Haley Whitmire White, Author at TV Fanatic https://www.tvfanatic.com/authors/haley-whitmire-white/ Your Home for TV Show Reviews, Opinions, Spoilers, and News! Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:54:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6 https://cdn.tvfanatic.com/uploads/2024/05/favicon-1-150x150.png Haley Whitmire White, Author at TV Fanatic https://www.tvfanatic.com/authors/haley-whitmire-white/ 32 32 Inside the 9-1-1 Fandom: How the Fans Made the Show Their Own https://www.tvfanatic.com/inside-the-9-1-1-fandom-how-the-fans-made-the-show-their-own/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/inside-the-9-1-1-fandom-how-the-fans-made-the-show-their-own/#comments Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=827805 Buck and Eddie assist on a pipe rescue during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6.

Plenty of TV shows have active fanbases, but 9-1-1's fandom is one of a kind. We're peeking behind the curtain at what makes it so special.

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I’ll be the first to admit that until getting swept up in the world of 9-1-1, it had been years since I’d properly seen the inside of a TV show fandom. 

As a result, there was a lot I’d missed about how it looks when fans are as deeply committed to a series as the people who love this “silly firefighter show,” as it’s affectionately called.

From ‘ships to social media wars, fanfictions to fanart, and everything in between, 9-1-1 is treated almost like a religion to loyal fans, and they’ve managed to turn the show into something entirely their own.

(Disney/Mike Taing)

The elephant in the proverbial room is, of course, Buddie — the ship name for Buck and Eddie.

As fans pointed out the first time I wrote about the duo, the ship name was coined not by viewers but by the actors themselves in a public online exchange between Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark.

For years, firefighters Buck and Eddie have been best friends and partners (not only in work but also in life, as seen in the way they support each other in every aspect of their personal and professional lives).

Watching the show carefully, it’s easy to see why people have interpreted their relationship as being romantic. 

9-1-1 is full of meaningful platonic friendships, which makes the stark difference in how Buck and Eddie are written all the more obvious.

But arguably, the most fascinating thing about Buddie is the way the show’s most engaged fans interact with the idea of a couple who aren’t (yet) together in that way.

Bobby and Brad share a hug during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 7.
(Disney/Carlos Lopez-Calleja)

A quick search of the internet’s largest fanfiction website for works featuring the relationship between Buck and Eddie reveals that over 34,000 stories have been written with a Buddie romance at the center.

More than 49,000 stories (fics, as they’re called in fandom spaces) have been written about the show as a whole, so it’s not just about Buddie.

People genuinely love this show and are driven to expand it however they can.

On Twitter/X, a subcommunity referred to as “911twt” is active around the clock, even when the show is on hiatus. Thousands of people regularly post about 9-1-1.

Whether they share fics or expertly crafted fanart of their favorite characters, the community is generally supportive and friendly as they bond over the show.

But with passion about anything comes strong opinions, and like with any fandom, there are lines in the sand.

Athena listens in to her rookie during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 7.
(Disney/Christopher Willard )

Sometimes, the fandom argues about whether Buck’s ex-boyfriend, Tommy (Lou Ferrigno, Jr.), deserved a clean slate after being racist and misogynistic toward Hen and Chimney in early seasons.

The conversation is often serious about issues with real-world impacts, like the consequences of recharacterizing Gerrard as a silly source of comedic relief without addressing his bigotry.

Writing choices like that don’t go unnoticed, and 9-1-1 fans aren’t afraid to be vocal about their criticisms, even when it comes to their favorite show.

One topic that comes up frequently is the intersection of how beloved Athena (Angela Bassett) is and how difficult it is for people to connect with police storylines.

Hen arrives to the scene on 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 5.
(Disney/Mike Taing)

And then there’s the fact that virtually every major storyline involving Hen and Karen has had them suffering in unimaginable ways, despite how badly fans want to see the Wilson family happy.

But the discourse isn’t always heavy — there’s a lot of joy in talking about less severe topics, too.

That’s when the disagreements take a lighter tone. These days, there’s a big debate about whether Buck is a blonde or a brunette, which — thanks to Twitter/X user @bisasterbuckley — evolved into edited photos depicting Buck as bald circulating on the timeline.

Back when 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1 aired, there were very passionate discussions about Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman) and the new mustache he was sporting.

The flavor-saver may not have lasted long, but self-proclaimed “Eddie Mustache Truthers” have taken to editing the mustache on stills from recent scenes — the ‘stache lives on.

There’s a fair amount of not-safe-for-work stuff going on within the fandom, too, from sexually explicit fanfiction and art to speculation about characters’ kinks and roles in the bedroom.

Buck and Eddie look at something together during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6.
(Disney/Mike Taing)

Some folks have even veered into controversial territory, engaging in “real person fiction,” or RPF — a concept where fans ship the actual actors themselves. In this case, it’s Ryan and Oliver in the hot seat rather than Eddie and Buck.

But more than the controversies, debates, ‘ships, and what-ifs, the fandom is focused on 9-1-1’s heart, which is its representation of the found family trope.

One of my favorite tropes in media is found families on TV, which gives fans hope that there’s a way to fit in with people who love you even if you weren’t born into it.

All of the main characters explore the meaning of found family in different ways, which translates easily to fans who each bring their own experiences to their interpretation of the show.

There’s Buck, who never felt wanted or loved by his parents; Eddie, who always had to do what was expected of him to earn his family’s love; Bobby, whose past haunted him to the point of feeling undeserving of love.

Then we have Hen, whose trauma has often been downplayed by her family, and Chimney, whose mother died and left him with a father who wasn’t much concerned with him.

Hen and Chimney chat in the field during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 4.
(Disney/Christopher Willard )

Without those varied experiences, the found family at the 118 wouldn’t be as powerful, and its depth is what resonates so deeply with fans.

As the years and seasons have passed, 9-1-1 fans all over the internet have become such an integral part of the show that their presence is felt on the screen in some ways.

These folks have managed to predict major plot lines with stunning accuracy based on intricate theories they’ve built together over the years.

For example, when ABC released stills for 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6 showing Buck wearing a green shirt, fans immediately guessed that Buck and Tommy would be breaking up in that episode.

Why? Because in all of Buck’s major breakup scenes, he’s been dressed in a green shirt — a trend noticed several seasons ago by Tumblr users @lover-of-mine and @stagefoureddiediaz.

They were right; the relationship ended by the time the credits rolled, and that wasn’t even the only major plot point they’d predicted.

Buck strikes a pose in the kitchen during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6.
(Disney/Ray Mickshaw)

Other theories have crept into the writers’ room — whether they have actually impacted any stories remains to be seen, but showrunner Tim Minear has confirmed that he’s aware of the popular “couch theory.”

(In a nutshell, the couch theory is that couches are a metaphor for the overarching relationship between Buck and Eddie.)

Fanfiction, video edits, and art have all made their way into the hands of the show’s stars, a fact that was partly revealed when Oliver Stark admitted that he and Ryan Guzman had seen Buddie fanfiction. 

Stark joked in an interview with Decider about seeing some fan-made Buddie edits that led to him “weeping in the shower” before firmly saying that he’d support a Buddie endgame if it were written.

Still, the writers and the stars alike know how fans feel about a slow-burn romance between Buck and Eddie, and they’re careful to avoid making promises they can’t keep.

In many ways, the show’s cast and crew have formed a relationship with its most devoted fans, wanting to deliver the best possible story while simultaneously protecting fans from feeling led on or baited.

Maddie listens in as her brother vents during 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6.
(Disney/Ray Mickshaw)

Having been lucky enough to interact within the 9-1-1 fandom as both a fan and a journalist who occasionally talks about the show, I’ve felt enchanted by how this community interacts.

With the same sort of casual internet closeness that can be found in many online circles, 9-1-1 fans tend to act like a found family of their own.

There can be a bit of angst in the community, as is expected in a space full of people who love something this much, but there’s something to be said about finding joy wherever you are.

In a fandom where juice has come to represent joy, Tuesdays are for pre-dinner ice cream, and costume choices send viewers into spirals, there’s never a dull moment — and it’s perfect the way it is.

(Author’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect credit to Tumblr and Twitter/X users who originated ideas mentioned above.)

Are you part of the 9-1-1 fandom?
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Watch 911 Online

9-1-1 returns Thursday, March 6 at 8/7c on ABC.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/inside-the-9-1-1-fandom-how-the-fans-made-the-show-their-own/feed/ 9 RYAN GUZMAN, OLIVER STARK 9-1-1 - “Confessions” - When a toddler falls down a pipe and becomes trapped, the 118 must rely on more than their skills to rescue him. Meanwhile, old wounds are opened when members of the 118 race to the aid of a man dealing with a divorce. THURSDAY, NOV. 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Mike Taing) RYAN GUZMAN, OLIVER STARK Bobby & Brad Hug It Out – 911 S08E07 Listening To The Rookie – 911 S08E07 Hen Arrives On Scene – 911 S08E05 Buck & Eddie Work Together – 911 S08E06 Chatting In The Field – 911 S08E05 Strike A Pose – 911 S08E06 Big Sister Listens – 911 S08E06 JustWatch
Why is Chicago Fire Shafting Stellaride? https://www.tvfanatic.com/why-is-chicago-fire-shafting-stellaride/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/why-is-chicago-fire-shafting-stellaride/#respond Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=826983 Lead photo for Chicago Fire 13x05 review

Chicago Fire's most prominent couple has taken a backseat lately, and fans are feeling antsy about it. Is Stellaride headed for disaster?

