Grey's Anatomy Round Table: Derek Feels & Nostalgia!

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It was an ode to Meredith Grey on another milestone episode.

It was a nostalgic affair on Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8.

Join TV Fanatics Meaghan Frey, Jasmine Blu, and Grey's Fanatic Berea Orange as they discuss the hour.

Grey's Anatomy celebrated another milestone with 350 episodes with flashbacks and callbacks. How would you rate it?

Meaghan: From a pure nostalgia standpoint? 10. I teared up just seeing the guy from the ambulance accident again. That episode never fails to make me sob. Then you add in the flashbacks to Derek's death? I think the writers were just trying to kill me.

Berea: 10 because I am a sucker for nostalgia myself, too. Webber’s old assistant Patricia showed up (who knew Richard made a call to get Meredith in at Seattle Grace?!).

Seeing scenes that go all the way back to Katie Bryce and even Derek’s death had me all in the feels. We got to see flashbacks with Derek, Denny, Cristina, George, Lexie, Stephanie, Nathan, Megan, and Adele. Letters from Cristina, Callie, Arizona, April, and Addison too?! It was just so satisfying.

Jasmine: I agree that they nailed the nostalgia portion of the hour. In that way, it was as good, maybe even better than the hallway walk commemorating those who passed away on Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 6 , and it was a stronger celebration of a milestone than Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 15.

I just wish I enjoy the hearing and all of that as much as I did the nostalgic flashbacks. St. Meredith took away from the it for me.

How surprised were you that Meredith had to face the man who killed Derek?

Meaghan: I was shocked. I thought the closest we were going to get to those responsible was Penelope. Seeing the doctor responsible for his death brought back all the anger I had about it.

Not just from the standpoint of being mad at the doctor, but being mad at Shonda. It was just a reminder of how much the off-screen drama has shaped the show.

Renegade - tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8

Berea: I was not expecting that at all. I am glad Meredith was given the chance to at least confront him about this. She said everything I wanted to say to him (yes I was screaming at my television for them to order that CT).

Jasmine: I was surprised. Then, again, I had mixed feelings.

I also thought the most we would get from the storyline was Penny, so I was shocked when we found out it was him who killed Derek.

But then it felt like they only introduced him to shift the focus from what Meredith was there for to why he's worse than she is as if two people can't be wrong at the same time.

Hairy Situation- tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8

What he did was abhorrent and enraging, and it was satisfying when she tore him apart. But the rational part of me also would've loved to have known more about him before this.

Did Meredith ever file charges against him or raise it with the board when Derek died? Was Derek his most egregious mistake that he learned from, and he turned his life around and ended up on the board to stop other doctors from making the same mistakes he did?

Even with someone we're designed to hate, context matters, and we didn't get it. Then they laughed about his death, and it was still gross.

Do you think Amelia found closure for Derek's death after turning over the doctor's surgery and him dying on the table?

Meaghan: That part of the episode didn't sit well with me. I would have much rathered Amelia putting her anger aside and saving his life. That way he would be forced to live with his guilt that he took the life of the brother of the woman who saved his.

My conflict of interest! My medical license should not be in this man's hands. He is dangerous!

Mer

Berea: I think she found closure, and I’m OK with it. Honestly, I think it would’ve been a little cliche and totally expected for her to put her feelings aside and do the surgery.

I wasn’t expecting her to have so much joy in his death, but I can hardly blame her.

I mean she and Meredith already had to put their feelings aside for Penny, and this guy was her superior and had way more responsibility. There’s only so much of being the “bigger person“ that should be expected of one woman.

Compassionate Amelia - tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 7

Jasmine: Again with mixed feelings.

I disagree with Meaghan about Amelia putting her feelings aside and operating on him. She shouldn't have put her feelings aside, she's too invested in this, it hits too close to home, and she's an emotional pregnant woman too.

I was proud of her for passing it to Tom (and loved him dropping everything to do it) because it was the right, mature thing to do. Old Amelia would've done the opposite.

Take him to Grey Sloan, he should have the best care there is. And get him a damn head CT!

Mer

I agree about him dying, though. I hate that he died, and that was it. I wanted more closure for Amelia since she was robbed of it when Derek died. I would've liked if she got to speak to him, tell him about her brother and how much he meant to her, and he had to live with that.

Why make a show of saying he was getting the best possible care if he didn't live long enough to feel the weight of what that means?

Levi is the one who tipped off Bailey, and now he's being shunned. React.

