S14.E05: Danger Zone

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Quote

In a flashback to Iraq in 2007, the events leading up to Megan’s kidnapping are revealed. In present day, Owen and Megan hash out old wounds.

Promo:

[jabbi]

I hope Riggs stays in LA. Bye. 

[WhosThatGirl]

Bye Riggs! But really.. what was the last two seasons about then regarding Mer and Riggs and Maggie? And then Megan We could  have skipped all that. 

Amelia and Owen.. I kind of feel like the writers put no thought into how to end it based on that scene.

Edited October 27, 2017 by WhosThatGirl

[Dee]

Is Martin Henderson leaving the show? Because that seemed like a pretty definitive exit.

[skermac]

as much as Hunt was a jerk all episode it broke my heart when him and Amelia have each other their rings back. I was hoping both would find  happiness. I know a lot of people think Owen and Teddy belong together but that's been done, she had feelings for him be he didn't feel the same, so no they don't belong together, they would fail without him having feelings for her I don't want to see a one sided relationship

2 minutes ago, WhosThatGirl said:

Bye Riggs! But really.. what was the last two seasons about then regarding Mer and Riggs and Maggie? And then Megan We could  have skipped all that. 

Amelia and Owen.. I kind of feel like the writers put no thought into how to end it based on that scene.

I kinda like Riggs a little now, but if he is gone for good, its no big loss

[pally]

really boring episode

As Owen was sitting on the side of the water it struck me as how strange it has been that no one has ever lived in one of Seattle famous houseboats.

I generally don't notice Kevin McKidd's accent but you could certainly hear traces of it in the homeless Vets PSA

[BaseOps]

Shonda confirmed on Twitter that this was the end of Nathan. I thought tonight was a really great episode. It was well written, and a proper swan song for Riggs and a nice way to nudge Owen towards maybe finding some happiness. 

[jabbi]

4 minutes ago, Dee said:

Is Martin Henderson leaving the show? Because that seemed like a pretty definitive exit.

Yes. 

 

http://ew.com/tv/2017/10/26/greys-anatomy-martin-henderson-exit-riggs/

[LexieLily]

2 minutes ago, pally said:

I generally don't notice Kevin McKidd's accent but you could certainly hear traces of it in the homeless Vets PSA

Yes, you could. Both my mom and I noticed it. Is he British?

When we saw the Iraqi lady (that turned out to be the second shooter and Megan's kidnapper?), I wondered if Farouk would end up being her son. Where did Farouk come from and how did Megan get him?

[Earmuffs Mom]

Kudos to whoever predicted Riggs was gone before the 300th episode. 

[StaceyNotStacie]

Based on the previews, I wonder if Owen and Amelia are truly over. Amelia is getting used to a new normal and maybe at some point they will realize they still want to be together. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind seeing Amelia with Alex if he and Jo aren’t endgame. I’ve always liked their scenes together and she must have trusted him to a certain extent the way she confided in him about losing her baby.

Since Nathan was having trouble finding a job, maybe Meredith or Amelia could call Addison and put in a good word for him at their practice/hospital since I’m assuming he’s in Los Angeles. 

Edited October 27, 2017 by Stacey1014

[funnygirl]

Not at all sad to see Nathan go (no offense to Martin who seems like a lovely guy). Nathan was forgettable at best, and I was never a fan of the forced Meredith/Nathan what-would-be relationship. I think it's better this way. It's nice that the character got his happy ending. 

[chitowngirl]

I love that they are really moving stories along! But, my God were there a lot of commercial breaks! The segment after the first commercial break was 3 minutes before back to more commercials!  

I am sad to see Nathan go because I felt that Nathan and Owen could really have a good friendship a la Derek and Mark now.

Edited October 27, 2017 by chitowngirl

[skermac]

I wouldn't want to see alex and Amelia together, but I would like to see Alex and Meredith, they are already best friends.

[jschoolgirl]

Did we ever see Megan accept Riggs after Meredith and Megan talked about how they sent him to one another?

I kept waiting for Owen and Megan to crash.

So now will we have Merwen? Owmer?  She has kids and can have more. They understand one another's career. I'm NOT shipping them, BTW.

[jschoolgirl]

29 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

Yes, you could. Both my mom and I noticed it. Is he British

Scottish.