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Everybody loves a good first responder procedural, and it’s why Chicago Fire has seen such massive success.

The firehouse-focused NBC hit quickly spawned two equally popular spinoffs and continues to celebrate its accomplishments midway through its thirteenth season.

As much as the action keeps things interesting, there’s a large portion of the fanbase that tunes in each week for something else entirely.

Lead photo for Chicago Fire 13x05 review
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

I’ve gushed about this show’s strengths before, from its heartfelt friendships to its commitment to accuracy (fun fact: Anthony Ferraris, who plays Tony, is an actual CFD firefighter).

Fans love the show for a plethora of reasons, and with a dynamic cast and talented showrunner (Andrea Newman), it’s easy to understand the hype.

But if you zoom in a bit, looking past the general audience of casual Wednesday night viewers and focusing on the fandom, it’s hard to miss the Stellaride-shaped beacon that keeps the most devoted fans engaged.

The relationship was complicated and it took time for them to get where they are, but Kidd and Severide figured it out, and nearly a decade in are now happily married.

They’re the couple at the front of the cast, a leading pair that rivals Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith and Derek.

So why has Stellaride’s relationship been stuck on the back burner?

Coffee Break - Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 3
(Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)

Each week, excited fans wait for glimpses of Stellaride, whether that looks like intimate moments in the bunks, words of encouragement for each other at work, or steamy scenes in their loft.

But more often than not, those moments are fleeting, and it seems like they’re coming less and less frequently.

The most surprising aspect of the choice to sideline the show’s main couple is that Chicago Fire Season 12 ended with bombshell reveals that set up a Stellaride-centric follow-up season.

Instead of diving in to explore their clashing opinions on when and whether to have a baby, or digging further into the impact that the latest secret Severide sibling had on their marriage, both of those storylines just … fizzled.

Other than a brief mention of the baby topic early this season (which was little more than Stella reminding Kelly that she’s not ready), the conversation seems to have been completely tabled.

That begs the question: why was Kelly’s confession about wanting a baby treated like a huge cliffhanger in Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 13?

Damon is covered in sweat.
(NBC/George Burns)

The Damon drama was over as quickly as it began, with Kelly bonding with his newly discovered brother, butting heads with him briefly, and then just never seeing him again.

Everyone seems totally fine with how that went down, by the way, since no one ever brings him up anymore.

Kidd and Severide have been seen together this season, but they haven’t been given much to work with, and that has left fans feeling disappointed.

By the time Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 ended, marking the end of the first half of the season, the fandom lit up social media with questions about why Severide wasn’t even in the episode.

Given the importance of the fall finale on network television, it was certainly an odd choice to have the show’s it-couple pushed to the background, half absent.

It’s hard to understand the decision when comparing Chicago Fire with other major shows.

Stellaride standing strong.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

I’m obviously not in the writers room, so come January, I’ll probably look pretty ridiculous if Stellaride takes center stage again and drives the narrative for the rest of the season.

But even if that happens, it’s still baffling to look at how little screen time the couple has had together lately, despite being relative newlyweds with a laundry list of potential storylines between them.

Tons of shows have blamed tight budgets for decisions like limiting character appearances, toning down storylines that need special effects, and culling casts.

Maybe budgetary concerns have played a role in the ever-dwindling Stellaride scenes in favor of focusing on new characters like Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) or Lizzie Novak (Jocelyn Hudon).

And if that’s the case, then that’s fair enough.

But at the end of the day, Stellaride is the heart of Chicago Fire, and it’s a disservice to their story and their characters to sideline the relationship.

Couple Working Together - Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9
(Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)

What say you, TV Fanatics?

Have you been put off by the lack of Stellaride scenes lately, or are you happy the show is focusing on other storylines?

Are Stella and Severide losing their appeal?
×

Let’s chat about it in the comments!

Chicago Fire will return on Wednesday, January 8, at 9/8c on NBC.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/why-is-chicago-fire-shafting-stellaride/feed/ 0 chicago fire 13×05 review lead photo Coffee Break – Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 3 Stella and her fella Kelly have a coffee break together. Damon-Chicago-Fire-S13E02-GB Stellaride-Chicago-Fire-S13E02 Couple Working Together – Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9 Severide, Kidd, and Van Meter investigate a fire at a recording studio; Kylie helps James keep a secret from Boden; Mouch struggles to maintain boundaries with a paramedicine client. JustWatch
Chicago Fire Season 13 Midseason Report Card: Best Episode, Worst Ship, and More https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-midseason-report-card-best-episode-worst-ship-and-more/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-midseason-report-card-best-episode-worst-ship-and-more/#respond Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=825804 Stellaride - Lead Photo for Chicago Fire S13E02

Check out our Chicago Fire Season 13 Midseason Report Card for our picks of the best episode, worst ship, and most shocking moment so far!

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Now that we’re halfway through Chicago Fire Season 13, it’s time to rank some of its biggest moments so far.

A lot has happened over the first eight episodes, and not all of it has been as memorable as we’d hoped.

But overall, there has been more excitement and drama than downtime, and the season started off with a bang. Let’s get into it!

Stellaride - Lead Photo for Chicago Fire S13E02
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Best Episode: Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4

I’ve been pretty open about the fact that Violet and Lizzie are my favorite characters.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the best episode of the season so far largely centered the two of them. 

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4 was dramatic and intense, and it featured the Violet/Lizzie partnership in a big way.

With Violet’s job on the line after an impossible and risky decision on a call, Lizzie goes to great lengths to help her partner.

The episode showed that the two of them have each other’s backs in more ways than we thought, and that fact has only been reinforced as the season continued.

Worst Episode: Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7

Severide and Pascal are lit in blue.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

While Chicago Fire season 13 Episode 7 wasn’t inherently bad, it didn’t land quite the way we might have hoped.

Ideally, the episode would have answered more questions about Pascal’s past.

Unfortunately, all it did was give us more questions.

It mostly felt like filler as a result, which is fine — every episode can’t be a banger with massive plot points — but I’ve ranked it as the worst so far because it teased a ton of clarity that it ultimately didn’t deliver.

Most Shocking Moment: Lizzie Loses It on a Call

Lizzie helps a patient.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Since her introduction on Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9, paramedic Lyla “Lizzie” Novak has been nothing but competent and capable on the job.

She’s had a few emotional moments, but for the most part, she’s kept things pretty close to the vest.

Until this season’s fall finale, that is.

At long last, a Lizzie-centric episode gave us a hint into her history — she’s the child of a parent who died by suicide, leaving her with a lifetime of trauma and abandonment issues.

So when she and Violet arrive on a call involving a suicide attempt, Lizzie sort of breaks into pieces, screaming at the victim nonsensically as she clearly conflates him with her loved one.

The scene itself was graphic and horrible, and Lizzie’s breakdown was a shock after months of experiencing a pretty stoic character.

Biggest Missed Opportunity: Stellaride Development 

Stellaride standing strong.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Last season, Severide confessed to Stella that he’d like to consider starting a family, leaving us on a huge cliffhanger for the fan favorite couple.

Despite a full eight episodes behind us already on Chicago Fire Season 13, the topic has only come up once since.

Stella briefly mentioned that she wasn’t ready to be a mom, Kelly responded that he wasn’t going to pressure her, and then the issue was dropped.

And other than a couple of quick moments, the couple has barely interacted at all this season.

There has been plenty of time for development of the most beloved ship on the show, but for some reason, nothing has happened between the two of them.

Hopefully, the second half of the season will bring more attention to Stellaride. 

Biggest Unanswered Question: Chief Pascal’s History

Pascal arrives on scene.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

From the moment Dermot Mulroney was announced as a new Chicago Fire cast addition, I was practically vibrating with excitement.

He’s always been one of my favorite actors, from My Best Friend’s Wedding to New Girl and everything in between, and I was stoked to see what he’d bring to this show.

Don’t get me wrong; I do like the character, but Dom Pascal is still — half a season in — shrouded in mystery and hard to read.

Whatever happened to him in Miami has been brought up a few times in vague references, but little has been done to shed light on the events that brought Pascal back to Chicago.

There’s a good chance that the mystery is building up to something monumental when the show returns, so there’s plenty of time to get answers.

But going into the hiatus, we’re just as confused about Pascal’s past as ever.

Best New Character: Monica Pascal

KaDee Strickland on Chicago Fire as Monica Pascal.
(Peacock/Screenshot)

KaDee Strickland joined the cast this season along with Dermot Mulroney, and the two play spouses in a rather complicated marriage.

The dynamic between Dom and Monica (Domica?) is difficult to get a read on, honestly.

They’re often pretty toxic toward each other, and it’s almost like the pendulum swings to extremes from episode to episode.

They’re either being wildly codependent and turned on by each other’s toxic behavior, or they’re being hateful and vaguely controlling.

Either way, it usually ends in heat and sex, and that’s … something.

