‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 12 premiere reaction: Meredith’s focus; Bailey’s new job; Jackson, April’s trouble
Did the “Grey’s Anatomy” premiere meet some of your expectations? For us, what we feel like is that the Shonda Rhimes series at least tried for the most part to shift its tone somewhat from a really despondent second half of season 12, and gave us a few stories that were all about hope and change.
Let’s start here with Dr. Bailey, who now has a new title to go along with her name: Chief. Her new promotion came after she found her inner confidence, and made a pitch to everyone in the hospital that while there may be some other qualified candidates, she is devoted to this hospital and loves it. Therefore, there is really no one better to tackle this particular position.
For Meredith, what we saw was definitely a story that was much more lighthearted than any of the angst and heartbreak we saw previously. Derek was not exactly on the tip of anyone’s tongue, and instead, she was struggling with her roommates in Amelia and Maggie, and then also preparing to teach a new class. It was a sign that she is moving forward, and we think that this was important. After all the hardship of last season, why continue to dwell on this?
There was a required dose of marital strife (it feels like there is a required dose, anyway) courtesy of the story with April and Jackson tonight. This just in: They’re still not doing well. Maybe they will figure this out, but they are not even close to be on the same page. There was also the difficult story about two teenage girls who loved each other, but were willing to put themselves in front of a train if it meant dying together versus living apart in alone after one of their parents’ terrible means to try to change her. Maggie slapping one of the girls’ mothers has to be the craziest moment of the night by far.
What did you think about tonight’s premiere episode? Let us now, and head over here to get some more news when it comes to “Grey’s Anatomy.” Also, sign up here to get some more TV scoop on all we cover, courtesy of our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)
TK
September 25, 2015 @ 11:21 pm
It was disappointing how they chose to handle the absence of Derek. It almost felt like a rerun of the earlier seasons with the roommates and the old house. So Amelia and Maggie replace Christina and Izzy? So much nostalgia, with the roommate interrupting a romantic moment on the porch, and with bringing up George too, but not even a despondent moment to remember Derek? And where are the kids? How exactly is the whole dynamic at home working with them swinging sledge hammers and guzzling shots of Tequila? It’s unrealistic.. It seems like they’re redoing the earlier episodes with a new cast, and conveniently leaving out anything that doesn’t quite fit.
I hate how it seems like he wasn’t even there.. I realize they’re trying to do the whole the shonda-world keeps turning, but it just doesn’t sit right with someone who has spent the last decade or so rooting for and loving that couple. Not with how they completely disregarded him in the premier.
There were a couple of good moments, with Bailey and Ben and the Lion King reference. The whole Arizona situation was hilarious. Thankfully someone finally addressed how annoying she is when she talks. The behind the curtain moments with Alex were quite welcome. The drama with Avery and April is building up nicely.
But more than anything, despite having nice moments, this episode was sub-par.