Ep 16. Blood and Water

Meredith Grey is an eminent surgical resident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series that follows the personal and professional lives of the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle. The show's fifteenth season's sixteenth episode is named "Blood and Water."

"Blood and Water" is about a patient named Lily who needs surgery to fix her spine. However, the surgery comes with its fair share of risks, and her parents struggle to come to terms with whether they should go through with it or find an alternative. Meanwhile, Meredith and Jo interview new residents to find the perfect fit, and Amelia gives a talk to medical students about her experiences as a surgeon.

The central theme of the episode is making tough decisions, both in personal and professional aspects. Meredith and Jo's search for new residents brings the idea of making decisions to the forefront, as they try to find someone who is a perfect fit. As a result, viewers see scenes of various residents attempting to stand out and prove themselves worthy of the position. Additionally, Amelia's lecture shows her addressing the challenges that she has faced as a neurosurgeon, calling for the aspiring doctors to prepare themselves for tough choices that they would inevitably come across in their careers.

The other significant part of the storyline is focused on Lily's parents, who can't decide whether to let their daughter undergo spine surgery or not. They weigh the risks and potential rewards of the procedure, but the uncertainty makes them feel paralyzed. The couple seeks advice from several doctors, all of whom offer their opinions and suggest treatment options. While their situation is intense and emotionally charged, it reminds viewers that sometimes, life's decisions are not black and white.

As a character, Amelia deals with a lot of self-doubt and fear, mainly because of the contradictory experiences she's had in the past. Her talk to medical students reminds her of the privilege of working in medicine and the critical role that all doctors play in saving lives. Additionally, Amelia's guidance serves as a source of inspiration to the next generation of doctors, letting them know that while making hard choices may be daunting, it is essential to focus on the end goal.

Apart from the main storylines, the episode also features other subplots, such as the tension between Owen and Link, or Alex and Jo's ongoing journey towards parenthood. While these subplots aren't explicitly related to the episode's central theme, they form essential parts of the show's development and provide a welcome diversion from the intense emotional arcs.

Overall, "Blood and Water" is classic Grey's Anatomy on display. The episode tackles complex themes of decision-making, tough choices, and the weight of responsibility that comes with being a doctor. At the same time, the show still manages to provide a healthy dose of romance and drama. Fans of the series are bound to find something worth chewing on in this episode.