Best Ship: Violet and Flynn

Steven Strait as Flynn Calhoun on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 6.
(Peacock/Screenshot)

Until the writers deliver the Violet and Lizzie romance I’m hopelessly yearning for, I’m on board with Violet’s current relationship with Flynn.

Steven Strait plays Violet’s attractive, attentive, and thoughtful new boyfriend, and it seems things are going well.

So well, in fact, that Violet’s coworkers have picked up on a change in her demeanor.

She’s softened up quite a bit, leaning into sweet moments and romantic stories, and even called Flynn her boyfriend.

After everything she’s been through, it’s a beautiful thing to see Violet so happy.

Here’s hoping the news of Carver and Tori’s breakup doesn’t do anything to derail that.

Worst Ship: Carver and Tori

Carver and his toxic relationship with Tori gets worse.
(Peter Gordon/NBC)

I don’t know a single person who enjoyed the relationship between Carver and Tori.

In fact, on Wednesday nights, complaints about the two of them were all over the internet each time they shared the screen.

It’s not fair to blame it all on Tori, because Carver was a willing participant in the entire mess. 

But suffice it to say, we’re all thrilled that it’s over.

Most Underdeveloped Ship: Ritter and Dwayne

Ritter holds a cup of coffee at the station.
(NBC/Elizabeth Sisson)

With only one LGBTQ+ relationship on Chicago Fire, queer fans are begging for more of Ritter and Dwayne.

Save for a few quick appearances from the cop, we’re mostly only given peeks into the relationship via Ritter asking his friends for advice.

Now that Dwayne wants to cohabitate, a fact we only know because Ritter complained about it at work, there’s some drama between them.

But knowing there’s drama going on off screen isn’t the same as getting to see the couple navigate their relationship.

Ritter is one of the most interesting (and most underused) characters on the show, and his relationship with Dwayne would be a great way to flesh out his character more.

Funniest Storyline: Mouch Fights a Bird

Mouch looks interested behind the wheel of the truck.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Mouch has always been able to bring comic relief to any Chicago Fire episode, but he outdid himself this time.

I don’t think I could’ve predicted a “Mouch has beef with a pigeon” storyline for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 6, but I’m sure glad it happened.

Most of the time, it was funny and over-the-top in a good way, Mouch fighting a bird he felt was attacking him while Capp and Tony gave him grief.

But as usual, there was a wholesome resolution when Mouch realized the bird just wanted to protect her eggs.

The moment Mouch chose peace and became a surrogate dad to those eggs was the moment I remembered how ridiculous and sweet this show can be.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Midseason Grade: B

Mouch, Ritter, Stella, and Carver respond to a call.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Overall, I’m giving the season a solid B so far.

It’s been funny, tense, dramatic, and mysterious, and most of the characters are getting adequate development.

What are your thoughts?  How would you grade the first half of the season?

Grade Chicago Fire Season 13 Episodes 1-8!
×

Let me know in the comments if I missed any big moments!

Chicago Fire will return on Wednesday, January 8 at 9/8c on NBC.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Midseason Report Card: Best Episode, Worst Ship, and More appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-midseason-report-card-best-episode-worst-ship-and-more/feed/ 0 Stellaride Chicago Fire S13E02 Lead (PG) Severide-and-Pascal-Chicago-Fire-13×07 lizzie-2-chicago-fire-13×08 Stellaride-Chicago-Fire-S13E02 Pascal-2-Chicago-Fire-13×06 kadee strickland chicago fire 13×08 Steven Strait Chicago Fire 13×06 peacock Chicago Fire – S13E06 CHICAGO FIRE -- "Birds of Prey" Episode 1306 -- Pictured: Jake Lockett as Sam Carver -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC) ritter-chicago-fire-13×08 /Mouch-Chicago-Fire-13×06 mouch-ritter-stella-carver-chicago-fire-13×08 JustWatch
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Midseason Report Card: Best Episode, Worst ‘Ship, and More https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-midseason-report-card-best-episode-worst-ship-and-more/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-midseason-report-card-best-episode-worst-ship-and-more/#respond Mon, 02 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=825801 Lead photo for Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 5 Review. Lucas, Simone, Blue, and Jules head into the hospital.

We're reviewing the biggest moments from the first half of the season in our Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Midseason Report Card. Check it out!

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By now, you’d think Grey’s Anatomy would have run out of things to do.

Somehow, Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 has been just as full of twists and turns as any earlier season, despite the fact that almost no one from the original cast remains.

At this point, we’re halfway through the season, so it’s time to rank and review its most memorable (and least satisfying) moments so far.

Best Episode: Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8

Lead photo for Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 5 Review. Lucas, Simone, Blue, and Jules head into the hospital.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Maybe it’s a cop-out, but the Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 really did deliver almost everything I could’ve asked for in such a meaningful episode.

High-stakes surgeries, relationship drama, emotional goodbyes, and impactful dialogue all made the hour thrilling and entertaining.

We got everything from a rare hint about Amelia’s backstory to a devastating scene between Jules and Mika.

It’s quite on-brand for Grey’s Anatomy’s best episodes to be tragic and heartbreaking, so we can’t say we’re surprised.

But genuinely, it’s been a while since I felt as emotionally pulled apart as I did after this episode, and that’s a credit to both the writers and actors for bringing the story to life.

Worst Episode: Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 5

Levi talks to James.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Sometimes, a promo trailer hypes up the most intense moments of an episode and it serves to make those scenes all the more exciting when they happen.

Other times, as was the case with Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 5, the promo shows the most intense moments, and then the rest of the episode falls flat as a result.

In preparation for this installment, we were shown a scene where Levi and Adams are going down in a helicopter, but that’s … not what happened.

Sure, there was turbulence, but the chopper made a safe emergency landing and everyone was fine.

Plenty of other moments, as outlined in my review of the episode, just seemed to fizzle out when they could’ve exploded into something exciting.

The hour was one buildup to disappointment after another, and it’s probably not one we’ll bother to rewatch.

Most Shocking Moment: Chloe’s Death in Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7

Owen assesses the patient.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Knowing that Midori Francis (Yasuda) was being written out of the show, I wasn’t surprised at all when Mika and her sister, Chloe, were in a horrible car crash.

My theory at the time was that they would both suffer life-threatening injuries, Chloe would need an organ transplant as a result, and Mika’s last act would be one of love as she donated her organ and then died of her injuries.

Sure, it was an elaborate theory, but this is Grey’s Anatomy, so I didn’t think it was that wild.

To my great shock, the storyline spared Mika’s life, opting to have Chloe die instead on Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7.

They still needed to write out Mika, so it seemed that killing her off was the obvious answer.

Plus, how much would it suck to be 22, have stage 3 cancer, and then die in a car crash mid-treatment? Harsh.

Biggest Cliffhanger: Jo and Lucas are Held at Gunpoint in Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8

Jo is terrified in the face of a potential shooting.
(ABC/Screenshot)

This is probably obvious, but the convenience store shooting is my pick for the biggest cliffhanger of the midseason.

Jo and Lucas are an unlikely pair for a near-death experience, but they do their best to lean on each other anyway.

As the episode closes with a gunshot, seemingly aimed right at Lucas’s abdomen, we’re left to wonder about his fate.

Jo, who is pregnant with twins, started bleeding at some point during the holdup, so now we have to worry about the fate of her pregnancy as well.

I’ve said it before, but I never expect a happy, painless outcome with pregnancies on this show. I hope this one goes better than I expect it will.

Historically, most main characters have survived gunshots: Derek, Burke, Alex, and Owen. Fingers crossed, Lucas gets the same treatment!

Biggest Missed Opportunity: A Monica and Amelia Relationship

Amelia and Monica flirt after a shift.
(ABC/Anne Marie Fox)

I’ve already waxed poetic about how underused Amelia Shepherd is on this show, but I’ll still take a minute to complain about the Monmelia ship.

The chemistry between the two of them is electric, and it seemed like we were being set up for a slow-burn romance.

But the thing about a slow burn is that it needs to actually burn, and there have been so few Monmelia moments so far this season that they haven’t had much opportunity to do so.

I’m all for a slow burn, but I’d like to see more mutual pining, more stolen glances, and a lingering touch or two just to keep the fire lit.

Most Emotional Performance: Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda

Mika welcomes Chloe to Seattle.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

I hope the Emmy nominators are paying attention because Midori Francis delivered some of the most emotionally impactful performances I’ve seen on Grey’s Anatomy in a while.

First, on learning about Chloe’s death, Mika fell apart in a moment of uncontained grief that felt raw, real, and relatable.

Then, during the fall finale, she followed with several incredible scenes portraying grief and love.

Driven mad by her loss, Mika screamed and begged for Bailey to “save her,” heartbreakingly conflating the male patient currently coding with her late sister.

Throughout the episode, Francis delivered more devastating moments, culminating in a goodbye scene between Mika and Jules that ripped my heart to shreds.

She’ll be missed on this show, but her performance as Yasuda has convinced me to follow Francis’s career wherever it goes.

Best Ship: JulesMika

Mika and Jules share a charged moment.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Has this report card devolved into a Mika and Jules stan piece? Oops.

Honestly, though, a lot of the ships this season have left me underwhelmed.

James and Levi were great, and I’m glad they weren’t plagued by tragedy. But the depth of Mika and Jules’s relationship was palpable.

