They'll Breeze Through It

Greys Anatomy 11x01 “I Must Have Lost It On the Wind”

Should I say, this episode blew me away. It was a  fantastic premiere of a promising 11^th season.

Director Kevin McKidd and writer Stacy McKee ably served us a rousing season opener.

Best of all, it had lots of Calzona. And don’t we just LOVE LOVE LOVE it when they were together in most of the scenes. You should see my beautiful ear-to-ear smile as I type this.

MOST  scenes of Callie were with Arizona.

And MOST scenes of Arizona were with Callie.

Bless the season premiere.

So let’s get it on with Meredith’s opening voice over about when her mom took her to the park…

“Funny isn’t it? the way memory works. The things you cant quite remember, and the things you can never forget..."

Blown Away

The wind. Such a force of nature. It blows where it will.

And in this case,  the beginning of our episode, tragedy struck at the helipad of  Grey Sloan Memorial. A gurney was blown off by the wind and accidentally  fell from the rooftop and crashed onto what sounded like a vehicle below.

Then segue to the first scene of my most awaited characters of all. 

Yes, Them.

It was  glorious to see our beloved couple strolling down the halls of the hospital, coffee cups in hand, engrossed in a discussion that picks up where we left off last Season. They were talking about surrogacy.  And unknowing of the tragedy that had just happened outside.

Let’s listen in…

Callie Worries

Callie: What if she runs off with our baby? What if she does drugs? What if she doesn’t eat right? What if she forgets her pre natals?

Arizona: Last night you were all for  a surrogate. What changed it?

Callie: Nothing I just , I was brushing my teeth this morning I saw my scar in the mirror , I was pregnant with Sofia when that accident happened. Me. Even I couldn’t protect our unborn child. How can we protect her and trust someone we don’t even know?

Arizona: Sofia’s fine, it was a freak accident. There’s no reason to think that that’s what happened.

Then chief Owen Hunt bursts into the screen, announcing the emergency, causing  Callie and Arizona to rush off to the E.R.

Windblown

So at the E.R. loading dock , Callie and Arizona rush to help Owen extricate the patients on board the vehicle on which  the fallen gurney crashed

And Callie recognized the boy  as one of her and Arizona's patients

Callie: Dave is that you? That's Dave ...in there

Owen: You know him?

Callie: Yeah

Arizona: Stage two osteosarcoma patient stage two, he’s due for a sixth round of chemo

Callie: What are you doing there, are you all right?
Don’t move your head

Callie: Just hang in there Dave, let me get a closer look

She took a peek but from her expression, it wasn't pleasant

Owen: You okay?

Callie: Yeah, no, they’re sitting on each other’s laps with no pants

Why aren’t you  wearing any pants!?

Callie sarcastically said this so hilariously, just flawless delivery by Sara Ramirez, whose every expression in every scene was downright sincere.

Arizona: Well I’ll give you one little guess

Sara and Jessica’s comic timing are just on point, this tense emergency situation had been made light by this hilarious banter

Owen: ......Who’s going to get in there?

Neither Callie nor Arizona was interested  

Callie hurriedly called the boy's mom, despite  the boy's objection. A shining badass reasonable move.

And when they got the girl out from the vehicle, it was cute how Arizona was all business and funnily covered up the boy's exposed penis.

Dave: Can I get a blanket?

Arizona: Yeah , Here you go

All thought that this scene was as tense and scary was slowly discarded because of hilarity injected by Callie and`Arizona not really interested in seeing D.

And the misfortune had not ended just yet, for the wind was omnipresent.

Dave: Good news is, this day cannot get any worse can it?

He spoke too soon. The blanket just flew off. And yes, exposed what must not be exposed.

Of course. This episode whose theme was  wind, just needed a helping hand from the wind for this moment of hilarity as the man’s junk was exposed to our lesbian, and should I say, “ uninterested”  pair.

Just the sight of the astounded Calzona sent  me on a  laughing fit that could be heard within  a two mile radius.

Grey's signature humor was in play as Arizona’s expression   not looking at his exposed penis  as Callie covered the patient up was just precious!!

