*This article contains spoilers from “Love of My Life,” episode 19 of Grey’s Anatomy. It also contains spoilers for those who have yet to watch the midseason episodes
“She was the love of my life, and you were the love of hers.”
Your favourite Grey’s Anatomy aficionado, lover, and fangirl is back with another update, some praise, and, of course, a critique. Yup, it’s me! I’m sure you missed me, and my constant chatter about the show that I’m absolutely obsessed with.
A lot has happened at Grey Sloan since my last article; you can read that here. We’ve celebrated a marriage proposal between Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver). We’ve cried and mourned with Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) after her miscarriage; pain and a loss so indescribable. We’ve seen the emotional implications of Amelia Shepherd’s (Caterina Scorsone) uncertainty, and the consequences of questionable paternity. We’ve said goodbye to our dear Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), and we’ve watched Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) pick herself up, exemplifying what a strong warrior she’s always been. However, nothing prepared me for the revelation in the latest episode. It was… explosive, tender, loving, truthful, and impactful.
On Thursday, March 26, 2020, Grey’s aired a gift to fans, replete with flashbacks. This beloved medical drama has certainly blessed us with flashbacks over its many seasons, but this storytelling method was striking this time around. Viewers, including myself, learned of Teddy’s true past, with an incredible flashback.
From the moment we were introduced to Teddy in Season 6, I was drawn to her; her strength, her determination, her intelligence, her beauty, and her human flaws. She quickly became a favourite. However, I constantly felt that something was missing. Grey’s has filled in the pieces with this episode.
Viewers know that Teddy lost her best friend Allison in 9/11 when the second tower collapsed. This devastating loss prompted her to enlist in the army. Other characters in the series know about Allison. When Meredith asked, “Who’s Allison?” Teddy responded with, “My favourite person on the planet… She was… she carried me. And when she died I wish that I had gone with her. New York was our city. I didn’t know how to live there without her.” And so, viewers, as well as other characters, have heard a lot about Allison (Teddy even named her baby after Allison).
We finally get a face to a name and a more detailed, true story of Teddy and Allison. Allison Brown (Sherri Saum) was more than Teddy’s best friend. She was Teddy’s lover. Teddy loved Allison. Allison loved Teddy. Teddy was the love of her life.
The revelation: Teddy Altman is bisexual! I have to praise Grey’s for this representation. More importantly, I must praise Kim and Sherri for their tender, loving, seamless, and incredible performance. I simultaneously got chills and butterflies. The connection was magical.
Bravo to these two powerhouse performers. I wish that we could have more of Teddy and Allison. Maybe Kim and Sherri can make that happen, please! They are simply extraordinary together.
It would be very off-brand of me if I didn’t have critiques. This revelation made me think, Teddy could have been with a female character! Perhaps she’s with the wrong Hunt. She could have been with Megan Hunt (Abigail Spencer) instead. Amelia? Arizona? Cristina? But instead, there was competition; Teddy versus other women. Oh, and we can’t forget that Teddy waited for Owen. Ugh! Grey’s, I think you missed an opportunity.
Additionally, while many viewers celebrated Teddy’s coming out story, and the love shared between Allison and Teddy; others were quick to judge. Some viewers focused on the other aspect of Teddy and Allison’s relationship; the fact that Allison had a girlfriend. Therefore, there were many unsavoury responses to cheating.
I wish Grey’s could have avoided this. Especially because the most common myth about bisexuals is that they’re cheaters. Grey’s used the sexuality trope but almost tarnished Teddy and Allison in the process. Their love was almost disregarded.
However, I believe that Teddy and Allison’s love story was, and always will be something special. So, let’s celebrate Teddy’s bisexuality and the time she spent loving Allison. She deserves that.