[chocolatine]

21 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

Yes, you could. Both my mom and I noticed it. Is he British?

He's Scottish. Before Grey's I've only seen him in the movie Trainspotting, so it took me a while to get used to his American accent. BTW, that movie launched several Scottish/British actors. Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kelly Macdonald, etc.

26 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

When we saw the Iraqi lady (that turned out to be the second shooter and Megan's kidnapper?), I wondered if Farouk would end up being her son. Where did Farouk come from and how did Megan get him?

When Megan first mentioned him she said he was the son of Syrian refugees she befriended, and when his parents died she took him in. I'm still not clear on how Megan, who was presumably held in captivity by Iraqi rebels the entire time she was missing, was able to cross path with Syrian refugees and was allowed take in a child, but I'm probably putting more thought into it than the writers did.

I liked this episode because it gave Riggs an exit and tied up Megan's story. Hope the snappy pace continues throughout the season.

[chitowngirl]

Was Megan also the name of Owen's former fiancé?

[SnoGirl]

I didnt mind the episode. I keep thinking something horribly tragic was going to happen to keep Riggs and the kid, but Grey's surprised me.

 

I thought the text between Mere and Riggs was sweet and final. For once, Grey's doesnt kill off characters who they want off the show. I think the dance of Mere and Riggs was the start of Meredith moving on from Derek, so I didnt mind it. 

[sonyab]

I am so confused!!!! Megan and Riggs were married when he cheated, but in the flashback, they were engaged?!?!? HUH?!?!?!!

54 minutes ago, skermac said:

as much as Hunt was a jerk all episode it broke my heart when him and Amelia have each other their rings back. I was hoping both would find  happiness. I know a lot of people think Owen and Teddy belong together but that's been done, she had feelings for him be he didn't feel the same, so no they don't belong together, they would fail without him having feelings for her I don't want to see a one sided relationship

 

I want Hunt and Amelia together too!!! This sucks! I don't want Hunt and Teddy together!

[StaceyNotStacie]

31 minutes ago, jschoolgirl said:

Did we ever see Megan accept Riggs after Meredith and Megan talked about how they sent him to one another?

I kept waiting for Owen and Megan to crash.

So now will we have Merwen? Owmer?  She has kids and can have more. They understand one another's career. I'm NOT shipping them, BTW.

I don’t think they’d ever go there because of Christina. I think he’s probably more of an honorary uncle/father figure. 

[jschoolgirl]

6 minutes ago, chitowngirl said:

Was Megan also the name of Owen's former fiancé?

That would be Beth.

[chitowngirl]

Ah, yes, it's coming back to me now! Thanks!

[Blonde Gator]

Riggs was FANTASTIC in this episode.  Go figure....now that it appears he's gone for good. 

Happy to see Owen break it off with the tumor.  Is it too mean of me to hope the tumor returns to L.A., perhaps for a reprise of Private Practice (which I never watched)?

Kind of annoying to have none of the other regulars, but perhaps this is the "breaking" point where the new writers start thinning the herd, and getting Grey's even further back on track to its former days of being really great to watch.  Hoping, anyway!

I'm excited to see next week's episode of Boys on A Boat, particularly now that we know Jackson bought a yacht.  I don't think April is going to be impressed, but Maggie will thwoon.  Keep thinning that herd, writers....and please put Maggie on the list!

[tabbybear]

I thought it  was a good ending for Riggs and Megan.  Owen and Mer would be to ickk because he and Christina still love each other.  I could however see Alex and Mer together if they built the tension up slowly kind of like they did with Owen and Christina with her reading Ellis's diary and her and Owen progressing along those lines.  With a touch or a glance here or there.  There was none of that with Owen and Amelia or with Riggs and Mer.  I also desperately want to see Avery and  April get there happily ever after.  I think Andrew and Jo would be a good pair.

[Blonde Gator]

1 hour ago, pally said:

really boring episode

As Owen was sitting on the side of the water it struck me as how strange it has been that no one has ever lived in one of Seattle famous houseboats.

I generally don't notice Kevin McKidd's accent but you could certainly hear traces of it in the homeless Vets PSA

I don't think he was trying to stay in "Owen mode" for that.  It was nice to see, actually, and I do appreciate it when the producers put an appropriate educational bit (breast cancer, homeless vets, etc.) at the end of an episode. 

