This review contains SPOILERS for Grey's Anatomy Season 21, episode 9 "Hit the Floor."
ABC's most successful medical drama Grey's Anatomy is and has always been a roller coaster. From episode to episode, you never really know how you're going to feel at the start, midpoint, or ending. Normally I would feel relieved that this show tends to not air two-episode premieres -- especially with a midseason return -- but after this episode, I'm still hungry for more. But it might actually be because I'm feeling ... happy? What a time to be alive.
When we last left our doctors, there were a handful of lives up in the air -- okay, a little more than that if you count Jo's twins. But somehow, miraculously, everyone in this episode survived. Everyone ended up with a positive outcome. And I'm going to start this particular thread off by focusing on how dumbfounded I am that Owen Hunt actually did something moral for maybe the first time ever. He removed himself from the case? He admitted his feelings -- and that they weren't right -- and actually walked away? I almost don't actually believe this really happened. Is this a dream?
Let's also acknowledge everyone's impressive possession of emotional intelligence in this episode. It had to have been the heat wave. Doctors admitting they were wrong? Romantic partners holding themselves back in order to do right by their loved ones? Jo and Link ending the episode on a good note was predictable but still unapologetically satisfying. We needed that win.
I normally don't love when Teddy puts her boss hat on, but you have to admit she's kind of crushing it in this role. She put Warren in his place with the exact amount of force he deserved, she called out every intern who needed it, and even if she was suspicious of Owen's pending confession, she kept it totally professional. Oh no, am I starting to like her? I'm sure the writer's room will find a way to undo that before the season ends.
When you've been watching this show for a long time, you're past the point of getting mad when what is portrayed as a tragic episode in the teaser trailer is actually the opposite. This is just how things work around here. Things are never going to play out the way you think they will. And it turns out no one has to die in order for a bunch of people to acquire some much-needed character development.
It really feels like Grey's has found its sweet spot again, and I have no doubt things will only get better from here as the back half of the season continues.
New episodes of Grey's Anatomy are back on ABC Thursdays, and available to stream on Hulu.