Grey’s Anatomy Season 23, Episode 1, “Collide,” introduces stakes as high as the new VIP floor at Grey Sloan Memorial. This show hits the ground running with characters making big life changes alongside one of the hospital’s biggest renovations yet. The issues and themes present in this season premiere are so clearly defined and never heavy handed. Consequently, Grey’s Anatomy naturally creates drama and tension between Meredith, who is featured on the show far less now, and a character who joins the show with “Collide.”
If you’ve been watching Grey’s Anatomy for a long time, even the whole time, you’ll be acutely aware of the big and small ways the show and its stories have changed. Whether it is the literal technology used to make it or the progression of medicine over the last two decades, things have changed. With the medical drama’s landmark 23rd season, one of the latest changes is a VIP floor developed with James Wolk’s Dr. Seth Norton. It’s shiny and new and quiet up there, which naturally creates a stark contrast with everything downstairs.
MORE: Everything We Know About ABC’s The Rookie Season 9
Grey Sloan Memorial Gets a VIP Floor
Part of that chaos comes from “Collide” only jumping one month out from the Season 22 finale. That means that the hospital hasn’t found any permanent replacement for Teddy or Owen. Instead, Winston is shouldering the responsibility, and Catherine doesn’t seem to happy with how he’s managing. However, given how much less he has to work with compared to the VIP floor, he’s doing as well as he can. Not to mention, they’re down three surgeons!
Grey’s Anatomy has always been incredibly timely. It’s never been afraid to weave reality into its stories. It’s often better because of it. This story about Larry, an overworked and underpaid air traffic controller making a mistake that causes two planes to crash is ripped from the headlines. Foundational, systemic failures are stretching what resources are left — in air traffic towers and hospitals — too thin. But the money talks. But the lack of it screams.
So Annabelle Chase can pick her surgeon and delay the care of a patient who needs it more. Charlie could’ve fallen through the cracks. It’s all broken and can’t be fixed overnight. It can’t be fixed over one more episode. This is a problem Grey’s Anatomy has been depicting (I’ll never forget Addison and Bailey in the PRT) and will continue to do so. As for this season, I hope that the show keeps bringing the reality to the VIP floor like it did with Larry in the elevator.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Super Bowl Night
Joy Is Worth Finding and Fighting For
As any good season premiere should, “Collide” stirs up change for the characters. Blue is adjusting to life outside of the hospital. He realizes he can’t have one foot in and one foot out. That hurts too much. And it looks like this season will be spending a significant amount of time away from Grey Sloan Memorial because Jo quits. This change is one that has been coming for a season. She’s been teetering on taking this step. There’s no joy it for her. In fact, there looks to be the exact opposite. She looks physically distressed by a job — a passion, even — that used to bring her joy and purpose.
Bailey, trying to find a bit of that herself, thankfully does turn her back on school. That arc builds throughout last season. It would have been a complete disappointment to see it fizzle out so soon. Miranda Bailey deserves the extra letters. She deserves a seat at the table. Her getting that seat also creates just enough drama to weigh on Jules and Winston’s shoulders. Their relationship is solid. Winston is talking Jules through medicine in a way that makes me miss Mohan and Abbot on The Pitt. But, now, as residency director, the power imbalance is getting even more complicated for him and Jules.
Thankfully, through all the chaos and death and sadness, there is a spark in Amelia and Toni. Amelia Shepherd is a self-aware self-sabatoger. It is a big deal to see her stand in front of Toni and admit her feelings (They’re in love!) and want to fight for this relationship. The miscommunication about Celine and Cass could’ve been a bigger obstacle. And, maybe, back in the Private Practice days of Amelia’s life, it would’ve been. But she has evolved. She has waited to feel like this, to feel love like this, and never let it go. As someone who has loved this character for many, many years, seeing Amelia lean into that with Toni, no matter how scary it may be, is a truly rewarding viewing experience.
Meanwhile, there’s a lot of uncertainty with Simone by the end of “Collide.” During the episode, she is confident in the boundaries she needs and the work she’s doing. A positive pregnancy test throws all of that into chaos. There are so many ways this story can go. One way is that it can highlight the importance of the intern house. This season premiere delivers a bit of that with Simone walking into the bathroom expecting Blue but seeing Lucas. No matter what happens next, Simone will need her support system. Blue will, too. That house is built for just that. It’s seen characters through thick and thin. It’ll do it again.
MORE: Everything We Know About 9-1-1 Season 10
Other Thoughts:
- Miranda getting even more letters behind her name is everything. She’s everything.
- Jules and Winston swapping coffees in the elevator feels very old-school Grey’s.
- Link immediately thinking about the Seahawks on the VIP floor is very him.
- Lucas grabbing as much food from the VIP floor as he can is so relatable.
- The VIP patient not knowing that the Sloan in the hospital’s name is Mark Sloan, who has sadly died, made me audibly gasp.
- I’m glad that Amelia caught that Link is still favoring his shoulder.
- Really, I loved everything about that Amelia, Link, Lucas scene.
—
