Thursday, May 16, 2019

REVIEW: 'Grey's Anatomy' - Meredith, Alex, Richard and Andrew Face Consequences for Their Actions in 'Jump Into the Fog'

ABC's Grey's Anatomy - Episode 15.25 "Jump Into the Fog"

As fog begins to cover Seattle, the doctors of Grey Sloan navigate through personal complications. Meredith and Alex attempt to save Gus. Levi talks some sense into a struggling Nico.




In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the season finale of ABC's Grey's Anatomy.

"Jump Into the Fog" was written by Krista Vernoff and directed by Debbie Allen

Grey's Anatomy went into its season finale with many of its characters in precarious situations. It also closes its fifteenth season with many of the characters in precarious situations. It's a very dramatic finale. One that sees declarations of loves and couples pushed to the absolute brink. There may be a little too much going on. And yet, it all feels like a perfectly fine summation of the season overall. Teddy gives birth and in the process she and Owen admit their true feelings to one another. That is so sweet even though it's tragic that Koracick has been left out of the process entirely while also sitting up the nursery back home. Meanwhile, Amelia says that she is open to a future with Link. But first, she has to get a stronger hold on her own identity outside of Owen. That feels very healthy and responsible. Plus, everyone gets to celebrate the medical miracle of helping a quadriplegic woman move her muscles again. That's astonishing and proves just how brilliant these doctors are. It also highlights how Niko continues to be in an angry and upset headspace. He can't enjoy that moment but Levi continues to support him because he accepts himself as a great guy. That self-confidence is absolutely invigorating. It's beautiful to see him come out to his mother in such a nonchalant way. It's perfectly normal and loving too. It ensures that the season does have a happy conclusion for them despite the uncertainty of Niko's future at Grey Sloan. Of course, Maggie and Jackson continually feel like they are about to break up. They are in this major fight as they are trying to find their way out from the woods and back to the hospital to perform Gus' surgery. The elements are absolutely scattered throughout the various sections of the city. One place is covered in fog. Another is pouring rain. The rest is perfectly sunny just with bad traffic. It's crazy just how isolated Maggie and Jackson are from the rest of the proceedings. That means they are fighting over their profound personal issues. They feel as if they come from two different worlds. Even though they love each other, that may not be enough because they constantly feel the pressure that they are never good enough. That could be absolutely crippling for a relationship. And yet, the season ends with Jackson mysteriously vanishing in the fog. So, that could be a crisis that ultimately brings the two of them back together. So, the show isn't done with all the drama from that coupling just yet. The biggest development in this finale though may be Meredith, Alex and Richard all getting fired because of the insurance fraud. Sure, Andrew is the one currently sitting in prison. Bailey and Catherine understand the severity of the situation and the potential repercussions for the hospital and its relationship with their insurance company. Bailey is still very supportive of Jo when she comes asking for a leave of absence and the need to check into the psych ward for a little bit. She also hates that she has to fire her friends and colleagues. And yet, they left her no choice. This is the only decision she could make. Meredith believes that she can fight all of this in court. She hopes to have a sympathetic judge who also understands the absurdity of the situation she was in. But it's also notable how Catherine was quickly able to make the financial concerns of Gabby and her father disappear. They didn't have to stay in the hospital for over a month to qualify for a new state program. This situation could have had an easier solution. Meredith just reacted impulsively which requires both her and Andrew to make these seemingly grand romantic gestures. It could potentially ruin their careers but at least they know that they love each other. That says something. Of course, it's very unlikely that any of these big actions will stick. It should just be interesting to see how long Meredith, Alex, Richard and Andrew will be fired from the hospital.