What’s Worth Watching: Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. Herman Finally Goes Under the Knife

Matt Roush March 5, 2015, 6:00 am

Grey’s Anatomy, “The Distance,” Thursday, March 5, 8/7c, ABC

“To the tumor, we are the problem. We are the invader. We are the danger. To the tumor, we are the soulless, murderous monster,” lectured Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) to a rapt audience during last week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy. The series has been building all season toward a momentous surgery that will define her career, and determine the fate of visiting Dr. Nicole Herman (Geena Davis, poignantly nuanced), whose massive brain tumor has sparked Amelia’s imagination and ambitions. “This kind of tumor demands respect,” she insists.

This week’s episode, directed by St. Elsewhere veteran Eric Laneuville, is all about the procedure, as Amelia confronts this Everest of tumors with young protégée Stephanie Edwards (Jerrika Hinton) assisting. The stakes and emotions couldn’t be higher, and I imagine we’ll all be a wreck by the time it’s over.