“Grey’s Anatomy” recap (12.2): Hail to the Chief
Previously on Grey’s Anatomy, two baby lesbians broke our hearts (and Callie’s), Arizona struggled to find a roomie, Meredith and Amelia broke through literal and metaphorical walls, and Bailey finally ascended to Chief. This episode was light on the Callie and Arizona action but they did have a moment, which we will discuss in a moment. This was Miranda Bailey’s episode though, so let’s give the Chief her due.
Bailey’s Not-So-Perfect Day
In Bailey fashion, the newly appointed Chief wants her first day to be the most perfect day a chief has ever had. Because this is Grey’s Anatomy, we know that it will be actually be a disaster, but don’t tell Bailey that. She’s so obsessed with being in charge, that she totally misses the party that Richard had set up for her. There was cake, Bailey! Cake! She sets her sights on a patient named Jade, who is over seven feet tall, and suffering from dizziness and injuries from a tumble.
Bailey diagnoses a pituitary tumor, which Amelia confirms. All would be taken care of with a quickness, but Jade is in the middle of the most important project of her career and gives Bailey four hours to figure out how to treat her and get her back on her feet in a week.
This is no small task, but Bailey reacts to the word “impossible” like others respond to the word “moist”-she hates it. She tasks Amelia, Maggie, Callie and Jackson with figuring it out, despite their objections. Even Ben feels the heat. Unfortunately, Jade decides to leave before the docs come up with a plan. Jo attempts to stop her but the dizzy Jade ends up falling on Jo, and injuring herself further.
The docs rush Jade to the OR, but it’s problem after problem and Bailey is feeling the heat. Feeling like she’s failed, she refuses the engraved stethoscope that Richard gifts her. When she confesses that she plans to resign, Richard gives one of his epic pep talks. No day will ever be perfect, and instead of trying to control everything, she needs to trust the talented doctors to do their jobs.
This includes Meredith, who Bailey dumped all of her surgeries on and basically treated poorly that day. Meredith tells Bailey that she deserves more respect than that, and it makes a big impact on Bailey. Meredith is someone she can count on, and she asks Meredith to be her Chief of General Surgery. It’s a wonderful moment between these two who have been through so much together. Meredith will shine in this role and Bailey needs a good man in a storm by her side.
Bailey apologizes to the other docs, and promises to be better the next day. They trust in Bailey, so they know she means it. Jade also wakes up with no major cognitive issues and Bailey is overjoyed.Jackson bursts April’s Bubble
April still hasn’t been able to speak to Jackson since she returned, and things get way more complicated when it’s discovered she’s covered in lesions all over her back. Bailey immediately puts her in quarantine, in case it’s something plague-like. The combination of paper underwear and a husband who refuses to spend more than a moment in her presence gets to April.
April still can’t really wrap her head around why Jackson is so hurt, but after putting her emotional needs in front of his so many times, you can’t really blame the guy for being upset.
April finally pages Jackson 911 and forces him to talk about their relationship. She thinks it’s worth fighting for, but he’s not so sure. Once she gets the all clear (and is not contagious), she promises to fight tooth and nail to save their marriage.
Callie has butterflies
OK, so this to me was a problematic part of the episode to me-not because Callie seems to be totally smitten kittens with another woman, but that this is the first we are hearing about it. Who is this mystery woman and why has this been happening off-screen?
This shit would never happen with Meredith, Amelia or any of the major players. Callie is all butterflies in the stomach about her, and telling anyone with ears at Bailey’s celebratory breakfast. Arizona can’t help but hear about this new lady, and while she wants to be happy for Callie, it stings like a motherfucker. Arizona confronts Callie about it later, telling her ex that she can talk to her about this new lady. Callie starts gushing, but Arizona over-estimated her threshold and asks Callie to dial it back a bit. They are trying, and it’s nice to see them sharing moments that aren’t angsty.
Also in this episode, Amelia and Owen continue their weird flirtation dance, and smash their faces together in the elevator. One of the new interns has the hots for Jo, but she’s not even aware. Stephanie finds a way to game the system and becomes most valuable resident for the day.
Hopefully next week we will have more meaty scenes for Arizona and Callie, because I my body is ready. What did you think of “Walking Tall?” Also, how are we feeling about these acoustic covers of pop hits?
Here are some of our favorite #greysgays tweets from the episode.
Who says you can have too many chiefs? Woot Mer! #GreysGays #GreysAnatomy
– Tippi McCullers (@ali_steventon) October 2, 2015
April’s bubble is like the MTV Confessional. #GreysGays
– Valerie Anne (@PunkyStarshine) October 2, 2015
Just decided to do a shot of Tequila whenever Az is on… #gaysanatomy #greysgays
– Grey Gays (@madaboutagirl) October 2, 2015
I need Arizona to ‘accidentally’ bump into callie and this girl she talks so highly of! #greysgays
– ÔÖö (@Queen_EvilRegal) October 2, 2015
“@BHXG90: -What is Calzona? #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/3X3i8XFHwy” #greysgays
– Anne (@Lacey1789) October 2, 2015
Whoa there, Owen. Leave some room for the Holy Ghost. #GreysAnatomy #GreysGays
– Kitty (@SmartLittleLiar) October 2, 2015
Eventually Amelia is going to need surgery because Hunt is going to suck half her face off. #greysgays
– Dulcie Holtz (@DulcieHoltz) October 2, 2015
Webber is like Yoda with better grammar. #GreysAnatomy #GreysGays
– Wednesday Addams (@CloneNic) October 2, 2015
April, not everyone can come and go by bubble… Ask Glinda… Or Elphie! #GreysAnantomy #GreysGays
– Tobin’s Smile (@Super_Rocio) October 2, 2015