully follow, is definitely significant. It’s indicative of how close they are, how much they understand one another, and how well they’ll likely be able to work together as parents.
It seems entirely plausible to me that they can do that as friends. We’ll see.
Other final thoughts:
- Amelia also makes the tough decision to send Betty to rehab, which she clearly needs. It’s heartbreaking to watch. I’m hoping the result is a good one.
- Our poor maintenance guy! He’s so focused on how they can’t mess with the elevators for safety reasons, and then nearly loses his legs when they do. It’s one of the most viscerally painful scenes I’ve seen on this show in a long time. I may have screamed out loud and alarmed some family members.
- I’m devastated for Jackson. We only get hints of him coping with the news of his mother with everything else going on, but goodness. This is going to be so sad for him, and for poor Richard who’s about to get the news.
- Alex stumbling on to Levi and Schmidt is a funny moment, but even better is the way he scolds him later. His focus? Find rooms with locks for goodness sakes!
What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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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.