Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 12 Review: Teddy and Owen Make a Change, Tom Koracick Causes Trouble

On Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 12, “Ridin’ Solo,” Simone gets a solo surgery, Teddy and Owen make a decision about their relationship, and Tom Koracick is back to play the villain for Meredith and Amelia.

It’s a solid episode that’s mostly lighthearted and gives the interns a good bit of focus, even though it’s split between Seattle and Boston. 

Simone’s Solo Surgery

Simone’s solo surgery is one the most deserved wins any of these interns have gotten since they arrived at Grey Sloan Memorial. She identifies a rare condition in a patient after making a connection about her new allergies — things like bananas and cheese — that seemed to have shown up along with menopause. 

She goes rogue in ordering a PET scan, which would have probably gotten her into trouble had it not been fruitful. It’s a risk she’s willing to take, and this is Grey’s Anatomy, after all, so protocol isn’t always a thing that matters. 

Her risk pays off in two ways. First, by saving the patient, but more importantly, by scoring a solo surgery on Bailey’s service.

It’s also satisfying to see her get this opportunity because she’s worked incredibly hard and has been so focused since the beginning. And, thankfully, the surgery goes perfectly.

She does have a moment of hesitation, and despite a bit of jealousy, Blue is the one who gives her a needed boost of confidence.

Bailey making it clear how proud she is after the fact is a great moment, too. She really has inspired these interns, and her taking over the program is paying off.

Meredith & Amelia vs. Tom Koracick

It’s admittedly entertaining to see Meredith and Amelia go head-to-head with Tom Koracick on this episode. Also, Meredith working diligently with Amelia on this Alzheimer’s research continues to be a perfect trajectory for her character. That said, there are two major issues with this storyline. 

If you’ve been reading my reviews regularly, you probably know what I’m about to say: there’s a major disconnect almost any time Meredith is on Grey’s Anatomy these days.

It’s as though we’re watching two separate shows. In fact, what’s happening with their research and Meredith’s life in Boston would make an excellent spinoff series. That’s what it feels like we’re watching every time we see updates on her life, with Amelia’s presence feeling like a crossover. 

It’s still interesting to see, and it all makes perfect sense for Meredith’s character. But the switching back and forth isn’t doing the show any favors. 

Secondly, Tom Koracick feels like a one-dimensional villain on this episode in a way that forgets everything else we know about his character. He’s competitive, and what he’s doing in competing with Meredith and Amelia certainly does seem fitting for him, but his attitude here is so harsh that it’s not believable.

There was more to Tom Koracick than this when we knew him before. Honestly, it feels a bit like what happened with Catherine last season and the way she also became that kind of one-dimensional villain for a while.  

This all does give Meredith the opportunity to make a heck of a case about sexism in science research, even down to the mice Tom is studying. It’s such a compelling case that I was sure she and Amelia would get the grant, but that’s not the case.

Ultimately, Tom wins it instead, and Meredith decides to keep working anyway and fund more research with her own money. Her plan? Studying female mice in the same way Tom is studying male ones. Nick even asks how he can invest, and it’s clear Meredith won’t be giving up any time soon.

Teddy and Owen’s New Take on Marriage

Meanwhile, Teddy and Owen get advice from a therapist to try an open marriage. It’s the exact advice Cass offered Teddy when they first met.ord

And while Teddy is open to the idea, Owen is less convinced at first. By the end of the episode, though, he agrees, and they lay out some ground rules.

What I like about this storyline is that it’s something we haven’t seen with main characters on the show before. It’s also much more interesting than having the two of them continue to fight, which has become insufferable to watch.

Navigating an open marriage creates all sorts of possibilities for the two of them, and it obviously sets up a chance for Teddy and Cass to connect (which we know will be happening based on the promo for the next episode). 

What’s frustrating, though, is that this was all born out of conflict that effectively came out of nowhere. Owen and Teddy’s recent relationship troubles have felt forced since they started, making this solution a whole lot less satisfying. 

Other thoughts:

• Monica Beltran is back on this episode, and poor Jules realizes she’s just spent the night with Monica’s ex-wife. Naturally, this realization happens when Jules is on Monica’s service. As awkward as that is, Monica’s relaxed attitude and priority on teaching tells us a lot about her character. 
• There has been a lot of falling on the floor this season. This time, it’s a father falling off his wife’s bed, which happens when Teddy and Jo accidentally walk in on them having sex in order to try to induce labor. This is the kind of humor that’s always made Grey’s fun, and it winds up being an endearing storyline.

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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