Mark, Arizona, and Callie are finding that this whole three-person parenting thing can be difficult, especially Mark. They get into an argument about whether or not Callie should have an amnio, and Arizona and Mark fight about it all day while Callie just tries to avoid them and finally makes her own decision to have one. Mark, who had been voting against, is actually fine with the decision, since Callie gave it some thought and didn't just side with Arizona; he points out that he just wants his 1/3 say in decisions since he's the baby's father and he intends to be a very present one. Arizona turns into a total brat about the whole thing, and it looks like Callie might be spending much of her pregnancy (and the next 18 years, come to think of it) as a referee, and she doesn't seem too happy about it.
Arizona is also grouchy from spending part of her day arguing with Stark about whether or not to call social services on a family. The mom (Nancy Travis!) is an Alzheimer's patient who is part of Derek's clinical trial, and she's at the hospital with her husband and 10-year-old son. The kid is obviously a huge help in taking care of his mom and they adore each other. But Meredith notices a lump on the boy's neck and it turns out to be something that's pressing on his trachea and needs surgery immediately to be removed. The family had been so busy dealing with Nancy's diagnosis that they put off calling a doctor about the lump, and it sounds like it was a very lucky save to catch it at this point before he stopped breathing and died. Upon hearing about this, Stark orders the docs to call child protective services. Arizona, Mere and April, who is also on the case, all firmly believe that the family is fine and shouldn't be put through that, but they spend the day arguing with him to no avail. That evening April gives it one more try and Stark actually listens to her and agrees to call off the dogs. He's then so surprised by her actually having changed his mind about something that he asks her out on a date, and despite her initial horror, she admits to Lexie that she ultimately accepted.
As she was telling Lexie about this, Lexie was in the shower, cleverly hiding that Jackson was in there with her. They had a -ough day having to convince a couple of cystic fibrosis patients to break up with each other, since they could make each other even sicker and possibly die. It makes Lexie dwell a lot on the subject of soulmates and these thoughts are leading her to think a lot about Mark, but Jackson tries to talk her out of the idea that there's only one soulmate per person. He finally admits to her that he likes her and she seems not to hate the idea, as evidenced by the previously mentioned shower that results.
Meredith, chock-full of her fertility drugs, starts experiencing fuzzy eyesight which gets worse as the day goes on. She doesn't bother mentioning anything to Derek about it, but when he gives her a chance to assist on Nancy's surgery, she realizes she can't see well enough to even attempt doing it herself. They go and see Lucy, who informs them the fertility drugs are to blame, and she orders Mere to stop taking them immediately, despite Mere's protests that she's almost done with this particular cycle. All of this on top of the baby triangle drama causes Cristina to comment to Owen how happy she is that she'll never have to deal with having kids. He is taken aback, because although he knew she felt this way he figured she'd change her mind, and both end up rather annoyed with each other when she tells him that isn't going to happen.
The icing on the cake of this largely downer episode is that Adele is back in the ER after having another fall. She's once again inconsistent in her story, but when Bailey runs every test in the book and they all come back clean, she talks to Meredith about Adele's previous visit and they both think something neurological could be going on. The Chief wants to happily go on wearing his blinders, convincing himself that everything is fine, but Bailey finally convinces him that he should speak to Derek. He finds Derek, Mark and Owen golfing off of the helicopter pad and griping about how much they don't understand the women in their lives, and Derek of course agrees to check her out to see if he can figure out what's wrong.
Watch the episode below, discuss it in our forums, then see what we think are the most annoying Grey's storylines.
What are people saying about your favorite shows and stars right now? Find out with Talk Without Pity, the social media site for real TV fans. See Tweets and Facebook comments in real time and add your own -- all without leaving TWoP. Join the conversation now!
Want more? The full recap starts right below!
Remember when Derek had plans to build Meredith a dream house? I had almost forgotten, but it turns out that those plans are still alive, and currently he's trying to figure out how to give Meredith a tub with a view as well as two sinks. Mere squints at the plans as Alex makes toast and watches them, and she claims not to care. Her only stipulation is that she get a tub deep enough to cover her knees and her boobs at the same time. Derek tiredly repeats this as clearly he is very well aware, while I make a mental note to myself that I want exactly the same thing whenever the time comes that a hunky surgeon is building me my dream house. He's a bit exasperated and just kisses her and leaves, while Alex tries to get her to appreciate what Derek is doing for her. Meredith explains that she can't read the plans because the fertility drugs are making her eyes dry, so she has to squint to read, and claims not to care that much anyway. Alex gives her a bit of a look since not being able to see clearly isn't something most people just brush off, and suggests she talk to "that hot OB." Meredith calls him out on looking for any excuse to talk to Lucy while she VOs that everyone thinks doctors are totally responsible.
Sidebar: I just learned that Debbie Allen directed this episode, and I am filled with girlish glee. DEBBIE ALLEN! And she's directed twoother episodes too! I recap this show every week but now the secret is out -- I never pay any attention to the credits, because I somehow missed this fact even though I LOVE HER. Debbie, I miss you so much as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance! I'm thrilled to belatedly learn that you are still somehow connected to my current television viewing!
Callie has an ultrasound, and when they see a tiny, grainy arm on the screen there's a chorus of "awwwws." However, that's about the only thing everyone agrees on because when Lucy asks if Callie has scheduled an amnio, Mark and Arizona's claws come out. Mark is adamant that they don't need one while Arizona thinks they do, and the two start bickering. Lucy notes dryly, "It's so nice that there are three of you," and Callie gives her a, "You're telling me, sister," look. Mark gets paged but before he leaves he makes Callie promise that they will discuss it before making any final decisions, and he leaves them as Callie shows Lucy just how long a 9-inch needle (like the one that would be inserted into her belly) really is.
Comments