BWW Recap: It's a Tale of Two Tumors on GREY'S ANATOMY

Thursday night's episode of GREY'S ANATOMY, written by Elizabeth R. Finch and directed by Zetna Fuentes, offered viewers a tale of two tumors-two very different patient cases in which the doctors want to try to remove a tumor but the patient (or patient's parents) do not want them to...for very different reasons. As the medical cases play out, we also get an update on the Arizona/Eliza romance, and the Meredith/Riggs romance (and Maggie's stance on it). We also see Edwards finally reach her boiling point with the existential crisis she has quietly having all season. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Alex is tracking down Jo's estranged, abusive husband...so that should be interesting.

The episode opens with Meredith lugging a giant portion of her bedroom wall-the one with Derek's drawing of a spinal tumor-down the hall to Amelia's room (PS where does Alex live now?). She offers the tumor to a very confused Amelia, who, along with Maggie is not sure why Meredith is choosing to do this at 3:30 in the morning. They later realize that it is because Meredith is considering inviting Nathan over and maybe doesn't want him in her bedroom if it is "a shrine to Derek". The sisters realize that Meredith and Nathan's relationship must be a big deal and decide to support it. Meredith initially cancels plans with Nathan, but by the end of the episode, after giving some advice to the suitor of a patient, she chooses to move forward. Now that this relationship is in full swing, I'm sure a huge wrench is about to be dropped into it.

The patients this week were very interesting. First there's Holly. She fell down a set of stairs after a steamy one-night stand. She also happens to have a giant inoperable heart tumor. She has seen many doctors and is resigned to the fact that she doesn't have very long to live. She has decided to spend her time hooking up with hot guys. Meredith, Aoril and Maggie are on her case, and Maggie thinks she can remove her tumor and finally convinces her to let her try. It turns out that Holly was right all along though and all Maggie can do is give her a bit more time by resecting parts of the tumor. It is Holly's story that allows Meredith to recognize that unlike Holly, she has a whole life to live-Derek left her behind and as she says to Holly (when she thinks that Maggie might be able to save her) the scariest thing to do is acknowledge that she has to live it. Meredith decides to take the leap and move forward with Riggs. Maggie and April decide that they want to take out of Holly's book and find themselves a hot hookup.

The other patient of the week is Liam, a young boy who comes to the hospital because he knows something is wrong with his head, but his parents' religious beliefs prevent medical intervention. Alex and Edwards are frustrated over this, as Liam has a brain tumor that needs to be removed in order for him to live. His parents sign him out against medical advice but when he returns, Alex and Edwards fake a seizure on his chart in order to get him into emergency surgery. Minnick knows something is fishy and is not impressed. The bond between Edwards and Minnick is quickly broken when she tries to find out from Edwards what transpired. When Minnick sees how emotional Edwards gets about this case (she throws a tablet at the wall beside the father's head), she reviews her file and determines that she never properly grieved the loss of Kyle. [Rant alert] Minnick absolutely has a point when she says that Edwards should have seen a counselor after her loss...BUT how dare she assume to know why this case upset Edwards so much...and if she is so concerned about her emotional well being, why does she make it her mission to punish Edwards instead of talk to her. Sure, she has forced her into counseling...but it is as part of a punishment...so I can see why Edwards may not be all that receptive to the idea! Minnick's romance with Arizona is heating up, and I am happy that Arizona has some love...but seriously Minnick...your work is cut out for you if you want to win this viewer over in terms of the work you do at the hospital!

As mentioned in the above rant, Minnick and Arizona finally seal the deal in this episode. They have some fun flirty elevator moments, and then Minnick almost kills the mood when venting about Alex and Edwards. Arizona does us all (including Minnick) a favor when she tells her to shut up so that she does not in fact end up killing the mood.

Ben and DeLuca also have some minor side stories in this episode. Ben has been avoiding anything hard or risky since the events of last season. Minnick notices it and Richard gives him a talking to. He makes the decision to step up. Good for you, Ben. As for DeLuca, he finally tries to tell Jo that he has a crush on her, but she shuts him down fast. Poor DeLuca. Totally friend-zoned. He looks crushed. Speaking of Jo...Alex calls his lawyer and asks for help tracking someone down...this is almost certainly Jo's husband. This should be interesting.

The promo for next week's penultimate episode of season 13 looks incredibly intense so be sure to tune in!

GREY'S ANATOMY airs on Thursdays at 7pm on CTV and 8pm on ABC.

Photo Credit: ABC/Richard Cartwright

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