The Point Is...

Calzona Review 11x14  “The Distance”

Did we ever expect that this episode would be as good as last week’s?

Shondaland genius is all over the place, and  Greys Anatomy Season 11 episodes keep getting better every week. It’s not my bias talking. It’s my objective self. Shonda is my storytelling hero.  And Season 11 is just killing it. And killing me with drama.

It was an Amelia-centric episode, and this episode in all its awesomeness, taught me to be a superhero.

All throughout the ep, watching Amelia conquer Herman’s brain tumor  was nerve-wracking. 

Of course we cheered for Amelia all the way. Superb story, script, direction, I savored every second of this tension-filled episode.

Simply moving in  inspiring ways—excerpts from the opening voice over done by Amelia goes:

“…A  surgeon must always be prepared to lose. And in neurosurgery, with the big tumors, we lose those battles as often as we succeed. The key though, win or lose, is to never fail.  And the only way to fail is not to fight.  So you fight until you cant fight anymore”

“Hold up your head and enter the arena and face the enemy. Fight until you can’t fight anymore. Never let go. Never give up.”

“Never run, never surrender. Fight the good fight. You fight.  Even when it seems inevitable. That you’re about to go down swinging.”

Remember When

Let’s backtrack to those early days when Herman first entered the halls of GSMH and saw Arizona as a worthy candidate to be her protege. Fetal surgery fellow.  She singled out Arizona who was well-accomplished in her own field as head of pediatric surgery.

She chose Arizona because she was excellent. There were very few fetal surgeons in this part of the country and Herman was one of the best.

And remember when Arizona did choose to grab this fellowship and we were all feeling for Callie because at that time, they wanted to have a baby and this new development was going to cause a roadblock to that plan? And yes, it did cause a strain to their marriage. The last straw, actually, that led them to break up. 

Remember when Herman was a plain strict, mean, cold teacher and Arizona always had to be on her toes? She expected no failure and Arizona was admonished each time she did not live up to Herman’s expectations? As  Arizona would state later on, “she beat the hell out of me, ” in trying to make her learn everything.

Fast forward to now. Images of that ending scene. Arizona crying uncontrollably on Herman’s bed. (Even Jessica, who gave an excellent performance in this episode couldn’t stop crying between takes during that scene).

It all makes sense, and here come my goosebumps again. With tears.

So now we understand the reasons for all that happened.

We are so proud of Arizona right now, with how she has learned the ropes of fetal surgery

Herman taught her well

During Glenda Castillo’s sensitive surgery, Bailey was questioning her presence and Herman’s absence from the onset, “what do you mean she’s not coming?”

She did not know that Herman was just wheeled off to the O.R to have her brain tumor operated on.

Bailey: Robbins, I respect you and consider you a friend, so it is with kindness that I tell you that you are not even half a fetal surgeon. Not even.  You’re half a fellow.

Arizona: You brought this patient to me.

Bailey: No, I brought this patient to your boss

Arizona: I have spent the past four ½  months getting everything that Dr Herman knows pounded into my brain.

Bailey: Do you hear yourself? 4 1/2 months?

Arizona: You want her hands? You have them. Right here.

Even if any ordinary surgeon knew what to do (As Bailey and Karev did), Arizona reiterated with emphasis that SHE  was the fetal surgeon and she knew that she knew better.

She told  Bailey off. Bailey who challenged her judgment and decision, to open up the patient ,thinking  she only wanted to prove something in Herman’s absence.  Arizona  was  confident with her decision to open up the patient but not deliver the baby because it had no chance to survive.

Only a fetal surgeon genius-in-the-making could make an intelligent, confident call like that.

Who could ever forget Arizona’s badass line:

Bailey: You’re trying to prove that you’re Herman

Arizona: “Stop talking. Stop it right now. You’re right, Dr Bailey. I am not Dr Herman. I am Dr Robbins and I am the fetal surgeon here and I have chosen to do this procedure. And there was a point at which you could no longer be on board but that point is long gone.I am I the middle of a woman’s uterus and any mistake I would make could result in catastrophic blood loss. And if I slip, it will be because youre screaming in my ear and not because I don’t know what Im doing. You either need to get on boardand shut up or you need to get the hell out.

Alex: I mean, she sounds like Dr Herman

Confident. Badass. Self-affirmed.

And yes, it turned out she was right, and she earned the respect of Bailey and Karev. Way to go, Arizona Robbins.

As a side note, all of them were in awe of the miracles and wonders of fetal surgery,

Bailey: He’s not even born yet and I held him in my hands!

