Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 Episode 11 Review: Training Day

Kate Walsh returns for a mostly excellent episode of Grey’s Anatomy that includes a cliffhanger ending. But it’s that ending that throws everything off.

On Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 Episode 11, “Training Day,” Addison visits Grey Sloan for a special OB/GYN program. Bailey has brought in a group of residents from all over the country who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to complete their rotation in abortion care because of the states they live in. 

It’s not only a topical, important storyline that shows the complexities of this type of care, but it’s also a clever and organic way to bring Addison back again. Having her travel with her new PRT and her new goals makes perfect sense for her character and gives her a brand new purpose, and it means there’s potential for her to continue popping up on Grey’s Anatomy.

Every time she shows up, it brings new energy right back to the show. Even this time, when she shows up frazzled and flustered, hiding from mobs and not nearly as put together as she usually is.

That’s because her new program has meant she has national attention, and not just in a good way. She’s even been advised to buy a bulletproof vest, and the toll it’s all taking on her is clear — even before a group of protestors shows up outside the hospital.

As usual, Kate Walsh does an incredible job showing emotion on screen. There’s just something about her crying on the floor that can always break an audience. 

What forces her to get up again and find some joy, though, is one of the episode’s best scenes. A pregnant woman is giving birth earlier than she expected, and she’s upset that she’ll be bringing her baby into the world to the sound of protestors instead of to a joyful-sounding, carefully curated playlist.

So Bailey does the only thing she can think of — she starts singing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and the other doctors join in. Addison hears this and goes in to take over delivering the baby, and there’s this entire group of women there, bonding together to help bring this baby into the world. It’s a beautiful moment.

Meanwhile, the chaos that’s emerged because of the clinic and the protestors is testing Teddy’s abilities as the new Chief of Surgery. She has Richard next to her to give a guiding hand, but ultimately, there’s no protocol for this situation. Teddy goes with her gut and proves herself to be a strong leader who can think on her feet.

She’s a natural, in part, because of all of her trauma training and her time in Iraq. 

Richard gives her the kudos she deserves (also congratulating himself on choosing her) and it clearly means a lot to her. Owen also notes that the leadership position suits her, and it’s good to see the love is back between the two of them.

It’s also worth noting that Kim Raver directed this episode, so some of these kudos feel two-fold — and well-deserved. 

Other than Blue getting hit in the head with a brick that flies through the window (poor guy can’t catch a break lately), everything calms down and everyone is left unscathed. The protestors disperse and Addison and the other doctors leave from a back door with security.

It’s just such bad timing that the resident who caused the protestors to find out where Addison was in the first place tries to pull her aside in the middle of the street. This resident, who is pregnant, had posted about arriving to the program on her Instagram page, and that’s how the protestors found Addison. 

But as they gather dropped papers in the street and the resident tries to apologize the Addison, a car comes barrelling at them and doesn’t slow down.

They are both hit by the car and very obviously injured. The resident’s pregnancy makes this that much more critical, but what hurts most is seeing Addison is also collapsed on the ground.

Unfortunately, the whole scene is poorly done. The quality of the stunt work feels cheesy, which takes away from the gravity of the situation, and the audience is left feeling underwhelmed by the scene.

It’s not even entirely clear how Addison is hurt as badly as she is. Even the way they attempt to move out of the way doesn’t seem realistic, and the way it happens in slow-motion makes it seem forced.

Yes, it’s shocking, but it’s not nearly as impactful as it could have been.

This was billed as a two-part event, so it’s not surprising there’s a cliffhanger right at the end, but this one needed more substance. It also feels a bit cheap to bring Addison back just to have her get hurt, though the stakes are certainly high considering how beloved she is.

Other thoughts:

• Lucas and Nick’s bonding is a great moment on this episode, and I appreciate the references to Meredith as well. I hope we’ll get to see Nick stick around for a while.
• Speaking of Lucas, Maggie is definitely being too hard on him, and I’m not sure I buy that he can’t ask her a question related to the billing for the house. 
• Owen is so filled with excitement over getting to practice medicine without being supervised anymore. It’s actually really cute and it gives his character a likability that we haven’t seen in a while.
• I love seeing Addison, Caterina, Jo, and Bailey all working together. 

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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