Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Episode 9 Review: Fortunate Son

Richard undergoes surgery for prostate cancer on Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Episode 9, “Fortunate Son.” It’s an especially quiet and focused episode, but one that centers on Richard’s character in a profound and moving way.

Rather than have the focus be on the surgeons as they work on Richard, it’s on Richard’s dream state when he’s under anesthesia.

At first, this feels like another way to pare down the cast and keep things smaller than they ought to be (something I’ve been complaining about all season), but in this case, it works really well. 

Grey’s Anatomy has always leaned into questions about the afterlife and ghosts of the past. Meredith has, more than once, been visited by loved ones while in a state between life and death. And that’s just one example. Having Richard see his father while he’s under anesthesia is a way to honor his character even more deeply.

It offers more development of his backstory, even revealing some guilt about missing signs that his father had been sick. Now, he’s being treated for the same disease that killed his father. 

It’s deeply moving to see him work this all out in a conversation with his father. Yet, it still leaves the viewer in suspense over how Richard’s surgery is going. Because, of course, his being in this state and talking with his father could mean he’s dying. We have no way to know until we see him wake up for ourselves.

Thankfully, there’s a positive ending, and Catherine is able to tell Richard that he’s cancer-free thanks to the surgery.

Knowing the backstory that James Pickens Jr. went through all of this in real life — the diagnosis, the family history, and the same procedure of a prostatectomy — makes it even more impactful.

There’s even symbolism related to the barbershop. James Pickens Jr. participated in a Black barbershop men’s health summit years ago. That summit set up screenings at barbershops in several cities, offering free haircuts and the opportunity for men to have their blood pressure checked and receive brochures on prostate cancer and diabetes. 

This makes using the barbershop as the place where he connects with his father in his dream state, as well as the ritual of him going to the barbershop before surgery, really powerful.

Every detail of how Richard’s story is being told feels intentional, and James Pickens Jr.’s performance, especially given that he’s been through this himself, is stellar. 

Of course, there are a few other things happening in this episode. Regarding Richard, Catherine is anxious about his surgery and scaring the nurses because of it. Bailey does Richard the favor of keeping Catherine occupied during his surgery, which winds up being more complicated than she expects. 

Catherine has learned that Richard is planning to be buried next to Adele whenever he dies. Naturally, that doesn’t sit well with her. Her worrying over him means she’s focusing on those kinds of details, which is fitting for her character.

It’s also a good reminder of Richard’s history with Adele and the development of his relationship with Catherine.

I also like that Bailey is the one who is around for Richard in addition to Catherine. She’s even the first person he sees when he wakes up.

Elsewhere in the hospital, Jules and Lucas cross a line to help a patient who needs surgery and can’t really afford to wait for insurance to clear him for it, since it’s affecting his ability to work. They wind up suggesting that he could come back to the hospital and complain of very specific pain that would make surgery emergent, which he does.

This winds up putting Winston in an awkward position, and worse, it forces Jules to lie to him.

The whole thing is a larger comment on the many flaws of the health insurance industry (plus AI, since AI is the reason he’s struggling financially in the first place), but it also serves to drive a wedge between Jules and Winston that I assume we’ll see the results of in future episodes.

Meredith and Nick also appear in this episode, with a storyline that’s entirely separate from anything happening at the hospital in Seattle. 

As much as I do enjoy seeing Meredith, it ultimately feels out of place. Nick’s sister comes for a visit, surprising him with a new baby son named Miles.

Nick and his sister have a tough relationship, and this episode reminds us a bit of that backstory. Nick took care of his niece when his sister left her, as she was struggling with addiction.

Now, Nick worries the same thing will happen again, especially since his sister disappears for a few hours and leaves Miles with Nick and Meredith. 

She does ultimately return, and the bigger, more important conversation happens between Nick and Meredith.

Nick is amazed Meredith would have been willing to help take care of Miles if it came to that, and they have a quiet realization about their relationship and their commitment to each other. It seems like this could be a step toward the two of them getting married… maybe.

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Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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