Grey’s Anatomy Review: Hold Back the River (Season 14 Episode 18)

 

Thanks to the return of Richard’s sponsor, the focus on research and patients we’ve gotten to know, and the change in April, Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 18, “Hold Back the River,” is another incredibly well-done episode from this season.

It’s easy to forget important details about characters we’ve known this long, so I appreciate the return to Richard’s alcoholism.

That is something he’s struggled to overcome, and it’s something that has greatly shaped his character.

We only met Olive one other time, and that was back in Season 2. No doubt, though, she’s memorable. Now she’s back many years later, and she’s dying — something that Richard refuses to accept.

Richard is often the wise one these days, handing out important advice to the people around him. Now, though, he’s the one that needs the advice. Meredith understands the gravity of the situation and wants to support Richard by trying to save Olive — who at this point, doesn’t want to be saved.

It’s Maggie who has an experience that parallels, and I love their moment together. Maggie fought in the same way for her mother, and in both of these cases, the people fighting aren’t doing it for the people they love — they’re really doing it for themselves.

The other important moment with this is when Richard brings Amelia to Olive’s room so the three of them can have a meeting. There are so many small bonds that characters have on this show that, again, can be easy to forget. Amelia and Richard have one fo those bonds because they share that common ground.

The focus on research over the past several episodes has also been fun to watch, not only because it gives the doctors a new challenge and new way to interact, but also because we’ve seen patients span more than one episode — patients we ourselves have become more strongly invested in.

And patients that Alex has become invested in. His concern over Kimmie and his desperation have reached a breaking point.

Alex still has his aggressive side, and he takes that out on Koracick in a scene that’s honestly a little hard to watch. I can’t help but wonder if there’s more going on beneath the surface when it comes to Alex’s connection with this patient.

The good news is that their procedure does work on Noah. Speaking of Alex and Tom Koracick — one of my favorite little moments from this episode HAS to be when the two of them hug after seeing that Noah is okay.

Meanwhile, April is going around apologizing to everyone. She seems to be her old self again. She seems to have let go of her anger and her sadness. But I’m not ready to let go of worrying over her.

It’s unfortunately difficult not to be distracted by the fact that we know this actress is leaving the series soon. So, every time I see here I’m caught up in imagining how she’s going to be written out of the show.

The apologies, telling Jackson how she knew Harriet was okay without her because she had him… my mind is traveling to a dark place and I’m fearful she’s going to try to commit suicide.

Granted, I could be reading this wrong entirely. April could certainly have some sort of happy ending. But this is Grey’s Anatomy that we’re talking about, and I’m always a little afraid someone is going to die…

Similarly, Arizona believes briefly that she has breast cancer, and it’s heartbreaking.

At first, she and Owen, who are undercover at this doctor’s office to find out what he’s been doing to his patients, are certain he’s lying when he says she has cancer. But then Owen asks to see the ultrasound, and it appears as though she really does.

Can you imagine that someone could do something so disgusting as to fake ultrasounds to make patients believe they have cancer?

This is a really unique storyline and it allows Owen to do something a bit different… and to get out his aggression. Because his trip to see Teddy has definitely left him in a foul mood.

It’s satisfying to see him visit the evil doc and nearly start to inject him with drugs, only to hear the sirens and know this man is getting what’s coming to him.

Even more satisfying is some good news for Meredith and Jo. As it turns out, their goal with created the tiny livers is actually hindered by using that polymer — the one that Marie Cerone wouldn’t give up. Their project is successful when they don’t use it, which means two things: they’re going to save a lot of lives, and they’re going to beat Marie!

(Meredith’s competitive side is a great thing, guys.)

Other thoughts:

• In apologizing to Maggie, their conversation takes a turn and April confesses that she “jumped” her ex-husband in a supply closet. And Maggie and Jackson were doing so well…
• Bailey and Ben have a few great moments of their own. Ben is still being cautious about Bailey’s health, gifting her with a pillbox (as one does?) when all Bailey really wants is some intimacy. Luckily, Ben is smart enough to realize when it’s time to listen.
• DeLuca inspiring confidence in Amelia by striking the “superhero” pose is a really sweet moment. Also, DeLuca has been living in the on-call room, because of course he has.
• Am I the only one who finds it a little weird that Amelia is suddenly so invested in Owen and Teddy? So much so that she calls her on the phone to talk about it?
• Jo and Alex were apparently supposed to have an engagement party on this episode, but the scene was cut for time. Bummer.

What did you think of this episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Grey’s Anatomy: 10 Characters Who Actually Survived