Grey's Anatomy: Bend & Break

Callie and Arizona are in the middle of a screaming match during a therapy session. A flashback to an intense OR session provides a break in the action, as does another. Callie and Arizona argue at work, too. The therapist suggests that they spend some time apart. This way they can rediscover who they are. Callie’s against this. Arizona, however, thinks a break is a good idea. They’ll lead separate lives for 30 days. There are rules. There’s no talking. There’s also no sex, with each other or anyone else. Alex is taking over for Arizona on a procedure that requires putting a baby in a medically-induced coma for what could be weeks. The parents are nervous. Arizona assures them that Alex is awesome. Then she goes off to learn from Dr. Herman. Arizona is forced to watch an obnoxious suck-up doc named Graham do procedures she’s deemed not yet worthy to perform. Day 10 of the break, Arizona is getting back into Dr. Herman’s good graces. Elsewhere, Emily is a patient with a badly injured arm. Callie operates, but a week later there are complications. She has no one to talk to about her feelings. Meredith offers to take her out for drinks. There are discussions about cheating, celibacy and missing Cristina. This leads to the two of them singing a mildly-catchy tune about vaginas. When Callie gets home, she kisses Arizona, who pushes away without saying a word. The therapist says they have to follow the rules for the full 30 days. That means they go back to Day 1. So does Alex’s patient after a complication. He’s ticked at Arizona for making him do a procedure he never truly believed in. As for Callie, she’s devastated when her patient, Emily, tries to kill herself. She’s relieved when Derek figures out the problem with her arm. He can help. Emily’s healing is set in motion, both physically and emotionally. Day 16 (of Take 2) rolls around. Callie and Meredith cryptically chat about their lack of sex lives during a surgery that leaves the patient in worse shape than initially thought. So, the two of them go out for burgers. Callie gets an idea how to save their patient’s leg. They celebrate with more pickles. Then they go back to the hospital. The fact that Callie didn’t come home has Arizona breaking the rules again. The two ladies chat about what went on. Callie is happy that Arizona was jealous. Callie and Arizona have one more day to go. That’s one day too long. They end up making love and agreeing to not tell the therapist. The next day, Arizona is the lead on a touchy surgery. Dr. Herman doesn’t believe she’s at the top of her game. She orders Graham to take over. Herman reads Arizona the riot act. She has two strikes against her. Three strikes and she’s out. Arizona and Callie meet with the therapist on the 30th day. It’s an emotional session. Arizona pours out her heart. She’s so glad the break is over. Callie says the last 30 days have taught her so much. She tearfully admits that she’s enjoyed herself in the last few weeks so much more than she has in a long time. She feels free. She doesn’t want to work on fixing their relationship anymore. She wants Arizona to feel free, too. With that, Callie leaves the therapist’s office. Alone.