Meaghan: I believe Levi when he said that he didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late. Levi respects Meredith so much, and he should be given a break. Meredith did something wrong. It is not Levi's fault that her actions have consequences.

Feeling Torn  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8

Berea: I actually found this really hilarious. Levi is so pure-hearted, I truly believe he has no idea what he was doing.

Like he said, he couldn’t make any more mistakes, and he was already known as “Glasses.” He did the right thing, and I hope everyone gives him some slack.

Jasmine: My precious Levi. It happened to come on the heels of them reminding us of how everyone shunned DeLuca that time when Alex assaulted him, and it triggered and annoyed me.

So, basically, Levi did his job properly, and he feels guilty about it and is a pariah, and Mer broke the law, jeopardized the hospital, and got her friends fired, and she gets a hero's welcome and parade? Yeah, OK.

It was revealed that Bailey was jealous of Meredith and how Richard favors her. And she went back on her testimony and offered Mer her job back. Thoughts?

Meaghan: It isn't surprising that she was jealous. But for her to do a complete 180 and change her mind just for Richard calling her out on it? That feels out of character.

That is basically saying that the only reason she reacted the way she did was because of her jealousy, not because she felt that what Meredith did was wrong.

It would have felt better if she had realized that Meredith's good deeds have outweighed her bad ones or something along those lines to justify her deciding to change her mind.

Her Hearing - Tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8

Berea: I don’t like this narrative that Bailey is jealous of Meredith, and I don’t buy it either. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Bailey raised Meredith and loves her like family.

She is tired of her getting away with doing wrong and having everyone bend over backward to cover for her, and I can hardly blame her.

She was Meredith’s mentor and Richard was her’s. This is the second time Richard put his career in jeopardy because of Meredith’s actions. I imagine it makes her sick that the two of them continue to put themselves at risk.

In regards to Bailey changing her testimony and offering Meredith her job back... I mean, did anyone think this would go any other way?

Bailey's Secret - Tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 5

Jasmine: Continuing the theme of being the negative Nelly of the bunch, or hell, Jilted Jasmine; I loathed this.

They took Bailey's legitimate reasons and concerns and reduced it to petty jealousy. WHY?! Everything about this was designed to make Bailey the villain instead of the practical Chief doing her job, mentoring her long-time mentee, and holding a repeat offender accountable.

Bailey in Her Element - Tall - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 2

In the SAME episode, hell, within the same conversation the show revealed that Meredith got in the program due to nepotism and Richard's favoritism, and then seconds later Richard was chastising Bailey for being jealous of Meredith and pointing out that he favors her. Excuse me?!

Bailey: Meredith Grey could commit murder and you'd hide the body.
Richard: I really don't have the time for this right now.
Bailey: You cheated the system to get Meredith Grey into my program.

Bailey's actions on the stand were out of character and childish, but so was her running in to change her position that was actually strengthened during the hearing and her conversation with Richard. Richard saying "yeah, I favor her. She's family. So what?" is what made her change her mind? Alrighty, then.

Did DeLuca make the right decision giving Mer space to figure out if he's important to her?

Meaghan: Absolutely. I'm not a fan of the pairing, but I was furious for DeLuca when Meredith said they wouldn't be able to make it if she couldn't cut anymore. That is not a true relationship.

Meredith needs to find someone that she loves enough that it wouldn't matter, and DeLuca deserves to find someone who feels that way. I've said this before, and I'll say this again, can we please bring back Scott Speedman's character?

Different Paths - tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8

Berea: Yes he did. I completely see what he meant because it’s hard to tell if Meredith actually respects him.

To me, it has only seemed like she’s just been having fun with him despite him really loving her. I’m not sure if this is the end for them or just a small obstacle for them to get over.

Take some time, Meredith. Figure out what you really want. Let me know if I'm a part of that.

DeLuca

Jasmine: I agree. He deserved so much better than that, and I'm glad he sees it.

Their relationship has always felt like he idolized her (out of the blue) and wanted something serious, and she was just having a good time. And I don't think she respects him.

And bless his heart, it seems like DeLuca still struggles to date women who have more authority and are more accomplished than him, since that was why he broke things off with Maggie too.

Do you think Jackson was unintentionally taking advantage of Maggie's vulnerable state? What do you make of them setting aside their friction and their near-kiss?

Meaghan: I wouldn't necessarily say taking advantage. I think that he still has feelings for her and seeing her hurting brought them back to the surface.

