Grey's Anatomy Universe

[stopthestatic]

I'm sure it's good, but I'm sorry, there's literally no one I care about on the show anymore besides Amelia, and I guess Jo but her storyline is a dead end (these are of course just my personal feelings but bring her back to surgery and find her a love interest more suited to her please), and she's a shell of her former (seasons 9-16) self. I'm not totally opposed to catching up at some point. I think they're really going to have to start folding in some new characters (attendings) next year though. Similar to what they did with the interns, they should get a couple of really good tv actors to round out the cast. They have the budget now.

I'm assuming Winston isn't leaving with Maggie, but he really should and I wouldn't be totally surprised if they didn't pick up his contract for season 20. His character has been a total flop similar to the way Niko was, and I don't think there's much there. I'm also assuming Scott Speedman won't be back much either after the finale.

Besides that, the only reason I really want to tune in is to stare at Lucas Adams.

Honestly, my issue with Grey's at this point is just that I feel like there's zero storytelling integrity and hasn't been for several years now (actually the entire Krista era now that I think about it even though I like her seasons) - how many pairings, characters, and stories have been ruined or assassinated by the need to keep the show going at this point? Literally nothing is worth investing in because there's never any real payoff. Japril became the only exception but even they were sabotaged for a few years. Now they're most likely going to break up Magston for the same reason. Also Maggie's character would 100% move to Boston if anything - she LOVED her nieces and nephews, and cares deeply about her dad. It's all a bit dumb.

 

[Lander]

I’d be here for them clearing out Maggie, Winston, Owen and Teddy. I don’t even think they necessarily need to add some newer characters, just focuses on those who haven’t run their course.

 

[stopthestatic]

I think Owen/Teddy have entered Bailey/Webber territory now, and are figureheads of the show and its history in a way (at least from production's perspective)...I don't think they're going anywhere.

I just don't see how they could continue without adding some new characters though. Yes, there's the new interns but seemingly there's not much room for storytelling or pairing options beyond them. I think it would be smartest if they go back to the way they used to do things in the middle seasons, and have a doctor for each specialty. The reason I say this is because it really allowed them to have more options in terms of medical cases and created more connectivity between the cast.

For example:
-Have they even replaced Jackson for plastics yet?
-The show literally hasn't had a peds surgeon since McWidow left, IIRC?
-If Winston does indeed leave they'll also need a cardio surgeon if Teddy stays chief.
-Technically this is supposed to be Schmitt's fifth year, have they talked about his boards or him declaring a specialty?
-Bailey isn't doing surgery anymore with the clinic, and Richard doesn't either I think as Chief of Chiefs, so who is the general surgeon? Yet another reason Jo needs to come back to surgery.

See this is what I mean though, the show is just messy and weird especially with the revolving door of cast. They need to really go into season 20 with a fresh slate, bring in some new people and neaten things up. If I was them, I would try and bring in more characters that are connected to other characters, the way Link already knew Jo or Lucas being Amelia's nephew.

Edit: It would be really cool if they brought Nancy Shepherd in as a regular or recurring/Lucas's mom. She's an OBGYN. Would create interesting dynamics with her and Amelia, and her and Lucas, if she was working at the hospital. I wanted Neve back but they have a lot to play with whoever ends up being Lucas's mom, and I don't think she's going to have as much availability for them to do that.

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

I just don't see how they could continue without adding some new characters though. Yes, there's the new interns but seemingly there's not much room for storytelling or pairing options beyond them. I think it would be smartest if they go back to the way they used to do things in the middle seasons, and have a doctor for each specialty. The reason I say this is because it really allowed them to have more options in terms of medical cases and created more connectivity between the cast.

For example:
-Have they even replaced Jackson for plastics yet?
-The show literally hasn't had a peds surgeon since McWidow left, IIRC?
-If Winston does indeed leave they'll also need a cardio surgeon if Teddy stays chief.
-Technically this is supposed to be Schmitt's fifth year, have they talked about his boards or him declaring a specialty?
-Bailey isn't doing surgery anymore with the clinic, and Richard doesn't either I think as Chief of Chiefs, so who is the general surgeon? Yet another reason Jo needs to come back to surgery.

I guess since you're not watching it's tough to know, but the cast is more connected at the moment than it has been in ages – both at work and in the personal storylines. We've had multiple doctors working together on several cases all season, especially in the last several episodes. Not just the interns working across specialties, but several surgeons working together on cases nearly every week. It's been one of the biggest strengths of the season, honestly, and feels very in line with those middle seasons. I don't think not having a peds or plastics surgeon is hurting the show, but I do agree that it'd be an asset to add a new attending next year to shake things up now that the interns are established and the cast will be trimmed a bit.

The show has never had consistency with department heads, though, so that doesn't really bug me. We only had neuro and cardio in season 1; plastics didn't exist until Sloane became a regular in season 3; peds didn't exist until Arizona showed up in 5; trauma didn't exist until Owen showed up in season 5; Callie left in season 12, and Link didn't show up until 15, so no one was doing ortho for years. Everything else has always ebbed and flowed.