Clearly, their chemistry was amazing, and there was always heat between them.

The moment I knew they were the perfect pair, though, was when they decided to be friends because Mika couldn’t handle a relationship after her sister’s diagnosis.

The love Jules has for her, to continue showing up for her in whatever capacity she needs, is the kind of love we’d all be lucky to have.

Worst Ship: Teddy and Owen 

Teddy looks surprised, and so does Owen in the background.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Owen sucks.

Teddy’s not much better.

They’re both canonically cheaters, their relationship is rarely good, and most of the time they’re on screen together is spent fighting.

In the first half of the season, their marriage takes center stage as new characters (played by Sophia Bush and Floriana Lima) show up to complicate things for them both.

Forgive me, but I’m a mom to a toddler, so the quote that comes to mind is from the only show I have seen more than Grey’s Anatomy: Bluey.

“Aaand … why should I care?” – Unicorse

Weirdest Character Decision: Levi Moves to Texas

Levi is reminded why he loves working in peds.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Grey’s Anatomy has always been socially aware, even if it’s been problematic at times.

Often, they’ve even dedicated storylines to highlighting real-world political and human rights issues.

With that in mind, I am baffled at the decision to send Levi — the show’s only current gay male character — to Texas, of all places.

It’s not exactly known as a safe haven for queer people.

They could have sent him anywhere in the world but chose a state that many LGBTQ+ people are actively trying to leave in the current political climate.

It was a weird choice, is all I’m saying.

Greys Anatomy Season 21 Midseason Grade: C

Simone stares at Jules.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Despite some genuinely incredible moments, this season has left me wanting for more.

Some of the best Grey’s Anatomy characters have now left the show, and many of the characters who are still there are just not that exciting. 

Still, I have high hopes that the second half of the season will turn things around and focus on the stories and characters that I care about.

So, what do you think of Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 so far? Give us your grade!

Grade Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episodes 1-8
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Let’s link up in the comments — let me know if I missed any of the best (or worst) moments!

Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, March 6, at 10/9c on ABC.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-midseason-report-card-best-episode-worst-ship-and-more/feed/ 0 greys anatomy 21×05 review lead levi-and-james-greys-anatomy-21×05 Owen-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Jo Grey’s Anatomy 21×08 amelia and monica greys anatomy 21×05 Sisters-Greys-Anatomy-21×04 Jules-and-Mika-Greys-Anatomy-21×06 teddy altman grey’s anatomy 21×08 Levi-Greys-Anatomy-21×06 Simone-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 JustWatch
Grey’s Anatomy is Wasting Potential by Not Centering Amelia Shepherd https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-is-wasting-potential-by-not-centering-amelia-shepherd/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-is-wasting-potential-by-not-centering-amelia-shepherd/#comments Fri, 29 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=825787 Amelia Shepherd smiles outside the hospital.

Grey's Anatomy has tons of dynamic new characters, but are they missing opportunities by ignoring one veteran of the show?

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Over the past two decades, dozens of characters have come and gone on Grey’s Anatomy.

I’ve loved tons of them; I’ve hated a few of them, too.

But one main character has been criminally underdeveloped, underused, and misunderstood for years, and it’s time we talked about it.

Amelia Shepherd smiles outside the hospital.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Amelia Frances Shepherd, M.D., F.A.C.S.

The thing about Amelia is that she’s something of a polarizing character, and I think that largely stems from the fact that Grey’s Anatomy has done nothing to honor her backstory.

I’ve talked with those Grey’s fans who dislike Amelia, and the consensus seems to be that she’s boring, noncommittal, and underdeveloped.

But those who have also seen Grey’s Anatomy’s first spinoff series, Private Practice, know that Amelia has a whole history that the flagship show has all but brushed under the rug.

Private Practice introduced Amelia in 2010 during its third season, and she joined the main cast by the following year. 

Once Private Practice ended, the character moved to Seattle and put down roots, officially becoming a recurring character on Grey’s Anatomy in 2013.

I’m not going to tell you her entire backstory in detail because we’d be here for days if I tried, but I do think some highlights are important enough to mention.

Omelia Work together - Grey's Anatomy Season 20 Episode 5
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox (ABC))

At first glance, Amelia Shepherd looks like something of a nepo baby.

She’s the youngest sister of world-famous neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (whose specialty she focused her career on, too).

She has three other siblings, all of whom are doctors. 

Her mother was a nurse in the Navy, while her father was a small business owner.

But trauma started early for Amelia, and for some reason, the hits continued to come for most of her life.

Because, you know, watching her father get murdered in front of her when she was five years old wasn’t enough, apparently.

Tension with New Doc - tall - Grey's Anatomy Season 20 Episode 3
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox (ABC))

A Lifetime of Pain and Suffering

Grey’s Anatomy has briefly shown details of Amelia’s history with addiction, but it was on Private Practice that the dark story played out.

If I cried a couple dozen times watching Amelia hit rock bottom and then beat the odds, that’s my business.

Grey’s fans know that Amelia lost her father at a young age, and her brother’s death was a major plot point for the show, but other than a couple of subtle mentions, her other losses have rarely come up.

Here’s a nutshell review of the biggest traumas Amelia faced in less than three seasons on the spinoff:

Amelia Talks to Meredith - Grey's Anatomy Season 20 Episode 9
(ABC (Hulu screenshot))
  • Her close friend received a terminal diagnosis and tasked Amelia with helping her die on her own terms.
  • She relapsed on drugs, a period that nearly cost her her friends, her career, and her life.
  • While in bed next to Amelia, her fiancé died of an accidental drug overdose after taking drugs they’d obtained using Amelia’s prescription pad.
  • After her fiancé’s death, Amelia learned she was pregnant with his baby. 
  • Before she could wrap her head around how devastating that was, her baby was diagnosed with anencephaly while in utero — meaning her baby would be born without a brain, and his condition was incompatible with life.
  • After giving birth, Amelia held her baby for 43 minutes and named him Christopher before sending him away to donate his organs.
Securing Funds - Grey's Anatomy
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox (ABC))

Amelia Has Overcome the Odds

Obviously, this list doesn’t even touch on the things she’s been through since starting on Grey’s Anatomy full-time.

Despite the frankly bizarre and disturbing number of serious tragedies Amelia has suffered, she has grown into a stable, kind, and successful woman.

She’s had a son, Scout, whom she co-parents amicably with her ex. She’s the chief of neurosurgery at Grey Sloan.

Given her backstory, you’d think she’d be one of the most active and interesting characters on the show.

So why do the writers keep pushing her to the background?

Sam and Amelia
(ABC/KAREN NEAL)

The opportunities for developing Amelia’s character are virtually endless.

She’s canonically queer, having had meaningful relationships or crushes on people of all genders.

Romantically, her potential is wide open.

Her long, dynamic history on the show, and more broadly, in the Grey’s/Private Practice universe, makes her the perfect candidate to replace Meredith as the show’s lead.

So why haven’t they done just that?

Instead, the writers have moved away from the idea of a lead at all, sometimes making the show feel disjointed as a result.

New at Saint Ambrose
(ABC/RANDY HOLMES)

Amelia Shines When It’s Her Time

I don’t deny that in past seasons, Amelia has been given a few important storylines.

Her relationship with Kai Bartlett, the show’s first main non-binary character, was groundbreaking.

Her time mentoring Betty/Brittany, the teen mom struggling with addiction, was a powerful reminder of how far Amelia has come in her own journey.

And, of course, her friendship with Richard has been a big part of his story, finally having someone at the hospital who understands his past and offers a friendly ear of support when needed.

It’s not just that it’s been years since Amelia has been a focal point of the show; it’s that even when she was, she seemed to exist to further other Grey’s Anatomy characters’ storylines.

Other than her own brain tumor and the one she miraculously took out of Nicole Herman (Geena Davis), how many stories has Amelia had that were just about her?

At Seattle Grace
(ABC/KELSEY MCNEAL)

Amelia’s Stories Revolve Around Everyone Else

We rarely see her with her son, Scout, who is often instead being used mostly to show how Link and Jo navigate parenting together.

Her first son, Christopher, rarely gets so much as a passing mention.

She never speaks of her own losses unless it’s to tie into something happening with another character, most recently with Lucas in the convenience store.

Hopeful fans (myself included) have been eyeing Amelia’s interactions with new peds surgeon Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales), looking for a slow-burn romance between the two.

But halfway through Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, we’re no closer to seeing the two department chiefs together.

While the rest of the season is undoubtedly already meticulously mapped out, my sincere hope for Amelia is that she’ll be dusted off and brought to the forefront by the time the credits roll on the season finale.

Amelia Photo
(ABC/JORDIN ALTHAUS)

With a history like Amelia’s and the unbelievable talent that Caterina Scorsone brings to the table, it’s truly a waste to hide this character under all her potential.

Tell Us How You Feel!

What say you, Grey’s fans?

Do you think Amelia deserves more screen time, or is it better to focus on other characters as the show goes on?

How Do You Feel About Amelia Shepherd?
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Let’s chat in the comments!

