Mother's Day comes early on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Oh, mama: Izzie’s fussing over Meredith and Derek’s wedding continued, only now, she was joined by her mother (Sharon Lawrence, best known for “NYPD Blue”). Flighty Mama Stevens had trouble coming to grips with the severity of Izzie’s illness, and once she did, she went into a panic. Ultimately, Izzie had Bailey tell Mama Stevens that Izzie’s cancer was practically gone so that her mother could exist in peace. But in truth, Izzie’s situation remains dire, and Bailey could only vow to continue the fight with more surgery and new treatments.

Make like a tree: Callie, cut off by her father last week — which resulted in her inability to pay rent this week – got a morale boost from the complex case of an environmental activist who had been knocked out of her tree perch by a bulldozer. The victim’s uptight sister Julie (Kellie Martin), who knew the tree-dweller as “Karen” rather than her tree-dwelling name of “Willow,”  was disgusted at her antics and wanted her to agree to stop trespassing in return for not being sued. They bickered right up until Karen’s condition deteriorated. When Karen improved, they predictably reconciled, with Julie recognizing her sister’s bravery. Their reconciliation served to convince Callie that she couldn’t lie to her family, so all those severe injuries at least helped the doctor.

Unwelcome visitor: Meredith and Lexie’s estranged father, Thatcher Grey, returned, finally sober and looking to make amends. With an assist from the Chief, he met with his uncertain daughters. While Meredith coolly received his apology and immediately made herself scarce, Lexie predictably embraced him and even got Mark to meet him.

Dr. Buttinsky: And then there was the little girl, Maddie, who shot her abusive father 17 times. When Maddie’s mother tried to take her to apologize to her father before his surgery in case he died, Meredith butted in and berated the mother, allowing her personal issues to intrude on patient care, as usual. The Chief ordered Meredith to stay away from the family, promising to suspend her pending a (much-needed) investigation of her “mental fitness for residency” if she didn’t. Meredith whined to Derek that she didn’t want the Chief at the wedding, and Derek confronted the Chief about his tendency to treat Meredith like a daughter.

All’s well: After the shot-full-of-holes father recovered, Meredith couldn’t stay away from the family, because she’d rather lose her job than shut her trap. She lectured the mother some more. Weirdly, this resulted in the Chief’s apologizing for not protecting her during her childhood, so once again, Meredith's unprofessionalism was rewarded. She also got to see the mother, schooled by Meredith Grey, muster the courage to leave her husband. Meredith cures everything!

Also: Owen and Cristina had another emotional encounter in which he lamented his inability to love her without choking her in her sleep. Isn’t that always the way?

Linda Holmes is a writer in Washington, D.C.