Arizona Returned to 'Grey's Anatomy,' But Did She Mention Callie?
Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins and Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey on 'Grey's Anatomy.'
Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) returned to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital on Grey's Anatomy in Thursday's episode to make medical history and remind everyone that she was one of the best teachers to ever work at the hospital.
The episode starts with Bailey (Chandra Wilson) informing the interns, who are still banned from operating after their antics last season, that they are about to witness a pioneering moment in surgical history. She then takes them to meet Arizona, who briefs them on the neonatal brain surgery she's going to perform.
Yes, you read that correctly. Arizona returns to Grey Sloan to team up with Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and perform brain surgery on a baby still in the womb. The surgery has never been done before, even in the world of Grey's.
The interns are not enthused because they know they can't participate in the surgery due to their suspended OR privileges. Arizona demands that Bailey allow them to observe the surgery because it's magic. Arizona believes that getting to see something like this is precisely what the interns need to get back on track.
Spoiler alert: the interns do not take advantage of the medical magic happening in front of them. They are too preoccupied with filling out their skills charts and their personal drama to get invested in Arizona's surgery, even when Bailey invites them to watch. They bail on the surgery, or she catches them on their phones or not paying attention, even when the fetus's paralytic wears off, and the team has to adjust before continuing with the delicate surgery.
Related: Why Did Jessica Capshaw Leave 'Grey's Anatomy' in the First Place?
Luckily, it was Arizona leading the surgery. She pulls Bailey aside after they create medical history (did you have any doubts??) and questions what happened to the Bailey who raised Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). Arizona gives Bailey the pep talk she needs to really get the interns back into shape, and it reminds everyone that Arizona was also the one to turn Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) into a respected pediatric surgeon. Arizona is a great teacher in her own right and she was just the person to help Bailey shake off the cobwebs as intern director. Bailey takes Arizona's advice and tells the interns they won't return to the OR until all of them fill out their skills chart and learn to work together.
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What about Callie? Did Arizona even bring her up?
We did not really get an update on Arizona's life on the East Coast or her relationship with Callie (Sara Ramirez), though we assume they are still together. We did discover that Arizona is still working with Dr. Nicole Herman (Geena Davis), who sounded off on Arizona doing this pioneering surgery.
Overall, Arizona looks great and is still the best when it comes to taking care of "tiny humans." She is the exact right person to come back to be the motivator the interns need. Her bubbly and optimistic personality has been so missed on the show, and we can only hope there's a reason for her to return again soon.
Grey's Anatomy continues Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Next, 'Grey's Anatomy' Renewed for Season 21: What We Know So Far
