Grey’s Anatomy Review: Let’s All Go to the Bar (Season 16 Episode 9)
Change keeps coming on Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 Episode 9, “Let’s All Go to the Bar.”
Meredith is back at Grey-Sloan just in time to meet the new chief of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Cormac Hayes (Richard Flood). He and Meredith clash immediately, which makes it that much more fun to see Meredith back in action.
The narrative over the past few seasons has become very much about what a legendary surgeon Meredith is, and she has the confidence to back it up. There really isn’t anything more satisfying than seeing her prove this new guy wrong, either.
What’s surprising is that, throughout the episode, Meredith keeps getting texts from Cristina who has sent her a “package.” But the package isn’t an “it. It’s a “him.” McWidow!
It’s been a while since the days of McDreamies and McSteamies, and there’s certainly something a little “dark and twisty” about nicknaming this new doc “McWidow.” That’s what makes it even better, along with the fact that Cristina has a very real presence lately.
And this “package” comes just as Meredith has been dumped (sort of) by DeLuca. DeLuca doesn’t see it that way, and I do hope he takes some advice from Link.
I agree that Meredith wasn’t exactly treating DeLuca like she would if she saw him as more serious relationship material, but Link is right that DeLuca shouldn’t expect to be seen as her equal. At least not professionally.
I enjoyed what DeLuca brought to the table for Meredith’s character, but at this point, it feels natural to move on. I’m curious to see how that plays out.
Speaking of complicated relationships, there’s quite the push on this episode of Owen to propose to Teddy. Richard points it out to Owen, and Tom also has something to say about it to Teddy — while he continues to make his love for her known. That feels a little contrived, I think, and I wish we were seeing more of Owen and Teddy together.
Instead, we’re left to wonder how much more complicated things are about to get since it seems like now there’s a pretty good chance that Amelia’s baby isn’t Link’s.
That idea is almost a little too exhausting to consider. It’s a very soapy shocker, but it’s not one that feels enjoyable to me right now. I’d hoped there was closure for Amelia and Owen by now, but instead, we might be running right back in that direction.
The most heartbreaking part of this episode is centered on Bailey, who has a miscarriage just as she’s decided she’s truly excited about this pregnancy.
Chandra Wilson knocks this performance out of the park as she tries to put on a brave face — but she can’t do it with a heartbroken Ben around. And when Amelia wants to continue bonding with her about their pregnancies (the episode opens this way and it’s fun and lighthearted), Bailey tells Amelia she’s having a girl.
There could be another addition to this new generation of Grey’s Anatomy babies, too. Jo has signed up for the Safe Haven program, which takes her to the firehouse.
That choice is a really beautiful one, and I love seeing that kind of positive growth for her character. She’s turned her story into one that allows a happy ending and allows her to give something back.
But, it’s possible she’s taking it too far, because the baby she goes to the firehouse for? She winds up bringing it home with her.
Now let’s talk about Maggie. She sadly loses a patient on this episode, and she believes it’s because she went against her gut feeling. This follows too soon after her losing the relative she’d just met, and it’s too much to bear.
Still, her decision to resign feels like it must go deeper than all of that somehow. It reminds me of the time Derek quit after losing a long-time patient in the early seasons. But that felt natural.
This, on the other hand, feels like it’s coming out of nowhere. I’m hoping that we’ll dive into that more when the show returns from hiatus.
The least interesting piece of this episode revolves around Catherine, Richard, and Jackson. Catherine and Richard’s relationship has been rocky for a while now and it’s become painful to watch.
There’s a misunderstanding that leads Catherine to believe Richard is cheating with his friend — and fair, she did hit on him. But Richard isn’t making those same choices now. Jackson tries to help his mother see that, standing up for Richard. And he does so in the midst of hearing his mom complain about his relationship choices.
It all winds up being quite the setup for a crossover. Not only have we spotted Vic on this episode, but Jo’s trip the firehouse, and then the discovery that Pruitt is sick again, is all serving to set up some story for Station 19.
The cliffhanger that will really lead us there is one we couldn’t have seen coming. A car crashes into the bar with several of our beloved characters inside — the perfect setup to a Station 19/Grey’s Anatomy crossover.
What did you think of the fall finale of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Grey’s Anatomy airs returns Thursday, January 23rd along with Station 19 for a special crossover event. The crossover will begin with Station 19 at 8/7c. Grey’s will then assume its new time slot at 9/8c.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.