Grey’s Anatomy fans might want to be sure to grab a box of tissues as they sit down to watch season 22, episode 14, “Wrecking Ball,” as the episode is shaping up to be one of the show’s most emotional episodes in quite a while. This is because the episode is expected to feature what is sure to be the most heartbreaking death on the show in years.
From the minute we first met Katie Rogers, I had a feeling that she was going to become the Denny for this generation of interns. The show quickly affirmed that fear as we watched Lucas grow increasingly closer to Katie through the weeks while working as a member of her care team, treating her stage 4 cancer.
While Lucas and Katie might not have fallen in love as Izzie and Denny did, the pair have formed a strong personal connection that extends well beyond that of the standard doctor-patient relationship. Katie has become more than just a patient to Lucas, and Lucas is much more than just a doctor to Katie. There is a strong connection between the two that is tragically beautiful.
When Katie entered the clinical trial and began seeing improvements in her health, we thought that perhaps Katie would be able to defy the odds. There was hope once again, and Katie actually saw improvement from the clinical trial treatment plan. Unfortunately, the trial was abruptly canceled due to cuts in government funding, which meant there would be no further doses of Katie’s medication available.
Lucas threw himself into Katie’s case and exhausted every possible option trying to find a way to get Katie the medication that was helping to save her life. His efforts proved fruitless, and his actions in prioritizing Katie’s care over his other patients resulted in Lucas being pulled from Katie’s care team.
Sadly, in episode 13, it was revealed that Katie was in multiple organ failure and did not have much time, as her condition was worsening rapidly. Initially, Katie pushed to be discharged, as she didn’t want to die in a hospital, and she was prepared to leave the hospital against medical advice, which would mean insurance would not cover the costs for her care.
Bailey eventually brought Lucas back into the fold, and he came up with an unexpected solution. Lucas arranged for Katie to be discharged into his care and released to Simone’s house, with Simone and Blue assisting in Katie’s care.
In episode 14, Lucas and Simone will be working to help support Katie, and it’s clear that this episode is likely to be her last on the show. We sadly expect that Katie will pass away by the episode’s end, and her death is one that we’re certain will emotionally wreck us.
After getting Katie settled in at the house, Lucas throws himself into being there for her in her final days, even if it’s at the expense of his own well-being, as we learn he’s barely sleeping. We see Katie pondering, “What if we had more time,” through tear-filled eyes as the promo ends with an emotional Lucas holding Katie in his arms as he lies next to her in bed.
In true Grey’s Anatomy fashion, we’re expecting the episode will pack a strong gut punch as we’re forced to watch Katie take her last breath, and we anticipate that moment may very well come as Lucas holds her in his arms. I’m tearing up just thinking about the scene, and there is no doubt in my mind that the scene will leave all fans emotionally drained and grabbing for the tissue box to wipe away the tears streaming down their faces.
That’s the brilliance of a show like Grey’s Anatomy, though. This is a show that makes us feel all the feels, and we’re certainly bracing for what is going to be an emotional hour for the long-running medical drama.