Spoilers ahead for the first half of Grey's Anatomy Season 17.
The midseason premiere of Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 is finally in sight, after a dramatic winter finale that left Meredith fighting for her life (again), the DeLucas chasing down a sex trafficker and of course plenty of relationships to sort through. Grey’s fans have some strong opinions about what they’d like to see in the remaining episodes, made all the stronger by the extended span of time since the last episode. Here’s what I’m hoping to see when Grey’s Anatomy makes its long-awaited return March 11.
Winston And Maggie's IRL Relationship
Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) and her new man Winston (Anthony Hill) were hyped as the couple to watch going into Season 17, but when COVID took over our lives and our pop culture, Maggie and Winston’s relationship was relegated to video chats and Zoom dates. (Props to the Grey’s writers for making a virtual “meet the parents” situation just as awkward as one should be.) In the winter finale, Winston said the long-distance thing wasn’t working for him anymore and showed up at Maggie’s doorstep, fully equipped with flowers and bed-me eyes. Now that we’ve got these two together in person, I’m kind of hoping for the love affair of the century. If anybody in this show deserves it, it’s Maggie, after the whole dating-your-stepbrother fiasco.
More Beach Reunions For Meredith
When Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) showed up in Meredith’s unconscious beach world, I was shocked. When my personal favorite 007 George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) appeared, I can’t lie, I cried. Given the way the winter finale ended, with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) coding and Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) making the decision to put her on a ventilator, it’s likely Meredith will end up back on her beach, but with whom? Lexi Grey wasn’t my favorite character, but an appearance from her would make a lot of sense. Maybe a Lexi-Mark Sloan package deal? Any way they go with it, seeing our old favorites return has been a really nice bit of nostalgia amid so much doom and gloom.
A New Boyfriend For Levi
Alex Landi made big news when he joined the Grey’s Anatomy cast in Season 15 as orthopedic surgeon Nico Kim, the show’s first openly gay male doctor. But it was Dr. Levi Schmitt’s coming-out story that really stuck with viewers when Levi (Jake Borelli) and Nico started dating. As Levi came to know and accept himself, he rose to a level of emotional maturity that should have left Nico in the dust. Unfortunately the opposite happened, and Levi’s growth just highlighted how badly Nico treated him. I guess we’re blaming COVID for the fact that Levi and Nico are still hooking up, but it’s an absolute shame that Levi has developed into such a strong character and Nico remains the only guy he’s dated. I’m ready for Levi to upgrade to someone in his league.
Medical Miracles And Non-COVID-Related Surgeries
Grey's Anatomy is doing great things for COVID awareness. They’ve demonstrated through consistent words and actions the importance of wearing masks. They’ve showed the fear and burnout experienced by our essential employees and first responders. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve given a voice to the frustrations of many about the way COVID is disproportionately affecting people of color. I see that, and I appreciate that, but I still want some of the escapism back. I’m hoping the second half of Season 17 finds a good balance, because what I wouldn't give to see the creation of some medical marvel deserving of a Catherine Fox Award.
Teddy Dumping Owen Once And For All
I’ve kind of been over Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and his condescending attitude for a while. But after his temper tantrum to Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) over her admission that she’d been romantically involved with her friend Allison, I’m hoping Teddy is finally over him too. The love triangle among Teddy, Owen and Tom Koracick (Greg Germann) is played out. I’ve always thought Tom was a better match for Teddy anyway, and their last exchange as Tom struggled to recover from COVID proved the chemistry is still there. Or, maybe coming to terms with her relationship with Allison will lead Teddy in a new romantic direction. Either way, please leave Owen to pout in a corner alone.
Jo And Jackson, Just Stop It
While I’m on a roll trying to break couples up, I’m hoping the second half of Season 17 does away with the JoJackson “sex bridge” story. This has always felt to me like it was thrown together because the writers didn't know what else to do with these characters. Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) has done great things on Grey’s Anatomy that have nothing to do with who she’s sleeping with. I hope she “chooses joy” and changes her specialty, and that is how she regains her strength after her failed marriage. As for Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams), if he must be with someone, why not get back with Vic (Barrett Doss) from Station 19? I loved them together, and they'd provide good crossover material. That’s assuming an April Kepner reconciliation is out of the question.
A Real Crossover Event With Station 19
If you're going to have Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 — and possibly another spinoff — exist in the same universe, please use your powers for good. I want more from a crossover than a character’s Station 19 rescue becoming a Grey's Anatomy recovery. I want to see the two shows’ stars in a situation together, interacting more than to just pass a patient off in the ambulance bay. And if the new teaser for the two winter premieres is any indication, this one might just happen. Station 19 will pick up right where Grey’s left off, with Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) and new Station 19 regular Carina DeLuca (Stefania Spampinato) pursuing a woman Andrew rightly suspects of being a sex trafficker. It promises to be a “thrilling and exhilarating” affair, and isn’t that what we’re all here for?
Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, March 11, on ABC for a crossover event starting at 8 p.m. ET with Station 19. So you've got a little time if you need to catch up, and in the meantime be sure to check out our full list of 2021 winter and spring premieres.