[AttackTurtle]

I liked this episode & honestly never felt that Riggs and Mer were endgame material.   His end was really nice and his chemistry with the actress playing Megan was much better than with Ellen Pompeo. 

I wish they'd bring back the surgeon who operated on Amelia.  He was fun.  

I really like Deluca, but I fear that he is headed towards Amelia.  

I have no clue who Mer is going to end up with now.  

[jschoolgirl]

11 minutes ago, tabbybear said:

if they built the tension up slowly kind of like they did with Owen and Christina

That was not a slow build at all! He was after her practically the first time he was in the hospital. He was really intense and almost creepy,

OK, what is a "strat"???

[Blonde Gator]

20 minutes ago, jschoolgirl said:

That was not a slow build at all! He was after her practically the first time he was in the hospital. He was really intense and almost creepy,

OK, what is a "strat"???

Unfamiliar with that term (possibly made up), I think it was some sort of "top of the group" rating to promote one of the MASH surgeons to flight surgeon status, with immediate enrollment in the  appropriate military specialty school and an entirely separate career path from a "regular" Army surgeon.  Although Megan kept saying she wanted to go into Special Forces as a flight surgeon. That is so much nonsense, because the special forces in the US Army use enlisted personnel as medics, they are medical specialists, but they are NOT doctors, and certainly not surgeons; and (2) flight surgeons are for aviation wings, which the Army does have (helicopters), but the flight surgeons are Officers (Megan) and responsible for the medical care regarding flight operations (health and well being of pilots and aircrews).  Thus, a flight surgeon would never accompany a special operations team into the field, they'd use a special forces enlisted operator, whose primary MOS (Military Operational Specialty) was Special Operations (ie a Green Beret).  A flight surgeon would not join in missions of the special operations aviation crews (who ferry the special ops personnel) on missions, which is what Megan seemed to imply.   And at this point, the US Army has not integrated any women into the Special Operations community that I'm aware of.

Basically, Owen tanked her opportunity for further advancement as an in-theatre flight surgeon, by whispering in the ear of the Big Guy (Colonel who visited and named his selectee for the one spot in advanced training, not Megan), which really made no sense. 

Edited October 27, 2017 by Blonde Gator
clarity

[JNM5505]

I didn't watch this episode, but reading posts in this thread gave me enough information as to what happened.

First, Nathan's gone? And he didn't get brutally killed off? But wait, my Shonda Kill List says Owen is next in line. Does this mean we're working backwards now? So who's next? Deluca and Jo? If the writers want to send them off into the sunset together, so be it. I'm tired of them screwing with Jo and Alex's relationship, I've given up shipping them a long time ago. But back to Nathan, I'm actually kind of bummed and irritated. They certainly gave him a whole new personality in season 14, making him likeable; but it kind of defeats everything we know about him from seasons 12/13 and his obsessive pursuit of Meredith.

If Nathan is gone, and the Kill List (or write-off list) is going in backwards order now, Deluca and Jo will be the next to leave; does this mean we're going to get Meredith/Alex? I'd actually be ok with that because as I said: 1. Jo/Alex sailed for me a long time ago and 2. Meredith and Alex's relationship isn't as toxic as it was in seasons 11-13. But it'd have to be a really slow build. I don't want them to get drunk and wake up in bed together, then boom! They're a couple and all that.

I see the writers never brought Addison back for Amelia. That really bums me out. I'm wondering if the writers are planning on writing off Amelia as well. As someone in here said, looks like they're thinning out the cast? So in order: Nathan, Deluca, Jo, Amelia (assuming we base her first appearance from the PP/GA cross-over) are the next to go. :) No, wait, Maggie is in there somewhere.

