Why does Grey's Anatomy Season 16 want us to hate Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson)? Bailey is fairly being called out as a hypocrite, but my question is why did Grey's put her in this position?
Grey's Anatomy Season 15 ended with Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) as one of three doctors fired from Grey Sloan -- despite Mer's name being on the hospital. It was all tied to Meredith's unpopular insurance fraud storyline. Since then, Bailey has been on the warpath in Grey's Anatomy Season 16. She banned Meredith from the hospital, repeatedly took out her rage on Meredith's boyfriend Dr. Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti), hung up on Mer after Mer remotely helped save a life at Grey Sloan, and even fired Dr. Dahlia Qadri (Sophia Ali) for standing up to Bailey in defense of Meredith.
It was enough to almost ruin last week's Charmed reunion. (Almost.)
Frustrated fans called out Bailey on the times she also broke the law, including one case specifically related to insurance fraud:
You know who forgot that Grey's Anatomy storyline? Ellen Pompeo, as she noted:
It wasn't the only time Bailey bent the rules for the greater good, as fans pointed out:
Pretty much every doctor on Grey's Anatomy has bent the rules in the past 16 seasons, which is why it's frustrating for fans to see Bailey blowing up over this. She fired Meredith Grey, Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), and even Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) -- all Grey's OGs -- in relation to the insurance fraud scandal. Now we can add Dr. Qadri to the list. Maybe she'll head over to Pac-North too?
I feel bad for Chandra Wilson that her character has been set up for so much fan frustration. It looks like Bailey's wrath will still be strong this week's Season 16, Episode 4, "It's Raining Men." To be fair, Meredith Grey is pretty good at whipping up trouble, and she does it again this week. She inadvertently gives Grey Sloan negative press and tries to make it right with everyone, even though she's also still supposed to be doing community service. (I'm ready for that storyline to end, please.)
ABC's synopsis also says "Bailey receives unexpected news," and I'm not sure what that might be about. Also, it looks like Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) ends up at Pac-Gen North for something, and Alex may try to recruit him. No one will be left at Grey Sloan by the end of this season!
The promo for Grey's Anatomy's October 17 episode shows Bailey once again taking her anger out on DeLuca, this time in regard to the bad press Mer just got them.
You can fix what your girlfriend broke!
I won't be shocked if DeLuca gets tired and goes to Pac-North too.
Here's hoping Grey's Anatomy turns this around so fans don't leave each episode frustrated with Bailey for firing everyone and splitting up the family. I am enjoying Season 16 overall -- I always love a mix of humor and serious topical issues -- but this Bailey storyline is starting to wear thin.
Next week, Chandra Wilson will pull double duty as both Bailey and the director of Episode 5, "Breathe Again." Grey's Anatomy Season 16, Episode 6, "Whistlin' Past the Graveyard," is the Halloween episode, where Jo Karev seems to trash her wedding dress. (!!!)
On a happier note, it looks like Season 16, Episode 8 will be the big 350th episode of the series. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the big 300 and the show is far from done.
Grey's Anatomy Season 16 continues Thursdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
