Grey’s Anatomy Review: Sing it Again (Season 16 Episode 20)
I don’t like what’s happening with Richard Webber, but my goodness, it’s a great opportunity for James Pickens Jr. to shine.
On Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 Episode 20, Sing it Again,” the doctors come together to try to figure out what’s wrong with Richard, who’s exhibiting puzzling and terrifying symptoms.
It started with his hands several episodes ago, and then his mood swings, which might have been attributed to his shakey hands and his realization he wouldn’t be able to do surgery any longer. But his breakdown and hallucinations on Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 Episode 19, “Love of My Life,” offered a bigger picture.
JAICY ELLIOT, JAKE BORELLI
Watching the doctors come together to treat their number one patient is powerful stuff, and it’s the kind of thing that harkens back to earlier days of Grey’s. Bailey also recounts past traumas we might have forgotten, from a tumor Richard had years ago to the time he was electrocuted.
That history is nice to see and I appreciate those details. It’s also moving to see Richard struggle. There’s so much going on here. He has his pride, but then he finds himself unable to take on simple drawing tasks. Then, he shifts into an entirely alternate reality where he’s performing surgery, but he’s actually moments away from cutting into himself.
He looks at Meredith and calls her Ellis, then says he thinks there’s something wrong with him. It’s an unforgettable moment that hits you right in the gut. There is just so much history, and to see Richard vulnerable like this is heartwrenching.
And as I said, this is all a chance for James Pickens Jr. to shine. His performance is stellar in every moment, but especially in that moment of vulnerability.
Meredith talks him down. She swears she can fix him because he taught her everything she knows. Richard has been her mentor when it comes to surgery as well it when it comes to life.
Their relationship has always been a special one, and it’s powerful to see all of that come through in this small moment. She’s strong enough to talk him down and she’s not going to stop until this is solved.
The doctors continue to try to find answers, and Meredith is refusing to believe it could be Alzheimer’s.
Meredith: This isn’t Alzheimer’s. I’ve had a front-row seat to this disease. This is not it.
This entire storyline is wrapped in the history of Grey’s Anatomy, because yes, in so very many ways, Meredith knows more about Alzheimer’s than most. If she doesn’t think that’s what Richard has, then it likely isn’t.
Meanwhile, Tom’s ex-wife arrives at the hospital and knocks the wind right out of him when she introduces her son — a son that looks almost exactly like the son they had together who died, David.
MASON SHEA JOYCE
She needs Tom to save her child, but he’s emotionally unable to handle it and calls in Amelia.
Tom has quickly become one of the most fascinating characters on the series. He’s so layered and complex, and the emotion he’s forced to face on this episode is breathtaking.
While we’re talking about amazing performances, I have to give a nod to Greg Germann here also.
Because Amelia begins having contractions while operating on the boy, Tom is forced to step in any way. He’s forced to face it, but he only does it with Teddy’s calming words coming through the intercom.
Honestly, it’s so easy to become angry with Teddy over the way she’s handling all of this, but I also find it completely believable that she’s in love with both men, and that’s based on those individual interactions.
She’s one of a very few people who sees more to Tom than what’s on the surface, and I think the same is true for Owen. I’m worried about how all of this is about to shake out, though.
KIM RAVER, GREG GERMANN
Meanwhile, as I mentioned, Amelia was having contractions. She believes she is in labor, and Link is there by her side — both of them totally freaking out about what’s to come in an adorable and very genuine scene. I love these two together and I swear I hope it sticks for a while.
It turns out she’s only having Braxton Hicks contractions, and maybe that’s a good thing. This is just a bit of extra preparation.
Other Thoughts:
- A smaller storyline on this episode is the woman who can’t stop singing after surgery. I still don’t know what to make of it, but it turns out to be sweet.
- DeLuca can’t stay away from the hospital and is driven to figure out what’s going on with Richard too. Rather than send him away, Meredith wants to know what he’s found, and I can’t help but think it’s going to bring them back together somehow.
- Catherine is way too hard on Jackson, and maybe even too hard on herself.
- I adore the friendship that’s developing between Jo and Levi, and I love it even more that she still puts her foot down as his boss.
- I miss Alex Karev.
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 9/8c 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.