Arizona: I know the feeling. It’s privilege. Great privilege.

Arizona fully learned the “art” and the “heart” of fetal surgery. From these her words, we could tell that she is dedicated to her new expertise-- fetal surgery and it has premium value to her.

Alex gave tribute to Arizona, but Arizona still would not entertain the thought of being on her own on this, she believed Herman would be back.

“For what it’s worth, Herman picked the right person to pass the torch to”

Arizona: She’s not passing. She hasn’t gone anywhere. 

Herman taught her  much

They crammed all of a year's learning in four 1/2 months.

Throughout the ep, as Arizona went on with her surgery, Herman was in her head. At first I thought Arizona seemed to be having like an “imaginary friend syndrome” because Herman was always in her thoughts , depicted on screen like a casual “ghost” talking to her, eating ice cream with her (banana clambake flavor, maybe?)  and guiding her and  even challenging her in classic Herman-drill-sergeant style)

‘Imaginary” Herman said it quite succinctly: “I knew I picked the right horse when I picked you”

“Please don’t call me a horse” was Arizona’s automatic reply, but in truth, "Imaginary" Herman meant it. She did pick the right student to teach, and Herman was proud of her.

Herman: It really is an accomplishment. Not just to do it but to become as good as you have become. It’s a real exercise in perseverance. Really something to be proud of….

But Herman was referring to herself. Imaginary Herman was even more sarcastic and egotistical than real life Herman.

Callie Comforts Arizona

Meantime, Callie came to know of the premature surgery and went to the gallery to watch and yes, provided the much needed tumor. I mean humor.

Oh my goodness, Callie is always too funny. And uhm, was she looking for  Arizona when she went to the gallery?

Callie: I thought Arizona would be here

Owen: She’s in surgery

Callie: Wait, fetal surgery by herself?

Sssh

Callie: Oh relax. It’s not the ballet or whatever

Webber: Though it is a kind of a dance. There’s grace, a rhythm, an elegance

Callie : Oh, okay, I get shushed but the purple prose is fine

Throughout this whole ordeal, of performing the crucial surgery on Glenda Castillo and the simultaneous tension involved as Herman’s brain surgery was underway, Arizona was close to breaking down, and our dreams were answered.

As Arizona was having a “daydream sequence” with Herman at the doctor’s lounge, in pops our own dream sequence.  Yep. Callie pops in. And (I'm beaming) , it wasn’t a dream. It was real. And it was lovely.

Callie: Arizona

Arizona: Hey

Callie: You okay?

Arizona: Yeah

Callie: I heard you flew solo tonight.

Arizona: I did

Callie : How’d it go?

Arizona: Great

Callie: That’s…Congratulations

Arizona: Thank you

Callie: I looked for you in Shepherd’s gallery She’s still at it if you want to head up

Arizona: I can’t go up there

Callie: Okay

Arizona: I want to but I can’t watch . I just can’t. Over the past four months, that woman beat the hell out of me. Trying to shove every piece of knowledge and experience into my head and she did. It’s all there. All of it. She’s in my head. But I’m not ready for my head to be the only place she exists.

Callie could not bear to see Arizona crying so she went over to sit beside her to comfort her. And I was not prepared to see how she reached out to hold Arizona’s right hand.  She reached out for it with her left hand and cupped it with both her hands. Lovingly. Reassuringly. Concernedly.

If hands could hug another hand, she was hugging Arizona’s hand with hers.

And then when Arizona nestled her head on Callie’s shoulder, I felt all of my insides melting and could not feel any facilities with which to breathe. There was that concern. That which follows through from last week’s “old habits.”

Callie had an instinct for her wife's feelings. She sensed her wife was having a difficult time with this and she sought out Arizona to provide comfort. And hold her hand.

That is the heart of Calliope Torres. Ever-loving, ever-generous with care and concern.

She was not this way when Arizona was the one still emotionally attached to her in 11x08 and asked her if she missed her and assumed  “just not enough.”

But now, Callie is the one who reached out to Arizona and is  there for her.  At this stage, they are clearly friends. Of course there is no romantic angle to this yet. It’s simply being there as a friend to lean on, and to support Arizona.

Arizona was in a fragile state and Callie knew that.

Of course as a Calzona fan, it’s heartwarming to see them like this. Being there for the other in a time of great need.  No questions, just automatic concern. Not just old habits, but a natural instinct of care and concern for the other.