The way Callie covered it and Arizona avoiding to look at the D like she’d turn to stone, it led me  to sum it up as :, They just simply don’t’ need the D and they just don’t need to see D. Oh em gee..

Mom knows best

Next scene Callie and Arizona each attend to the beleaguered teens.

Turns out the patient, who was getting chemo treatment for osteosarcoma  took off from his hospital room and snuck out with his girl, and chose to have sex inside a car, but the unfortunate  incident of the blown-by-the-wind gurney crash happened, and landed right smack through the roof of their car.

Dave’s Mom was giving him a piece of her mind on how the hospital peds floor isn’t a place for having sex and it’s a place for healing

Turns out Callie was a reasonable  tattle tale and told Dave’s mother  about the car sexcapade that resulted in this accident.

Dave: You told her?

Callie was ever matter of fact with a slight sneer “Your collar bone is broken and your shoulder is really badly bruised”

Talk of the excitement of shaving the girl’s head due to glass shards embedded on the scalp was ongoing and Jo and Arizona were encouraging. 

Arizona was just all-supportive but Callie was not moved and was  quick to dismiss everything

Callie: “The good news is everyone’s fine so lets just focus on that.”

Enter Dr. Herman

Next scene Callie and Arizona were assessing what just happened in the hospital room

Arizona: Yikes that mom was harsh and judgy and..

Callie: I totally agree with her

Arizona: You do?

Callie: You don’t?

So here we start to notice that each  had a different  take on the situation. But they were interrupted by new doctor Dr. Herman who just got rave reviews from the parents  of Arizona’s patient and she was looking for a person to fill in a fellowship

Dr. Herman: Maybe you should apply. Yeah then you could learn to do something that’s actually hard

Arizona: Well I actually do very hard things, in peds

Was this a challenge? Was there a tone of sarcasm from Dr. Herman? 

Dr Herman: Really? Like the teens n the parking lot how are they?

Arizona: Fine

Callie: Morons

This is the second time the opinions of both Callie and Arizona did not quite jibe. 

Not her father for a mother

Next scene Callie and Jo attend to the teens with Monica newly shaven and suddenly wasn’t moving sending Callie and Jo into  panic

“Page Dr Shepherd”

Next  we see  Callie and Arizona watching the brain bleed surgery from the gallery

Arizona: How Is it?

Callie: Its an epidural bleed. If I were her mother and this brain bleed didn’t kill her, I’m gonna kill her. Oh God, I sound like my father when I was a teenager what is wrong with me. I love him. 

But I don’t want my daughter to have my father for a mother.

Arizona: I don’t know what you just said but it’s nice to see what our kids have in store for them someday ..or kid..  you sure you don’t want to consider a surrogate?

Seeing her expression, Callie was not agreeable. She was too worried about not being able to protect her kids. They are still not on the same page, both Callie and Arizona.

Callie: Okay I can’t watch this I’m gonna go check on Dave,  will you tell me when it’s uh, when it’s over?

Then they gave an inevitable  spontaneous peck on the lips that set my heart  and your heart a-flutter. Tee hee..

Be it a torrid kiss or a gentle peck, I usually stare at the screen and observe EVERY millisecond of it. Every kiss is gold. Any kind of kiss. And I’m not embarrassed to say that at all.

And did you see the love there? In that light kiss? Crystal clear.

How to keep the kids safe

Then we see Callie with Dave’s mom


Callie: Dr Shepherd doing everything for Monica but

Mom: She seems so fine, giving me the attitude,

Callie: Oh her parents are on a plane now, they should be here soon.

And there was something in what the mom said that deeply moved Callie

“When they’re babies, you spend the night on their crib just watching them. Make sure that they’re still breathing. They start walking, so you childproof every inch of your house, they start climbing trees and you just pray that they don’t fall or crack their head open.

They turn 16 and they get cancer…and just when you’re finally about to beat that, they sneak out to a parking lot to have sex and a gurney falls out of the sky.”   

Callie was by this time teary eyed, taking to heart every word that this loving parent was saying

“How am I supposed to do it? How am I supposed to ever keep them  safe?”