Grey’s Anatomy will return on Thursday, March 6, at 10/9c on ABC

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-is-wasting-potential-by-not-centering-amelia-shepherd/feed/ 3 Amelia Shepherd Grey’s Anatomy 21×05 Omelia Work together – Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Episode 5 Owen and Amelia work together on a case and pull off a huge procedure that leaves them invigorated. Tension with New Doc – tall – Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Episode 3 Amelia has some tension with the new attending who surfaces at Grey Sloan Memorial during "Walking on the Ocean." Amelia Talks to Meredith – Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Episode 9 Amelia shares concerns about the implications of her research. Securing Funds – Grey’s Anatomy Meredith and Amelia work to secure funds for their research while Amelia finds herself at odds with a new attending. Sam and Amelia Sam talks to Amelia in this season finale scene. The Private Practice episode is titled "Gone, Baby, Gone." New at Saint Ambrose Matt Long, reporting for duty! The actor debuts on the Private Practice episode "You Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone." At Seattle Grace Hey, we know them! Private Practice takes a trip here to Seattle Grace. Amelia Photo Amelia reacts here to an intervention staged by her friends. She isn't exactly receptive to the idea when first presented with it. JustWatch
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 Review: Drop It Like It’s Hot https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-episode-8-review-drop-it-like-its-hot/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-episode-8-review-drop-it-like-its-hot/#comments Fri, 22 Nov 2024 05:34:27 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=824704 Ben Warren runs through the hospital in the lead photo for Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 review.

Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 is the fall finale, and we got everything we needed to wait out the break with bated breath. Our review!

The post Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 Review: Drop It Like It’s Hot appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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It’s official; Grey’s Anatomy just wrapped for the midseason break, and boy, did the latest episode leave us with a lot to think about until spring.

The first few minutes were deceptively lackluster, with a confusing November heat wave and a six-week time jump to set the stage.

But after that, the rest of the hour kept up a steady pace, with scenes ranging from eyebrow-raisers to jaw-droppers. Let’s get into it!

Ben Warren runs through the hospital in the lead photo for Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8 review.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Callbacks on Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8

I’ve mentioned it before, but this season has been stuffed full of callbacks, hints, and subtle references to older Grey’s Anatomy storylines.

This episode kept up the trend with several moments that felt nostalgic.

The most obvious example involved putting Lucas in the center of a convenience store gunpoint robbery, making him the third generation of men in his family to face a gun-related death (or near-death experience).

You may recall from earlier seasons that Christopher Shepherd (father of Derek, Amelia, and their other three sisters — one of whom is Lucas’s mother) died when his own convenience store was robbed at gunpoint.

Derek and Amelia were small children and both were present at the time of their father’s death, marking the first of many major traumas for the two of them.

Years later, Derek would face his own brush with death after a mass shooter in the hospital targeted him on Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 24.

Lucas panics when a shooter enters the store.
(ABC/Screenshot)

Suffice it to say, Lucas ending up in this position was probably inevitable, given his family history.

More (Yes, More) Callbacks

The convenience store employee (Gladys) couldn’t keep her eyes off of Jo and Lucas while the gunman was trained on her, leading to him clocking the doctors’ presence and foiling their escape plan.

That moment felt awfully reminiscent of the time during the mass shooting when Bailey tried to hide from Gary, only to be caught because Charles wouldn’t stop looking at her under the bed.

Our memory was also jogged a bit during the moment a grieving Mika reached out to Jules, seeking physical comfort, and virtually begging when Jules tried to redirect her.

On Grey’s Anatomy Season 4 Episode 15, Alex said goodbye to Rebecca when she was hospitalized for her mental health, and he sought comfort for Izzie in much the same way Mika did in the latest episode.

Plus, the patient Amelia and Winston operated on received a surgery that looked a lot like Joe’s standstill surgery during Grey’s Anatomy Season 2!

Jo is terrified in the face of a potential shooting.
(ABC/Screenshot)

There are definitely some Grey’s fans who are disappointed in what they consider to be recycled storylines, but I find them comforting in a way.

It’s nice to know that the show remembers its roots and can continue developing characters and their stories by leaning on a history that has already been built.

While there are plenty of reasons to gripe about the directions the show has taken in recent years, their commitment to threading new stories into old ones is part of the reason the series is still enjoyable.

When Will Amelia Get to be Happy?

Look, Amelia Shepherd is my favorite character on this show.

I think she’s criminally misunderstood and underutilized, and while I’m grateful they brought her over after Private Practice ended, I don’t think Grey’s has done a great job of migrating her history with her.

This fall finale proved that even when they do highlight Amelia, they do it in a way that makes her suffer.

Bailey stands by during her shift.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Once upon a time, she grieved openly about how every man she’s ever loved has died. Her father, her brother, her fiance, and her son were all taken from her in horrible ways.

The latest terrifying cliffhanger put Jo and Lucas in danger and suggested that Lucas suffered a gunshot wound right before the credits rolled.

That means that when the show returns next year, Amelia will have to face the possibility of yet another man she loves dying horribly, and there won’t be anything she can do about it.

She also just dealt with an almost-panic attack during surgery, which is so incredibly out of character for Amelia that I couldn’t actually believe what I was seeing.

Amelia — competent, brilliant, confident Amelia, who deals with her fear and stress by striking a superhero pose and shifting into life-saving mode — is not someone who breaks down from nerves at the O.R. table.

While admittedly, it gave us a nice moment of camaraderie and friendship between Amelia and her sort-of-ex-brother-in-law, it kind of felt like a needless moment of struggle.

Dr. Beltran was annoyingly missing from the episode, so we didn’t even get any stolen glances or kisses or flirtatious moments between them for our trouble.

Owen stands outside the ER entrance.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Saying Goodbye to Another Fan Favorite

It was no secret that Midori Francis was leaving her role on Grey’s Anatomy this season, and Mika Yasuda’s arc finally came to a close during the fall finale.

Still in the painful grip of grief six weeks after her sister’s death, Mika returned to work despite the fact that she was still reeling from the trauma of her loss and her own brush with death.

Francis’s performance in this episode was nothing short of incredible, and her portrayal of how consuming grief is in the way it rearranges your very molecules was raw and beautiful.

Yasuda experienced a couple of moments where her grief overcame her, even going so far as to scream at Bailey while she ran a code, and it really looked like she was going to be written out of the show by way of a straitjacket.

Mercifully, the writers allowed Yasuda to come to terms with what she needed on her own. When Bailey offered her extended bereavement leave, Mika chose to resign instead.

The decision honored what Mika knew about herself, what she could handle, and what she needed to heal and move forward.

Teddy looks surprised, and so does Owen in the background.
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)

Telling Grief’s Story

Throughout the episode, Mika sought advice and comfort from people she trusted.

Bailey connected with the intern by sharing her experience of losing her mother.

Griffith offered a kind ear as Mika stared into the room where Chloe died, and the advice she gave her friend was a really profound truth about grief.

Mika asked Simone if she’d ever feel normal again, and Simone’s response was beautiful:

“I think this is your normal now, and every day, you’ll get a little more comfortable with it.”

From my own personal experience with loss, I’ve found that to be true. Things never really go back to normal, and you’re never the person you were before your loss.

Nora talks to Owen.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

But you keep going, and the loss gets weaved into your soul and becomes part of who you are, along with a million other things — good and bad.

The Worst Place to Be Pregnant is Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital

Not that I’m interested in getting pregnant again, but if I do, keep me the hell away from Seattle and this hospital.

We’ve seen these characters go through miscarriages, experience stillbirths, lose their children shortly after birth, and deal with just about every pregnancy complication under the sun.

Has the show allowed births that resulted in healthy babies? Sure, but even those deliveries were absurd.

Meredith had baby Bailey during a blackout, Bailey had Tucker while her husband was in brain surgery, Callie had Sofia prematurely after a near-fatal car accident, April had Harriet via a DIY C-section in Meredith’s living room … need I continue?

Anyway, the point is, I think we all knew that Jo’s pregnancy was destined to be dramatic in some way.

Floriana Lima returns to guest star as Nora on Grey's Anatomy.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

So, no one was surprised when she started bleeding and cramping while actively being held hostage at gunpoint.

We won’t find out her fate (or that of the twins) until next year, but a scare like that is terrifying enough even without the added stress of pregnancy.

My guess is that the story will somehow involve Jo feeling immense guilt for how she’s complained and worried about the pregnancy now that the twins are in danger, and I despise that trope.

Pregnancy is hard. It’s often scary, uncomfortable, and limiting. It’s sometimes painful, even excruciatingly so, and can be debilitating.

So if pregnant people can go through it, they deserve to complain about it, guilt-free.

Hopefully, Jo’s situation will provide a good enough reason for one Dr. Carina DeLuca to return, which has been on my wishlist since Station 19 ran its series finale.

Bits and Bobs

Ben is ready to get to work.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)
  • The tension between Beckman and Altman is clearly still there, and so is the heat between Owen and his friend Nora. Maybe the doors haven’t entirely closed on the Altman/Hunt open marriage idea?
  • It’s so good to have Ben back, but he’s still just as hot-headed and arrogant as he was before he became a firefighter. He always thinks he knows what’s best, and it’s never not gotten him into trouble.
  • Did Gladys skip the convenience store employee training day where they taught the whole “don’t be a hero” thing? Nothing in that safe is worth your life, Gladys!
  • I’m not thrilled about the Blue/Molly storyline, and I don’t think it’s fair for her to keep showing up while he’s working. I love Blue and want him to be happy, and he deserves better than this.
  • Far be it from me to say anything nice about Teddy, but I have to admit, she’s a highly qualified and effective chief.
Bailey waits for an ambulance to arrive.
( ABC/Screenshot)

That’s all for now, folks! Grey’s Anatomy will return with a new episode in the spring, but the conversations don’t stop here.

