‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 11, episode 22 review: Meredith and Derek’s baby, tears, and much more

“Grey’s Anatomy” Thursday night definitely had time on its side in a way to tell the story of Derek’s death and moving forward. The show aired a two-hour installment that moved forward several months in time, and taught us quite a bit about what happens to people over the course of the grieving process.

Throughout, this was an episode completely anchored by Ellen Pompeo, who has done some of her best work ever on the show the past couple of weeks. Tonight, she cried, she fought, and she learned that she was carrying his child. For a few moments, we also thought that this third child of hers would be a miscarriage, but it turned out that she was okay, and she has welcomed this new addition to the world. It’s another nice reminder of Derek in a way, as painful as it may be simultaneously.

We don’t want to pretend that the entirety of the episode was strictly about Meredith, mostly because everyone grieves in their own ways. This was a huge episode for Amelia, as well, as she had to come to terms with her feelings and considered relapsing. Owen was there for her, but he cannot control her emotions and actions.

Add also to the list of depressing things tonight Ben basically forcing Bailey to feel bad about him signing the papers authorizing her to press the metaphorical kill switch.

If there was a glimmer of hope in the hour, maybe it came in seeing Catherine actually propose to Richard Webber. It may have been unorthodox in many ways, but it was still emotional. We wish that there were a few more happy moments in here, and maybe we’re just supposed to be happy that at least some other couples are still together.

In the end, this was an episode about moving forward. We’re not sure how we are supposed to that, but maybe this episode is a start. Or, maybe it’s the beginning of the end. We’re honestly not quite sure. We are just trying to figure out still how it is best for this series to move forward. Grade: B+.

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