‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 12, episode 4 reaction: The Penny, Meredith, and Derek connection

This article isn’t meant to be a full-fledged review of Thursday’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” but we do want to spend a minute or two talking about a particular moment during this hour that had our jaw on the ground … and we’re not sure it is for the best reason.

Did the show really make a good move in having Callie’s new girlfriend Penny be the same woman who is effectively responsible for Derek’s death last season? It’s an interesting play if the interest of the show is keeping him at the forefront of the story; so long as she is around, what happened to Derek is going to continue to play out in Meredith’s mind. We know that’s not right for her, given that we’ve already seen her struggle with this.

Also, what you are doing with this more than anything else is playing the whole TV coincidence game all over again. You are making the jump that Callie and Penny would find each other, and then be interested in dating. Also, that Meredith would be in a position to meet her. Coincidences happen, but this seems like a little bit much even on this show.

In the end, we just don’t think this particular Penny twist was a needed one. It feels like with the children and Amelia being present in Meredith’s life, there is no reason to also bring back a doctor associated with Derek’s death. It seems like too much, and just milking a scene that was heartbreaking enough in the first place.

If you want to preview the next part of this super-awkward storyline, head over to this link! Also, you can sign up here to get a dose of some other TV news on all we cover, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)