A bit about Grey’s Anatomy:
I find it hard to believe that after seventeen seasons, there is someone out there who hasn’t seen or heard of the infamous Grey’s Anatomy. However, if that is you, I’ll give you a brief synopsis of the show to spare you from being completely lost. Grey’s Anatomy is a fictional medical drama on ABC that follows surgeon, Meredith Grey (played by Ellen Pompeo), and her colleagues at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as they try to balance their personal and professional lives. It has literally been on for seventeen years, so there is obviously WAY more to the story, but again, I highly doubt that you didn’t already know this—just trying to cover my bases.
A bit about Season 17, episode 15: “Tradition”
This episode was a real tear-jerker (for me at least—I cry for everything) because after twelve years on the show, Jackson Avery (played by Jesse Williams) is leaving Grey Sloan Memorial, and this was his final episode. Jackson Avery is a fan favorite who in the last couple of episodes, has decided to make a career change that will move him from Seattle—where the show takes place—to Boston. The episode centered around him breaking the news to his friends and colleagues and saying his goodbyes.
My Favorite Scene:
Though the other storylines in this episode were good, my favorite scenes are of course ones that have to do with Jackson’s departure. The scene where Jackson says goodbye to Meredith absolutely killed me. It made me laugh and cry—mostly because it reminded me of how fun Jackson and Meredith scenes are and how much I’ll miss them. Jesse and Ellen have become great friends on and off screen and that was evident in their final moments together. A fan tweeted Ellen that she could tell their tears in the scene were genuine, and Ellen confirmed it responding “so, so true”. UGH, MY HEART!
Episode Fun Fact:
Kevin McKidd, who has played doctor Owen Hunt on the show for thirteen years, directed this episode. Kevin is one of many actors on Grey’s Anatomy who has also directed episodes of the show. It felt extremely fitting that Kevin would direct Jesse’s last episode on the show, because he has directed several pivotal episodes for Jesse’s character, Jackson. One of my favorites being season 8, episode 22, “Let the Bad Times Roll,” which features one of the first times Jackson hooks up with Sarah Drew’s character, April Kepner. Because Jackson and April’s relationship became a staple on the show (fans have given them the “ship-name” Japril), their early romantic scenes together are some of my favorites. This brings me to another pivotal Jesse/Jackson episode that Kevin directed; season 13, episode 16 “Who is He (And What Is He to You).” This episode is very special because it is one of two episodes of the show that were exclusively about Jackson and April’s relationship. Fans have dubbed the two episodes “Japril the Movie” (season 12, episode 11) and “Japril the Sequel” (season 13, episode 16).
Kevin and Jesse went on Instagram live before the episode to discuss the experience of Kevin directing Jesse’s last episode, which was a real treat to die-hard fans (me, haha).
Best Music Moment:
One thing I love about Grey’s is that it is known to feature great music. My favorite shows are the ones I have to pause every five minutes so I can look up a song that is playing and download it to my phone. Through Grey’s Anatomy, I have found many of my favorite songs. This week’s “pause-and-search-song” was “Missing Piece” by Vance Joy. The song played during the final scene of the episode, which is a montage of some of Jackson’s best moments on the show. I am a sucker for a good montage—made even better with the perfect song—and this one did not disappoint.
Everything Mentioned:
Grey’s Anatomy – Season 17, episode 15: “Tradition” available on Hulu
My favorite scene of the episode – Jackson and Meredith’s Goodbye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5FYolJWHs
Grey’s Anatomy – Season 8, episode 22 “Let the Bad Times Roll” available on Netflix
Grey’s Anatomy – Season 13, episode 16 “Who is He (And What Is He to You)” available on Netflix
Grey’s Anatomy – Season 12, episode 11 “Unbreak My Heart” available on Netflix
Kevin and Jesse’s Instagram Live https://www.instagram.com/p/CPHVR7FjWaI/
“Missing Piece” by Vance Joy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atka_0TUTLM
Last scene of the episode – Jackson Montage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwV3oY-S0Ps (starts at 02:06)
Alayna Elyse Media 