Previews of tonight's episode warned us that heart strings would be pulled. It was a mostly April/Jackson-centric episode; a will he/won't he live plot line regarding their unborn baby. Several hashtags flashed on the bottom of my screen as the show began; one of which read: #TearsOfGreys. I pursed my lips. They weren't pulling punches tonight.
Dr. Herman (Geena Davis) sat down with April (Sarah Drew) and Jackson (Jesse Williams) to describe what they should expect while expecting, and it wasn't pleasant. Her delivery of the news was pretty straight forward, and - in her way - about the nicest way they could find out that their baby's bones were probably shattering inside April's womb. While she was dishing out reality, Dr. Herman also told Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) to chill out because her pulsating sensitivity and emotions were the least of April and Jackson's problems. In short: THIS WAS NOT ABOUT ARIZONA.
Jackson's mom, Dr. Catherine Avery (Debbie Allen), showed up with a plan of action: pick a name, induce labor, baptize the baby, and cherish the time before he dies. April seemed on board up until she came to the conclusion that maybe they'd be blessed with a miracle baby that would survive the intrauterine bone crushing. Jackson shot his mom knowing side eye. Think Prince at the Grammys.
Everyone was popping into the hospital chapel to light a candle and/or to have a chat with a God they may or may not actually believe in. The show being what it is (and will always be), I expected the chapel to be set on fire. Fast forward to the end of the show: the chapel was NOT set aflame.
There were a few different medical cases happening simultaneously. There was Drew, a blind guy who could kind of see, but not really. Lady Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) fixed him which was great because he could see for real now (yay!), but it also let her practice some skills she'll need later when she tinkers inside Dr. Herman's cancer ridden head. Initially Stephanie (Jerrika Hinton) took issue with Lady Shepherd using a patient as a living skills lab. Lady Shepherd had mentioned that she didn't think she was going to successfully restore Drew's sight, but she had some free time, so why not give it a try? Something like that. Even though Stephanie got over it after they actually fixed the guy, Lady Shepherd tore her a new one for questioning her. You need to be ready to go the distance, try the impossible or you don't deserve to be a doctor.
A husband accidentally shot his wife, Brenda, while they were out duck hunting. Worse part was she had no interest in duck hunting to begin with, so yea, that sucked. Turned out Brenda was pregnant and neither of them knew (at least SOMEONE had a miracle baby). Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Callie (Sara Ramirez) delivered the baby and saved the mother despite her being conscious, freaking out, and having blood gushing out of the side of her neck. #RelievedTearsOfGreys
A random intern was wandering around aimlessly, not doing her job. TWIST! She wasn't really an intern. She was a newly made widow who was given scrubs to wear since her own clothes were covered in the blood of her dead husband. April knew she wasn't a hospital employee, because she wasn't completely oblivious to the people she worked with. They shared a moment, some tears and a tender hug. They had both lost something, and April found something in her. #TearsOfGreys
Okay, back to April and Jackson (Apson? Jackril? No? No.) I think theirs is ultimately a story of hope. Let's take their reactions to their tragic baby situation. Jackson's had to be "strong for her"; there haven't been a ton of scenes depicting him flipping out, crying, breaking stuff, etcetera. April has been shown visibly upset; she gets to weep and scream; they show her being consoled by her understanding husband before she pushes him away.
I had a conversation with a friend tonight who criticized the show for making April come across as weak. I beg to differ though. I think her observable emotional reaction to their situation; her ability to cling to the hope of a miracle baby, her refusal to simply accept her baby's fate shows a different sort of strength. I think one of the best moments she had in this episode was after Dr. Herman handed her a birth and a death certificate to sign, and April knocked it to the ground. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with her end decision, I think you have to acknowledge the power behind her concluding that that was not the time for that; she wasn't ready to give up yet. I think in this particular plot, we're given two different responses to a single situation, and it's been interesting to follow.
April had the baby, they named him Samuel, held him, loved him and watched him die. #TearsOfGreys
Moving on, things were happening in the chapel. Richard (James Pickens Jr.) and DR. CATHERINE AVERY (I just feel like you have to say the entire name with a tone indicative only by CAPS), had a moment where she brought up old drama and when Richard tried to reply, she decided that they didn't need to talk about it right then, and could he go away. Stop poking the bear.
Also, Ginger Doc (Kevin McKidd) and Lady Shepherd had their own tender exchange when she told him about the death of her own baby. #TearsOfGreys There, in front of the 500 crackling candles, they gazed at each other and he took her hand. I frowned and rolled my eyes. No tears for you. CRISTINA!
Oh and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) spent the episode looking for a babysitter so she could go have sex with her long distance husband. Supposedly.
What did you think of tonight's episode? Are you traumatized by the death of Baby Avery? Do you have high hopes for Lady Shepherd saving Dr. Herman's life? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo Credit: ABC
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