Content Warning: This article contains discussions of trauma
Teddy, Tom, and Owen's love triangle blew up during the sixteenth season of Grey's Anatomy and things got really complicated for these three characters. As a result of Teddy's actions, both her then-fiancé and her secret lover were left heartbroken. Being in love with two of her colleagues has proven to be quite an ordeal for Altman, and most viewers have had a hard time envisioning a positive outcome from this messy situation.
While this season seems to be a defining one in Teddy's character arc, some of her latest personal decisions have certainly not pleased fans. Even though she does love and wants to marry Owen, there are a few people who believe that Tom and Teddy would be better suited as a couple - despite their differences.
They Would Work: Their Chemistry Is Undeniable
Their romance started off on a high note, with both of them looking much happier together than separate. It was obvious that their chemistry was strong and, to this day, their strong attraction for one another never really disappeared.
Furthermore, Tom and Teddy's sexual tension became even more notorious when they engaged in a scandalous affair while she was already engaged to Owen. Even though she has left Tom more than once, she hasn't been able to pull back completely, and the audience keeps seeing a repetitive "reignition" of romance - suggesting that they might actually be each other's "better half."
They Wouldn't: Teddy And Tom Should Focus On Themselves
Although there are some fans who would love to see Tom and Teddy get back together, most people will agree that it should not happen anytime soon. As the viewers know, Teddy's mental health has been severely impacted due to the pressures of the job.
With the cardio surgeon working on Meredith's case, witnessing the death of DeLuca, and trying to process past grief and trauma, Teddy has decided to take a step back from her relationships to focus on improving her health. Tom is also taking some time off to focus on his physical health after contracting COVID-19 too. At this moment, it just doesn't seem like the right time to repair their relationship.
They Would Work: They Have Similar Stories
Similar to how Meredith and Cormac's potential romance started because of their similar experiences and losses, Koracick and Altman's connection also followed a similar path. While the neurosurgeon faced the loss of a son prior to joining the show, the army veteran has had her heart broken from Allison's and Henry's deaths.
Their relationship did let fans see another side to both Teddy and Tom, one where both surgeons had lowered their guards and openly talked about their thoughts and feelings. If a romance didn't work out then they will surely remain close friends.
They Wouldn't: Both Are Afraid Of Trusting Each Other
This romance has turned out to be a big mess and affected more people than it should have. If Teddy and Tom seemed like a great match in the beginning, things went south with Teddy's constant indecisiveness. At some point, fans felt really sorry for Koracick because he genuinely made an effort for Altman, but she chose Owen over him.
As things stand right now, and especially after she said she didn't love him, it would be really difficult for Tom to trust her with his heart again. Likewise, if Tom was to accept her back, Teddy would probably be suspicious of him too.
They Would Work: They Genuinely Care About Each Other
Their on-and-off relationship is surely not ranking as one of the strongest of this show. Yet, if there's one thing that's obvious is their concern and care for one another. Yes, they let their feelings get in the way of what's healthiest for them (and to those around them) but both have been on each other's side during sickness and birth!
Tom was in love with Teddy while she was pregnant - even going as far as making sure home was ready for her and her newborn. Later on, it was Altman who stayed by Koracick's bed while he was recovering from COVID-19. Regardless of the landscape surrounding their lives, they can't help but want to be close to each other.
They Wouldn't: Owen Was Teddy's Fiancé When They Rekindled Their Romance
Unfortunately, Teddy wasn't honest with Owen about her true feelings for Tom before she cheated on him. It's true that she had been secretive and insensitive at times, but the worst part was that she didn't come clean until she was being confronted with the truth.
Would it be fair to say that if Teddy hadn't gotten caught, she probably would have married Owen? And if that's so, wouldn't it be really hard for Tom to ever expect a happily-ever-after with her, being the man she cheated her husband with?
They Would Work: They Are Great Team Players
Both Altman and Koracick are highly intelligent professionals who have dazzled fans with their ability to save patients from extremely high-risk surgeries. They each vibe a calm, assertive posture in every medical urgency they are involved in and, when they work together, they can bring out the best of each other.
But unlike Owen, who tends to be overly serious and anxious as a colleague, "Toddy" has had moments of fun and a supportive dynamic in the hospital. Fans' favorite Grey Sloan's neurosurgeon is funny, devil-may-care, but a very competent co-worker - qualities that Teddy admires.
They Wouldn't: Teddy Has Owen's Kids
Teddy and Tom's will they/won't they dynamic would always have to account Leo and Allison's existence. While Tom would have no issue in taking up a paternal role, he may struggle with the fact that there would always be history between Owen and Teddy. Even if Owen and Teddy stopped working together, they would still be in each other's lives since they have two children together.
Teddy and Owen are wonderful parents and if they were to stay just in that role, it's easy to think they would try to put aside their personal feelings for the sake of their kids. However, Owen's biggest desire was to have a family and he might want to fight for it, which could strongly weigh in Teddy's choice for her partner.
They Would Work: It Was A Healthy Relationship
Teddy and Owen have had a whirlwind romance, where one looked like it was always chasing the other. When they did get together, things didn’t calm down for long. Perhaps this constant instability is meant to show that, no matter how much they try, it simply doesn't work.
When she described feeling “enraged” as to how she felt with Owen (as a good thing), and “safe” as to how she felt with Tom (as a bad thing), it seemed twisted but also obvious which one was the healthiest choice. Not only has Tom proven that he only has eyes for her, but during season 15, viewers have witnessed so many moments where these two were sweet and caring with each other, operating in a healthy dynamic.
They Wouldn't: Teddy Has Made Tom Believe She Never Loved Him
In one of the most heartbreaking moments, a reluctant and tearful Teddy tells Tom what he asks to hear: that she never really loved him.
This looked like a defining moment for this two, one which seemed to have given Koracick closure. He seems to have realized that if Teddy chose Owen yet again, then he deserves better, which is why he asks Teddy to let him go.