Critic’s Rating: 3 / 5.0
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By now, you’d think Grey’s Anatomy would have run out of things to do.
Somehow, Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 has been just as full of twists and turns as any earlier season, despite the fact that almost no one from the original cast remains.
At this point, we’re halfway through the season, so it’s time to rank and review its most memorable (and least satisfying) moments so far.
Best Episode: Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8
Maybe it’s a cop-out, but the Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 really did deliver almost everything I could’ve asked for in such a meaningful episode.
High-stakes surgeries, relationship drama, emotional goodbyes, and impactful dialogue all made the hour thrilling and entertaining.
We got everything from a rare hint about Amelia’s backstory to a devastating scene between Jules and Mika.
It’s quite on-brand for Grey’s Anatomy’s best episodes to be tragic and heartbreaking, so we can’t say we’re surprised.
But genuinely, it’s been a while since I felt as emotionally pulled apart as I did after this episode, and that’s a credit to both the writers and actors for bringing the story to life.
Worst Episode: Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 5
Sometimes, a promo trailer hypes up the most intense moments of an episode and it serves to make those scenes all the more exciting when they happen.
Other times, as was the case with Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 5, the promo shows the most intense moments, and then the rest of the episode falls flat as a result.
In preparation for this installment, we were shown a scene where Levi and Adams are going down in a helicopter, but that’s … not what happened.
Sure, there was turbulence, but the chopper made a safe emergency landing and everyone was fine.
Plenty of other moments, as outlined in my review of the episode, just seemed to fizzle out when they could’ve exploded into something exciting.
The hour was one buildup to disappointment after another, and it’s probably not one we’ll bother to rewatch.
Most Shocking Moment: Chloe’s Death in Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7
Knowing that Midori Francis (Yasuda) was being written out of the show, I wasn’t surprised at all when Mika and her sister, Chloe, were in a horrible car crash.
My theory at the time was that they would both suffer life-threatening injuries, Chloe would need an organ transplant as a result, and Mika’s last act would be one of love as she donated her organ and then died of her injuries.
Sure, it was an elaborate theory, but this is Grey’s Anatomy, so I didn’t think it was that wild.
To my great shock, the storyline spared Mika’s life, opting to have Chloe die instead on Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7.
They still needed to write out Mika, so it seemed that killing her off was the obvious answer.
Plus, how much would it suck to be 22, have stage 3 cancer, and then die in a car crash mid-treatment? Harsh.
Biggest Cliffhanger: Jo and Lucas are Held at Gunpoint in Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8
This is probably obvious, but the convenience store shooting is my pick for the biggest cliffhanger of the midseason.
Jo and Lucas are an unlikely pair for a near-death experience, but they do their best to lean on each other anyway.
As the episode closes with a gunshot, seemingly aimed right at Lucas’s abdomen, we’re left to wonder about his fate.
Jo, who is pregnant with twins, started bleeding at some point during the holdup, so now we have to worry about the fate of her pregnancy as well.
I’ve said it before, but I never expect a happy, painless outcome with pregnancies on this show. I hope this one goes better than I expect it will.
Historically, most main characters have survived gunshots: Derek, Burke, Alex, and Owen. Fingers crossed, Lucas gets the same treatment!
Biggest Missed Opportunity: A Monica and Amelia Relationship
I’ve already waxed poetic about how underused Amelia Shepherd is on this show, but I’ll still take a minute to complain about the Monmelia ship.
The chemistry between the two of them is electric, and it seemed like we were being set up for a slow-burn romance.
But the thing about a slow burn is that it needs to actually burn, and there have been so few Monmelia moments so far this season that they haven’t had much opportunity to do so.
I’m all for a slow burn, but I’d like to see more mutual pining, more stolen glances, and a lingering touch or two just to keep the fire lit.
Most Emotional Performance: Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda
I hope the Emmy nominators are paying attention because Midori Francis delivered some of the most emotionally impactful performances I’ve seen on Grey’s Anatomy in a while.
First, on learning about Chloe’s death, Mika fell apart in a moment of uncontained grief that felt raw, real, and relatable.
Then, during the fall finale, she followed with several incredible scenes portraying grief and love.
Driven mad by her loss, Mika screamed and begged for Bailey to “save her,” heartbreakingly conflating the male patient currently coding with her late sister.
Throughout the episode, Francis delivered more devastating moments, culminating in a goodbye scene between Mika and Jules that ripped my heart to shreds.
She’ll be missed on this show, but her performance as Yasuda has convinced me to follow Francis’s career wherever it goes.
Best Ship: JulesMika
Has this report card devolved into a Mika and Jules stan piece? Oops.
Honestly, though, a lot of the ships this season have left me underwhelmed.
James and Levi were great, and I’m glad they weren’t plagued by tragedy. But the depth of Mika and Jules’s relationship was palpable.
Clearly, their chemistry was amazing, and there was always heat between them.
The moment I knew they were the perfect pair, though, was when they decided to be friends because Mika couldn’t handle a relationship after her sister’s diagnosis.
The love Jules has for her, to continue showing up for her in whatever capacity she needs, is the kind of love we’d all be lucky to have.
Worst Ship: Teddy and Owen
Owen sucks.
Teddy’s not much better.
They’re both canonically cheaters, their relationship is rarely good, and most of the time they’re on screen together is spent fighting.
In the first half of the season, their marriage takes center stage as new characters (played by Sophia Bush and Floriana Lima) show up to complicate things for them both.
Forgive me, but I’m a mom to a toddler, so the quote that comes to mind is from the only show I have seen more than Grey’s Anatomy: Bluey.
“Aaand … why should I care?” – Unicorse
Weirdest Character Decision: Levi Moves to Texas
Grey’s Anatomy has always been socially aware, even if it’s been problematic at times.
Often, they’ve even dedicated storylines to highlighting real-world political and human rights issues.
With that in mind, I am baffled at the decision to send Levi — the show’s only current gay male character — to Texas, of all places.
It’s not exactly known as a safe haven for queer people.
They could have sent him anywhere in the world but chose a state that many LGBTQ+ people are actively trying to leave in the current political climate.
It was a weird choice, is all I’m saying.
Greys Anatomy Season 21 Midseason Grade: C
Despite some genuinely incredible moments, this season has left me wanting for more.
Some of the best Grey’s Anatomy characters have now left the show, and many of the characters who are still there are just not that exciting.
Still, I have high hopes that the second half of the season will turn things around and focus on the stories and characters that I care about.
So, what do you think of Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 so far? Give us your grade!
Let’s link up in the comments — let me know if I missed any of the best (or worst) moments!
Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, March 6, at 10/9c on ABC.
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