As if Meredith Grey was the only character on
Grey’s Anatomy that could leave us hanging and after the typical (excruciating) summer hiatus, our favourite medical drama is finally back for its 16
th season (Thursday, 8 p.m ET CTV), and with it, a likely conclusion to the whole Teddy/Owen/Tom situation.Of course, judging by the way the birthing scene went down at the end of season 15, we’d say it’s safe to bet that Teddy (Kim Raver) is indeed sticking with baby daddy Owen (Kevin McKidd) in the love department. And that kind of breaks our hearts for Tom (Greg Germann), who has been nothing but the perfect boyfriend to Teddy. Case in point: when we last saw him he was happily eating a sandwich and putting together nursery furniture in the very same apartment he found for Teddy, while she professed her love to Owen and kind of forgot to tell Tom that she was even in labour. Ouch.
Tom is here to stay
But that doesn’t mean Tom is going anywhere when we return. In fact, not only has Germann been upped to series regular this season, but his character is also going to have some extra responsibility around the hospital come premiere. That means that even if things continue on the path we think they’re going and Teddy burns him for Owen, he’s going to stick around to make a home for himself elsewhere."I thought [the finale] was a bold choice, but I love that," Germann told
etalk this past summer during the CTV Upfront. "I like that Tom is uncompromising. I don’t want to see him do something that goes against the grain of the character, so if it’s not Teddy—and if it is, great—but if it’s not, I want to belong somewhere."We think it will be fun to see how the other doctors at the hospital react to his newfound responsibility, especially with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Richard (James Pickens Jr.) and Alex (Justin Chambers) being fired at the end of last season. Tom in charge would totally throw the other doctors for a loop—especially since he isn’t exactly someone who has ever sugarcoated a situation.That’s the character you want to play, always," Germann said. "He’s not unlikeable, he’s just telling the truth. He cuts through the BS and tells the truth even if it makes people uncomfortable. He’s oblivious to that. He’s like, 'Why? Why is everyone so upset, I’m just telling it like it is.’ Which I love. He’s a really fun character to play."
Looking for a life raft
Hopefully he tells it like it is to Teddy, who led him on for the duration of her pregnancy only to lean into Owen at the last moment. You remember Owen, the guy who ditched Teddy for Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) more than once, and then magically fixed himself after a few therapy sessions? Yeah. We used to root for that guy, but then we saw how magical Teddy and Tom were together and now Owen definitely has to prove himself. That’s not saying he can’t, or that he won’t be a great father (we all know he’s going to be an amazing father), but he’d just better not mess this up.As for Tom? Well here’s hoping he moves on with someone new. That character has been through enough with the loss of his own child, and now he’s about to lose the idea of being a step-parent to a new baby, too."He was jumping into fatherhood [with Teddy], that’s certainly a piece of it," Germann explained. "I’m a father and the thought of losing one of my kids is really unthinkable. As I dug into that a bit just as an actor, I can see how unconsciously you’re looking for a life raft."Here's hoping a new one comes his way soon.
Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.
