Grey’s Anatomy Review: And Dream of Sheep (Season 15 Episode 17)

Somehow, even with a surprise hook-up, some family drama, and talk of babies in bags, Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 17, “And Dream of Sheep,” feels a bit bland. There’s a disconnect to everything that’s happening, and I just don’t feel invested.

DeLuca’s father coming to the hospital is an interesting piece, and now is the perfect time to explore his character and his family further since he’s involved with Meredith.

But because it’s all so sudden, it doesn’t have the impact that it could. His father’s mental health is worth exploring on its own, and the actor who portrays Vincenzo, Lorenzo Caccialanza, is phenomenal. I want to know more about him. And I would have liked to know more about him before we got into this whole baby in a bag thing.

That, by the way, is another story that has a lot of potential. This poor mother gets a glimmer of hope that her baby could be saved, only to have that taken away. Ethically, it does pose problems. But what if it really could have worked? 

This is a place where Grey’s Anatomy shines. It digs into big questions when it comes to medicine and the kinds of choices doctors have to make. And the kinds of choices patients and family members have to make. 

Alex doesn’t want to discriminate against Vincenzo because of mental illness, and he has a personal stake in that right now with his mother visiting. That’s something else that I think we could be more invested in if it simply had more time to develop. I also don’t think it’s over yet.

The little discussion of mental illness makes for a nice theme too. Alex has the *audacity* to accuse Bailey of being prejudiced, and she promptly tells him off and fills him in on her own struggles. It’s a great moment, and I love that we’re getting to continue seeing Bailey cope and grown in her own ways with her anxiety.

Oh, and speaking of Alex and Bailey moments, Bailey has just about had enough of Alex being in charge of her, but it’s a great dynamic because she’s just as proud of him as she is thrown by him being over her. And you know she really is proud.

Alex as chief is one of the best moves this season has made, to be honest.

Jo, meanwhile, has learned that she has won the lottery when it comes to her DNA. She’s also learned it’s possible to find her mother. 

There’s a lot of complicated backstory for Jo, so I love that we’re getting to explore more of that, especially since her character has already grown so much. It’s Jo’s backstory that made like her in the first place. And it took a while.

The idea of finding a mother she doesn’t know isn’t exactly a new idea — but it doesn’t feel too tired, either. It’s even a bit poetic that this is happening on the heels of the audience finally getting to see Alex with his mom. Those stories could have the chance to weave together in some powerful ways.

Okay, so that’s what’s going on around the hospital. Away from the hospital? Amelia has a cute new haircut and is hanging out with Link at a conference on alternative pain relief. 

I… like these two together. I have a similar idea here that I had when Link and Meredith were a possibility — I think Link’s personality could be really good for Amelia. He’s positive and carefree, and maybe that’s exactly what she needs. 

They even find a connection when it comes to opioids, which turns out to be a nice moment of understanding between them as well as offering the audience some different ways to think about this topic — again, digging into big important questions when it comes to medicine. 

And the way Amelia is so flustered around a “chiseled” Link is simply entertaining to watch. It’s not something we’ve gotten to see from her character in a long time, and it’s refreshing.

Other thoughts:

• Maggie getting all of this press is actually really fun to watch. And her comment about Richard being a bonus is sweet. 
• Tilapia skin! Another reason Grey’s Anatomy is so fun to watch is for things like tilapia skin, especially when it turns into a rooftop fish fry thanks to Richard Webber.
• Can we just keep Meredith and DeLuca happy and adorable for a while? Please?
• Owen and Teddy have some nice moments on this episode, and if we can look at their relationship at face value, it’s really endearing. 

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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