Just because you don't want to be with someone anymore, doesn't mean those feelings just disappear.

Given how the Jaggie drama has been handled I really hope they don't actually go back down that road again.

Maggie's Burden  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 7

Berea: Krista and Co. might make a fool of me for declaring this in writing, but I do not believe Jaggie is truly over. I believe this has all been contrived drama just for the sake of drama, and we will see them slowly but surely make their way back to each other.

I can tell Jackson did not mean to take advantage of her. He’s just used to being near her and being the person she’s leaned on when she’s had these bad times before.

Mer: What just happened?
Maggie: I hate someone I used to love.

He was definitely the aggressor (for lack of a better term). He was the one who brought her home. He stayed and had drinks. He kept up with the little intimate touches. He leaned in for that kiss, and then pulled back.

I’m so glad she sent him on his way as opposed to being content with any scraps he may throw her way. Jackson needs to get his life together and figure out what he wants before he tries to come back to Maggie.

Brain on the Mind - Tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 4

Jasmine: I don't think it was intentional, but he did. It's like he's toying with her because he can. But also, it made me think about how he is drawn to a woman when she's in a vulnerable state.

That's how it was with Lexie; that's what he attempted when Cristina was on the outs with Owen, but he didn't stand a chance with Queen Cristina, and it was his entire relationship with April. Do I even need to describe why it applies to Vic who just lose her fiance 20 minutes ago?

Maggie: Did you come to gloat.
Jackson: Just checking on you. It's two o'clock in the afternoon and you appear to be well over the legal limit.

Jaggie came out of his support of her after losing her mom, and then after treating her like trash on the bottom of his shoe, he was back to wanting to be her hero and knight when he saw her drowning over Sabi.

Jackson needs to be single and see Owen's therapist. Or maybe go climb another mountain or talk to God again. Does he still do that, or what?

Do you have any other thoughts not covered in the questions (favorite moment, least favorite, reactions, etc.,)?

Meaghan: I wish that they could have brought back at least one of the former doctors instead of just name dropping them.

Also, hearing all of Mer's bad deeds listed out really makes you wonder how the medical board ever let her keep her license.

Berea: I thought it was weird how they could discuss the Alzheimer’s trial, and no one’s medical license was under investigation then.

I always thought it was strange there were no real consequences for that outside of Richard stepping down as chief.

Let Them Rest - Tall  - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 6

As Meaghan said, Meredith (Richard and Alex, too, for that matter) has gotten away with so much over the past 350 episodes, it’s a wonder we haven’t seen one of these trials before.

I do also find it a little funny that we had flashbacks of or mentions from nearly every prior doctor but Izzie Stevens.

She really left Seattle Grace-Mercy West-Grey Sloan and never looked back (“she” being either Izzie or Katherine, you tell me).

Mer's Lawyer - Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8

Jasmine: HAHAHA! See? That's why this episode with this hearing and everything drove me crazy.

Five minutes into the hearing it confirmed Meredith's license should've been revoked a lifetime ago. They didn't even cover all of the times it would've been at risk.

Add onto it that each incident was at different points of her life and her tenure as a doctor (intern, resident, senior resident, attending), and all it would've shown me if I were on that panel was that she doesn't learn.

Anyway, I want to marry Atticus Lincoln. But I also want Amelia to marry him, so I'll set aside my love for her greater good. If he wasn't already perfect, he appreciates dark humor, or he would help you hide a body after a murder. Either way, it works.

What do you think, Grey's Fanatics? Do you agree with us? 

Click that blue botton, and hit the comments below with your thoughts and feelings. 

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays on ABC. 

Jasmine Blu is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is an insomniac who spends late nights and early mornings binge-watching way too many shows and binge-drinking way too much tea. Her eclectic taste makes her an unpredictable viewer with an appreciation for complex characters, diverse representation, dynamic duos, compelling stories, and guilty pleasures. You'll definitely find her obsessively live-tweeting, waxing poetic, and chatting up fellow Fanatics and readers. Follow her on X.

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Grey's Anatomy Season 16 Episode 8 Quotes

Lawyer: I'm begging you, Meredith, sit down. Don't talk, and let me do my job, please.
Meredith: No, you're an adult who is completely incapable of being quiet no matter how much your life depends on it, and today it could cost you your future.

Meredith: How do we switch out one of the doctors on the panel.
Lawyer: We don't. Why?
Meredith: Because that one killed my husband.