The midseason finale of Grey’s Anatomy left us on edge as to the fate of Alex Karev. When last we saw on Grey’s Anatomy, Alex was on the verge of making a plea deal so as not to risk extended jail time or Jo’s true identity coming out. Though the show has finally returned, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see what actually happened. Little more than a few hours have passed since Alex made his decision, and Bailey, Jo, and Arizona are called away from the hospital to treat a very unique patient. Though we don’t see or get a mention of Alex until the end of the episode, the tone in the air is all about seeing people as better than their worst selves.
With much reservation on Bailey’s part, the trio head to the local prison to treat a 16-year old pregnant inmate named Kristin Rochester. We never do find out why she is sentenced to maximum security, but her behavior gives us a clear enough picture. From the second Bailey, Jo, and Arizona meet Kristin she is combative to say the least. Not to mention they don’t get the best reception from the prison’s physician Dr. Eldredge. Though to be fair Kristin does tackle the prison doc to the ground and dislocate her finger because she was denied a snack. The only person who is capable of keeping Kristin calm is her lawyer, and she eventually has to leave to tend to another client. Bailey is completely overwhelmed and hesitant to assist unless she is absolutely needed. Bailey makes a lot of snap judgments about the facility and about Eldredge, until she sees the amount of resources the infirmary actually has.
Kristin does show snippets of vulnerability with Jo as she tells her about her idyllic childhood, which clearly went askew. As quickly as Kristin can describe the picture perfect childhood her daughter will have, she threatens Jo in the next breath if she repeats the story. The only rule Kristin has is that no one lies to her. Which is why Jo feels it is her duty to tell Kristin that her mother refuses to see her, and will be taking Kristin’s baby away forever with no chance of contact with her biological mother again.
As bad as Kristin is, in her most painful moments in labor, all she wants is her Mom. She just wants someone to comfort her and tell her everything is going to be okay. Bailey is there to take on the emotional support, and to beg Eldredge to temporarily relieve Kristin of her restraints. Pushing a bowling ball out of a very small part of your body is difficult enough; no added pressure or pain is needed, no matter who you are. Once the baby is born, Kristin is afraid to hold her for fear of loving her too much to let her go. This leaves Jo to comfort Kristin, even as she knows Kristin won’t have any more happy days after this one.
Bailey waits until after their jailhouse ordeal to deliver the news that’s really been making her stomach churn. All of her twitchiness trying to get out of the prison as fast as possible had nothing to do with the case and everything to do with anxiety over the information she was sitting on. As far as Bailey knows, Alex did indeed take the plea deal and will be going to prison. Arizona can barely keep it together while the news literally makes Jo sick. However, as we saw before the winter break, Alex was reconsidering his decision moments before the judge agreed to see him.
What do you think Alex chose to do?
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