'Grey's Anatomy' Season 16 Episode 3 Review: Awkward encounters, surgical complications and a steamy kiss!
The review contains spoilers for 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 16 Episode 3 — 'Reunion'.
Ever since 'Grey's Anatomy' was renewed for Season 16, the makers teased a 'Charmed' reunion with sisters Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs in episode three. Sadly, the storyline with the sisters is the weakest sequence - though it has a comical twist in the end. But don't be disappointed so soon as there are many other major twists to look forward to!
Not as eventful as the second episode, 'Reunion' has its big moments. There are several awkward encounters this time around - Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) meets Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) and Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) has an uneasy conversation with her ex-boyfriend's new love Victoria Hughes (Barrett Doss). Medical complications add an element of drama and suspense and so does the changing dynamics between the characters.
Jackson and Vic: A passionate affair
The episode begins with Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and Vic on a trek in the middle of the woods. His new firefighter love interest turns out to be "stronger" than him. Vic asks Jackson if she is the first woman he's dated who is stronger than him. He is impressed but plays it down.
Sparks fly between the pair as Jackson attempts to treat a scar on her forehead and Jackson whispers how he makes sure he takes care of "each inch" of his patients. The very next moment, they share a passionate kiss. The new love affair is official!
Amelia and Link: Bun in the oven
Amelia is joyful about keeping the baby and breaks the news to Maggie. "How is this going to work? Are you and Link going to live together? Does Meredith know? Owen?" Maggie bombards her with questions but for now, Amelia is not concerned. Things are rosy between Amelia and Link as the two have a heart-to-heart conversation. Towards the end of the episode, Amelia announces the good news to Meredith.
"It's exciting, scary and maybe a mistake. We wanted you to know," Amelia says. Mere is happy to hear the news but she tells them: "I had no idea that the two of you were so serious." "Neither did we," pat comes the answer in unison as all of them share a warm hug.
Maggie: Single and sulking
Maggie complains to Amelia about Jackson and his new firefighter girlfriend Vic: "He just walked out of the fog with a new girlfriend like I never existed." When Maggie gets her new patient, an old man named Birdy, he talks about the struggles in his life and says, "Love makes it all worthwhile." Maggie questions him: "With all the heartbreak, loss, petty behavior... Really?" Birdy takes Maggie on a walk and helps sort her mind.
What's more, Maggie faces Vic and the latter tells her she doesn't want the equation to be awkward. "It's not awkward. Some people just want to move faster than others," Maggie tells her. Vic breaks to her that her guy died. "Not you. I mean Jackson," she reverts back and it is clear that things are indeed going to be awkward!
Meredith Grey: A virtual surgeon
Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) patient comes back from her Costa Rica beach trip and is downhearted to see that her doctor has been fired. When Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) attempts to convince her to undergo the treatment without Meredith, she shoots her down by saying, "Young lady, my answer is no. Just let me be. Either get me Meredith Grey or just check me out of here and just let me live my life till I die."
Jo finds a solution to the problem. After a heated discussion with Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), she gets Meredith on a video chat. As soon as the surgery is successful, Bailey immediately disconnects the call. Later, Meredith tells DeLuca, "I would literally climb through the phone if I could."
Miranda Bailey: Boss lady
Miranda Bailey knows she lost her best surgeons but is in no mood to back down from her decision by letting Meredith, Richard Webber and Alex Karev back in the hospital. When a patient insists on being treated by Meredith, she makes it clear that she is "not granting anyone privileges."
Towards the end of the episode, when Dahlia Qadri (Sophia Ali) questions Bailey's decision and tells her, "Guess how many residents came here for Meredith? We didn't come for anyone else but Meredith. And I came here to watch Meredith on a TV screen?" Bailey straightaway tells her, "Work somewhere else. You're fired, Doctor Qadri. Now you and Meredith do have something in common."
Owen and Teddy: Parenting love
After his friction with Tom Koracick, Owen takes care of Teddy as she struggles with handling the new-born. The two share an intimate conversation and he even consoles Teddy on "not doing her job too well" even though she thinks she is failing at being a mother. "Just be a happy mom," he tells her and wins her heart as she gives her a peck on his lips.
Levi and Nico: Support system
Fans have been waiting to see 'Schmico' in season 16! Gay couple Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli), a newbie intern, and Nico Lang (Alex Landi) were finally seen sharing a moment together when Nico attempts to help Levi with his 'wire' mess up.
Richard and Alex: Pulling the plug
Alex and Richard struggle with technological issues at Pac North and decide to take "baby steps" as they wade through the problems. When the 'Charmed' sisters start fighting about what to do with their brain-dead sister, he comes and tells them: "You can bicker for the rest of your lives. At this moment, she needs you. So pull yourselves up together."
However, there is a major twist as when they decide to disconnect her life support, Heidi gets a call from her sister Heather, who informs them that her bag has been stolen. Richard seems to have pulled the plug of the wrong patient and he might end up in a soup. Nevertheless, he appears to be calm about the entire fiasco.
There is another heartwarming sequence between two patients. After 60 years, Birdy is reunited with his "first love" at the Grey Sloan Hospital and the two narrate their love story to Maggie, Amelia and Nico Lang (Alex Landi). "She didn't speak English and I didn't speak Korean. But we communicated by dictionary. I taught her my name by pointing to the word bird." The endearing love tale between the old couple is the highlight of the 44-minute episode. As the fourth episode airs next week, Amelia might share the pregnancy news with Owen! Can you guess what his reaction would be?
Missed the review of the second episode? Read it here: 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 16 Episode 2 — 'Back in the Saddle'.