Also Maggie's character would 100% move to Boston if anything - she LOVED her nieces and nephews, and cares deeply about her dad. It's all a bit dumb.

Again, maybe this is just because you're not actually watching, but... loving her nieces and nephews has nothing to do with her exit? Maggie isn't leaving just to get out of Seattle, she's leaving because she got a specific offer from a specific hospital. The entire point of the storyline is that she's choosing to leave for an opportunity that she earned, not for anyone in her life.

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

Maggie getting the send-off that we all expected Meredith to get really makes me believe that the writers were assured that Ellen will be back more next season. The way she got great final scenes with Catherine, Amelia, Winston, and Richard + a huge surgery, all the Ellis mentions, and big teaching moments really felt so nice.

That last shot of Maggie's two moms in the elevator while she went off... that was incredibly powerful, and a real full-circle moment. Richard giving her the mini park bench was also such a cute callback.

More trauma for Jo and Luna – WHY!? Link getting ready to tell her that he loves her only to be hit with that call was so heartbreaking. But they're definitely building up to a big finale kiss... RIGHT?!?!

Kai and Amelia splitting felt inevitable, but I really wonder what the plan for Amelia is now. Caterina was great tonight.

I loved the Jules/Simone moments in the first episode, and I really like the rivalry between Yasuda/Blue – I'm basically loving all the ways the intern stories are crossing. The writers are doing a genuinely great job of having them all develop unique and fun relationships with each other, rather than segregating them into their own storylines. Jules telling Winston that she's happy he stayed was a nice moment.

I think this season has had the best patient cases/surgeries in years. It really feels so old-school.

@stopthestatic they directly addressed Levi picking his specialty tonight (and why it hasn't been addressed before). I really think you'd be so pleased with virtually every step the show is taking right now.

Yay @ Addison already being back next week! The Bailey storyline is about to get creepy...

 

[stopthestatic]

I actually turned it on in the background! I really wanted to see Kelly's exit, she's grown on me a lot and is so much a part of the fabric of the show.

I thought the scene with Richard and the bench was SO SO SO touching and full-circle. As soon as she pulled it out, I actually felt my heart squeeze up a bit. And the entire episode being centred around genes and what we inherit from our parents and then ending with Maggie and both her moms was beautiful. This really was a perfect exit in a way because it wrapped up the story they had created for her from Day 1 - she found some sort of connection to Ellis. So well done.

Amelia continues to be the best character. Gutted for both her and Jo.

I really was surprised that my Schmitt criticism was addressed literally a day after posting, though they have fucked with the timeline. He should be a 5th year. But timeline is wonky as always. Glad he seems to have chosen Peds.

The rest, I'm sorry to say, was really really awful. There is very little to enjoy about the show right now, unfortunately. I was excited about seeing what the interns were up to tonight and I went into it being open-minded and actually ready to be surprised and pulled back in by it. But wow, there's nothing there. They're just zany, neurotic cardboard cutouts walking around being quirky and tired. Very boring, I'm sorry. I want to strip off all of Lucas Adams' clothes and engage in sexual acts with him (with consent, of course), but that's literally all.

 

[OceanBlue]

it may be a good send off for Maggie, but I think she's supposed to be back for the season finale, as Ellen does...

 

[stopthestatic]

I do wonder what's happening in the finale that prompts everyone to return. It's most likely either a Catherine death or Richard retirement (but I doubt JPJ is leaving so idk...)

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

it may be a good send off for Maggie, but I think she's supposed to be back for the season finale, as Ellen does...

Yeah, Kelly was at the finale table read and confirmed on Instagram that she's in the last episode of the season.

Love this pic she posted

 

[stopthestatic]

Kelly said this in an interview:

In what capacity are you returning for the finale?
I would call it celebratory. It answers any lingering questions about Maggie and Winston.

So maybe Richard's retirement party (celebrating his career)? I'm leaning towards that...

 

[OceanBlue]

James leaving the show/being written off?
btw, don’t know what was on on other networks but

Grey’s Anatomy(3.3 mil/0.3) was steady with its first hour, but the second (3 mil/0.3) slipped to series lows;

or maybe the second episode was not so much interesting to keep people watching…

 

[Scaper]

Conversely, I discovered today that it was the 11th most watched show on streaming in the US in the latest ratings and the 6th most watched 'non-original' series. I knew it still did good business but thought it would be in the top 30 rather than just shy of top 10. I'm sure it does well globally too, if not better.

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

James leaving the show/being written off?
btw, don’t know what was on on other networks but

Grey’s Anatomy(3.3 mil/0.3) was steady with its first hour, but the second (3 mil/0.3) slipped to series lows;

or maybe the second episode was not so much interesting to keep people watching…

It always loses viewers when it goes into 10pm, but it actually adjusted up to an 0.4 demo. And these days it does a lot better with delayed viewing – still ABC's #1 show. Plus it airs next day on HULU. The live viewers don't really mean much anymore. Broadcast ratings are pretty bleak across the board.

