Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 Episode 13 Review: Cowgirls Don’t Cry

Maggie makes a life-changing decision on Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 Episode 13, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” 

Maggie and Winston’s relationship troubles have quickly become insufferable to watch, with Maggie being made out to be a character we barely even want to root for anymore. It’s generally a disappointment, and seeing the therapy sessions between these two only makes it feel that much worse.

Looking back at the way Maggie and Winston came together initially, it’s easy to understand how that relationship might fail. It was a romance that moved quickly, and the pandemic seemed to have a lot to do with the way they connected.

Working together and living together changed their dynamic quickly.

And Maggie’s focus on her career became their downfall. It’s interesting to see how the different couples of Grey’s Anatomy have managed in that way, but something about Maggie and Winston always felt more competitive. 

Now, with all of her job offers, coming in large part because of how the article about her was framed to cut out Winston, she’s feeling the need to seek something more. 

You can’t blame her, but it does all feel very sudden. Still, knowing that Kelly McCreary was planning an exit from the series, this is probably the best way for her to go. At least she doesn’t get hit by a car. 

Meanwhile, Schmidt is learning he needs to change his leadership style as chief resident.

It’s an interesting arc for his character because he’s gone from being an underdog to being a leader in a pretty short amount of time.

That’s gone to his head a bit, but Bailey understands what’s really happening with him and thankfully, has some good advice to give. She tells him the name the interns used to call her and describes her own evolution as a leader.

Once again, it’s a great example of how well the show does at looking back at its own origin, and explaining how Bailey changed is actually really important. Because she’s not someone that gets called the nickname anymore — not even close.

Levi needs to hear it, and watching him readjust with the interns is really sweet. 

The interns are also all struggling in their own ways.

If you’ve been reading my reviews each week, you know I’ve been saying this from the beginning of the season, but it’s that focus on the interns that makes this all feel like the early days of Grey’s. That’s the best decision this show could have made, and it’s great fun to watch.

You have Mike eating donuts from the trash and Simone trying to figure out who will be her maid of honor. And they’re all trying to figure out how to be good at this incredibly complex job.

Lucas is the one who struggles with that part the most on this episode. He can feel it in his gut that his patient isn’t lying about his pain to get meds, and he goes against authority to keep him in the hospital and keep looking for an answer — with the help of Simone, who is hesitant at first, but willing to have his back nonetheless. 

And he’s right. It’s this medical mystery element that makes cases like this fascinating, and it’s also nice to see Lucas get a win for a change.

Of course, we also have to talk about what’s going on with Jo and Link.

Jo is feeling down after everything that’s happened with the clinic, and it’s making her feel physically ill. Link takes the kids to daycare for her and then takes the day off himself so he can be with her and bring her donuts.

Everything about it is romantic and loving, yet they remain in this platonic place, sitting on the bed and just being there for one another. It’s beautiful and it’s comfortable.

They have real, emotional conversations, and Link shows just how well he knows his friend. In turn, Jo shows how well she knows him too, and it makes it that much more obvious that the two of them ought to be together.

But right now, it’s almost more satisfying to see them in this close, loving, yet platonic relationship.

The episode ends on a frightening note when it comes to Bailey.

Maybe the best thing about this episode is that it does continue to the story of everything that’s happened with the clinic and with Addison being targeted. Not only is it affecting Jo, but it also has Ben worried about Bailey to the point where he’s driving her to and from work.

She thinks it’s unfounded, and maybe that’s a little naive, but Bailey has never been the type to back down and be afraid.

The end of the episode, though, suggests that something bigger is coming.

Ben has found flyers all over the parking lot with Bailey’s personal information and the words “Baby Killer” written over her name. It’s a small moment, but it’s so well done, more from the fear on Ben’s face than on Bailey’s. Things are definitely not okay.

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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