Grey’s Anatomy Review: Cold as Ice (Season 14 Episode 23)
Whew. Well, now we can all breathe a sigh of relief, at least for the moment.
On Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 23, “Cold as Ice,” the doctors work against the odds to save April’s life, and thankfully, they’re able to do just that.
It’s powerful and it serves as a beautiful ode to April, giving each character a chance to reflect on how her presence has affected them. Of all people, for April to be in this life or death situation seems to have a more emotional impact on them than most other characters would.
GIACOMO GIANNIOTTI
The way they all pull together and rally around her suggests that no matter how April winds up leaving the series, her presence will still be there. She’s inspired the people around her. She’s brought a light.
Alex talks about why he didn’t like April when he first met her — that she was everything he wished he was.
And while they wait for April to wake up, Meredith realizes that everything that happened after she nearly died from similar causes was a gift — all the moments with Derek, everything.
(I’m glad this detail is in there, also. Meredith speaks a few times about her own experience in this situation, from the very early seasons of Grey’s Anatomy.)
You can even see the connection Owen has with April, something we don’t see quite enough of, but that we’re regularly reminded exists. Owen’s request for everyone is that they pray, in whatever way they want, because that’s what April would want them to do.
All of this makes for remarkable television. But what stands out most is Jackson.
Jesse Williams gives one of the most emotional performances on the show’s history as he breaks down in tears at April’s bedside, praying to a God he’s not sure he even believes in, begging for April not to be taken away.
We all know Grey’s has a deep power of making its audience cry the ugly tears, but this on another level.
There’s a reveal involved in all of this too — one you might have already guessed if you’ve been paying close attention. April’s been seeing Matthew. The two of them have fallen in love again.
And it’s beautiful and makes so much sense.
All of that said, what’s difficult for me with this episode is the red herring of it all. That might not be the case if we didn’t already have the news that Sarah Drew was leaving the series — news that has quite honestly been distracting, because it means speculating at every turn how she might be written out.
What we get on this episode feels far too similar to Stephanie’s exit last season. All the clues pointed to Stephanie being killed off, but instead, she left after having an epiphany. We still don’t know how April will leave, but a near death experience of another character we know is leaving borders on being too repetitive.
Is it worth it, though? Yes. Because it means getting a full focus on April and her impact before she leaves the show. Again, it serves as an ode to her character, and that’s something she certainly deserves.
Also on the way out is Arizona, and though we knew by the end of Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Episode 22,”Fight for Your Mind,” it’s more solidified now, and an even happier ending thanks to the return of Nicole Herman.
It’s really quite perfect.
Dr. Herman returns for medical help, but she also has big plans. She’s grateful to Arizona and she’s proud of her, and she wants to save more lives in the same way — by teaching.
I can think of nothing better for Arizona than taking that new step with her mentor while also being able to be with her daughter.
There’s a bit of an ode to Arizona in this way too. Not only does Bailey nearly bring her to tears as she tells her what a privilege it has been to know her, but we get this review of her career, so to speak. And the things she’s gone up against.
Both of these characters are certainly going to be missed.
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 8/7 on ABC.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
One thought on “Grey’s Anatomy Review: Cold as Ice (Season 14 Episode 23)”
Aprils near death experience could’ve been WAY better. The way Alex reflects how he feels about April, they couldve picked a better character for that. I expected at least Owen Hunt to lose his mind more than Meredith and have him say the lines that Alex said about her being everything he wasnt. She was a big part of the show too and I know they had to cram these last 2 episodes in before she left permanently off the show. They couldve prolonged the time they had left with here on the show a little more. These new interns arent as good, to be honest they are kind of annoying. I know the show is very up to date now, but it wouldve been better if they treated this episode like when Meredith was almost beaten to death by her patient. Arizonas cry was so fake and too much. These are all great actors and i love them all. I have seen them act way better than this episode. I was disappointed.
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