Stay tuned for my mid-season report card coming soon, and let’s chat in the comments about the season so far!

I also want to hear all your theories about how the rest of the season will go, so don’t be a stranger.

Rate Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 8
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Grey’s Anatomy will return on Thursday, March 6, at 10/9c on ABC.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-episode-8-review-drop-it-like-its-hot/feed/ 3 Grey’s Anatomy 21×08 Lead Photo Ben Warren Lucas Grey’s Anatomy 21×08 Jo Grey’s Anatomy 21×08 miranda bailey grey’s anatomy 21×08 owen hunt grey’s anatomy 21×08 teddy altman grey’s anatomy 21×08 nora 2 grey’s anatomy 21×08 nora grey’s anatomy 21×08 Ben-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Bailey Grey’s Anatomy 21×08 JustWatch
Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 Review: Quicksand https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-episode-8-review-quicksand/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-episode-8-review-quicksand/#comments Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:18:14 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=824321 Lead Photo for Chicago Fire 13x08

On the fall finale, Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 gave us a close look at the members of the 51 as they each navigate changes. Our review!

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 Review: Quicksand appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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(Content warning: this article discusses a scene that depicted a suicide attempt.)

It feels like the season just started, and it’s already time for Chicago Fire‘s midseason break. What is time, anyway?

Overall, the episode was enjoyable, a little stressful, and we finally got a morsel of insight into both Pascal and Lizzie’s characters after months of waiting.

Lead Photo for Chicago Fire 13x08
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Where in the world is Kelly Severide?

Notably, one main Chicago Fire character was missing this week.

Stellaride fans hoped for a sweet moment between Kelly and Stella to hold us over during the winter break. Sadly, Severide made no appearance.

The script explained away his absence with a casual mention of travel, but it still felt odd for him to be excluded from an episode as significant as the midseason finale.

We won’t have to wait long for his return — he’s in the promo for the next episode airing in January.

It’s also not the first time we’ve gone an episode (or more) without Severide.

Still, the 51 isn’t the same without him.

Lizzie helps a patient.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

The Lizzie-Centric We’ve Been Waiting For

I’ve made no secret of the fact that Lizzie Novak is my favorite character on the show, and this week was a bit of a treat.

From the opening scene, the episode centered Lizzie in a way she hasn’t been before.

It gave Jocelyn Hudon a chance to flex a little, and flex she did.

In a couple of emotional scenes, Lizzie’s walls started to come down, and we finally learned a little about where she came from.

Based on her reaction to a call, it’s assumed that one of her parents died by suicide when she was a child. Obviously, she’s still carrying a ton of trauma as a result.

The call in question was graphic, and social media circles are already buzzing about whether the network handled it appropriately.

Lizzie helps the team treat a patient.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Should Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 Have Included a Trigger Warning?

A trigger warning was not given to prep viewers for the graphic depiction of a suicide attempt that was shown midway through the episode. That was … a choice.

I’m a firm advocate for telling stories of mental health and suicide on television. However, I think viewers deserve a heads-up before they’re thrust into a scene so graphic.

Trigger warnings are easy to add, and they offer folks the opportunity to make an informed decision about the media they’re consuming.

Unfortunately, this particular scene came without any warning, presumably in a bid to have the audience feel a bit like Lizzie did when the door opened.

It was abrupt and clearly triggering for her, as evidenced by the way she shouted at the victim.

I wish the network had handled that with a little more care, but I have to give Jocelyn Hudon her flowers. She portrayed a trauma response incredibly realistically, and I felt my heart break watching her unravel.

Ritter looks serious mid-conversation.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Pascal, Exposed

After months of waiting, we finally got to see a little more of Pascal’s personal life. I now have a lot to chew on about this character.

I’ve been hot and cold about him all season long, I know.

In my defense, Pascal himself has been pretty hot and cold, and I could never quite get a feel for who he was as a person and as a chief.

After half a season spent oscillating between being wildly distrustful of the mysterious newcomer and hopelessly in love with him, I think this episode finally gave me the clarity I was looking for.

While there’s still a lot unsaid about his past, his history in Miami, and his relationship with his wife, we saw a new, more vulnerable side of Pascal in the fall finale.

He took the time to encourage Lizzie when she clearly needed it, allowed Fridge to hang around the station until the dog could go home to his owner, and offered Monica an olive branch after an argument.

Carver tends to a dog on a call.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Pascal is a Complex, Human Character

Each of those moments, soft and uncertain in their delivery, proved that Pascal is inherently a good person.

Whatever has happened to him has turned him into someone who is afraid to let people in, even his own wife.

That seems like a sensible enough explanation for why so many of his actions so far have seemed a little shady, so I’ve decided to operate under the assumption that Pascal just needs some time to warm up so he can thaw.

That said, his relationship with Monica leaves something to be desired. It’s a constant source of confusion for me when they’re on screen.

Our first glimpse of the couple showed Monica throwing Dom’s clothes out of the house. Now, eight episodes in, she tells him she doesn’t like being without him.

It baffles me that two people can be simultaneously codependent and emotionally distant, but these two pull it off.

Cruz and Tony hang out in the locker room.
(NBC/Elizabeth Sisson)

The Past Comes Back to Haunt Cruz

Cruz took center stage for a good portion of the hour, and it wasn’t as fun as when he accidentally stole a bicycle from a child.

Receiving threats of any kind? Objectively awful.

Receiving threats in the form of hollow bullet pendants filled with cremated human remains? Well, that’s downright ominous.

Naturally, it all came to a head quickly. Cruz was confronted with a horrifying explanation that was scarier than expected.

You may remember Cruz’s decision not to rescue Flaco Rodriguez, the leader of a dangerous gang called the Insane Kings, from way back on Chicago Fire Season 1 Episode 10.

It was a loaded decision, but he did what he felt he had to do for the greater good, and no one can blame him for that.

Sam and Stella on a call.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Except, maybe, for Flaco’s cousin.

Leon showed up at the station to tell Cruz that Junior, Flaco’s cousin and fellow member of the Insane Kings, is out of prison.

They don’t have confirmation that they’re in danger at first, but when Cruz is followed into a church by the man himself, the proof is laid bare.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger; Cruz stands in front of Junior looking terrified while Junior looks hell-bent on revenge.

I’ll be honest; I was waiting for a gunshot to close out the episode, but it never came.

It was still a harrowing scene, and it set Cruz up for a compelling storyline when the show returns next year.

Bits and Bobs from Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8

Ritter holds a cup of coffee at the station.
(NBC/Elizabeth Sisson)
  • Ritter’s anxiety about moving in with Dwayne is totally justified, but I do hope those two are able to meet each other in a compromise somehow.
  • I’m pretty sure Fridge was inserted as a plot device for two reasons: one, to soften our opinions of Carver after he’s been insufferable all season, and two, so he had an in to reveal that he and Tori finally split.
  • Mouch and Herrmann being grumpy old men and having a grumpy old friendship will always be so special to me. Mouch’s Certs made me think of my late grandfather — they’ve been “old man” mints for decades.
  • I’ve gone over it and over it, and I cannot come up with a reasonable explanation for Pascal preparing only one steak (what about Monica?) and choosing to bake it in the oven.
  • Violet’s choice to blow off a date without a second of hesitation in order to be there for Lizzy proved, once again, how incredible Chicago Fire’s friendships are.
  • I missed seeing Steven Strait in this episode, but the Violet/Lizzie moment was worth it.
Mouch, Ritter, Stella, and Carver respond to a call.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

As usual, a lot happened in this episode, and now we have to wait a painful seven weeks before Chicago Fire is back with a new installment.

For now, hit the comments with all your thoughts and theories so we can chat about the episode!

There’s time to binge the entire series if you’re due for a rewatch, and it might just be a good idea since the writers are bringing back storylines from so long ago.

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Chicago Fire will return on Wednesday, January 8, at 9/8c on NBC.

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Essential Viewing: 7 Movies and TV Shows Starring Chicago Fire Newcomer Steven Strait https://www.tvfanatic.com/essential-viewing-7-movies-and-tv-shows-starring-chicago-fire-newcomer-steven-strait/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/essential-viewing-7-movies-and-tv-shows-starring-chicago-fire-newcomer-steven-strait/#comments Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=823127 Steven Strait on Chicago Fire S13E06: Essential Viewing Lead

There's a new heartthrob on the Chicago Fire set, and his face is familiar. Here's where you may have seen Steven Strait before!

The post Essential Viewing: 7 Movies and TV Shows Starring Chicago Fire Newcomer Steven Strait appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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While it’s true that the One Chicago universe has had its fair share of memorable guest stars, I can’t say that I’ve been as excited about any of them as I am now.

The recent addition of actor and singer Steven Strait to Chicago Fire has given fans a little something extra to look forward to each week.

Now that Violet is finally ready for a new love interest, helpful-bystander-turned-romantic-prospect Flynn Calhoun is here to woo our favorite paramedic in charge.

