This review contains spoilers for Grey's Anatomy Season 21, episode 14 "Love in the Ice Age."
At its heart, Grey's Anatomy thrives in its realistic -- though, understandably, often over-dramatic -- depictions of romance. ("Over-dramatic" is, of course, a term of endearment here -- this being a medical drama and all.) But since the very beginning, the series has also greatly excelled in portraying meaningful friendships between its characters.
This week's episode especially glowed in the friendship department -- yes, even in the scenes featuring Teddy and Owen; we'll get to that. Bailedy and Weber disagreeing on Dr. Chase's true nature, only for Bailey to return later to admit she was wrong for trusting the guy. Winston begrudgingly taking Blue to the baseball game -- though it definitely had "dad says he doesn't want a pet but becomes their best friend anyway" energy. Even Ben seems to be thriving -- but he's never had a problem making friends, and we love that for him.
And let's not forget that despite their ongoing marital tension, Teddy and Owen were friends first. Was it a trauma bond turned genuine connection, only to later further develop into romance? Perhaps. But even before they were married and raising a family together, they were close. They understand each other on a deeper level than anyone else in their lives is likely going to be able to do (yes, that goes for Owen's many exes).
So really, underneath Teddy's jealousy about Owen trying to be with other women (which she gave him permission to do, but whatever) might actually be fear. Not necessarily of losing Owen as a husband, but of instead losing him as a friend. Perhaps their romance won't last in the end, and that wouldn't be all that surprising considering how rare it is for this show to actually allow its best relationships to last forever. (Is Meredith and Cristina's friendship the longest-lasting on the show so far, canonically? A topic to be explored later, perhaps.) But what about their friendship?
Because sometimes the most painful thing about a breakup isn't that you're losing a romantic partner, but instead that you're losing your best friend. The person who knows you better than anyone, who possibly knows you better than you know yourself. Some former romantic partners can and do stay friends. But many of them don't. That kind of heartbreak doesn't heal easily.
I may not be rooting for these two romantically anymore -- I've learned not to get too attached these days. But I am still all in for their friendship lasting a lifetime. Come on, Grey's. Give us something good to hold onto, just this once.