After Herman's Surgery

After Amelia’s successful surgery of Herman, Herman was in a coma for a time, and the agony within Arizona was evident. She was almost at breaking point because of it.  Many sunsets had come and gone and even Amelia could not figure out why Herman was still not awake. Like Amelia, Arizona wanted Herman to wake up. This is the most cruel agony of medical cases and they were experiencing it for a colleague, mentor, friend. That feeling where you don’t know whether a patient will ever wake up. That excruciating wait.  And we as viewers shared that painful experience.

Doctors are but humans. At the mercy of how the human body works. At the mercy of whether the brain decides to wake up…or not..

Stephanie and Amelia deduced she had a stroke. And that explained why she was not awake.

Day in and out, Arizona checked on the still comatose Herman.

And as it took its toll on Arizona, Callie, this loving character with a heart of platinum, was there to comfort her and give her courage,

After all, she knew exactly how this felt. She underwent the same cavalry with her best friend Mark. Where she, along with Derek, had to submit to pull the plug as that was what was in Mark’s final instructions.

And she knew how painful it was to make such a decision, and she did not want Arizona to have to go through that pain.

Callie: She’s gonna wake up.

Arizona: She might. But if she doesn’t, I’m gonna have to make some decisions. And you did this for Mark

Callie: I did. But you’re not gonna have to, okay?

Arizona: I can’t do this by myself. I can’t make that call. And I know what she wants. But I don’t think that I can make that call.

Callie: Hey, you are not by yourself, okay? You’re not alone, do you hear me?

Arizona’s sad emotions were already at maximum, she could not handle this, and Callie knew that. And she was..there. She was not leaving Arizona at a very sensitive and  painful time like this. At a time that Arizona needed her most, she was there for her. She ASSURED  Arizona that she will not be handling this by herself. That kind of comfort, of love, is the kind of love from a character that is Callie Torres.

Nurturing and loving. She knew Arizona needed someone, and she was willing to be that someone. She was there. Why? Because she cares for Arizona. Plain and simple.

And this is one situation that will not be forgotten by Arizona, because in her weakest moment, Callie was there when no one else was. Callie was there when she needed her the most.

Basic ingredients for getting back together, am I right?

When Herman Woke Up

One of the most touching scenes really, was when Herman finally woke up and Arizona, Stephanie and Amelia checked on her but realized she had lost her sense of sight. It was difficult to conrol the tears because after being happy that Herman was alive and okay, she could not follow the torchlight with her eyes. That painful realization meant one thing. She was alive yes, the whole tumor was out…but she would never perform fetal surgery again.

And that was what I presume caused Arizona to cry so many tears.

She was going through  her own roller coaster of emotions. She was successful with Glenda’s surgery and was glad that Herman’s surgery was, too. But her emotions were dampened by the long span of time Herman was in a coma due to the stroke.

And then her spirits were raised again when Herman woke up, only to realize she had totally lost her vision.

What was cute though, was when she asked to talk to  Arizona privately about Glenda’s surgery and goosebumps alert, Herman said “ I knew I picked the right horse” just as Arizona imagined in her head. Same words, same dialogue.

Arizona:Please stop calling me a horse

But this time, unlike in her imaginary scene with Herman where Herman was doing the elf-glorification bit,   her mentor was all praises for her, but this dialogue just added to my tears. These Season 11 episodes are creating a flood on my face and are obstructing my capacity to breathe.

Herman: I knew it. I  Knew you would not let me down. I had no doubt.

Arizona: Can you see anything? Anything at all?

Herman: No. Nothing. Competely blind. You better not be crying.

 Arizona: I’m not. Are you all right?

Herman: I don’t know. It’ll take a while to sink in. I don’t think you’re gonna want to be around me when it does. That will be ugly.

Arizona: I will be. If you want me to, I’ll…

Herman: You’re missing the point. You’re so thick, Robbins.  You’re always just to the left of the point.  The point is, I’m gonna get to figure it out. Something is going to happen next.  The point is, I’m alive. And I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t been such a pain in my ass. I picked the right horse.

I’m not sure if this was unexpected for Herman. All we ever really heard of was that her expectation was either to live or die or to not wake up. But this wasn’t in my list of expectations, even if when she was about to go into surgery, she was already experiencing a block in the optic chiasm. And I don’t think Arizona had expected this either.

Arizona seemed to be the most pained. Herman had that instinct to be happy to have  survived, to make do with what she woke up with. Herman was thankful and happy she was alive.