Related to that... it was recently revealed that both NBC and CBS have actors taking pay cuts (up to 25% per episode) or are reducing guaranteed episode appearance numbers (most series regulars on shows like Law & Order, Chicago Med, etc. will only appear in 18 out of 22 episodes going forward).

Grey's seems to be ahead of the curve here, as most series regulars haven't appeared in every episode of every season for years now. With Ellen and Kelly also exiting, they're definitely saving a lot of money – but it does make me wonder if they'll cut another long-running regular at the end of the year (Kevin, Kim, and Camilla's contracts are all up this year, but I don't see any of them leaving). It'll be interesting to see when we get an announcement about Ellen's commitment next year.

 

[stopthestatic]

I forgot to mention but I noticed during the episode they're hinting at a romance with Jules and Winston?

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

Loved Addison giving Amelia tough love and telling her that she needs to take care of herself. I was worried we'd get spiraling (annoying) Amelia for the rest of the season, but it seems like Addison got the point across. And I liked Richard mentioning that he's also feeling a bit abandoned with Mer and Maggie both gone.

Yang sending Addison supplies for the PRT was such a cute gag. The Bailey/Addison scenes have made me so happy all season. Their relationship is honestly just perfect. This was a really great storyline for Addison and Bailey this year. Though, the resolution (if that really is the end of Bailey's doxing) was a bit silly and abrupt for me. Especially because the moment with the patient lunging at Bailey was genuinely scary – I thought they'd continue to ramp it up through the rest of the season, but I guess we'll see.

Helm stepping in and speaking up for Mika to Teddy was cute – I wonder if this is how they pull Helm back into the program. It'll be interesting to see how they address the changes that still need to be made to the program, and I like that they've explored through Mika how much stress student debt puts on interns.

I'm also liking all the intern dynamics going on: Jules clearly falling for Kwan, Lucas asking Jules to step in as Maid of Honor, etc. And all of the teaching moments have been so good and old-school - Lucas & Jules having to do an emergency trach, Winston letting Simone do the staples, etc. I'm loving seeing Winston as a teacher lately.

Glad they're not dragging out Jo being annoyed with Link – I think it makes sense that she needed to take time to process her fears. Their hug at the end was so cute, and I also loved the Levi/Jo scene. I'm glad their friendship has been used more this season, it felt like they forgot about it last year.

 

[stopthestatic]

I've gotten into a habit of going to the Grey's hashtag after the episodes air, it's a nice way to keep up with the bigger things happening. I loved that scene with Addison and Amelia. Cute that they found a way to integrate Cristina too.

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

Chandra teased that the finale ends on a cliffhanger. She said that COVID restrictions (regarding how many people could be in scenes) lightened up this season, which I think has been obvious onscreen. So the cliffhanger will involve a big group...

“We've got a nice cliffhanger for you guys. The cliffhanger is a group mess. I'll say it that way.”

Based on the behind-the-scenes pictures we've seen so far, it looks like a lot of the finale has been filmed at the hospital set VS on location anywhere.

We also have press releases for the next two episodes, the two that lead up to the finale.

19x17 - Come Fly with Me - Teddy calls an emergency meeting to discuss the intern program. Link wrestles with his own self-doubt as he preps for a massive surgery, and Nick shares some much-needed guidance with a struggling Lucas.

19x18 - Ready to Run - Richard and Teddy make an exciting announcement. Jules and Blue butt heads over Maxine’s care while Lucas helps an artist decide on a risky procedure. Jo and Mika tend to Sam as Simone faces a life-changing decision.

Spoiler

Yas at Juliet Mills returning but... they're gonna kill her, right?

 

[stopthestatic]

Ellen Pompeo and Katie Heigl are doing an actors on actors interview with each other! I’m gagged and excited to hopefully see them discuss the behind the scenes drama.

 

[VicePresidentJocasta]

The finale press release is here...

19x19/19x20 - "Wedding Bell Blues"/"Happily Ever After?" - Simone's wedding day arrives as Jo and Link's relationship hits a turning point; the attending surgeons fly to Boston, forcing a reunion between Nick and Meredith; Bailey gets a surprise.

I wonder how many attendings end up in Boston... and what exactly they'd be there for? It also makes me wonder if Jackson, April, and Koracick will be around? But I feel like there'd have been a leak if Jesse and Sarah were on set, so it may just be something having to do with Meredith? Either way, I'm excited about more big group scenes. We've been spoiled with those this season after years of everyone being forced into smaller groups.

Bailey getting a surprise doesn't sound like a good thing to me, given what her storyline has been thus far...

 

[stopthestatic]

Meredith looks so cute in the finale with her Dartmouth sweater...

Seems like all the attendings go to Boston with the exception of Link, Owen and Teddy

I wonder how Maggie factors into all of this...

I might tune in but I can't decide whether I should catch up on the rest of the season first?