Then Dave enters and Callie was privy to how Dave was consoled by his mom. Dave was blaming himself

Mom: No one has died, okay? We’re just going to sit here, and we’re gonna think good thoughts. Don’t you worry.

Callie was pensive during this mother-son conversation. Having realizations of the challenges of child-rearing, the dangers involved and how everyone is just as vulnerable and  are just helpless over the unforeseen events of life. Little did I know, it made her decide to go on with the idea of surrogacy.

No one can contest that Sara Ramirez is the Queen of expressions. Each of her reactions all through this episode, from the funny to the dramatic was just excellent and effortless. She is simply a natural brilliant talent.

Arizona’s fellowship opportunity

This next scene where Monica wakes up and sees Dave by her bedside  was witnessed by Callie and Arizona, and the sentimental moment affected them obviously.

Callie reaching out to hold Arizona’s hand, as the teen lovebirds kissed, was a deeply touching moment. The love between the teens moved them deeply, and as they walked away from the room, they had a chance for an important talk..

Callie: You know what, Dave’s mom’s right. Even if you play it safe you aren’t safe not really, so we might as well take a few risks, right?

Arizona: I’m so happy to hear  you say that

Callie:  You are?

Arizona: Yeah cause, that’s  what I was gonna talk to you about…  this morning

Callie: This morning

both said this in unison and both were chuckling so cutely I was biting my lips so hard

We could see that they were happy, being abe to laugh lightly like this. 

Callie: You were right I was overreacting, we can’t control everything so….we should do it. Let’s get a surrogate and have another baby. Hahaha Absolutely.

Arizona’s surprise was written all over her face

Arizona: No well ummm, well actually I was talking about the fetal surgery fellowship that Dr Herman mentioned?

Callie: Oh, Oh okay, so you’re ah you’re recommending somebody?

I thought maybe, …ME!  (Arizona giddily says) I could get double certified  Its an incredible opportunity

Callie: So you’re, (clears throat) essentially going back to …school

That throat clearing was clearly a sign that Callie was nervous, surprised about  the news, and was  trying to make the best of the situation.

Arizona: It’ll be hard, I know, you know, study sessions and longer hours..

Callie: And then a baby..

Arizona: Right, so that’s why, that’s why I was just thinking about it..

Then Derek entered the scene  and asked them if they were going to the meeting of the board for Yang’s board seat.

Arizona:Oh, that’s a no-brainer..Alex

Callie: Bailey

As if to state the obvious, there it is again, one topic, two different answers. Up till the very last dialogue.

And both of them looking at each other funnily as they have not been in sync at all that day…

Notes

There was lots of Calzona  in this episode, and it tackled many facets of the Calzona journey for the season.

It was a fitting opener for them, in which best Calzona writer Stacy McKee masterfully set the foundation for the Calzona storyline for Season 11.

In this episode: they were entertaining and hilarious; were  affected by the experience of their patients, faced  vulnerabilities and  found ways to handle them; one was  exploring an opportunity in education and professional development; they were happy, sweet and romantic at key emotional moments, and at the same time they accorded us a better picture of how they are dealing with a major decision in their life-- having a new child.

Not in sync

Four times in this episode, were scenes which showed the two were not on the same page on things. They just were not in sync and the scenes made that  obvious.

From the very first scene where Callie was all too worried about surrogacy and Arizona was all for it;  to when  they had different opinions of the teen lovebirds; to when they had differences of timing on whether to go ahead with surrogacy, to when they had different choices on who should take over Cristina’s board seat.

Even at that time when Callie was already ready to agree with Arizona on surrogacy, suddenly Arizona was considering taking on a fellowship.

On Arizona’s study plans

That conversation was open ended, though. We should not jump to conclusions yet that Arizona is shutting down plans to have a baby through a surrogate, although admittedly, it will be difficult to carry the baby, given the tough schedule of work and study.

Remember that since the start of the episode,  Callie was vocal about her  fears and hesitation to go on with their surrogacy plans and it was Arizona who was gung ho about it.

Arizona did not expect  that Callie would change her mind. So maybe when Dr Herman opened the topic of opportunity, that was when she considered it possible. It was not as if she was directly shooting down Callie’s new decision to push on with the surrogacy plans. It’s just that their minds were just not in sync with each other through that time..

