Grey’s Anatomy Season 23, Episode 5, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” is about confronting deep-seated fears and finding a way through them. This episode, written by Zoanne Clack and directed by the show’s very own Jake Borelli, is emotionally satisfying for the characters with longer tenure on the show. It feels like it’s turning over a new leaf for some of the newer ones, like Wes.
So much of his presence on the show so far has been defined through his relationship with Simone. When he cared for his brother, it was all off-screen, and it never really came up on-screen again. This measles case opens Grey’s Anatomy up to exploring his character and his relationship with Simone. (It also provides some necessary commentary about how vaccines are life-saving and, if more people believed that, diseases like measles wouldn’t be as prevalent as they are today.) Now that they have removed the possibility of Lucas from between them, it feels like Simone and Wes can finally move forward.
Hopefully, Wes having to be away from the hospital for 28 days doesn’t mean that Grey’s Anatomy will keep him off-screen like it did with his trip home last season. That last look at the character confirms that this will be taxing for him. So, it would be beneficial to sit in that with him. Yes, that gives Simone the chance to prove that he’s not afterthought. But it’s also about getting to know Wes better on his terms. He’s the only intern with any consistent screen time (Where’s Dani?), and it’d be a shame for Grey’s Anatomy to lose that momentum.
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The consistency leads to chemistry like what this group of residents have. The quick asides between Jules and Lucas in “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” work so much better than some of the romantic subplots (Sorry, Jules and Winston). There haven’t been all that many scenes at the intern house this season, but scenes like Jules and Lucas joking about protein bars and bone marrow fill those gaps. They also benefit the lengths that both characters are willing to go for Blue. He’s in an impossible situation, and they want to stand beside him in it.
There’s a lot of exposition to unpack between Blue and his father. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” does it as effectively as it can. A lot of that weight sits on Harry Shum Jr.’s shoulders. There’s a whole emotional arc for Blue, especially when he learns the larger context around the night that his father left.
It makes the feelings more complicated than they already are. For that reason, it’s not shocking that Blue gets defensive with Jules. It’s a bit disappointing that there isn’t a debrief with Jules and Blue when the sun comes up. That’d be better than Jules finding Winston exactly where she left him. Then again, maybe Grey’s Anatomy plans to take this tension between Jules and Blue somewhere. Blue has been isolated on the VIP floor most of the season, so that would be promising. The show is better when the residents interact!
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“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” actually surprises me with where it takes the rather unexpected tension between Ben and Bailey. It never feels like the show is testing their relationship, just reaffirming it. I love how Grey’s Anatomy tugs on Miranda’s fear of her history with Tucker (I haven’t heard that name in so long!) repeating itself with Ben. That gives this episode another opportunity to prove why Ben Warren is such a great husband. “I’m trying to lean into our marriage, not out. Never out.” I mean, come on?! They address their fears, and move forward together. Because they’re better and stronger together.
Even with all of its strengths, the best parts of “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” is Jo and Link’s story. For the latter, I can’t help but nervously anticipate what’s next for him. This story is one of the slow burners this season, and it works best that way. He’s trying to keep it all a secret, after all. I know I’ve been wondering if Amelia would be the one to notice. She knows the signs, and I keep thinking about how Private Practice’s Charlotte King noticed them in Amelia. I can’t shake that look on Amelia’s face when she watched Link leave.
Jo’s storyline this season has been so strong – on the page and in Camilla Luddington’s performance. I figured the story with Corrie would culminate in something like this, but I couldn’t anticipate how powerful it would be. Everyone, even Corrie, kept checking in with Jo, seeing if she needed support. But Jo was solid. She navigated her fear and triggers with bravery and knowledge. I loved when she pushed back against the men around her. She knew what was best as a doctor and as a woman who has been through a traumatic birth. She’s good at her job, and I’m so glad she found her path back to it. Jo is right: “Maybe this thing that I thought was a weakness is actually a strength.”
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