Owen and Teddy Step into the Spotlight as Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver Prepare to Leave Grey’s Anatomy
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details about the March 26 episode of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, titled "Take Me to the River."
In the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy, significant developments unfolded for the characters Owen (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy (Kim Raver), as their exit strategy took shape. Following two seasons filled with tension, the couple officially recognized their relationship, while an unexpected pairing emerged among the show’s younger characters.
This season has been marked by a gradual build-up in the Owen-Teddy storyline, particularly since Teddy’s breakup line, “I’m choosing me,” in last May’s finale. The two characters had limited interactions throughout the season, sharing only brief moments onscreen as they navigated rebound relationships and the complexities of their pending divorce. However, Episode 2215 turned a new page as Owen and Teddy collaborated on a medical case for the first time this season.
Tonight’s episode kicked off the final stages of the characters’ narratives, particularly since it had been revealed that Raver and McKidd will depart Grey’s Anatomy during the upcoming Season 22 finale on May 7. Their substantial screen time in this episode culminated in a surgical field trip to a rural hospital, where they, along with intern Dani and fellow doctor Simone, engaged in an impromptu surgery, stirring memories of their past experiences in Iraq.
As Owen and Teddy worked together, their emotional connection deepened, culminating in a moment where Teddy learned that Owen had been offered a position to build a new surgical unit at the hospital. Despite the prospect of this opportunity signaling a potential new chapter for Owen post-Grey Sloan, he chose to decline the offer for now, leaving their future uncertain.
“The time was not right,” Owen stated, to which Teddy replied, “Thank god, I thought you were gonna leave me.” Her words reflected a deeper concern about their relationship, hinting at the possibility of reconciliation that has been gradually developing through recent episodes.
In another storyline, Winston (Anthony Hill) made a bold declaration of love to Jules (Adelaide Kane) following a kiss at the end of the previous episode. However, under pressure from Jules, he broke up with his girlfriend, Iris, poignantly doing so on her birthday. This development raises questions about the ethics of relationships within the workplace, as Winston is both a mentor and a superior to Jules.
Winston candidly addressed these complications by stating, “I could be fired for everything I’m about to say,” before moving forward with expressing his feelings for Jules. He abruptly proposed taking their relationship to a more intimate level, disregarding traditional courting.
Showrunner Meg Marinis previously spoke about the implications of the Winston-Jules pairing, drawing parallels to the iconic relationship between Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo). “I think we’re trying to show the evolution of Grey’s,” she explained, emphasizing the series’ shift in addressing the complexities of mentor-mentee relationships.
The episode also surprised viewers with an unexpected pairing as new intern Dani took a bold step with Lucas (Niko Tehro) amid his grief over a patient’s death, leading to an immediate romantic encounter.
In a notable development, Kwan (Harry Shum Jr.) took a drastic step by implanting an experimental synthetic lymph node in a dying father (Michael Weston), defying both Bailey’s orders and FDA regulations. Kwan’s decision adds another layer of tension to the storyline, as Bailey faces the fallout.
As the season progresses, three more episodes of Grey’s Anatomy remain, set to air on April 2, April 30, and May 7.
