This ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Two-Parter Changed One Character Forever

The big picture

• In
  Grey's Anatomy
  Jo Wilson confronted domestic violence, showing real-life victims the importance of standing up to their abusers.
• Season 14 Episodes 9 and 10 helped Jo find closure from her abusive past through meaningful interactions.
• Grey's Anatomy
  Jo's portrayal of domestic violence aims to empower women and raise awareness.

A medical drama that does not shy away from unexpected plot twists, romantic combinations and complex procedures. Grey's Anatomy it's a rollercoaster watch. Twenty seasons in, there are plenty of stories fans love and hate going in and out of the ER at Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital (formerly known as Seattle Grace Mercy West). However, episodes 9 and 10 of season 14 are by far the most shocking of the series for a character. He managed to offer support to victims of domestic violence through Dr. Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) bow

Before arriving in Seattle as an intern, the character faced various hardships growing up, even living in his car during high school. Wilson's real name was Brooke Stadler, though she changed it to avoid being found by her abusive and estranged husband. In season 14, she confronts her abuser (Paul Stadler, played by glee alum Matthew Morrison) in the hospital in one of the most emotional plots of the medical drama, which allowed her to close the door on her traumatic past and move on with her life as a doctor.

Jo Wilson had a tumultuous first marriage before becoming a doctor

There's only so much information people know about the incoming interns, so no one could have guessed that Jo came from humble beginnings when she arrived in Season 9. Even Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), who later became the character's second husband, would take her during those early days because he thought he had never had to deal with anything difficult in his life. However, that was far from the truth, as fans of the show found out in Season 9, Episode 8. After a father tries to leave his baby behind, Jo doesn't take the situation lightly, because he knows well what it feels like to be an abandoned child.

After all, her mom dropped her off at a fire station and she grew up in foster homes before living in her car all through high school. Although the character entered an Ivy League university to study medicine, her life becomes miserable again when she marries one of her teachers. Paul could be nice to her at times, but he was very abusive during their relationship, eventually pushing her away from him. She changes her name from Brooke to Jo and moves to Seattle hoping never to cross paths with him again. Everything seemed to be under control until her husband showed up in Season 14, Episode 9, titled “1-800-799-7233” (named after the National Domestic Violence Hotline).

Season 14 episodes 9 and 10 helped Jo confront her abuser after experiencing domestic violence

Seasons after the character was first introduced, unexpectedly, she finds Paul at his workplace and his reaction speaks louder than words. In complete shock, Jo just stares at him and doesn't respond to any of his comments about how happy she is to see that he's okay (clearly he wants to belittle her by saying she had a drinking problem). Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) and Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) are also surprised to meet Paul, for its stellar reputation in the medical field, not catching the fear in Jo's eyes. It's only when Alex and Dr. Meredith Gray (Ellen Pompeo) learns of his visit and immediately feel protective of their friend.

Despite Paul's efforts to discredit Jo in front of his colleagues, he realizes there's no way he can get Alex and Meredith on his side. The moment when Jo breaks down in front of Meredith and she comforts her friend, assuring her that she has confidence, is a highlight of the episode, considering that victims of domestic violence need the support of others to help them get out of an abusive situation. With the support of Alex and Meredith, Jo manages to confront Paul a second time to sign the divorce papers, finally feeling a weight off her shoulders. He even gets close to Paul's bride-to-be, Jenny (played by Hill of a tree's Bethany Joy Lenz) to warn her of the abuse she suffered and encourage the fiancée to leave the relationship as soon as she can.

Then Paul (miraculously) dies of a concussion. There is a powerful scene between Jo and Jenny in episode 10 that takes place minutes before the character's death. While lying in a hospital bed ready to be discharged, Jo and Jenny finally face it and tell her that they are determined to take legal action for all the harm they suffered as victims of domestic violence. This scene alone shows how having people to depend on is so important in a matter like this, and how the two characters were able to find the courage to confront your abuser without feeling powerless in his presence.

This 'Grey's Anatomy' Two-Parter Helped Real-Life Victims Feel Seen On Screen

If it weren't for episodes 9 and 10 of season 14, Jo would never be able to let go of her traumatic past and would probably remain in constant fear of Paul. While the Doctor still faces many life-changing events after this (including her broken marriage to Alex), this two-part narrative was not only important in terms of character development, but it was also important for television. At the height of the MeToo movement, Grey's Anatomyshowrunner Krista Vernoff spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how Jo's domestic violence arc was made to inspire women who watch the show to stop being silent and feel empowered to speak their truth.

Luddington also told Entertainment Weekly that a lot of research went into preparing these episodes, with a complex theme that allows the audience to see themselves on screen through Jo's journey:

“There have been so many conversations with domestic abuse organizations. We ended up feeling that even the words and dialogue that we wanted to use in various scenes, we were particular about it, because at the end of the day we wanted to tell this story properly and also educate people who have misconceptions about domestic abuse, who it happens to and what it looks like.”

Grey's Anatomy is available to stream on Hulu in the US

Watch on Hulu