OT: I have a theory about 14x08 that has me absolutely positively giddy. =)

Edited October 27, 2017 by kinnej5
it's late and i need sleep

[readster]

13 minutes ago, Blonde Gator said:

Unfamiliar with that term (possibly made up), I think it was some sort of "top of the group" rating to promote one of the MASH surgeons to flight surgeon status, with immediate enrollment in the  appropriate military specialty school and an entirely separate career path from a "regular" Army surgeon.  Although Megan kept saying she wanted to go into Special Forces as a flight surgeon. That is so much nonsense, because the special forces in the US Army use enlisted personnel as medics, they are medical specialists, but they are NOT doctors, and certainly not surgeons; and (2) flight surgeons are for aviation wings, which the Army does have (helicopters), but the flight surgeons are Officers (Megan) and responsible for the medical care regarding flight operations (health and well being of pilots and aircrews).  Thus, a flight surgeon would never accompany a special operations team into the field, they'd use a special forces enlisted operator, whose primary MOS (Military Operational Specialty) was Special Operations (ie a Green Beret).  A flight surgeon would not join in missions of the special operations aviation crews (who ferry the special ops personnel) on missions, which is what Megan seemed to imply.   And at this point, the US Army has not integrated any women into the Special Operations community that I'm aware of.

Basically, Owen tanked her opportunity for further advancement as an in-theatre flight surgeon, by whispering in the ear of the Big Guy (Colonel who visited and named his selectee for the one spot in advanced training, not Megan), which really made no sense. 

Lots of things didn't make sense from this to how the woman shooter was able to not only get the pilot's gun, but also able to force them to fly where ever she wanted them to go. Then keep them there for 10 years without anyone in the military able to track the helicopter. Including how they said it just "disappeared". Plus, have to love the rule of: "I cheated on you first, but you are not allowed to cheat on me." Which has been going for years. I did like how Megan did tell Owen that his dream fantasy was dead a long time ago and if he would have stopped trying to make it happen, he could have had a happier life. Which was true. However, here is basically what I got: If Owen wouldn't have made it so Megan didn't get the promotion she wanted, she wouldn't have been so pissed off, cheated on Nathan. Then have Nathan in turn cheat on as payback. Only for Megan to think she was the victim and ran crying to her big brother when he was the one who told the boss not to get her promoted in the first place. No one could figure out that some unknown woman wasn't a refugee but another shooter. Who was so smart and cunning she got an entire helicopter of trained soldiers to fly her anywhere by grabbing a guy that had a snap on it. Then held the medical soldier for 10 years and somehow had Syrian Refugees in custody at the same time. Yet they were all dead and Megan and the kid survived because you know, reasons. 

[jschoolgirl]

5 minutes ago, readster said:

Then have Nathan in turn cheat on as payback.

He didn't know that she had cheated before he cheated.

[readster]

3 minutes ago, jschoolgirl said:

He didn't know that she had cheated before he cheated.

Still made her come off as: "My boyfriend cheated on me, even though I cheated on him first. I need my brother to help me out because I couldn't just be mad." 

[statsgirl]

3 hours ago, WhosThatGirl said:

Bye Riggs! But really.. what was the last two seasons about then regarding Mer and Riggs and Maggie? And then Megan

Course correction.  Someone thought Riggs/Meredith was a good idea but it was a mess in action.  Glad both Riggs and Megan are gone. Hope Teddy is too, her obsession with Owen is unhealthy.

I'm sad that Owen and Amelia are split ( leaving her cooking dinner for you and not telling her you're going a road trip with your sister?  Not good, dude).  They could both use some happiness.  Hope they find it.

3 hours ago, LexieLily said:

Yes, you could. Both my mom and I noticed it. Is he British?

He's from Elgin in Scotland (Speyside is really good single malt).  If you watch the movie Brave, you can hear him as the son (suitor) in his Anglicized accent, and as the father in his native speech.  If you like Scottish songs, McKidd's put out a fun CD, The Speyside Sessions. (proceeds to Save The Children)

Edited October 27, 2017 by statsgirl

[NeverLate]

2 hours ago, Dee said:

Is Martin Henderson leaving the show? Because that seemed like a pretty definitive exit.

Yes. ..yes my eye candy is leaving, :( 

I liked him with Mer. I wonder of Owen and Amelia will start getting to know one another now. 

[upperco]

This labored deviation from the Grey's template naturally rejected too much of the series' premise (and its particulars) to be considered one of the show's quality hours. In the bigger narrative picture, however, it fulfilled several clear goals, and the story developments offered therein indicated a decision-making process far more logical than we've long been allowed to expect. Glad it's in the past tense; hope I'm justified in believing that it prognosticates smarter, better stuff ahead. 

