Perfect Storm (Grey's Anatomy)

"Perfect Storm" is the season finale of the ninth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and is the 196th episode overall. It aired on May 16, 2013 on ABC in the United States. The episode was written by Stacy McKee and directed by Rob Corn. On its initial airing it was watched by 8.99 million viewers.

In the episode Grey-Sloan Memorial experienced power outages and a bus crash during an intense super storm. The hour was loosely based on Super Storm Sandy hit the East Coast endured in 2012. Amidst the storm a bus crashes in front of the hospital and the doctors try to rescue the survivors.^[1]

Plot

The hospital continues to operate despite the power outage. Meredith requires a C-section, which is performed in the dark, the baby is born healthy, but her earlier fall causes serious abdominal bleeding. Bailey scrubs in to save Meredith, but before she picks up a scalpel she puts on two pairs of gloves. While Meredith is in surgery, Cristina and Derek have a heart-to-heart. Alex, Jo and Arizona must deal with chaos when oxygen machines in the NICU stop working. Cristina operates on Richard's patient by listening to his heart in the dark. The ER staff rush to help the passengers of a burning bus.

April questions her engagement to Matthew when she believes that Jackson has died in the bus explosion. Callie, April and Bailey load patients into the hospital as Owen and Avery struggle to get a woman out who’s pleading with them to find her young daughter. After these three emerge from the bus Avery looks back and sees a little girl’s shoe on the ground. Avery finds the little girl hiding inside the bus which explodes and he later emerges from the flames with the little girl in his arms

Alex tells Jo he loves her, she reciprocates, and they begin a relationship. Callie finds out about Arizona's encounter with Dr. Boswell and they have a standoff and unleash their unfiltered feelings. Cristina breaks up with Owen. Bailey is searching the hospital looking for Richard. Bailey tells Ben that she wants to apologize to Richard for hurting him and calling him a drunk. Then we see Richard face down in a puddle in the hospital electrical room. Richard has been electrocuted.

Reception

Broadcast

The episode was originally broadcast on May 16, 2013 in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company(ABC), and it was watched by 8.99 million viewers. In the key 18-49 demographic, the episode was ranked 11th and 18th in overall viewership rank and was the 4th most watched Drama. The episode scored a 3.1/8 in Nielsen ratings and was the 3rd most watched drama.^[2]

Reviews

Sarah Drew received praise for her performance as April Kepner.

The episode received generally positive reviews from television critics. Entertainment Weekly gave a mixed review writing, "I’m freaking out. I spent the entire episode predicting which character was going to end the season in peril, and let’s just say that the nature of the episode caused me to change my mind at least four times." ^[3]

TV Fanatic lauded the episode and said, "No matter what goes on during a season, you are always able to pull off an unforgettable finale and Perfect Storm was no exception. From explosions to operating in the dark, to the arrival of a beautiful McBaby Boy and the realization of feelings by many of the doctors, the hour was jam packed." and praised the cast, "Big kudos to Ellen Pompeo and Chandra Wilson for amazing performances."^[4]

The Hollywood Reporter said the episode was "emotional on multiple levels"^[5] whereas After Ellen called it "was a hot mess of emotions".^[6]

References