They are Legend

Calzona Review 12 x 01   “Sledgehammer”

Did you cry and chuckle and cheer in the season 12 premiere of Grey's Anatomy? Well i did. Very much so.

Stacy McKee did not fail me.

Her lines moved me...shook...me, brought me home...relieved me and best of all, made me laugh out loud.

Whatever antidote she used to bring out all the important emotions from our hearts in a single hour, well it was most effective. And that my dear, is what you call: genius.

Very smooth execution of story flow and seamless direction by Mr McKidd deserves a looped round of applause.

As a Calzona loyalist, i must admit that Shonda did not disappoint  in giving my babies ample screen time in this episode.

Of course i know that with an ensemble cast, they all get their turn in the spotlight, but surely it is a good sign to see Calliope and Arizona in almost 75% of the scenes. My Calzona soul is well pleased.

Why? Because it is the first episode of the season.

So what? Because it just means that the Calzona characters are respected enough to be a huge part of the premiere. Probably an implication of the producer's and network's respect for their drawing power and formidable fanbase? Maybe.

Yes, ABC, you're on the right track. Start the season with more Callie and Arizona and you can never go wrong. Pardon the bias. It's normal.

The tone of Meredith’s voice-over signified change. In everyone’s lives, including Calzona’s...

"So you might be thinking, Ive been here before. This is familiar. This is old hat . Maybe youre wondering, 'why are we here?' But i promise, you’re about to find out that everything has changed."

State of Calzona in 12x01

Callie and Arizona at the season premiere, are leading lives separately and as friends.

In case you did not notice, (which i highly doubt), Callie and Arizona got ample amount of focus on this episode. They both amazed and enthralled us individually. Each had their own touching (Callie's) and amusing (Arizona's) stories.

This time, in their individual situations, i chose just to look at their personalities at face value. Nothing yet of how this all will lead them back to each other.

Nope.

None of that yet.

I would rather enjoy them become their real selves. Now as ex-wives, they are going through life normally. They are good to each other and are facing what life deals them, on their own.  And they are fine.

Tackling the topic of bullying by reason of homophobia is very very close to home for this blog. And it is commendable that Shonda chooses to tackle bullying this season because it is a reality that needs concerned attention.

Moreso, it is related to the Calzona story.

I could not get my goosebumps to stand down when Callie, in all her sensitivity and curiousness about the injuries sustained by two teens Jessica and Aliyah, and their matching tattoos to boot, sought to get to the bottom of the story.

And surprise, it was an issue so close to home that it unleashed the venom of the Callie Torres Badassness.

Callie’s Cause

This episode gave us snippets of the Callie Torres character in full bloom. She is a friend (to Owen). She is badass. She is principled. And she will defend you.

Callie was badass since the beginning of the ep, after Avery seemed to avoid conversation with them about April: “Should we clear Trauma one to remove the giant bug from Avery's ass?”

She was a dependable friend as she gave advice to Owen who was like a high school lad nervous about asking Amelia out.

She gave wise words to Owen who seemed to be just  “overthinking”.

Callie’s patients were two pedestrians hit by a train on their way to school.

From the time Ben informed them of this, Callie was affected. Mainly because the victims were just kids, and injuries included a broken pelvis, and insides split apart.

Callie had said  they had to treat her internal injuries first before she could stabilize the  pelvis and extremities

The patients made  Callie curious . She knew there was something amiss. And both patients were concerned with each other. And both had hearts drawn on their arms. These conversations between Callie and Jess were so moving that they split the insides of my heart:

Callie:Honey, tell me what happened out there
Jess: We just wanted to be together , dead or alive

Callie:Youre only 15. You want to die?
Jess: It's more complicated than that. We weren’t suicidal

Callie: Jess, Im gonna tell you something personal about myself okay?
I like men...romantically sometimes. And i like women too. Its a big big part of my life. Can I ask you something personal about yourself?

Do you like ...girls? Do you like Aliyah?
Jess: I love her
Callie:What were u two doing out there ?
Jess: It's not that we wanted to die. This was just the only way we could stay together forever.

Callie: No. No Jess there are so many other ways. Killing yourself solves nothing
Jess: My parents, they’re sending me away…. They take you in the middle of the night and they change you.
They’re gonna make me change my mind about Aliyah.

Maggie: Your parents are doing this?

Sincere  understanding was etched in Callie's face. She willingly opened up about herself because she knew well enough that this young girl needed that sense of belonging. Jess needed to feel that somebody understood and accepted her and that she is okay as she is. She was feeling all this. It was familiar.

She had informally taken it upon herself to be counsel for this girl. She was her defender and was full of compassion for Jess who was undergoing such turmoil for  a reason that was familiar for her.

When Jess’ parents came, Callie was protective, asking that the parents be advised that they can see Aliyah after surgery.

