Grey’s Anatomy Review: Bad Reputation (Season 14 Episode 21)
Well, secrets are out, and they have some far-reaching consequences for the hospital. Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 21 “Bad Reputation” presents conflicting points of view in a crisis and finds a graceful way out of it.
The Harper Avery scandal is sending shockwaves through the media, damaging the hospital’s reputation. While Catherine and Jackson are trying to sort that out, they’re also trying to bring in some good press in the form of removing a facial fissure.
Jackson and Meredith make a dynamic duo when it comes to tackling this problem. Not only are they willing to fight for their patient, and the course of action they think is best, but they each bring a unique and close perspective regarding the foundation.
ELLEN POMPEO
Their conversation about the events surrounding the Harper Avery scandal isn’t just about two colleagues locking horns, but a smart and savvy discussion. By approaching the argument this way, and listening to each other, they manage to navigate through the problem without blaming the victims or letting Catherine fall on her sword.
The solution that Jackson and Meredith come up with, dissolving the Harper Avery foundation to make the Catherine Fox foundation, does everything we would want it to do as an audience.
As Jackson points out: if the foundation goes away so do the jobs at 72 hospitals. We only see Grey-Sloan in the series, but I think we can assume that the hospitals themselves are doing good work. So, if the hospitals are doing good work, why should they suffer for it. The issue is the name, and that’s what they have to combat.
JAICY ELLIOT, ELLEN POMPEO, JESSE WILLIAMS
Changing the name alone wouldn’t have been enough. I think they needed to direct the new foundation to help the woman who had been hurt by this especially after Meredith pointed out Katie Simmons’ story:
MEREDITH: Katie Simmons, she was all over the news this morning. She was a third-year neuro, she was harassed, assaulted, paid off. She dropped out of the program she’s a waitress now.
On some level, it feels like this is just them trying to erase the name and put on a new coat of paint, but there’s something about Jackson and Catherine’s desire to try to write these wrongs that will pay off down the road.
It will also open up potential Season 15 storylines if any of these women are at Grey-Sloan Memorial while I am sure, also causing some drama.
Speaking of drama, “Bad Reputation” also examines how far Alex Karev has come. Olivia appeared in season one through six of Grey’s Anatomy before ultimately getting syphilis from Alex, and she says she’s over it but is actually kind of bitter. But, bitter in a way that makes her glad she lives in Sacremento now with her husband and son.
CAMILLA LUDDINGTON, JAKE BORELLI
Sarah Utterback’s performance is great, and longtime fans of Grey’s Anatomy will know that she’s telling the truth. But they will also know that Alex has changed. Hearing Olivia bring up this incident feels true to the plot of “Bad Reputation” but ultimately doesn’t accomplish anything except being a bit of nostalgia.
“Bad Reputation” also picks up the thread of Owen Hunt and his foster son Leo. During a wellness checkup, Owen meets Leo’s mom, Betty, and an interesting blended family begins to form.
Betty’s story is truly heartbreaking, but I think she’s in good hands with Amelia.
JESSE WILLIAMS
Amelia has gone through her own struggles throughout the course of her time on Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy and giving her something positive like this is a storyline this character really needs. It’s still sad, but Amelia’s experience recovering from her own addiction could help this young girl.
Who knows, maybe this girl will be a neurosurgeon one day or end up working at the hospital as a social worker. Or, you know she used to play soccer, so maybe sports medicine is in her future?
Stray Thoughts:
- The only thing that could make this episode better is if it opens with Meredith on the phone with Cristina who was giving her take about not winning a Harper Avery.
- It’s looking more and more like Arizona’s storyline will end with her moving to New York to be closer to Callie, so that Sophia can have both of her moms in her life.
- Please tell me April isn’t going to leave medicine and open up a wedding planning business? While that is better than seeing her on a downward spiral…just, no.
- Sad DeLuca playing his guitar. I know that he misses Sam, and her departure was heartbreaking, but he does have to get up off of Meredith’s couch!
- The quick unraveling of who the anonymous donor was that funded the surgical innovation contest, is the best unspooling of a lie that I think I have ever seen.
- The news about Alex’s mom is a bombshell and seeing that play out in the final episodes of the season is definitely something to look forward to.
What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.