Warning! SPOILERS about Grey's Anatomy season 21, episode 11 ahead.

One patient’s story in Owen and Teddy have both been in Grey’s Anatomy, their relationship went through many ups and downs, including Teddy having unrequited feelings for Owen for so long and the time she cheated on him with Koracick. Despite their incredibly tortuous path to happiness, Owen and Teddy eventually got married in Grey’s Anatomy season 18, and they have been together ever since despite having more than their fair share of problems.

Grey’s Anatomy season 18 began highlighting major problems in Teddy and Owen’s relationship after Owen had started to give severely ill veterans life-ending drugs separately from his and Teddy’s study, effectively forcing his and Teddy’s family to be on the run in Grey’s Anatomy season 18’s ending. The financial problems that followed strained Owen and Teddy’s relationship, but it’s their lack of communication and Owen’s unwillingness to understand how busy Teddy was after becoming chief and fully her that made it feel like Owen and Teddy’s breakup was inevitable in Grey’s Anatomy season 21.

How Grey's Anatomy Season 21, Episode 11's Patient Case Mirrors What's Happening With Teddy & Owen

Andrea’s Feelings For Cameron, Dev & Dean Are Similar To Owen & Teddy’s

Owen and Teddy’s continuous clashes and easy connections with Nora and Cass in Grey’s Anatomy season 21 made their breakup feel like the only possible development for their relationship, but the story of Cameron, Andrea and Dev possibly changed their relationship’s direction. Indeed, after Cameron poured his heart out to Andrea, she itted he was the one who made her laugh the most, but she also acknowledged how she wanted Dev and Dean romantically. Owen iring their friendship and seemingly having an epiphany as he listened to them heavily hinted at non-monogamy being the answer for him and Teddy too.

The opening of Owen and Teddy’s marriage was already hinted at the moment Cass Beckman was introduced in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, as she revealed immediately to Teddy how that worked magic for them, giving them the chance to be stable in their marriage while also exploring their feelings for others. However, Teddy and Owen’s communication was poor throughout the season. The first time they finally were open without reacting terribly was in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 11, making it feel they could potentially pursue non-monogamy as a viable opportunity to save their relationship if they could be ready.

Teddy & Owen Having An Open Marriage Is Good For Them & Grey's Anatomy

Owen & Teddy’s Story Has Felt Stale For Some Time

Owen and Teddy’s marriage has felt stuck for some time, with their most interesting challenge happening in season 18 when they ran from the law. Even that storyline turned monotonous when they returned in Grey’s Anatomy season 19, and Teddy’s challenges as Chief of Surgery of Grey Sloan Memorial have been the most entertaining part of their lives recently. Ever since Nora and Cass came into Owen and Teddy’s lives, Owen and Teddy’s stories were revived, and Teddy and Owen opening up their marriage can truly save it by forcing them to be more open consistently with one another.

Seeing him grapple with wanting to explore his feelings for Nora, his love for Teddy and their family, and the doubts about handling seeing Teddy fall for Cass would finally make Owen’s story feel renewed in Grey’s Anatomy season 21.

Even if Owen and Teddy were to pursue an open marriage, it’s not automatic that they will succeed. However, it will switch up the lull their storylines fell in, and it can be interesting both for Owen and Teddy and the medical drama, as Owen has long been among the most traditional characters. Seeing him grapple with wanting to explore his feelings for Nora, his love for Teddy and their family, and the doubts about handling seeing Teddy fall for Cass would finally make Owen’s story feel renewed in Grey’s Anatomy season 21.

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Grey’s Anatomy season 21 airs new episodes every Thursday at 10pm on ABC.