Richard’s fate is sealed on the season finale of 'Grey’s Anatomy'

Not since all the way back in Season 4 have fans had to say goodbye to Grey’s Anatomy so quickly, but after only 21 episodes, Season 16 has come to a very bloody end. In what must be one of the goriest finales on record (hips, cheeks, legs and chest!), Richard Webber’s mysterious diagnosis was solved by Andrew, whose latest manic-meets-medicine phase may have finally pushed him over the edge.Season 16 of Grey’s Anatomy was, of course, cut short by five episodes because of coronavirus, but as promised by showrunner Krista Vernoff, fans were still given a satisfying finale. In Grey’s speak, that means a cliffhanger. On Thursday’s episode, that cliff was courtesy of a very steamy voicemail. We know when that hotline blings, that can only mean one thing. It’s the season finale.

Richard’s sludgy hip

After spending weeks trying and failing to diagnosis Richard (James Pickens Jr), Catherine (Debbie Allen) and Maggie (Kelly McCreary) were ready to take the beloved surgeon home. During his discharge, Richard admitted he had tingling in his legs and hands, which led Miranda (Chandra Wilson) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) into the OR to work on his nerves. Always with a flair for the dramatic, Andrew (Giacomo Giannotti) threw the surgical supplies aside seconds before the pair cut into Richard, announcing his diagnosis of poisoning by Cobalt hip. Thankfully for both Richard and Andrew, the diagnosis was right. Bokhee said a quick prayer and Link (Chris Carmack) was able to remove the hip and the sludge, which is not a fancy medical term and actually what the gunk in Richard’s leg looked like. Medicine is so amazing and gross at the same time.[video_embed id='1937383']RELATED: 'Grey's Anatomy' star Giacomo Gianniotti guarantees fans will be satisfied by early finale[/video_embed]Richard immediately regained all his faculties, including his memory, which is great news! Sorry, great news for everyone but Catherine. Cleopatra has left the building. Catherine may have spent the past few weeks caring for her estranged husband, but Richard’s razor-sharp memory had no trouble remembering the pain his wife has caused him over the past few months. He definitely did not miss an episode in Season 16.As for Andrew, his latest manic episode looked like it was his breaking point and may have finally forced him to admit he has an issue. Finding him crying on the hospital floor, Meredith offered to take Andrew home, a gesture he accepted. It’s understandable that Meredith would want to do anything to help Richard, but that doesn’t excuse her for looking the other way as Andrew was clearly having a breakdown. Let’s assume the five missing episodes this season would have addressed Meredith’s error and shown Andrew receiving some much-needed help.

Teddy’s Hotline Bling

Admittedly, we have not been Team Owen (Kevin McKidd) in the Tom-Teddy-Owen love triangle. He spent too many years toying with Teddy’s (Kim Raver) emotions to be our first choice for Dr. Altman. On the other hand, seemingly cankerous Tom Koracick (Greg Germann) quickly proved himself to be kind and loving, making it very clear that Teddy was his number one from day one. For a cardiac surgeon, Teddy seemingly has no idea what to do with her heart. For an adult in 2020, she also has no idea what to do with her smartphone.Only hours before her rushed wedding ceremony, Teddy said goodbye to Tom with her vagina. It’s a medical show, let’s use the correct terms. Their final tryst accidentally made it onto Owen’s voicemail, which was broadcast to the entire operating room. Grey’s Anatomy season finales are full of surprises and Thursday’s biggest surprise was us switching back to Team Owen. Specifically, Team Owen Being With Someone Other Than Teddy Because Damn, That Was Cold. We’re going to need really big jerseys.

The missing link

Yes, we are very proud of that pun, thank you for asking. After a surprise pregnancy that was filled with baby daddy drama, Amelia’s (Caterina Scorsone) labour was actually pretty chill. Sure, Link missed the entire thing because he was getting sludge out of Richard’s hip, but otherwise it was a shockingly relaxed birth for Grey’s Anatomy. There was the moment where it seemed like Amelia was going to make Miranda kiss her for pain relief, but it was just a friendly hand hold. Mazel tov, Amelia and Link! Now please read some parenting books because neither of you seem to know anything about kids.[video_embed id='1789625']RELATED: 'Grey's Anatomy' stars disclose their off-screen medical skills[/video_embed]