Greys_Anatomy_Cropped Grey’s Anatomy Review: Good As Hell (Season 17 Episode 13)

Grey’s Anatomy Review: Good As Hell (Season 17 Episode 13)

Grey's Anatomy, Reviews

Meredith takes her last stroll along the beach on Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 Episode 13, “Good As Hell.” There is no other place to start because it’s about time.

Grey’s Anatomy makes a unique choice by afflicting its heroine with COVID-19 throughout most of this shortened season. It simultaneously addresses the fact that people of color die from the illness at higher rates. But it’s fooling itself to believe that most of us would be on the edge of our seats wondering if Meredith Grey would live or die.

Of course she is going to live. So I’m happy we are finally here. 

Grey's Anatomy Season 17 Episode 13, "Good As Hell"
GREY’S ANATOMY – “Good as Hell” – (ABC) GREY’S ANATOMY

Despite that there is not much suspense to it all, Meredith’s COVID-induced beach scenes have always been handled beautifully. There are no exceptions on “Good As Hell.” 

Perhaps there is no atoning for Derek Shepherd’s death, but  Grey’s Anatomy sure gives it one “hell” of a try. 

A traditional beach “wedding” scene is definitely fan service, but it also fits in with the story. 

During her final moments on the beach, Meredith is grappling with waking up for her kids (and everyone else) or not. By having a more traditional wedding (or at least wedding dress) like the one in little Ellis’s drawing, she’s choosing to live for her kids on the beach, and that allows her to prepare to wake up in reality. 

It’s beautiful symbolism and the true ending Meredith and Derek shippers deserve after all of these years. We’ve also been dealing with the slow buzz of everyone’s COVID stress under every episode of Season 17. So, we’ve earned the exhale. 

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The discussion about the circumstances of Derek’s death is arguably more important than the wedding for Meredith. She hates weddings, after all.  

Grey's Anatomy Season 17 Episode 13, “Good as Hell”
GREY’S ANATOMY – “Good as Hell” – (ABC/Richard Cartwright) RICHARD FLOOD, JUNG PARK

Meredith is reuniting with everyone she loves and lost on a beach in an alternate reality, so she might as well get closure about what Derek knows and what he experienced while dying. 

No one gets that in reality, but it’s nice to dream, isn’t it? 

Zola eventually gets the ending she deserves, too. But the scene in which she lets out her anger with Maggie stands out the most. 

It’s fulfilling to see Maggie take a lesson she has learned from Catherine and teach her niece.

Screaming to release anger is definitely a necessary skill for us all to master. The scene takes a turn for delight in the end, but I would have loved to see Zola grapple with more intense anger and cry real tears. 

The poor child needs to let it all out. She is the oldest of about a half dozen kids. Although adults tell her the truth about her mom’s condition often, she must hear hushed whispers. It would wear on anyone, especially a child. 

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Grey's Anatomy Season 17 Episode 13, "Good As Hell"
GREY’S ANATOMY – “Good as Hell” – (ABC/Richard Cartwright) KELLY MCCREARY

She asks to go to the hospital to see her mom. But upon entering the hospital, everyone is putting the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders. Whether they say it out loud or not, she definitely feels it. 

Meredith better put her in therapy when she gets home. However, joy prevails throughout the hour and Zola’s mom wakes up. So, no need to harp on the future PTSD she might have. 

Watching Miranda learn about joy through Erica is more fulfilling than seeing Jo’s specialty switch request granted. We all need a reminder that when we jump off a cliff, sometimes we don’t fall, we fly. 

“Good As Hell”‘s biggest weakness is unavoidable. It’s just very hard to care about most of the episode when Meredith and Derek are reunited on a beach exchanging vows. 

She is awake now and she has kids to raise and more lives to save, eventually. (Probably when we get back from visiting Montana with Jackson.) Hopefully, the beach wedding brings the peace she needs to get back on her feet quickly. 

Grey's Anatomy Season 17 Episode 13, "Good As Hell"
GREY’S ANATOMY – “Good as Hell” – (ABC) ELLEN POMPEO, PATRICK DEMPSEY
Doctor’s Notes 
  • Speaking of weddings and Jackson, fingers crossed he finds his peace right under his nose in Seattle soon. 
  • I know Teddy has been going through a lot, but the level of negativity she brings to every scene is too extra. 
  • I’m so happy Erica has a passion, we all deserve that. But who actually eats peanut brittle? 
  • I want Jo to adopt Luna. 
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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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Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.