Overheard from  the parents of both teens  was a demeaning little sentence: “They think they are in love with each other. They wanna grow up and get married”

As Callie and company  left after  informing Jess’ parents of their daughter’s multiple fractures, and Callie overheard Jess’ mom blaming her husband for giving Jess  a heads up about what I assume to be a conversion camp for gay teens, it was all Callie needed to hear.

Callie: I’m sorry but I’m not sure you understand what those places are like. I know you’re trying to help your daughter but that kind of camp is horrible. It will not give her the kind of support that she needs and I realize that you care about Jess but..

Mom: Care about her? We love her. She's our child. Our child. Please this doesn’t concern you

Callie: Jess' fear of that place is why she stepped in front of a train to begin with. She doesn't feel safe

Mom: We are not doing this now.. ..You have no right to talk to me other than about my child's medical care

Callie: She’s right to feel afraid. Those places are harmful. They will damage her mentally, emotionally. They are tantamount to child abuse.

Mom: You are here for one thing. One thing only and that is to attend to my child's  injuries ,  to help my daughter. That’s it.
So you can either shut up and do the job that you are here to do or I will get rid of you. Where do you think you’re going?

Callie: Like you said. To help your daughter.

Uh oh, Callie’s maad.

As they were in the OR, Callie spat out her thoughts to her colleagues:

Callie : That woman was bullying her own child. And you know, don’t  even get me started on her husband, he is useless. Useless.

Karev: Poor kids got no one in her corner

Maggie: What would make someone do that? Why would people act like that?

Callie: Karev?
Karev: Why you asking me?
Callie: Cause you’re a bully.

Just when we were about to fall into an emotional stupor, count on Callie Torres to add a touch of humor.  But here comes important information about Callie’s history, (the girl who sat in back of the class and ate her hair),  that is revealed in these lines:

Alex: Don’t go projecting all your stuff on me just cause you got picked on as a kid.

Callie: Oh no, nobody picked on Callie Torres
Maggie: Really?
Callie: Yeah, I was an easy target. I didn’t look like other girls. I didn’t act like them. I had to learn how to stand up to people like Karev.
So, I learned to fight. Tell you something though, once you start to punch your first bully, the rest start to fall in line pretty quickly

That’s tough Callie for ya.

Callie was human enough to react and fight for the kid who did not have a voice. And in effect, she represented the silent sector who could not love as they want, because they are discriminated against, by the very people whom they thought would support them-- basically FAMILY.

Being different from the norm is difficult enough as it is, and having to deal with it by yourself is a challenge in itself. But the very people you expect to be your primary support system, may not always support nor understand

Callie getting to the root cause of the injuries, defending Jess and fighting for her, was just admirable. And though we do know how active Sara the actor is in her advocacies, it is wonderful to see her character Callie Torres taking action on the small screen, to defend this kid from her mom who, in the guise of  thinking of the child's best interests, is actually already bordering on bullying, because of not respecting their child’s wishes and feelings.

Callie called Child Protective Services against the parents who were to bring Jess  to that camp designed to "transform" her from her current orientation, despite her dissent. How Callie stood up to the Jess' mom was pure badass Torres in action.

Not that we condone disrespect to parents of patients. This was a different case because  Callie stood up to Jess’ parents mainly because 1) the child opened up to her, which Jess could not do  to her close-minded parents 2) Callie understood how Jess was feeling because liking girls was right up her alley.

Callie understood her and felt for her. And she could see the glaring injustice dealt upon the helpless child by the very parents who were supposed to understand and support the child.

She wasn't the type to overstep the doctor-patient relationship but this case called for special attention and action. And badass as she is, she had taken on this case seemingly as a personal mission, beyond being Jessica's doctor.

Again, this added another dimension to Callie Torres that is well worth our admiration. She keeps impressing us, I could not help but cheer her on. Cute though that Maggie, after the mom thought it was her that told on them spewed these biting words, “Stop filling her head with your faithless inappropriate nonsense. You repulse me. You’re disgusting.

 As fate would have it, Maggie accidentally finished off the issue in true Maggot Pierth fashion.

Mer was trying to knock some sense into them. That there was a proper way to conduct themselves and not this way.

Callie, though,  was determined about her stand. For her , that woman deserved it. For her , it was personal

“You know what? Grey has a point. Next time leave the thumb away from the fist when you clench. That way you avoid bone damage. See?”

Is that badass or is that badass? ‘Nuff said.

Arizona the Legend

Arizona's roommate-search situation provided the comic relief in the episode and yes, it was hilarious.

Funny due to multiple reasons but much as we learned more about Callie,  we also learned new things about Arizona:

1) that even if she was an accomplished surgeon with two specialties, her patients had not paid her much. Maybe she had taken in a lot of pro bono cases because tiny humans aren’t the kind of patients a peds surgeon with Arizona’s heart can refuse. Tthus, she needs to share rent.

2) The Calzona house of my dreams had already been sold.  So Arizona, right after housemate Alex  decided to move to a new home with Jo, had to look for a place to live.

