Grey’s Anatomy Review: Add it Up (Season 15 Episode 18)

Let’s take a few minutes to talk about how much Alex Karev has grown.

On Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 18, “Add it Up,” Alex butts heads with DeLuca, who happens to be acting a lot like a younger Alex Karev.

One of the reasons Alex is proving to be such a good leader is because he was always one to have trouble with authority. Now he knows when to draw a hard line.

Because even though DeLuca does wind up getting a good result by relating to Nora about bullying and why she needs to go back to school, doing so goes directly against what Alex said. He’s lucky Alex doesn’t fire him, actually. Instead, Alex just keeps him off the case.

When DeLuca confronts Alex after the surgery, Alex says the hard things DeLuca needs to hear — he can’t let his personal life get in the way, no matter how bad things get. He’s speaking from his own experience, and as he does it, it’s so easy to see that he’s talking to a younger version of himself.

It’s remarkable how much Alex has changed over the years, especially since it’s happened somewhat gradually. It’s been most noticeable in his personal relationships, of course, but getting to see it professionally, especially with him in this leadership position this season, is just fantastic.

I love Nora’s storyline on this episode because it’s not only focused on her illness. It’s focused on bullying, first of all, and on making that relatable. The other doctors eventually share their own stories of why they were bullied with one another. 

Nora is a math-whizz too, which is part of it, but at the hospital, it gets her attention. The doctors gather around trying to beat her at math problems.

It’s funny and sweet, and it allows the doctors to all show their nerdy side — one we might honestly forget they have if not for moments like this. It gives the episode a lightness and it’s fun to watch.

Another patient in the hospital, meanwhile, throws Richard for a bit of a loop. Toby identifies as non-binary and uses the pronouns “they and them.”

It’s not that Richard isn’t open-minded, but he’s still tripped up by the language. Jackson’s explanation is best — what do you say if someone leaves a coat, but you don’t know who they were? You say, “someone left their coat.”

Grey’s Anatomy is so good at presenting social topics and doing it in a way that highlights the character, not the idea. Yes, Richard stumbles over the pronouns and complains about the grammar of it, but otherwise, we focus mostly on Toby and their mother, who is about to get some terrible news.

And Jackson is able to identify with Toby on that front — having a mother who always had all of the answers and is now vulnerable. Jackson has to be there for his mom in new ways now, and that’s what Toby is going to have to do for their mother now that she’s paralyzed.

It’s heartbreaking. It’s also the case that keeps Amelia and Link together for the episode, despite initial efforts to want to stay apart after their recent hookup. 

I won’t spend a lot of time on this part, but I will say it’s worth noting how well the two of them work together. I’m not unhappy seeing them have this romance, and I’m going back and forth on whether I want Amelia to end up back with Owen at some point.

What I do feel clear on, is that I like seeing Owen and Teddy as just friends. Great friends, but that’s all. Their bond is almost stronger that way, and it’s already obvious that they’ll be able to pull off co-parenting as friends. 

Owen even realizes when he needs to walk away. Whether he likes Koracick or not, the man stands up to Owen in a way that puts everything in perspective.  

As for Meredith, she’s in the background — in a jungle room — working on research and waiting to be able to talk to her boyfriend for most of the episode. 

Good for her for telling DeLuca later that she’s done with that part of her life and she won’t wait around wondering if he’s going to call. On the other hand, isn’t this… a taste of her own medicine?

Meredith gave DeLuca and Link both such a runaround when she was trying to figure out what she wanted. The tables are turned just a little here, though it only ends up being a small hiccup. That’s a good thing, because I’m much more interested in seeing them move forward if that’s where we’re headed.

And it’s sweet that Alex has a hand in this. After scolding DeLuca for the way he acted professionally, he brings up Meredith and gives DeLuca just a little advice — enough to make DeLuca see that he needs to let his girlfriend in.

I’m here for all of the Alex and Meredith friendship moments. And you know, Meredith gave Jo a hard time at first because she cared so much for Alex. Seeing the same happen now, but reversed, only makes sense.

It is a little strange to think that Alex beat the ever-loving hell out of DeLuca only a few years ago and nearly went to prison for it. Someone should mention that soon…  

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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