There are two ways to consider this episode, which operates mainly with the core cast and pushes many emotional and feel-good buttons that the other episodes have generally avoided.
The first is simply to consider it a change of pace.
The second (and perhaps more accurate) is to consider that the writers were strutting their stuff, showing their mastery of their characters, and showing their skills.
It is astonishing to me that at the midpoint of season 3 they are still getting mileage out of a trope, a plot arc, that was developed back in the pilot.
Serious skills. Serious writing. Serious acting. Generally a joy for fans both old and new.
The first is simply to consider it a change of pace.
The second (and perhaps more accurate) is to consider that the writers were strutting their stuff, showing their mastery of their characters, and showing their skills.
It is astonishing to me that at the midpoint of season 3 they are still getting mileage out of a trope, a plot arc, that was developed back in the pilot.
Serious skills. Serious writing. Serious acting. Generally a joy for fans both old and new.