Ep 18. Yesterday

Yesterday is the eighteenth episode of Grey's Anatomy's second season. It is an emotional episode that explores the theme of forgiveness.

The episode begins with a flashback of a young Meredith Grey living with her mother, Ellis. The tension between the two is palpable, and Meredith yearns for her mother's affections. The flashback ends, and we see the current-day Meredith in a troubled state. She’s struggling with the burden of her mother's Alzheimer's disease, her relationship with Derek, and the recent revelation about her half-sister Lexie, who happens to work at the same hospital.

The episode's primary focus is the arrival of a patient, Meredith's childhood friend, who's been brought in after a drug overdose. The friend, Bonnie, is comatose and in critical condition. Meredith's emotions are running high as she recognizes the gravity of the situation. The flashback scenes featuring a young Meredith and Bonnie help viewers understand the bond between the two girls.

As the doctors try to save Bonnie's life, Meredith feels an overwhelming helplessness and guilt for not being there for her friend during her difficult times. When Bonnie regains consciousness, she reveals that she blames Meredith for not being there when she needed her most. This revelation hits Meredith hard as the gravity of her friend's accusation dawns on her. The storyline unveils a heartbreaking truth of Meredith's childhood, and it explores the painful but necessary journey of forgiveness.

The episode also deals with Jackson, who has been diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. However, he’s so focused on Miranda, his pregnant wife's well-being and his unborn child, that he’s hesitant about starting treatment. Miranda urges him to stand up for himself and fight the disease. Their storyline highlights the strength of their relationship and the selflessness of parents, especially those managing a health scare.

Elsewhere, George is put in charge of an extremely complex surgery, but his overwhelming nerves lead to a potentially deadly error. The gravity of the situation forces George to make a difficult choice, and his struggle in the episode highlights the fallibility of human beings. Alongside George, Christina is trying to prove to Burke that she can be a valuable member of his surgical team. Still haunted by her PTSD, Christina decides to take on a difficult heart surgery in the hopes of proving Burke wrong.

In this episode, the doctors face their worst fears, the mistakes made by fledgling doctors, expecting parents coping with cancer diagnoses, and the heavier aspects of adult friendship. The episode beautifully handles the topic of forgiveness, with each character going through their respective struggles and finding solace at the end.

In conclusion, Yesterday is yet another emotional and poignant episode in Grey’s Anatomy's second season. It manages to deal with difficult topics such as forgiveness, selflessness, PTSD, and cancer, making it a standout episode in the show's illustrious history. It is an excellent case study for viewers as it highlights the various aspects of human relationships and the importance of accepting one's fallibility.