Grey’s Anatomy Season 16: Analyzing Richard and Catherine’s rivalry
This Grey’s Anatomy power couple is turning their marriage into an all-out war. Let’s take a look out how their rivalry could end.
If Grey’s Anatomy Season 16, Episode 12 taught us one thing, it’s that Richard Webber and Catherine Fox are far from being happily married. Realizing that they have major issues standing between them, they invited Jackson and Maggie to dinner to discuss their possible separation. As we saw, the dinner became much more complicated with the additions of Vic and Dean from Station 19.
The awkward circumstances paved way for lighter conversations and nostalgia, which led us to believe for a hot second that Richard and Catherine were on the verge of making amends. In true Grey’s fashion, all hope was lost when Catherine said, “I’m sorry, but…” An apology that Richard just couldn’t accept, and honestly, neither could we.
Richard and Catherine’s marriage has never been perfect. They fell in love while Richard’s first wife, Adele, was dying at the hands of Alzheimer’s. They clashed when Catherine’s foundation purchased Grey Sloan and appointed Jackson to be chairman of the board.
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They clashed even more when Cristina Yang was snubbed of the Harper Avery Award due to the foundation’s affiliation with the hospital. We can’t forget the time Catherine hid her cancer diagnosis from her own husband.
Their latest rivalry began at the tail end of Season 15 when Catherine and Bailey fired Richard, Meredith, and Alex in light of Mer’s insurance fraud scandal. As a result, Season 16 has explored Richard’s renewed friendship with Gemma after the two found employment at Pac North. Now, it looks like Pac North will play a huge part in making or breaking what’s left of their marriage.
I can say with certainty that the closing scene of “The Last Supper” will go down as one of the most memorable exchanges Season 16 has to offer. From Richard’s monologue about hiring Maggie, to Catherine’s threat to purchase Pac North – what a nail-biter!
We’ve seen the battle lines being drawn for months between Grey Sloan and Pac North, but now it’s going to get seriously messy. Pac North has Richard, Owen, Maggie, and technically Alex in charge, but we’re probably never seeing him again.
Who’s next to jump ship? Teddy would be a safe bet considering her engagement with Owen and previous offer from him. I could see a newer face like Nico, Schmitt, or even Helm making the transition if they find themselves not fitting in at Grey Sloan anymore.
But what happens when it becomes plausible for the Catherine Fox Foundation to purchase Pac North? It’d be great if Alex came back for one more episode to add to the feud, but we have to assume he’ll be physically absent from the battle. In fact, Catherine purchasing the hospital would be an easy way for Karev to be written out, especially if she follows through with her threat of shutting the hospital down.
Rather than outright closing its doors, Catherine would be better suited owning the hospital and maintaining control over Richard if she really wanted to torture him. Regardless of the outcome, it’s truly a shame Catherine is still acting this way after we thought her cancer battle last season would lead to long-term changes in her behavior. It seems some people are destined to never change.
I will always root for a positive ending where everyone can find happiness and success, but this is still Shondaland after all. I’m predicting another major health scare of some sorts, perhaps something life-threatening involving Jackson and/or Maggie, will force these two to see they can’t live without the other, even when they hate each other.
Next. Grey's Anatomy: Why Karev's departure was actually perfect. dark
What are your predictions for Richard and Catherine? Do you think their marriage is salvageable at this point? Sound off below or tweet us @HiddenRemote!
Grey’s Anatomy airs every Thursday at 9pm ET on ABC.