In this intense and sad episode of Grey’s Anatomy, Meredith finally deals with the death of her sister Lexie and Cristina watches her old man friend Dr. Thomas die before her very eyes. (Shonda Rhimes, why are you doing this to us?!) This episode is rightfully called “Beautiful Doom,” although I think the word “beautiful” isn’t quite necessary.
There is no appearance made by Dr. Robbins and Dr. Torres only shows up to play nanny for Zola when Meredith is running around dumping her child off to any surgeon with a free hand. (Dear Meredith, Hire a babysitter! Love Bridget.)
This episode is split-screen city – meaning, there are numerous scenes with both Meredith and Cristina’s actions being shown at the same time. Meredith is racing around her house trying to get Zola potty trained and pack up for work while Cristina is sulking in snowy Minnesota.
Cristina is still getting it on with her boss/bed-buddy Dr. Parker even though she seems to detest him. And when Dr. Parker asks Cristina if she wants to “spoon” her internal monologue/VO states, “I’m not a spoon. I’m a knife, and I’m going to stab you in the eyeball.” (Gawd, I love Cristina!)
Derek drops Zola off at the hospital’s daycare and heads out of town, so Meredith is stuck caring for Zola while working her nonstop job. On the way to work Meredith spots and pulls over for a car accident. There is a woman trapped underneath a car and Meredith pleads with a group of onlookers to help her move the vehicle. At first no one steps up but after they hear Meredith’s shrill scream they all pitch in and move the car. (Now, I don’t know anything about cars, but it seems like a lot more people would be needed to move that thing.)
Meredith has the injured woman brought to Seattle Grace Mercy West and makes it her mission to save her life. Richard thinks Meredith’s endless efforts are actually because Meredith is fighting for Lexie, since Lexie had similar injuries to this patient. Thank god Meredith doesn’t give up on this girl because all her efforts pay off and she lives. (Suck on that Richard! Or don’t.)
Meanwhile in Minnesota, Dr. Thomas has been dubbed Cristina’s midwestern Meredith. He has taken it upon himself to coach Cristina and remind her to breathe while she operates. (Now, I’m not a “doctor” but I believe we should all be breathing all the time.) The two team up to operate on a gigantic aneurism. Dr. Parker doesn’t think Dr. Thomas can do it but that doesn’t stop him and Cristina from trying anyway. As the surgery is underway Dr. Thomas freezes up. Cristina calls out to him and he slowly collapses backwards on the ground. Dr. Parker races in and tries to resuscitate Dr. Thomas to no avail, while Cristina continues operating on her patient. In the end, Cristina’s surgery is a success and Dr. Thomas’s body gets wheeled away on a gurney.
As Cristina reflects on the latest casualty in her life she remembers Dr. Thomas words, “Mediocre surgeons will see you and feel themselves wilting in your shadow. Do not shrink to console them. Do not look for friends here. You won’t find them. None of these people have the capacity to understand you. They never will. If you’re lucky, one day, when you’re old and shriveled like me, you’ll find a young doctor with little regard for anything but their craft, and you’ll train them like I trained you. Until then, read a good book. You have greatness in you, Yang. Don’t disappoint.”
After a long day, Meredith puts Zola down for the night and her doorbell rings. As Meredith opens the door we see a drunk Cristina. (YIPPEE! SHE’S BACK!) The two have this strange stand off and it really looks like they are going to lock lips. But instead they go in for the “you’re my person” buddy hug.
As they embrace Meredith says, “Lexie’s dead.”
And Cristina retorts, “Yeah. Everyone is dead.”
No truer words have ever been spoken on this show.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Are you as excited that Cristina is back?
