Choices

Calzona Review      Grey's Anatomy 12x21  "You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side"

It's the transition episode prior to the courtroom brawl. As hyped by the sneak peek, this is where we are supposed to see  Callie and Arizona ask their friends to take the stand for them in the much dreaded custody battle for Sofia.

Both were anxious about asking their friends to pick sides.

Callie, in a conversation with Penny, has been worried about which friends will be on her side.

She and Arizona are friends with almost everyone at the hospital. Callie was worried she might lose all her friends but she had been eyeing Meredith (who has bonded with Arizona during the plane crash), and Owen.

Arizona, meanwhile, with wingman Webber as adviser, has been hesitant to ask friends to pick a side. "Isn't that the subpeona's job?"  She was uncomfortable about   putting their friends in that position as she and Callie shared common friends.

Both of them knew it was an awkward thing to ask of their friends.

Arizona: Do i have to ask people to choose sides?

Webber: Just ask your friends to help you out, that's all.

So Arizona assumed April ( for whom she was acting as doctor ) and Jackson would witness for her as she  hastily dismissed the topic.

Arizona chooses friendship

As she did the ultrasound for April, Arizona couldn't find the right time to ask the favor from the couple because Penny popped in as the  resident assigned to her.

Throughout the episode, Penny's perennial presence ticked Arizona off. She felt Penny was seeing her be "a terrible doctor and a terrible mom."

Arizona spotted an irregularity in the baby's brain ultrasound image that led to over anxiousness for April and Jackson, causing April to be short with Arizona.

Arizona did not want to let April go through a fetal MRI because she and the baby would be put under general anesthesia. As  April's friend, she did not recommend it. She asked April to trust her. But April, with her not-so-tactful exchanges with Arizona, wanted to make sure and decided to have the fetal MRI done.

Arizona showed extra-human patience and understanding for April and it was admirable. She knew that April was more worried and impatient than usual because of what happened to her first child Samuel, who died shortly after April gave birth.

Arizona was being a true friend through and through but she knew that it was best that she stop being April's doctor.

Her reasoning was firm yet practical and with concern.

"I would be your friend but I can't be your doctor. And I want to be your friend."

Alex made the right choice

Callie had been busy trying to get the right timing in asking Mer and Owen. Her effort to invite Mer was cut off too, when Owen's presence in the same room caused a change in topic.

Her efforts to get Alex on her side proved futile.

Callie: Hey I need your help. As a friend and peds doc but more as a friend, it's a big ask and i wouldn't ask but i need someone who knows me and my kid..
I also know that you have a relationship with Arizona

Alex: Are you asking me to take a stand for you for your custody thing?

Callie: Thank you

Alex: Cause it's a "No." I like you both I'm not picking sides.

Arizona wasn't lucky with Alex either

Arizona: Callie asked you?
Alex: Yeah and I said no.
Arizona: And youre saying No To me? Alex, we're friends. 

Alex: Callie's my friend too.
Arizona: I know. Come on.

 

Alex is Team Calzona. He chose Calzona. Long live Alex Karev. 

Arizona's emotional breakdown

Then Penny was right there again which made Arizona lose it

Arizona: What do you want? You are everywhere. She is everywhere. Like she's a spy for Callie..what?? Did you hear enough? You want us to just get over anything for you so you can report back that I am incompetent , that I miss things as a doctor and as a mother? I mean what else?  hey! Do you know about the fake leg cause I'm definitely not the best runner in a crisis so why don't you go back and just report back to them and just back off of me. Just back off!

I really felt sorry for Penny. Sure, Arizona is under so much stress and pressure. She definitely does not appreciate that her ex's new girlfriend has been witnessing first hand, namely how she fouls up things as a doctor. She has become allergic to Penny's presence. Maybe a bit of paranoia that Penny may be seeing how she's not getting any support from her friends to take the witness stand. Penny is the last person she wants to witness her blunders which may have led to her frustration and so she took it out on her. After all, from an outsider's perspective, all that Arizona lost and stands to lose, seem to be for Penny's gain. 

Penny just stood there with what's left of her dignity and bore all of Arizona's rage.

It was off. Penny did not deserve to be humiliated like that because she did nothing wrong. We understand Arizona though. Going off on Penny like that in the lunch room. Arizona has reached panic stage. The trial is happening soon. And she is just too scared to lose her child.

Webber comforting Arizona in her parked car was a touching moment.

Arizona was crying alone.
Arizona: I just...want to lie down. I should because I'm gonna lose this case. I'm putting up a losing fight.
This is just gonna hurt Sofia and then end up with me losing my little girl anyway because that woman is watching me be a terrible doctor and a terrible mother.  Maybe I am. Today, i feel like both.

Richard : If you want your daughter, you're gonna have to fight like you've never fought. You have to stand up for yourself and believe you deserve it. You wanna lie down? You don't get to. Now see you inside.

Thank heavens for Richard Webber, his hankie and his wisdom.

Callie chooses not to be a doorman

As they (Callie, Mer and Owen) shared a patient who was to have surgery done on his spine, they all bonded over how this man Leo Paulson who had been married 51 years,  had a close romantic relationship with his doorman. 

It was a case of true love not acted upon. And these three had been moved  by his experience especially Callie.