3) that nobody wanted to live with her, not even her bff April (a new surprise fact from Stacy)

4) that she is concerned about her best friend April that even Jackson found it somehow intruding

5) that people didn’t believe that she is an honest to goodness amputee.

6) Best of all,  that she is a legend and might be immortal.

On Arizona’s Renting Capability

I wish not to overthink about Arizona’s income capability and her net worth. I would just go with the flow that she does need to share rent with someone.  Neither do I want to think this is more about not wanting to be alone.

I will submit  to the script that Arizona is  an established esteemed surgeon who is part owner of a hospital, who could not afford rent. I’m fine with that. Maybe it is a story writing license in keeping with the Grey’s tradition to have the doctors as roomies. It gives them a more down to earth image, and makes them more relateable to people. That even high net worth single doctors need  roomies. They share apartments too.

Her dialogue with Stephanie was comedy all the way when she was puzzled at the lack of interest of hospital people to be her roommate:

Arizona: My flier's  perfectly placed. It's clear. Aesthetically pleasing.

Stephanie: Why do you need a roommate? You have a house.

Arizona: Had a house. Callie and I sold it. Now it turns out i need a little help in the rent department. You'd be surprised how many patients can’t afford my fees. I mean what am i gonna do? Gonna look the parents in the eye and tell them i can’t treat their teeny tiny little sickly babies?
Hey! Do u need a place to live?

Stephanie: I already have a place

Arizona is a Legend and Maybe Immortal

We were surprised with the new revelation that Arizona was not a very likeable roomie.

And that she is in fact, a legend. This has got to be the most hilarious thing ever. I think this will be one of the funniest if not the funniest scene in S12.

In Stephanie's words:

Is it because i have a kid? Or is it because im a boss like people dont want to live with their boss?

Stephanie: Did you hear DR Torres stabbed a white supremacist in the face?

Arizona: What aren’t u telling me

Have you ever been assigned back to back NICU shifts Edwards? And I'm not talking for like a weekend. Im talking for months of long terrible quiet nights all alone in the NICU watching over 27 incubators full of fragile dying little lies. You know how hard that is. Do you have any idea?

Stephanie: You are kind of a legend with the interns and residents.

Arizona was flattered maybe? But scoffing.

Arizona: Go on
Stephanie: You’re one of the Seattle Grace five
Arizona: I survived a plane crash uh big deal and a car crash and a shooting
Stephanie: You might be immortal.
You've mastered one of the most exclusive specialties basically overnight and then you took Herman's job and her eyesight .

Arizona: Okay that’s just…

Stephanie: You have screwed dozens of interns and you got them all fired. You speak really fast. Like superhuman fast.
You  have a weird name

Arizona: It's not true. I only slept with one intern and i have an awesome name
What? What else?

Do people have a problem that i only have one leg? I mean do people actually go there and talk crap about a one-legged person. Because that’s just discrimination against amputees.

Stephanie: They say you have two legs and you are only pretending that one is amputated. For the parking space.

We were one with the baffled Arizona.

But we were certainly floored by the hilarity of Steph's words.

Later on though, someone did take a tab from Arizona's flier and I couldn’t be happier.

So Arizona, has gotten a roommate in  hot new intern Andrew De Luca. She was skeptical at first on what DeLuca’s intentions were, but we discovered he wasn’t exactly popular with his fellow interns, so that makes a cool roommate pairing-- A Legend and an Outcast. 

Perfect.

In the Grey’s universe, being roomies is where the significant friendships are molded. Not to mention the countless funny roomie moments that are sure to happen.

So I’m expecting a lot and really excited to see the roomie adventures of  A and A.

Truth be told though, Arizona is truly a legend. Amputee or not. Affairs or not. She is the good man in the storm. And yes, she is A LEGEND.

I don’t need to make a list to substantiate this. You should know why.

And in the best three seconds of the ep, the good man in a storm high fives with her badass “friend” Callie Torres. A true legend and a hero, herself.

Arizona: Is it true? Callie punched a. Homophobe?

Pierce punched a homophobe.

Arizona: Ooh unexpected! Yes!

Team Badass scored. And it was high fives all around. And that Calzona High Five was the scene that made me happiest inthe season premiere. 

One line that stood out in this ep came from the dad who turned on his wife, for his troubled child’s sake. Thank goodness he saw the light,

“I don’t care if she's gay. I care if she's loved. I care if she's happy. And that is what u should care about. What is wrong with you, that you dont!”

And that sums up what Callie Torres has sought to achieve. And all is well.

So let’s not care if they’re separated. Let’s care I they’re loved and if they’re happy.

Things look good for the season. Let’s see where this roomie story goes.

Let’s see where the dating story goes.

Let’s see where this story of “friendship” takes us. *Wink*.

I am Mer when she says in the closing VO:

“My answer is you.  The thing that has changed is you.”

So many changes. ‘Tis the time for new beginnings.

Let’s go with them and dive in… see where the waves take us.

High five.

#Calzona5ever.

Twitter:

@GAFan8