Steven Strait on Chicago Fire S13E06: Essential Viewing Lead
(Peacock/Screenshot)

If Flynn looks familiar to you, it’s probably because Steven Strait’s extensive acting catalog has graced your screen in one way or another.

He started acting as a teenager, and even in his earliest roles, Strait stood out right away as a heartthrob.

He’s played everything from an angry super-powered teen hell-bent on avenging his father to a dreamy warlock in a film full of other dreamy warlocks.

In more recent years, he’s found success in starring TV roles on major hits like The Expanse.

We’re taking a look at some of Steven Strait’s most memorable roles.

Which is your favorite?

Flynn Calhoun on Chicago Fire

Steven Strait as Flynn Calhoun on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 6.
(Peacock/Screenshot)

I’ll be honest, the goatee threw me off, and I didn’t recognize Strait immediately when he showed up on Chicago Fire.

On this show, fan favorite Violet Mikami’s love life has been complicated thus far, and that’s putting it mildly.

She’s dealt with unimaginable grief after watching her boyfriend die, and then a situationship with another coworker that fizzled out horribly.

Since they met on a call, Flynn has taken Violet on a couple of dates, and we’ve seen some next-level wooing.

When he realized he’d have to cancel a date with Violet, he showed up to tell her in person so that she didn’t think she was being blown off by text. What a guy, am I right?

There’s no word yet on how long this relationship will last (or if it could be an endgame ship for the show), but we’ll happily continue to enjoy all the screen time Strait gets.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

Jim Holden on The Expanse

Steven Strait as Jim Holden in The Expanse.
(Prime Video/Screenshot)

As far as books-turned-TV-shows go, The Expanse is one of the most wildly successful examples of the genre.

Strait plays Jim Holden, captain of a spaceship called the Rocinante.

The show is set in the far future, and it can be a little hard to follow if you aren’t familiar with the source material, but it’s worth a binge.

In this futuristic universe, Strait’s character is the biological child of eight parents, who combined their DNA to create him and raised him on Earth (Montana, to be exact).

After he learned the truth that his conception was planned so he could inherit a losing battle for territory, Holden ran away and joined the Navy, got himself discharged, and then escaped … to space.

If you’re into sci-fi, have a penchant for characters who will turn themselves inside out for what they believe is right, and have time to work through six seasons of TV, The Expanse is a great option.

Watch The Expanse Online

Warren Peace in Disney’s Sky High

Steven Strait as Warren Peace in Sky High (2005).
(Disney/Screenshot)

Picture it.

The year is 2005. Miniskirts worn over jeans are considered fashionable and the first video ever has just been uploaded to YouTube.

In a year that historians will look back on and call “extremely weird,” Disney released a campy teen superhero comedy called Sky High, and I fell in love with one Steven Strait.

The movie focuses on the teenage son of famous superheroes, his best friend and next-door neighbor, and their fresh start at an aptly named high school situated miles above the clouds.

The protagonist, Will, learns on his first day that he already has an arch-nemesis: Warren Peace, the son of a supervillain who was taken down by — you guessed it — Will’s parents.

Warren is hot (no, I mean that literally; his superpower is fire-based), and Strait perfectly portrayed the ideal 2005 version of a teen bad boy.

A red streak in his hair is included for extra bad-boy emphasis.

Watch Sky High Online

Brooks on Revenge

Steven Strait as Brooks on Revenge.
(Disney/Screenshot)

Few shows were as drama-filled as the ABC hit Revenge starring Emily Van Camp.

Somehow, the dark look behind the closed doors of the Hamptons’ richest families only lasted four seasons, but the show is still well-loved by its fans.

Steven Strait wasn’t on the drama for very long; his arc only lasted for two episodes during Revenge Season 3.

Still, his character (a P.I. named Brooks) made an impression.

Watch Revenge Online

Caleb Danvers in The Covenant

Steven Strait as Caleb Danvers in The Covenant (2006)
(Netflix (Screenshot))

Here’s the thing. Between 2005 and 2009, the “hot people doing supernatural stuff” genre was huge.

This era gave us Supernatural, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and True Blood. It was a good time to be a teenager, okay?

From deep in the bowels of this genre came an instant classic: The Covenant.

Steven Strait joined fellow heartthrobs Sebastian Stan, Taylor Kitsch, Toby Hemingway, and Chace Crawford to deliver an extremely moody, slightly horny teen warlock flick with more shirtless scenes than Baywatch.

There’s nothing I can really say to convince you to watch this movie if you haven’t already, but it’s the perfect blend of cringe and nostalgia if you’re looking for a way to kill a couple of hours.

It’s how I’ll be spending my weekend, anyway.

Watch The Covenant (2006) Online

Stevie Evans on Magic City

Steven Strait as Stevie Evans on Magic City.
(Starz/Screenshot)

The short-lived Starz series Magic City may not have taken off as fans hoped, but two seasons was long enough for Steven Strait to leave his mark.

Set in Miami in 1959, the show takes a look at the dark secrets hidden by powerful people.

The Evans family owns the Miramar Playa hotel, and Stevie spends his days flirting with trouble (and women) while his father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) attempts to groom him to be his successor.

Stevie isn’t exactly what you’d call a gentleman, but he’s got the kind of face that lets him get away with … well, everything.

The show is sultry, heated, and dramatic; a great way for fans of historical fiction and handsome playboys to escape to a new universe.

Would Magic City be green-lit today? Probably not. But for a couple of years, it made about a half a million people happy.

Watch Magic City Online

Henry in Life Like (2019)

Steven Strait as Henry in Life Like (2019).
(Tubi/Screenshot)

What is it about a future with human-like androids taking care of us that gets people so hot and bothered?

Another take on the robot uprising nightmare, Life Like is a thriller that sees a young couple learn a hard lesson when their robot slave gets a little too helpful.

No spoilers here, but suffice it to say that Steven Strait plays the part of a sexy, evil robot at least as well as Michael Fassbender in the Alien franchise, and that’s saying something.

Life Like is worth a watch, but you might want to turn off your Alexa device first.

Watch Life Like Online

Holden's Crew - The Expanse
(Jason Bell/Syfy)

What did I miss?

Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite Steven Strait shows or movies not on this list.

If you watch any that I’ve recommended, I want to hear your thoughts!

Don’t miss Steven Strait on Chicago Fire, Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Is Steven Strait the right person to play Violet's love interest on Chicago Fire?
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https://www.tvfanatic.com/essential-viewing-7-movies-and-tv-shows-starring-chicago-fire-newcomer-steven-strait/feed/ 2 Steven Strait Essential Viewing Lead Steven Strait Chicago Fire 13×06 peacock JustWatch Steven Strait The Expanse 06×01 JustWatch Steven Strait Sky High JustWatch Steven Strait Revenge 3×16 JustWatch Steven Strait The Covenant 2006 JustWatch Steven Strait Magic City JustWatch Steven Strait Life Like 2019 JustWatch Holden’s Crew – The Expanse Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper), Amos Burton (Wes Chatham), James Holden (Steven Strait) and Alex Kamal (Cas Anvar) pose on the deck of their ship. This wild adventure is going to bring them closer together than ever before.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7 Review: If You Leave https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-episode-7-review-if-you-leave/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-episode-7-review-if-you-leave/#comments Fri, 15 Nov 2024 04:57:34 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=823099 Simone and Jules Greys Anatomy 21x07 Lead

On Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7, the doctors race to save one of their own after a devastating accident. Our review!

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I have to admit, Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Episode 7 did not go the way I expected.

There was a shocking death, an emotional goodbye, and a heaping portion of callbacks to older Grey’s Anatomy storylines, and I wasn’t really prepared for any of it.

Granted, some of the episode’s reveals were predictable, but overall, the hour left me reeling.

Simone and Jules Greys Anatomy 21x07 Lead
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Knowing that Midori Francis is slated to leave the show and her character, Mika Yasuda, this season, I wasn’t shocked at all to see a near-death experience for the talented intern.

The part that shocked me was that she survived.

Tragically, her baby sister, Chloe (who was already fighting cancer) didn’t survive the car accident that nearly claimed Mika’s life.

But somehow, Mika pulled through after a tense hour of touch-and-go surgery and angst from her friends and sort-of-girlfriend.

Now, the question remains: how exactly are the showrunners planning to write Yasuda out of the show?

Saying goodbye to her character via a traumatic accident made sense, and that option was in line with how other Grey’s Anatomy departures have gone.

Simone stares at Jules.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, George O’Malley, Lexie Grey, Mark Sloan — I could keep going, but the point is, there have been plenty of dramatic and bloody deaths for major Grey’s characters.

So it begs the question: what was the point of putting Mika through a car accident that she technically caused and then killing her sister off?

Call me jaded, but now I fear that Mika’s actual exit will be far more tragic and hard to stomach.

Throughout the episode, other characters waxed poetic about how they felt about Yasuda.

Jules, whose relationship with Mika has been heating up all season long, was particularly inconsolable, but all of the interns struggled with the prospect of losing their friend.

Despite several moving speeches (the one from Blue actually made me a little sniffly), thankfully no one had to actually say goodbye to Yasuda. Yet, anyway.

