Grey’s Anatomy Review: Stronger Than Hate (Season 18 Episode 18)

Dinner parties never go well on Grey’s Anatomy, especially when they take place in Meredith’s house. Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 Episode 18, “Stronger Than Hate,” is no exception.

This one has a similar feel to an early episode when Izzie had a boyfriend come to town and threw a party in his honor, but stayed back at the hospital. In this case, Meredith stays at the hospital not to avoid the situation, but because of a heartbreaking case that arrives just as she’s heading out. 

It’s also far more awkward for Nick to be in the house with all of Meredith’s family and friends. The stakes feel higher and it’s an intimate dinner party, the kind where there is bound to be some extra drama.

I enjoy these types of interactions. It’s a fun chance to see everyone together outside of the hospital, and yet it’s a bit of a bummer that once again, Meredith is more separated from the rest of the group — something that’s happened an awful lot over the past two seasons.

But Maggie’s stress of making the party perfect coupled with Teddy’s insistence on playing Boggle and Bailey’s need for fun makes for some great entertainment. Plus, there’s a nice little throwback to an early Grey’s Anatomy scene when Bailey bangs on a car window to interrupt Owen and Teddy in a compromising position. 

It’s also a chance for Nick to charm literally everyone. He steps in to help with the party prep however he can and answers all the questions about himself that are thrown his way in stride. What he seems to care about most, though, is what Amelia thinks.

Richard started to understand Meredith’s need to leave on Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 Episode 17, and he explained it a way that made even more sense than Meredith had. Looking back at the course of the show and the curse of Seattle Grace Mercy Death Grey-Sloan Memorial, how could she not want a fresh start?

But Amelia is the one who has always understood it, rooted mostly in her understanding of the loss that Meredith experienced when Derek died.

That’s two-fold. For one thing, Amelia once lost a man she loved — a storyline that was central to her character on Private Practice. Then of course, Derek was her brother, so that was a shared loss between the two women.

Amelia’s approval of Nick on top of that understanding carries so much weight, and I’m guessing, means Meredith really will eventually leave. As for when, I expect that depends on how much longer the series will run.

The conversation between Nick and Amelia comes after Kai has seemingly broken up with Amelia, realizing that they won’t have the same goals in life. Kai has no interest in having children, and after seeing how much children are an important part of Amelia’s world, it’s clear that don’t really have a path forward together. 

It’s a sad moment, and once again we’re all left wondering if there’s any kind of happily ever after in the cards for Amelia. It’s a bit of a gut punch. 

Meanwhile, as I mentioned, Meredith isn’t at this awkward dinner party because she stays for a tragic case that arrives at the hospital. It’s one that appears to be a hate crime when an Asian American woman named Alice comes in badly beaten. 

The reverence and care with which this is all handled is right in line with how well Grey’s Anatomy is able to tackle powerful stories like this. Much is left unspoken, though there is just enough discussion of hate crime and discrimination, and how this all goes back to the blame that’s been placed on Asian Americans for the pandemic. 

It’s Nico and Dr. Lin who are largely at the center of her care, which is fitting and makes it more respectful and emotional. But perhaps the most powerful moment of the entire episode is when Nurse Bokhee, who rarely speaks at all, speaks up during that conversation, stating that they are absolutely “American.” 

The case has a good outcome, thankfully, and it’s heartening to see the community that is there waiting to hear the news on Alice.

Final thoughts:

• We continue to see Link’s patient from the previous episode, who now has a chance to bond with Catherine during chemo. I always appreciate seeing patients like this stick around for more than one episode.
• Richard and Catherine have some nice moments as well, also related to her cancer, which is now back. Quite frankly, I’m worried for her.
• Nick sticking around to make sure Meredith has a nice dinner and some company when she gets home is a sweet gesture. I really do think he’s the man that’s understood her the most since Derek.
• Winston’s brother is the worst. What an awful situation.

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 9/8c on ABC.

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