Grey’s Anatomy Review: Legacy (Season 18 Episode 11)

Hamilton’s long-awaited surgery is finally here on Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 Episode 11, “Legacy,” but the episode still falls flat.

While performing Hamilton’s surgery, at all, should feel like a massive victory for the team, “Legacy” fails to deliver on the gravity of the major medical accomplishment happening at the hospital.

Most of the episode feels like five trains running in different directions. 

Until the true outcome of the research and the operation is clear, it’s hard to view the Minnesota storyline as anything other than an opportunity to bring in new love interests for Meredith and Amelia.

These new characters are great, but the back and forth between locations is a lot. Also, when do Meredith and Amelia see their children? 

Eventually, the show should move the focus back to Seattle–with Nick and Kai there too. 

The brightest spot in Hamilton’s operation is the return of Tom. His ability to make jokes about Schmitt’s situation is both cruel and hilarious. 

Greg Germann is such a delight and he embodies this character so well. 

Keeping Tom around would no doubt improve the quality of this season, so let’s hope for more of him if the Minnesota team continues their work. 

Speaking of the Minnesota storyline, although isolated from almost all of the episode, learning more about Nick as a transplant surgeon proves that he’s a strong match for the doctors on this show. 

Focusing on Nick’s approach to his work allows us to see the type of person that he is. He is a compassionate doctor who wants to honor the donors that he is transplanting organs from. Meredith found a good one. 

“Legacy” allows two of the main couples to face their conflicts in paralleling storylines that don’t deliver as much as they intend to. 

While it’s entertaining to see the show play with different dynamics, and the Jo/ Teddy and Link/ Owen storylines are, at times, funny, ultimately, these subplots put the two couples back into repetitive story arcs. 

After everything that Teddy and Owen have been through, it’s exhausting to watch them consider divorce. It feels like Owen has been divorced five times already. 

With Link and Jo, it still feels very “pair the spares.” This type of change from friends to more always benefits from a gradual buildup. This storyline is, frankly, rushed. 

The awkwardness between them makes me feel awkward and uncomfortable, which shouldn’t happen with these storylines. It should be the cute kind of awkwardness that makes us excited, but the chemistry doesn’t land.

While a groundbreaking surgery occurs, Jordan spends way too much time chasing his idol. Although it’s fun to see Bailey get the admiration for her talents that she rightfully deserves, Jordan is flirting with her and it’s uncomfortable. 

Jordan kissing Bailey is hands down the most awkward scene that Grey’s Anatomy has done in years. I’m cringing. 

“Legacy” continues the focus on Schmitt’s surgical loss through a sad, but true, comparison between surgery and video games. 

While Richard believes that Schmitt needs to come back and find his way again, Schmitt believes that the virtual reality he lives in on the couch in his mother’s basement provides him the do-overs that an OR cannot. 

But he has come too far to give up now. Let’s hope someone, if not Richard, helps Schmitt return to work. 

Schmitt’s heartbreaking predicament is one of the few compelling storylines this season. It finally allows Jake Borelli to flex his acting chops while giving depth to a character that spent seasons getting laughed at. 

Overall, “Legacy” has some bright spots, but the episode ultimately leaves us feeling frustrated with many of the story choices. Outside of the Parkinson’s research, where is this season going? Will things start to connect more? Let’s hope! 

Stray Thoughts

• Kai and Amelia’s final scene proves that this relationship can become a really special one. 
• Meredith showing up at Nick’s doorstep is absolutely adorable!
• I hope they talk about Bailey’s amazing opportunity more. It should be more than a talking point for her storyline with Jordan on this episode. 
• A lot of alien talk this week! 
• Peter Gallagher’s talent feels slightly wasted here. 

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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