Warning! SPOILERS about Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 1 ahead.
Sydney Heron’s return to Grey Sloan Memorial inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 disrupted the hospital’s balance, but it also perfectly continues a forgottenGrey’s Anatomyseason 3 story, improving upon it. After disappearing without fanfare inGrey’s Anatomyseason 4,nobody at Seattle Grace really wondered what had happened to Dr. Sydney Heron. While the resident forced a connection with Cristina and Izzie inGrey’s Anatomyseasons 2 and 3, earning the former’s respect for how she stood her ground with Burke and the latter’s confidence after her past convinced Izzie that she could understand, not many characters missed her.
Sydney Heron was after all introduced to take over Bailey’s interns for the time she was on maternity leave inGrey’s Anatomyseason 2, and all interns missed Bailey after dealing with Heron’s approach to “heal with love.” The biggest draw ofSydney Heron’s return inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 was her 17-year absencefrom the medical drama, as nobody ever connected with her enough to enjoy her company. Just like MAGIC, the new interns were hesitant to follow Sydney as their “fearless leader” inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21’s premiere, highlighting how a major season 3 story can carry on.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, Episode 1 Recap: 9 Biggest Moments & Reveals
Grey’s Anatomy season 21’s premiere tied up plenty of season 20’s loose ends while also introducing major challenges for Grey Sloan’s doctors ahead.
Sydney & Miranda’s Rivalry Was A Big Grey’s Anatomy Storyline In Season 3
While first introduced only as Bailey’s sub inGrey’s Anatomyseason 2, Sydney had a bigger role in season 3. This was made possible by her peer counselor role that eventually helped Izzie get used to how her relationship with her job at Seattle Grace changed after Denny’s death. However,Sydney’s biggest story inGrey’s Anatomyseason 3 was arguably her bitter rivalry with Bailey. The two went head-to-head for the chief resident position, which Miranda eventually earned, but Sydney’s fake niceties always aggravated Bailey.
Bailey and Heron [were] rivals, with the first direct and goodhearted, and the second willing to accuse her foes of the worst.
This was especially true when Sydney went after the Denny Duquette Clinic, implying that Bailey managing it was a convenient ploy to earn points ahead of the chief resident nomination, and even more sowhen Sydney accused Miranda of the same when she worked hard to save Meredith’s life after she drowned.Grey’s Anatomyseason 3 solidly established Bailey and Heron as rivals, with the first direct and goodhearted, and the second willing to accuse her foes of the worst, albeit in a more seemingly polite approach that only felt fake to Miranda and Callie inGrey’s Anatomyseason 3.
Sydney Heron’s Return Resurrects Her Rivalry With Miranda
Richard Knew What He Would Have Caused By Hiring Sydney Heron Back
The events ofGrey’s Anatomyseason 20’s finaleguaranteed Miranda was also fired, but it wasRichard becoming interim chief that eventually put in motion the continuation of Bailey and Heron’s rivalry inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21. It’s unclear whether Richard agreed or not with Catherine’s move to fire his favorite students Miranda and Meredith, buthe likely set up Sydney Heron as leader of the interns knowing Miranda would have hated it for Sydney to destroy how she had shaped the new interns into surgeons.
Indeed, Bailey and Heron’s rivalry was even more cutting inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21. It was especially visible in Heron’s opposite approach with Bailey’s interns, along with her inattention when their names were concerned inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21’s premiere, andSydney’s biting comments about Bailey being happy away from the OR, which sounded nice and appreciative but were actually uncomplimentary, like many of Sydney’s remarks. Richard must have known about Sydney and Miranda’s longstanding rivalry, making his choice to employ Sydney as Miranda’s replacement necessarily have an ulterior motive.
How Sydney Heron’s Return Impacts Miranda’s Arc In Grey’s Anatomy Season 21
Miranda’s Dreams To Slap Catherine Already Showed She Wants To Fight Back
Grey’s Anatomyseason 21 opened with Miranda’s violent dream of slapping Catherine after she fired her, which also had a deeper meaning, given howBailey unapologetically stood up for herself in her recurring nightmare facing the Catherine who fired her. Despite what Bailey refused to admit to Ben when she proclaimed herself happy to work at the Elena Bailey Clinic because it meant she had more time for her family,Bailey missed Grey Sloan Memorial, the OR, and even more the new interns she taught inGrey’s Anatomyseason 20.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 22: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know
Perhaps the most famous medical drama of all time, Grey’s Anatomy has already enjoyed a 20-plus-year run on the air, and it continues into season 22.
While Bailey already implemented behaviors that showed how she wished to return to Grey Sloan,it was seeing Sydney Heron teaching her interns the wrong way that eventually convinced her to speak up for herselfat the end ofGrey’s Anatomyseason 21’s premiere. Hearing Simone’s pleas and helping her free the patient reminded Miranda what was important and what was at stake besides her bruised ego when Catherine fired her – how she wanted her interns to learn. How Sydney’s first day at Grey Sloan already fired Bailey up thus proved her importance to Miranda’sGrey’s Anatomyseason 21’s story.
Episode 15, “Break on Through”
Episode 7, “Where the Boys Are”
Episode 15, “Walk on Water”
Episode 16, “Drowning on Dry Land”
Episode 17, “Some Kind of Miracle”
Season 21
Episode 1, “If Walls Could Talk”
Grey’s Anatomyseason 21 releases new episodes every Thursday at 10 pm ET on ABC.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