[ForeverAlone]

Watching this episode, I got the impression that this road trip between Owen and Megan from Seattle to Malibu took place in one day, which of course is patently ridiculous. Yes, I obsess over the most minor of details, but it is that same obsession that required me to suspend so much disbelief about Megan's upbeat nature after being held captive for 10 years (in seemingly good condition, yeah okay, whatever). 

I am so glad that Owen and Amelia are over, and I am relieved and surprised that the writers blew that relationship up one episode after they seemed to make another go of it after Amelia's brain surgery. I think their entire relationship was a mistake from the get go, and the story wasn't well conceived. I hope they  never get back together again. 

I knew SOMEONE had exited from Grey's before I saw this episode, and since I didn't consider Nathan to be that central of a character, I had fully expected Owen to run off to Germany to reunite with Teddy, but that's obviously not what happened. I'm good with a happy ending for Megan and Nathan. Some of it was unrealistic, but at least it tied up quickly. 

[Marley]

Wooo Riggs is gone. Him and Meredith together was the worst so I feel like this is a step in the right direction. 

This episode wasn’t my favourite cause at times it felt like a different show but it wasn’t horrible. I didn’t care about that kid at all tho so ff a lot of that.  The actress playing Megan was good I think.

Now back to Seattle without Riggs wooo. Now if only somehow Maggie had to move in with them to help them pay rent or something lol and she left too. Like actually tho how come no one on tv ever has a normal house.

[candall]

This is small, but I really liked it when Riggs texted Meredith "Thank you" and I expected her to text back "You're welcome," but instead she said "Thank you," too.  That was nice.

And Megan being so happy in the ocean at the end was very nice, too.

 

At first I didn't really want to see all the backstory, but then I got interested and wouldn't have minded if they'd squeezed in some explanation about how Megan had gone from hostage status to a foster mom with the option to go home for some surgery.

 

I don't have siblings, but it's always seemed to me that the problem with an older brother is exactly what they showed tonight.  You can be 65 and you're still going to be the "kid sister" who can't be trusted to choose which Medicare Part D plan suits you best.

[cycworker]

I am really, really torn. I like Riggs. And frankly, I had reached a point where I was decidedly pro Riggs & Meredith. I guess, though, that between Martin Henderson only having a two year contract, and the return of Krista Vernoff - who was clearly brought in to right the ship - it makes a fair bit of sense. Riggs has been a mess of a character for quite a while. Heck, most of the characters are a mess at this point as a result of the disaster that was season 13. KV is doing a good job cleaning things up. 

The really tricky thing is that I like Amelia. I am still not sold on this notion of making everything that she's done since she arrived in Seattle the result of this stupid tumour. It feels like a "KV doesn't like these two together" cop out. Now, I admit, if it got me Owen with Teddy - especially if they left together - I could quickly get over it. The thing is, there aren't really any suitable men on the canvas for Amelia. In general this show is now suffering a lack of decent male characters with whom to pair the heterosexual female characters. 

[NUguy514]

Jesus, that was pointless.

I've driven from LA to Bellingham, WA (about an hour-and-a-half north of Seattle), and that is...reallllllly not a drive that can be done at the leisurely pace at which Megan and Owen were driving (scenic route, plenty of lengthy, stupid stops) in the twelve hours it apparently took them.

I was hoping Owen would move to LA, too; I would not miss him in the slightest bit, and Megan's constant takedowns of him were awesome.

[Chas411]

This exit of Riggs confirmed for me that they will go there with Alex/Meredith. There's nobody else to put her with now they've removed her love interest. I had wondered why they reunited Jolex so quickly but now I'm thinking it was just about to break them up for good eventually. 

[renatae]

Owen's piggishness once again eclipses every other aspect of his personality. Congratulations, Owen, you drove me nuts yet again.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Ugh, Owen had his Owen-ness cranked back up to 11. He tanked his sister's chances at the promotion/career/training she wanted because he was convinced that she couldn't handle it. He berated her for leaving Seattle because he doesn't want her to leave. Yes, yes, we're all supposed to make life decisions based on what Owen thinks is best because he is always right about everything. It's called free will, asshole. You get to exercise it but apparently you don't think your sister gets to. You're her brother so you get to uphold the patriarchy by deciding what she is allowed to do. Fuck off, Owen.

