Rejoice! Grey's Anatomy has returned and all is well with the world! (That was almost convincing, right?) Any true fan knows that the beloved characters in this heartbreaking TV show are never quite to the point of happiness, and every time they get close, Shonda Rhimes swoops in to ruin absolutely everything. Yet we keep watching! I'm now convinced that any devout Grey's fan is practically living the definition of insanity.
In the mid-season premiere, we meet Kristen Rochester, a very violent, very pregnant inmate at a local high security prison. Bailey, Robbins, and Wilson travel out to the prison and are the only three characters that we get to see from Grey-Sloan (I don't remember the last time Ellen Pompeo was missing from an episode, but it definitely doesn't happen often).
Upon arrival, the doctors get an immediate taste of what a max-security prison is like, and it's safe to say- they don't enjoy it. Seemingly to their rescue, comes Kristen's attorney, Amanda Joseph. With an ego the size of the prison itself, she explains that while Kristen has a past, she listens to her and not to worry.
Our first impression of Rochester is of a calm, pregnant women who is asking for more food for the baby. She then claims that the prison is starving her as one of the prison doctors, Dr. Eldredge, is quite abrasive in telling her that she has already eaten and won't be permitted more food. She accepts this and sits quietly on her bed as the doctors file in.
Just as Eldredge gets close enough, Rochester vaults off her bed and tackles the doctor, pinning her to the ground and dislocating her finger. Clearly shaken, the Grey Sloan docs are shocked and now, understandably nervous. Bailey leaves Robbins and Wilson to check on Eldredge, who refuses help altogether.
The episode continues with the doctors going back and forth with Rochester, trying to be as honest as possible without setting her off. They need to perform a procedure that separates the baby from the tumor which is cutting off her blood supply. Rochester becomes upset when the doctors tell her that they don't plan on delivering the baby today, as she was looking forward to seeing her mother during the delivery. She makes it very clear that it is her right to see her mother in labor and no one had told her that they weren't going to deliver the baby.
As Robbins is called downstairs, Rochester explains to Wilson that she had an amazing childhood and she and her mother had a wonderful relationship. She also tells Wilson that her mother is going to adopt her baby and bring her to visit often.
Robbins meets Rochester's mother and it soon becomes clear that once she adopts Kristen's baby, she will not bring her back to visit. This worries Robbins, as Emily doesn't want to be with Kristen while she has the baby, something Robbins knows will upset Kristen. While Robbins deals with Emily and Wilson tries to keep Kristen calm, Bailey is with Eldredge learning the hard truth of prison health care.
The procedure goes well until Rochester's water breaks and they have to deliver the baby. It soon becomes clear to Rochester that her mother doesn't want to be with her and while she initially tries to deny it, she eventually accepts it and is clearly heartbroken. The doctors come together to support and help her have a very cute, healthy girl, but decide not to tell her about the recent discoveries concerning her mother.
As they drive back, Bailey tells Wilson that Karev took a plea bargain and is going to prison. Needless to say, Wilson doesn't take it well. To get the full details on that situation, we'll just have to tune in next week! Definition of insanity, I'm telling you.
