How will "Grey's Anatomy" Season 14 be able to balance losing two major characters while still ending on a "celebratory" note?

Season 14 is only up to Episode 17 at this point, directed by Kevin McKidd, who also plays Dr. Owen Hunt.

McKidd talked to The Hollywood Reporter about "Grey's" -- not mentioning the big exits -- and they asked him for a word or phrase to tease the Episode 24 season finale.

Here's what he came up with:

"The word or phrase I would say ... You know this show is 14 seasons, it's a complete miracle. Very rarely do shows go for 14 seasons. It's a thing to be celebrated so I would say our finale is going to be, in a sense, very celebratory. That's your word: Celebratory."

McKidd also talked about his experience as a director on the show, saying the March 29 episode was special to him because there were only a couple of storylines to follow, so he got to really "direct" more.

He said his favorite moment on the set this year happened when taping the March 29 episode, while Dr. April Kepner (Sarah Drew) was having a deep talk with a dying rabbi (Saul Rubinek).

McKidd said they basically shot that scene like a one-act play, with three cameras, to let the actors do their thing for "12 minutes of uninterrupted focus on just acting." McKidd said he was "blown away" by guest actor Saul Rubinek for being so generous and helping Sarah Drew get to where she could be to cry and be so vulnerable for those full 12 minutes.

Sarah Drew, though -- she deserves an Emmy nomination for this season. Make it happen.

Also, THR asked McKidd what he'd do if he could use the "Grey's" set after hours for his own movie. He turned back to his "Dog Soldiers" indie horror roots and said he'd make a comedy-horror set in a hospital. (We'd watch the heck out of that -- someone give him the budget and set him loose!)

Here's what's coming next on "Grey's Anatomy," with more potential hints on how we may say goodbye to April:

Episode 18: "Hold Back the River," April 5 – Amelia, Koracick and DeLuca perform a risky, groundbreaking procedure using ultrasound waves to remove a young patient's brain tumor. Meanwhile, Meredith and Jo work with different polymers to try to salvage their project submission; and Richard's AA sponsor is admitted to Grey Sloan with a DNR, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, APRIL 5 (8:00–9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

Guest starring are Jason George as Ben Warren, Greg Germann as Tom Koracick, Jeanine Jason as Sam Bello, Alex Blue Davis as Casey Parker, Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt and Jaicy Elliot as Taryn Helm.

"Hold Back the River" was written by Alex Manugian and directed by Geary McLeod.

Episode 19: "Beautiful Dreamer," April 12 - An agent from ICE shows up at Grey Sloan in search of an employee who may be working in the U.S. under DACA. Alex's patient Kimmie wants to leave the hospital to enjoy her final days, but Alex feels differently. Meanwhile, Arizona treats Matthew Taylor's baby and April wants to do whatever she can to help.

"Grey's Anatomy" Season 14 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

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