But Arizona’s tears obviously showed she could not bear the thought of her mentor, to not be able to perform another fetal surgery procedure ever again. 

It reminds us actually of a similar situation which happened to Arizona herself. That time when she lost her leg and she blamed Callie for cutting off her leg. And the fact that Callie did it to save her life was just lost on her. 

Here was Herman, more than two seasons later, knocking some sense into her.  That the point is to be happy and thankful that she was alive. Even if she lost her leg, she should still be thankful because again , the point is, she is alive! And quoting  Shonda’s tweet, “That is, indeed,  always the point”

Truly, the torch had been passed. It was good that Herman took off her training wheels early. She let Arizona dive in and they had no time to lose. She taught Arizona all that was to be taught and Arizona lived up to her standards and expectations.

My goosebumps still wouldn’t quit everytime I think of how Herman is one of the best fetal surgeons in the country, and she was  happy she chose Arizona. At least her teaching did come to full use. It was not wasted.

She was right in choosing this brilliant peds surgeon to take on this fellowship, and have her join ths elite group of excellent surgeons who hold and treat babies who are not even born yet.

I have goosebumps because I am so proud of my Arizona, our Arizona. All her hard work had paid off. Her marriage was affected by all this but that had a purpose. Because this brilliant doctor who saved so many fetuses’ lives had limited time left to save lives.

Arizona had chosen to pursue this because she had to fulfill a higher purpose—that is to save more lives, because she is too, a rock star just like her mentor.

And saving fetuses’ lives, as she and Herman  said it, was a privilege. A great privilege.

And not only that. Now it all makes sense--how Arizona broke hospital rules by asking for medical records for Herman. I thought she was becoming a rebel without a cause, then. Now it all consoles me. The story has come full circle.

She took on this fellowship with this cold-hearted brilliant surgeon not only to take on this very noble work, but also to have saved her  life.

Arizona, because of her stubbornness, her being a “pain in the ass” to the point of risking her own professional career just to find out about this tumor and to seek ways to take it out,  saved her mentor’s life! Now if that isn’t a thing to be happy about, what is?

I was never pleased about Callie and Arizona’s break up, but now, things are slowly but surely maknig me understand it all. And I’m betting it is part of how it will all fall into place.

To be honest, where are they exactly now? They are there for each other. Discovering new dimensions with which to comfort and support each other. It’s a different state when someone with whom you have been estranged, who has lost any obligation to help you out because you are not partners anymore, is there for you and gives you a shoulder to lean on. And assures you that you are not alone in your trials.

It’s a different level of love. It’s borne out of friendship, of sincere concern. If she were still her wife, It would’ve been automatic, to help and comfort; but this time, she could have chosen to turn a blind eye to Arizona’s sadness, but she did not. Callie WAS there. And that spells L-O-V-E. And I'm pretty sure Arizona has this gesture etched in her heart. I doubt she will ever forget how Callie was there for her.

Not romantic love. But it lays the foundation for a more lasting love. The kind that is unconditional.

The closing voice-over still inspires…depicting  the badassness and bravery of Amelia and  the other surgeons in GSMH…

“Why do we even try when the barriers are so high and the odd are so low? Why don’t we just pack it in and  go home?  It’d be so so much easier. It’s because in the end, there’s no glory in easy. No one remembers easy. They remember the blood and the bones. And the long agonizing fight to the top.  And that is how you become…legendary.”

So to sum it all up, in a destiny-inspired train of thought…

The point is, I now see the point why Arizona took on the fellowship and thereby affecting their marriage.

The point is, apparently, there was a higher purpose for taking on that fellowship.

The point is, Arizona gained the much needed knowledge because she was brilliant enough to have such privilege. She was talented enough to be as excellent as one of the best fetal surgeons in the country.

The point is, Arizona took on the fellowship because she would save a person’s life. Her mentor Nicole Herman’s life.

The point is, Herman had gone blind because of the tumor, but she  is alive.

The point is, Callie was supportive and comforting to Arizona even if they are estranged.

The point is, Callie has sincere love and concern for Arizona.

The point is, Arizona accepts Callie’s support and leans on her for comfort because she cannot do certain things alone.

The point is, Arizona had a need for a person  and Callie was there for her. And how.

The point is, little by little, all these events are laying the foundation for Callie and Arizona to  get back together.

The point is, I am  not even thinking about the 11x16 spoiler that Arizona  realizes that Callie is "moving on." So okay, bring it on.

The point is, I realize there was a reason for everything.

Calzona Strong.

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@GAFan8