Grey’s Anatomy Review: My Shot (Season 16 Episode 8)

Grey’s Anatomy always knows how to bring out the nostalgia with its milestones, and it does exactly that on Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8, “My Shot,” which is the show’s 350th episode.

The episode’s focus is on Meredith’s hearing. Nearly every attending is there as Meredith faces the panel, but as it turns out, there is someone on the panel who strikes a nerve.

Meredith immediately recognizes the doctor who was responsible for Derek’s death. More than that, he doesn’t even seem to recognize who she is.

Talk about twisting the knife. The realization comes with flashbacks to one of the most heartbreaking episodes of the entire series, where Derek dies because the doctor treating him doesn’t handle things properly. 

Meredith could ask for someone to replace the doctor on the panel, but that would only mean postponing for months, which is also not ideal.

So the hearing proceeds, and it is, quite frankly, a brilliant way to look back at the evolution of Meredith Grey.

As her colleagues testify, we’re offered more flashbacks along with detailed reminders of things that have happened over the years — and all the ways she’s been willing to bend the rules. It goes all the way back to Denny’s LVAD wire and that time she did surgery on an intern. 

But those aren’t the only details of her history that we’re able to see. As her fellow doctors sing her praises, we get a well-rounded picture of the doctor she’s become, which only reminds us what a complex character Meredith truly is.

It’s fascinating to hear everyone talk about Meredith. Bailey is still angry — and I continue to think, even after her conversation with Richard, that her anger has been over the top this entire time, to a point where it doesn’t entirely ring true to me.

Alex speaks out about her and he notes how his friend has made him a better person. Remember the Alex from Season 1? Alex has changed drastically and getting to see those flashes and remember how Meredith and Alex’s friendship development is really beautiful.

Richard also has lovely things to say, and he isn’t afraid to lie when he has to. But one secret does come out. It turns out that Meredith was never supposed to work at Seattle Grace. She wasn’t originally going to be in the program, but Richard helped to change that. (Also, hey, Patricia!)

That’s a twist that I have a feeling will somehow come up again, and it’s one that shakes Bailey. Because yes, there is obviously some jealousy there.

It’s not just her colleagues that show up for Meredith, though. Alex is so sweet when he introduces a whole freaking crowd of former patients whose lives were changed by Meredith Grey. There’s Ray, from when that ambulance flipped over, and then there’s even Katie Bryce, Meredith’s first patient on the pilot episode.

Add to that, there are letters — ones that Alex reads with enthusiasm. The first is from Cristina Yang (who calls Meredith the sun) and there are others from Callie, Arizona, April, and even Addison. Bailey also re-thinks some of what she’s said, and chimes in at the end to champion Meredith, thank goodness.

All of that comes together for what really makes this episode a celebration of Meredith Grey. Every detail, every flashback, and even every music choice works together to create something spectacular.

And that’s without the extra added layer of Dr. Castello — the doctor I mentioned above who is responsible for Derek’s death.

So far I’ve talked about what everyone has said about Meredith, but Meredith gets a moment to lash out at the doctor responsible for killing her husband, and my goodness, is it powerful. Her speech alone is enough to make this episode stand out, but then we have the slightly contrived collapse of the doctor. 

He’s rushed to the hospital, and when they determine that he needs surgery, Amelia has to call for help from Tom. There’s no way she can operate on the man responsible for her brother’s death. 

It’s all pretty gutwrenching, but I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that Castello dies on that operating table. There’s a lot of shock value here that’s probably not necessary aside from giving Amelia a reason to face the man as well. It works, but it’s also unnecessary, and I’d have been entirely content to get more focus on the hearing.

Meredith finds out her fate by the end of the episode. She’s going to get to keep her license. I’m not sure if that’s realistic, all things considered, but it has to be the case or the show really can’t go on, and I enjoy the fact that we’re focusing on celebrating her as this amazing doctor.

Add to that, Bailey gives Meredith her job back. Again, I don’t know how much I buy that, but it’s clearly time to put some pieces back together here. It’s going to feel a little odd if Alex and Richard aren’t both offered their jobs back, though — even if they’d decline.

Just as Meredith gets her job back, there’s another change to her life. DeLuca breaks up with her, and well, at this point, can you blame him? It’s been fun to see those two together, but this crisis has certainly revealed Meredith’s priorities. It’ll be interesting to see how all of that plays out.

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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