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Be honest now, whom among you did the superhero pose this week? I can tell you that I did. I held it for precisely 8 seconds before I gave up. I might give it another go when I have something worthy of such a pose to prepare for. I found this a very difficult episode, to watch and to review. I loved the stories, without exception. Yes we've seen a difficult and convoluted neuro surgery before together with a grossly arrogant Shepherd but the combination of unique human and medical tiers this time around has made this story so very engaging. The problem in this particular episode (and somewhat in the last) was the delivery, the translation from story to screen.
Episode 11.14, The Distance saw the conclusion of a multi plot arc featuring Robbins, Girl Shepherd, Herman and Edwards. After leaving viewers on the cusp of tragedy last episode the brain tumour was successfully removed using uber cool glowy stuff and freaky radioactive seeds, Herman was saved though is now completely blind and Arizona graduated from Limbo Mentee to Bailey Ball Buster. It all worked out in the end. And did we ever doubt it would.
While I enjoyed watching the closure of this wonderful story, there wasn't enough content in the episode and the content provided, certainly in the neuro OR, was labored. I was already very weary at the end of 11.13 of the slow monologues and lack of action. This episode did not help to pick me up. I was bored of watching just Amelia and Stephanie in the surgery - Amelia's progressively depressive and deep introspection and Stephanie's lifeless assisting. Where the hell was Heather Brooks I say. She would've been the perfect foil for Amelia's over earnest breakdown. I'm being harsh. I like Amelia but she was given too much material and too much screen time alone. I don't say this because I thought others needed screen time. I say it because it is possible to give too much when there isn't enough dialogue and character to work with. I enjoyed Webber's intervention immensely. It has reminded us of his position in the hospital, something we don't see enough of and something I hope we see very soon with Maggie. He is the IChing of the surgical floor. Remember “Heart in a box”? Too few characters were involved in action and, unsurprised when Stephanie fainted I was relieved when Webber asked Meredith to step in. My interest in the surgery immediately picked up.
Amelia deserved this storyline and the attention of two episodes. The actor and her character are being groomed to play a big role in the show so it was important she face her fears and her sibling demons. But the writing, directing and editing could've been sharper and more focused.
Stephanie - really what is the point of this character? I'm glad she's been given a storyline and a dose of screen time but my physical reaction when Meredith said “I just got here, I haven't had a chance to screw up yet” merely proved to me that much more work needs to be done with this character for me to invest any emotional attachment. Maggie and now Amelia have been promoted way above the residents and I'm not talking in medical terms.
The other half of this story concerned Arizona and Dr Herman. I've often wondered what it is that has kept Jessica Capshaw signed on to the show. For a few seasons now her character has been too one dimensional and linked far too closely with only one other character. With the appearance of Jo Wilson to divert Alex's attention the situation looked very bad for her. Her character has been difficult to watch, not necessarily because of her ongoing storylines but for me, the lack of depth surrounding those storylines. By splitting the couple the producers had a make or break with her. They had to build a story around her so divorced from Callie (pardon the pun) that Callie's own role in it is almost irrelevant. The story they chose, changing specialty, going back to study, going back to being the 'scut monkey' of foetal surgery, building a non-sexual relationship from scratch with a new character and watching that work and personal relationship dynamic progress was inspired. I must say that despite a slightly wooden start this story arc worked so well because of Geena Davis. Her tall, imposing and cold approach contrasted greatly with Arizona's professional warmth for her patients and their families. I use “cold” carefully because of course, as I've said many times, there are no villains allowed in Grey's and in the end it was shown very clearly that Dr. Herman is far from cold. She had an emotional detachment from her patients but her connection with Arizona is probably the deepest relationship of season eleven. Maybe the second deepest, April and Jackson certainly had their moment too. Grey's Anatomy does friendship so well that I am just sorry it's taken them so long to develop another one so well. And the pity is that Herman is unlikely to stay.
Arizona finally got her surgery mojo back after several seasons of anonymity in the OR. In season eleven style flashback she grew into her new specialty. Her ball busting of Bailey (whose nagging by the way was so very irritating) reminded me of her season five entrance. This season the writers have rescued Arizona. For some fans, the fact that she cheated will always provoke condemnation. Shondaland won't allow her perpetual punishment for this. Herman was brought on board to bring out the better Arizona. Whichever side you sit in this argument you need to know that from a production perspective Arizona is now redeemed.
And what about Callie in all this? She knows Arizona and she certainly knew that her ex-wife was vulnerable. It was touching to see her reach out and interesting to note that perhaps Arizona was not entirely welcoming of that attention. Was Callie jealous? They are smoothing over, not the cracks but the edges of the cracks in this relationship. To what end?
What else happened?
Bailey went nuts.
April and Jackson made a brief appearance - did Jesse Williams give birth to a child too?
Meredith was awesome in the gallery, handing out easy peelers and FAQ's while denying the surgical sensationalism.
And Herman gets the prize for quote of the season - pick one...
1. “Mommy, is that you mommy?”
2. “You're missing the point, you're so thick Robbins, you're always just to the left of the point,”
11.14, The Distance was wonderful for it's story, though forgettable in execution (with the possible exception of Mommy, is that you mommy scene and the wonderful moment between Arizona and Herman. I'm being harsh because compared to other seasons this episode was great. Though, it's probably time to get back to Meredith and Derek isn't it? Has Grey's Anatomy been renewed for a season twelve yet? It should be. We need more of “mere mortals cannot do that, only we can.”
Remember peeps: We are superheroes.
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