The doorman Vincent  had been there for Leo until the surgery was done. They truly loved each other but Leo did not have the heart to leave his wife and break up his marriage.

So for 15 years, Leo and Vincent were secret lovers with limits. They loved each other but nothing happened.

Mer: it's sad. They have love right in front of them. That doorman is just gonna keep opening that door and let love out, and then let it walk back in again and letting it walk right by him.

Callie was moved. She didn't want to be like Vincent.

Callie: I'm not gonna be a doorman. I'm choosing the life I want. That's why I'm moving to New York. The life that I want has Penny and Sofia in it.

Callie : Uhm i need your help. Because the trial's starting soon enough and I'm wondering if ...

Mer: We'll testify in court for you?
Callie: You know what, just  think about it.

Mer: Absolutely, Callie.
Owen: Of course.

Callie: Cause I know you and Arizona are friends too so Im just..
Mer: Callie,  absolutely.

It was sad Mer and Owen chose Callie's side..they could've remained neutral but they sounded very sure about committing to testify for Callie.

Though I don't want to question their reasons, I am kind of a little tiny bit, just a bit hurt.

Even if Callie  was uncomfortable with it, she was more worried and appeared competitive while Arizona was not even willing to ask their friends to take sides.

And Callie was conscious of the fact that Mer and Arizona are friends. Remember their bonding in the supply closet? Well Mer chose Callie's side maybe in the heat of the moment after witnessing the doorman's story because Callie said she wanted to choose the life she wants. 

Just to backtrack, there was once a time that Mer almost lost Zola, so it is normal to be surprised at Mer's decision a bit . After all, she knows how it feels to almost lose a child. Since both Arizona and Callie are her friends, maybe it would have been more within Mer's character to not want either of her friends to feel the loss of their child.

We even saw how Arizona was supportive to Mer and her kids when she was attacked by a patient some episodes back. 

In Owen's case, he had always been supportive of Callie even back then when Callie had been on trial for a medical case in season 9. But somehow, i expected him to be neutral.

To sum it up, Maybe Mer and Owen were sympathetic with Callie's resolve to finally live how she wanted to. And not let go of a chance to go all out for love.

Penny's choice

Callie: I got Mer. And Hunt.

Penny: See i told you. Mer was gonna side with you.
Callie: I think I got a real shot at this. I feel better than i did this morning. How are you

Penny: I  spent the day with Dr Robbins. I was on her service
Callie: Oh God. How was it? Was it terrible?  Was she terrible to you?
Penny: Not at all. She was great.

It was honorable of Penny to not tell on Arizona. She chose to hold it in. She knew that the couple had too much drama on their hands right now and it would only add to the issue if she told Callie that Arizona was terrible to her.

Maybe she understood that Arizona was under much stress from preparing for the custody battle and then with April's baby issues that day, she knew Arizona had her plate full and had even imagined her spying for Callie. Maybe  Penny chose to let this pass to avoid making things worse between Callie and Arizona. But whatever reason she had, i have to say Penny is one fine human. 

Post script:

Some  find Callie's decision to bring Sofia to New York impractical. The grant is only for a year initially so it is a bit exaggerated to have a full blown custody battle. Callie could have practiced a bit more understanding and consideration especially for Sofia who would be uprooted.  She could've thought of how Sofia will adjust to the change in environment. Hastily dismissing that factor by saying Arizona had been an army brat and she turned out okay.

Meanwhile, asking Sofia  to choose between going to a New York or staying in Seattle is double edged: it is an ideal  option so that the child's feelings and comfort is considered; but this is also tricky because it is  very sensitive issue to make a child choose between her parents. Even if they ask Sofia where she wants to stay--environment-wise, it will still all boil down to her choosing which parent she wants to stay with. It is difficult for the child and the parents. Both should be ready for the pain in case she chooses one. 

In this case, the judge will decide usually based on the interests of the child with factors like the child's physical and emotional development & well-being, stability of the child's schooling, etc. ,   and whatever the judge's basis for the decision will leave one happy and one with much sorrow. This is such a frustrating legal battle and as i said then, who would have thought it would come to this.

Que sera sera.  Both have their shortcomings but both deserve to be Sofia's parents. In the end, it will be up to the judge to rule on this case and it will also be up to Callie and Arizona to get their act together for the sake of  Sofia. Sofia stands to be the most hurt in all this and that's a shame. Whatever happens, i just really hope all of them prioritize Sofia's well being first and foremost.

My two forecasts on the turnout: *wink*

1) Arizona will win

2) Callie will win 

My wish: They both back out of this case and get back with each other so thaat Sofia wins

My true forecast: Whoever wins, both Callie and Arizona have the heart to give way for Sofia's best interest . This will be settled between them.

I'm recklessly hoping that Debbie Allen's posted photo with Sara and Jessica (which made the Calzona fandom go bonkers and declared Debbie as savior) after they've filmed their parts of the finale is an indication of a happy ending for Calzona in the finale. 

Debbie said she cannot wait for us to see the finale. For me, that is nothing but a GOOD SIGN. But of course gotta guard my broken Calzona heart from further hurt. So just staying hopeful and calm.

Breathe. Breathe deeper. Next episode is the moment of truth. If all else goes wrong, push one of epi. And I will charge to 200.

#ChooseCalzona #TeamSofia 

Twitter:

@GAFan8