Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 4 Review: This One’s for the Girls

Now we’re in business. Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 4, “This One’s for the Girls,” is a more fast-paced, engaging episode than the first three of the season. 

Dare I say it — it’s largely because Meredith isn’t there. That’s not to say her character is a problem for the show, but the situations that have brought her back have taken away from the kinds of stories that make Grey’s Anatomy fun to watch.

The show did better when Meredith came back to the hospital to treat Catherine, but it’s even better when the focus is on the doctors who still work at the hospital. Her returns tend to make things feel disjointed, and it seems it would be better if she’d just find a way to work at Grey-Sloan again. 

Ben being grouped with the new interns and under Bailey’s command is a fun new dynamic, too. I still find it frustrating that viewers who didn’t watch Station 19 wouldn’t have the details of his drastic career pivot, but the idea of having a doctor leave the profession and come back later is something new for this show. 

He’s re-learning things and fumbling with changes in the technology in a way that’s really relatable, and the dynamic between him and Kwan on this episode is also really entertaining. 

Bailey’s overstepping with Simone, however, is flat-out awkward. Having an intern check up on her husband is problematic in so many ways, but the issues it causes with Simone and Winston’s patient — it’s heartbreaking and really layered considering the position Bailey put Simone in. 

Hopefully, Bailey will take Winston’s harsh feedback to heart when it comes to working with her husband.

The most significant storyline on this episode, of course, revolves around Mika’s sister. Chloe comes to Grey-Sloan in hopes of getting medical help, but Richard breaks the news that her cancer is more advanced than they thought.

The focus isn’t immediately about treating her cancer, though. It’s about whether or not she’ll have to sacrifice her ability to have children.

Mika becomes laser-focused on finding a way to save Chloe’s chances of having children without putting off cancer treatment. It tells a lot about her character as we see her anxiety and the way she hones in on finding a solution even when she’s told there isn’t one. 

It turns out there is a rare solution. Jo and Richard are willing, and it doesn’t sound too risky, but it’s just the beginning of a longer process. Mika not being able to be in the room with her sister feels tragic, but Jules steps in at the last minute, a bit like a surrogate, to hold Chloe’s hand for her. 

It’s an endearing, tear-jerking moment, especially with Mika’s reaction. Yet, it’s subtle.

That moment is only outdone by the one where Mika’s fellow interns show up afterward with gifts and the news that they’ve taken all of Mika’s shifts so she can focus on spending time with her sister. 

There’s really nothing better than a found-family moment like that. 

Other thoughts:

• Levi and the chaplain finally get together on this episode, and it all seems positive. It even seems like James could be good for Levi, considering his outlook on life, the way he’s traveled the world, and so on. Here’s hoping the wedding album Levi finds is of a past relationship, in the very least.
• I don’t know if I can handle relationship drama between Teddy and Owen again. I really, really don’t.
• Jo and Link find out they’re having twins, which makes a fun twist. I do hope we’ll see Carina soon, given that we’re told she’ll be Jo’s doctor.  

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 10/9c on ABC.

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