Jo treats a baby in the NICU.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

This week marked Jake Borelli’s final episode as Levi prepared to move to Texas for a pediatric research fellowship.

First of all, Texas? As a gay man? In this political climate? Why couldn’t the writers have sent Levi somewhere slightly more queer friendly?

At least his new love interest, James, will be by his side, I guess.

Is it probably way too soon for those two to be moving in together, especially to a new city and state across the country? Yeah.

But you can’t stop true love, so James quit his job as Grey Sloan’s chaplain (which he’s had for, what? Two months?) to follow Levi to San Antonio.

It was a terribly romantic gesture, even if it was a little rash. I wish those two the best.

Levi treats a baby in the NICU.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Of course, Levi couldn’t go anywhere without first spending a few emotional moments with Jo.

The bond those two shared was, at times, a little baffling, if only because of how downright mean both of them could be.

But no one could deny that there was a lot of love between them.

No matter the physical distance, Levi and Jo will always be close, especially now that Levi has an official godfather role in the unborn twins’ lives.

Levi’s arc ended with a beautiful montage of some of his best moments throughout his tenure on the show, and it was the perfect way to honor a character who experienced such immense growth in a few short years.

The storyline has him moving to Texas for now, but Levi says he’ll be back in Seattle at some point, so we won’t be surprised to see him pop up again someday. (One can hope, right?)

Jules delivers news to Simone and Blue.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

This week, even though Chloe, Mika, and Levi were the obvious focal points, my character spotlight was on Lucas.

Since his first day, he’s struggled to fit in and find his place in the hospital and with his class.

He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and thinks he’s responsible for everyone and everything, and that was clearer than ever in this episode.

From the physical manifestation of his stress (vomiting into a biohazard bag as he raced between Chloe and Mika’s operating rooms) to the way he stormed away from Simone as she tried to comfort him, Lucas showed a lot of his internal struggle.

In no world is he to blame for Chloe’s death.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to blame himself for it, especially after Mika asked him to take care of her sister.

Jo talks to Levi while they treat a baby.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Adams isn’t the only one shouldering blame and guilt, either.

When Mika is ready to see her friends again, she’s going to have to contend with Lucas’s heartbreak over not being able to save Chloe as well as Jules’s guilt over tagging Mika in for surgery before the accident.

It’s a classic setup, and I’m honestly not looking forward to it.

I think they’re going to have Mika provide some sort of absolution for both Lucas and Jules, and while I get that they need to hear that she doesn’t blame them, the focus really should be on Mika right now.

It’s unfair to put anything else on her.

As a side note, I hope Midori Francis gets an Emmy consideration for the scene where she reacts to Chloe’s death. Her sobs shook me to my core.

Ben is ready to get to work.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Bits and Bobs

  • While Chloe was coding, the interns were responding to the code alone. Why are there never any grownups when things go south in this hospital?
  • There were so many callbacks to old Grey’s Anatomy scenes: the interns crowding outside the trauma room window and Jules and Simone watching babies in the nursery for comfort. It was nostalgic in a heartbreaking way.
  • Owen and Teddy managed to move past the weird Cass Beckman kissing storyline because of all the chaos, but Sophia Bush will be back, so I can’t imagine that drama is over.
  • Watching Bailey comfort yet another class of interns as they grappled with losing one of their own was a special kind of awful.
Winston looks serious on shift.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)

Overall, it was a stressful and impactful episode, and it left us with the promise of things getting worse before they get better.

Next week is the fall finale, and the promo has already set up an incredibly terrifying premise that is yet another callback to an old storyline.

Adams and Jo will be in a convenience store when it’s robbed at gunpoint — which, if you recall, is exactly how Adams’ grandfather died. Bad vibes all around.

Sound off in the comments to let me know your thoughts on this week’s episode!

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

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/greys-anatomy-season-21-episode-7-review-if-you-leave/feed/ 2 Simone and Jules Greys Anatomy 21×07 Lead Simone-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Jo-xGreys-Anatomy-21×07 Levi-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Jules-Simone-Blue-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Jo-and-Levi-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Ben-Greys-Anatomy-21×07 Winston-Greys-Anatomy-21×07
Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7 Review: Untouchable https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-episode-7-review-untouchable/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/chicago-fire-season-13-episode-7-review-untouchable/#respond Thu, 14 Nov 2024 04:34:18 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=822865 Pascal looks at Severide in a dark room. Lead photo for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7 Review.

On Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7, Pascal and Severide work more closely than ever as they continue their investigation. Our review!

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If we’re being honest, Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7 didn’t answer as many questions as we might have hoped.

We still don’t know what happened with Pascal in Miami, Lizzie’s emotions about her new passion project suggest that it might be more personal than she’s letting on, and the ongoing dirty cop storyline isn’t exactly resolved.

But we did get quite a few good character scenes, and no matter what is going on, this show always does those well.

Pascal looks at Severide in a dark room. Lead photo for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7 Review.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Unfortunately, this episode — much like the last few — started with a Carver/Tori scene.

It’s no secret that this particular relationship didn’t exactly resonate with fans, but I don’t think it was ever supposed to.

We now know that the relationship started as a result of a trauma bond, which might explain the toxicity between Carver and Tori.

Obviously, Carver has been going through it since Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 13, when he dropped an “I love you” bomb on Violet and then left the state. Classic.

To his credit, Stella’s stern lecture seems to have sunk in, and now he’s focused on work.

At least, he’s trying to be.

Severide and Pascal are lit in blue.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

By the end of the hour, Tori’s things were cleared out of Carver’s closet and a proverbial nail was driven into the Carver/Tori coffin.

But why Carver stuck it out for as long as he did, even while the relationship was clearly impacting his career, will forever remain a mystery.

In other relationship news, Violet finally let her guard down with Flynn in this episode!

Of course, in true Violet fashion, she did it in an awkward and potentially inappropriate way, but hey.

We’re proud of our girl for putting her cards on the table.

Attending a funeral together as a date may be a little strange, but trauma-dumping about your ex dying in front of you on a date is a little strange, too.

Lizzie and Violet work side by side on the job.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Maybe Flynn and Violet really are a great match.

To nobody’s surprise, the episode was filled to the brim with examples of why Chicago Fire’s friendships are some of the best on TV.

Cruz and Ritter both took time to encourage Mouch, who spent the hour stressing about his upcoming lieutenant’s exam.

Cruz missed the mark a bit, sure, but by the end of the episode he’d figured out what Mouch needed to hear from him.

Violet stood by Lizzie and offered support and encouragement as she fought through red tape to bring a whole blood program to the ambo.

Even Severide and Pascal bounced off each other while working their way through an ongoing arson investigation.

Severide and Pascal have a serious conversation.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t know if I trust Pascal.

But I can’t deny that he and Severide are getting closer.

Severide is a great guy and a good friend, but the fact that he was willing to stay late at work to help Pascal with paperwork is pretty meaningful.

My concern is that Pascal has something shady up his sleeve, and wants to keep Severide close because he knows that’s his best chance of flying under the radar.

Not to be a total conspiracy theorist, but what if that leads to Severide getting hurt somehow?

With the Stellaride baby topic still simmering on the back burner, a near-death experience for Kelly would make for a dramatic storyline leading into a pregnancy.

Stella is on a call.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Given all the curveballs this show has thrown at us over the years, it wouldn’t even be the most shocking thing to happen to a happy couple.

As for the case itself, it almost looked like a resolution was on its way.

Multi-episode storylines are relatively rare for Chicago Fire, so I can’t say I expected the Bishop-dirty-cop thing to last this long.

Bishop may be on his way to jail for now, and Pascal seems to think that is good news for his family (and Severide’s), but something is missing.

There’s no chance Bishop doesn’t have multiple people working behind the scenes, so his absence doesn’t mean much to me.

You don’t make the kind of threats that Bishop made, especially to people you know are well connected, if you can’t follow through with them.

Mouch sits in the truck.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

If anything, Pascal’s confidence that Bishop can’t hurt anyone anymore raises my hackles even more.

Exactly what is our mysterious new chief hiding?

What happened in Miami, Pascal?!

Here’s hoping we get a flashback episode at some point, because I’m going to need more than just a quick explanation after all this buildup.

Bits and Bobs

Cruz looks confused while on a call.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)
  • Stella has been putting on her hardass hat more often lately, and I love watching her put the men of 51 in their place when they’re fooling around.
  • Lizzie’s ponytail will always be iconic, and we got to see her let her hair down in this episode. Turns out, she’s just gorgeous either way.
  • Why exactly does Severide have cigars stashed in his locker?
  • I will never get tired of seeing my favorite bestie trio in scenes together. Lizzie, Violet, and Ritter, you will always be famous.
  • Do the powers that be know that they are criminally underutilizing KaDee Strickland?
  • Ritter having Chicago P.D.‘s Dwayne saved as “hot cop” in his phone until things got serious is honestly such a vibe.
Ritter stands outside.
(NBC/Peter Gordon)

Next week’s episode promises to be another action-and-drama-packed hour, so don’t miss it!

Given that it will be the last episode before a lengthy winter hiatus, we can probably bank on a cliffhanger or two.

In the meantime, let’s talk — let me know what you thought about the episode in the comments, and rate it below!

Rate Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7!
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Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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