And for the record, moving somewhere because you like the beach is not irresponsible or immature - especially for someone who was held prisoner for years. Why shouldn't you live wherever you want? Megan is starting over and if she can afford that sweet beachfront house, she should! I know someone who moved from Boston to San Diego because of the weather. That's as good a reason as any to move somewhere. I'm glad that people like her (and Megan) don't feel obligated to stay somewhere just because their family is there. Yes, family is important, but not important enough to live somewhere out of obligation. You can get a job anywhere so why not get a job somewhere beautiful where you really want to live?

Teddy was the only sane rational person throughout this entire episode. Good for her for reading the riot act to both Riggs and Hunt.

I'm glad Amelia and Owen finally ended their relationship. The only thing that would have been better is if they had moved to LA so that I'd never have to see either of them again.

[Mrs. DuRona]

Well, that was... a thing.  Looking forward to returning to our regularly scheduled programming next week.  

Every box fan I've ever bought comes already assembled.  I fully admit, I wasn't paying that much attention, but did I miss something?  Was it broken?  

Yeah, that's all I got, haha.

[llewis823]

6 hours ago, candall said:

At first I didn't really want to see all the backstory, but then I got interested and wouldn't have minded if they'd squeezed in some explanation about how Megan had gone from hostage status to a foster mom with the option to go home for some surgery.

Same here. When I saw the opening scenes and remembered last episode's previews of the back story, I groaned. But like you, I got interested too and would have liked to see how she became a foster mom.  While she was treating the woman, I thought she was going to die and Megan would take her child Faruk. I have to say I did not see the woman being the "bad guy" coming.

11 hours ago, skermac said:

I wouldn't want to see alex and Amelia together, but I would like to see Alex and Meredith, they are already best friends

I agree. Some of the best relationships come from being best friends first. I have never voiced my hope here before because it is usually frowned upon here, but I do hope Alex and Meredith end up together.

[BaseOps]

10 hours ago, AttackTurtle said:

I wish they'd bring back the surgeon who operated on Amelia.  He was fun.  

 

 

He's coming back! He's listed as a guest star for at least 1 more episode. 

5 hours ago, Chas411 said:

This exit of Riggs confirmed for me that they will go there with Alex/Meredith. There's nobody else to put her with now they've removed her love interest. I had wondered why they reunited Jolex so quickly but now I'm thinking it was just about to break them up for good eventually. 

But this is literally what people said all year last year too (and the year before). There was no one else to put her with after Derek died, but they brought in the army surgeon (Will I think?) and Riggs. They would have written out Jo if that was the point, or they at least wouldn't have put in all this work reuniting Jo and Alex over the last few episodes. They were already broken up and living apart. 

Edited October 27, 2017 by BaseOps

[StaceyNotStacie]

36 minutes ago, llewis823 said:

Some of the best relationships come from being best friends first. I have never voiced my hope here before because it is usually frowned upon here, but I do hope Alex and Meredith end up together.

I’m not opposed to Alex and Meredith, but If it’s going to happen, I’d rather they wait until the end of the series. If they were to go there now and then they decided it didn’t work out, it would ruin the friendship and considering that they’re the last of the original five, I’d hate to see that history damaged. 

Now that Megan is gone, I hope we’ve seen the last of Teddy. I liked her the first time around, but not this time. If Owen were to leave with someone, I’d rather him leave to try to win back Christina. I’m still a little hopeful that he and Amelia will slowly get back together. 

[Ohwell]

11 hours ago, Blonde Gator said:

but Maggie will thwoon.

This cracked me up.

I'm glad to have Megan gone because I just didn't like her.  She was too skittish or something, like you'd never be comfortable around her.  I'll miss Riggs' hair though.

[Pallas]

Owen says he has broken his patterns, his hewing to ideals instead of wading through the mess/wading further into the river that's life as we find it. If that means he truly is free -- free of his hopes of being neighbors with his family; free of his need to create a new nuclear family' free of his compulsion to protect -- then he could be free to make his way forward to Cristina.

Owen's always been terrified of losing the women he loved, and tried to bind them to him with their frailty. Acting as the "man of the house" with his mother about her much younger boyfriend ,and his sister about her impulsiveness; marrying Amelia's damage (which even came with its own tumor), marrying Cristina's trauma. 

But it wasn't Cristina's trauma that Owen loved. And if he's free, he can simply love the qualities he loves in her instead of trying to temper them, for fear of what life might do to a strong woman.