Maggie gets more aggressive with her mother’s treatment as Diane’s health begins to deteriorate.
But lets not skip ahead to the (super sad) endjustyet.
Only Maggie wants to get it doneimmediately something that happens repeatedly within the hour.
Credit: Richard Cartwright/ABC
The first time comes up whenever the younger Pierce wants her mother to get a laparoscopic procedure done.
Only this time, Meredith puts her foot down because she doesnt want to cause Diane pain.
Unfortunately, shes fired for her efforts.
All three surgeons recognize that this is a terrible idea.
Only none of them can tell her.
Maggie is not at her most reasonable right now.
Turns out shes aware, but she trusts Maggie, who thinks its a good idea.
Richard points out that this is why they dont let surgeons operate on family members.
Because there are many.
And they really dont know which ones Diane will suffer from.
As the trial begins, we see that Maggies mother suffers fromallthe side effects.
And it isnt pretty.
She also wants to teach Maggie how to make her lasagna.
Things get a wee bit awkward when she mentions she wants to pay her respects to the deceased Grey.
This cracks Diane up, which then makes her start coughing up blood… As we find out, Mama Pierce suffered an esophageal tear that requires surgery.
Bailey steps in to do it, telling Richard to go comfort his daughter.
But the old chief doesnt buy it.
Only Maggie doesnt take the observation too well.
She points out thatsheloves her mother enough tonot pour her down a drain.
And if things cant getmoreawkward, Riggs saw the whole thing.
He attempts to comfort Meredith, but shes not having it right now.
Thankfully Richard is also making an attempt, but his target is Diane herself.
Diane seems to listen to this.
Riggs hugs her as she cries.
Maggies return to her side confirms it.
She closes her mothers eyes and, despite her tears, continues to apply her mothers nail polish.
Its an utterly heartbreaking scene made only sadder by the lack of music.
Kudos to surgeon-turned-director-for-the-episode Ellen Pompeo.
A short while later, Maggies father arrives at the hospital via helicopter.
(Hopefully, no one needed an urgent transplant.)
He offers to pay for it, but Richard says that hes family.
Turns out Diane was right about being grateful that Maggie found her half-sister after all.
When Mr. Pierce opens the door, she runs into his arms, sobbing.
Richard watches from the doorway.
Small mercies, I suppose.)
So he forgives her because he doesnt want that to happen to them.
Does this mean well see a more daring Meredith?
Will she actually attempt to get dinner with Riggs after all?!
This could get messy.
Goodbye, Maggies mom.
It was great having you.
