Chasing Life - Finding Chemo - Review : “Don’t Fear the Reaper”

Who else is going to miss Chasing Life? Tonight was the summer finale, and it’s really hard saying goodbye to one of my favorite new shows and new actresses. Let’s give a huge round of applause for Italia Ricci. Seriously, where has she been hiding?

Back to tonight’s episode, titled “Finding Chemo,” April begins chemo and living her life stuck in the hospital for the next month receiving treatment. Not only does she start to panic, but she even struggles when it comes to fighting for her life. Despite having her entire family’s support, including Dominic finally showing face, April reaches out to the one person she knows can relate -- Leo. As for the rest of the family, Brenna and Greer find themselves in trouble at school, while Sara and George reflect on their past -- and that kiss.

The episode opens with April getting her last breath of fresh air for a month. Despite chemo only lasting seven days, April must recover in the hospital, because that’s how it works with leukemia. In between being poked and prodded, April has a hard time adjusting to living the life of a cancer patient. In addition to barely sleeping and vomiting every now and again, she begins hallucinating thanks to the steroids and medication. Talk about some gut-wrenching moments. From reliving her father’s death to visiting the afterlife and speaking with her dad, Gerald (aka the carrot juice guy) and Jackson (who loves his hair and being the youngest one there), April truly has some highs and lows this episode.

Speaking of highs and lows, April’s thrilled to see the return of Dominic, but she also confesses everything to him about her cancer diagnosis. The hardest confession? Telling Dominic she slept with Leo. No surprise here, but Dominic basically dumps April in her hospital bed and tells her she should’ve been more invested in their relationship and now he needs to take care of himself. Sorry not sorry, Dominic. Since day one, I’ve been rooting for Leo (yes, it might have something to do with the fact that I loved Scott Michael Foster as Cappie on Greek).

One of the best scenes from tonight’s episode was, of course, between April and Leo. When she leaned on Leo to help her “break out” of the hospital, I got chills. These two have amazing chemistry and I can’t get enough. Leo convinces April to stay in the hospital, because he’s known since the beginning she would be the one to beat cancer. She’s a survivor and won’t let cancer be her future. Cancer isn’t April’s only fear, as she tells Leo she’s scared when she’s released he won’t be alive. Clearly, April and Leo have feelings for one another, but Leo tells April he’s the wrong horse for her to bet on and Dominic might be the one for her. He leaves. Ugh. These two really know how to tug on the heartstrings. At the episode’s end, April sees Leo’s parents in the cancer ward and once again pancis. The episode closes with April listening to a voicemail, “April, it’s Leo. I have to tell you something really important.” Way to leave us on a cliffhanger! Is Leo alive? (I find it very hard to believe we've seen the last of him). Is he calling to finally confess his feelings for April? Did he decide to get the surgery? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out, and I don’t like waiting.

In other Chasing Life episodic news, Brenna and Greer get in major trouble for skipping eco club in Miami (Ford probably told on them). No worries, as Greer’s parents promised their school a field house in exchange to clear their records. The catch? Greer is no longer allowed to see Brenna. At least Sara stood up for Brenna (even after learning Brenna and April know about Natalie). As for Sara’s love life, it looks like George and her might have a little somethin’ somethin’ in the future. George at least wants to try, but does Sara? Would their relationship be strange for Brenna and April? I guess they could always call him "uncle stepdad."

Lastly, can we talk about how horrid Ford is? She treats Brenna terrible because of her relationship with Greer, but doesn’t seem to have one lack of sympathy for Brenna’s family during this difficult time. If that isn’t enough, Brenna’s really feeling down because she’s not a bone marrow match for April. Ford really needs to be kicked to the curb.

Top midseason finale moments:
-Sara reading April “Frog and Toad” to help her sleep.
-Dominic making a playlist lasting 10,080 minutes, because that’s how many minutes there are in seven days aka the length of April’s chemo.
-Sara, Beth and Brenna having sleepovers with April -- now that’s what you call true friends and family. Side note: who else wants Brenna’s cat sleepshirt? Roar!
-Leo carrying April out of the chapel. Talk about a swoon-worthy moment.

What did you think of Chasing Life’s midseason finale? Let us know in the comments!

About the Author - Allyson Koerner

A small screen enthusiast, who considers TV her significant other, Allyson Koerner is an experienced writer living her dream of working in the entertainment news biz. From NCIS to Scandal to Pretty Little Liars to Supernatural to Orphan Black to anything Bravo, Allyson is all about the TV world. Have a question about a show and/or TV actor? Just ask her, especially if it has something to do with Michael Weatherly and/or Mindy Kaling.