We may all have mixed reactions to Arizona’s sudden desire to take on the fellowship. As to how Callie may have reacted to it, but let me just put to fore, that it is a welcome relief for Arizona to be thinking progressively.

She has started to show signs of being proactive and focusing on self-achievement. Far from the post-tragedy Arizona of Season 9, when she was depressed and had given up on moving on with life.

Far from the post-cheating Arizona of Season 10 where she seemed out of it, directionless, random, and reckless.  

Seeing her all excited and glowy eyed about something as developmental  as further education, was a huge step forward. It was a monumental advance from the Arizona of old who was  bitter about her lost leg.  Traumatized and seemingly directionless during the most recent aftermath of the tragedy.

True, we see her now being close to being just like Season 5 perky , sunshiny Arizona.  Filled with optimism for the future. Just the thought that she considers taking the fellowship is a very welcome development.

Callie’s reaction 

In that scene, Callie’s expression was half shocked and half pained. I could feel my heart sink for her as she listened to  Arizona’s every word.. . whatever real reaction she had, she was trying to hold it in though because she respected what her wife was trying to say.

She was disappointed with the new study plans of Arizona , because this would affect the feasibility of Arizona carrying the baby, what with the hours involved for work and study.

But knowing Callie, yes she was taken aback by the news but she was trying to make the best of the situation. Although at that moment, no solutions were present, and it was left open ended.

No use taking sides at all. Taking sides between Callie and Arizona is so Season 10.  

If anything, this episode just opened avenues for further development of the Calzona SL. They may have had different opinions and thoughts on various things that day, but the love was evidently intact. Their care and concern for each other was simply there. And that was more than enough for us to not panic.

Many quarters see it as Calzona bickering again and fighting just after they had been okay from last season.

But they were not bickering. They were just acting accordingy to what life has presented to them at the moment.

Given the new opportunity (in Arizona’s case) and the new life realizations (in Callie’s case) actually, they were both trying to listen to each other, even if Callie was surprised by the study plans, and Arizona was trying to adjust to Callie’s changing decisions about surrogacy.

I’m guessing that in future episodes, both will be accommodating to each other. Both will adjust, listen and give way to each other because even though there was obvious unintentional differences on  many things, I suspect that Season 11 will bring out the beauty in their differences.

That even if their opinions differ, even if life brings them separate opportunities, their strong love for each other will see them through.

Another thing to think about is how Dr. Herman's character will mesh with the lives of Callie and Arizona. Whether she will have an important impact in the next few episodes, remains to be seen.

The foreseeable future

Would rather take it all with a grain of salt.

After all they had been through in 9 and 10, it is just not in me to be worried at all about them, even if Shonda had said there was a 50/50 chance of them staying together. 

Inspired by how they weathered the storms in the past seasons, I am very hopeful that things will work out fine.

And with all the challenges or opportunities that they will encounter, i have the highest hopes that these will bring out the  best qualities of each one throughout the season. 

Let us wait and see how the season unfolds. I just cannot contain my excitement about the many great things to look forward to-- the possibility of a new baby, career advancement, more sweet tender loving moments,  to see Sofia again, family time, it goes on and on..

Here goes the closing voice over:

"There can be beauty in getting lost.

Sometimes we have to get lost to find each other, and sometimes we find each other, only to get lost all over again"

You cant always control it, the thing that’s going to set you adrift.

And as you stare out there at your front  porch,staring at the life you’re about to leave behind, you have to accept it’s gone, lost…just like you.

All you can do now is stand very still , breathe in the moment and try to be open to wherever the wind is going to take you next.”

As with the episode’s theme, the wind blows where it will, giving each of them new challenges and opportunities. It is up to them to sway with where these will take them, and make the best of it all.

And we hope their love will always be strong enough to breeze through the events of their life, and keep them steady, strong and sturdy, through the sometimes rough, and sometimes gentle winds of change.

#CalzonaForever


Twitter:

@ GAFan8

Big Thanks to @Grey_Calzona for photo edits