So, Grey’s Anatomy went there again. Just when you thought the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial couldn’t handle any more trauma, the writers decided to remind everyone that cars are, in fact, dangerous. In a twist that felt both shocking and inevitable (because this is Grey’s, after all), intern Mika Yasuda met a potentially fatal end behind the wheel.
After a brutal double shift, Mika, understandably exhausted, nodded off while driving, leading to a horrific car crash in the episode’s final moments. The episode, titled “Night Moves,” ended with a jarring cliffhanger, leaving viewers in suspense about Mika’s fate and that of her sister, Chloe, who was also in the vehicle.
The promo for next week’s episode is predictably vague, showing frantic efforts to save Mika’s life, but offering little in the way of actual information. And given Grey’s penchant for drawing out these dramatic arcs, it’s anyone’s guess how long this particular mystery will simmer.
What isn’t a mystery is Midori Francis’s departure from the show. Francis, who has played Mika since Season 19, has officially exited Grey’s Anatomy and will not be returning for the rest of Season 21. This certainly doesn’t bode well for Mika’s chances of survival. Her potential demise falls squarely in line with the show’s tradition of shocking character deaths (George and Derek’s car accidents spring to mind), reminding viewers that even fan favorites aren’t safe from Shonda Rhimes’ narrative whims.
The abrupt shift from upbeat music to twisted metal and shattered glass in “Night Moves” undoubtedly amplified the shock. This classic Grey’s maneuver effectively yanked viewers out of any sense of complacency.
The fallout from this incident will undoubtedly ripple through the hospital, particularly affecting Jules Millin, Mika’s current love interest. We’ll have to see how the writers manage the emotional aftermath.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights on ABC.
