Everybody who keeps saying that ABC ought to pull the plug on Grey’s Anatomy can go ahead and take all the seats. The resurgent drama’s Season 19 finale made a beyond-compelling case for the series’ long and healthy future with a double header that included enough relationship upheaval to fill a dozen episodes as well as twists that left three lives hanging by a thread. And if you read on, we’ll go over all the details.
‘I WISH I WOULD’VE TAKEN THE GIRLS ON ONE LAST RIDE’ | As “Wedding Bell Blues” began, Teddy, whose toothache would become a major plot point in two hours’ time, appointed Winston head of cardio. Simone made tracks to Grey Sloan to see Lucas — but not to say, “Yes, the entire audience is right, I’m being an idiot marrying Trey, whom no one likes.” She had promised Toby that she’d be there for her mastectomy and now couldn’t be, what with the wedding and all. Would Lucas look after her for Simone? “I’d do anything for you,” he replied. (Credit where it’s due: Niko Terho has that puppy-dog expression down pat.) In other developments, Jo and Sam’s flirtation continued to irk Link, and Blue helped prove that a single mom hadn’t given her 8-year-old Fentanyl.
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Max —whose presence at the hospital might qualify as an actual painkiller, she’s such a delight —further bonded with Blue. “I can see why Jules is falling for you,” she remarked. But soon, as has been a lingering fear since Juliet Mills started her scene-stealing guest-starring run, Max coded. Rather than respect her DNR order, Blue acted fast and kept her alive…but in a way that she absolutely would not have wanted. En route to Simone’s wedding, Mika thanked Helm for standing up for her to Teddy. Now able to sleep eight hours a night, Yasuda felt like a superhero who’d had Kryptonite taken out of her shoe. “Can I kiss you at this red light?” she asked. “Totally,” Taryn replied. (Love for Helm…at last!)
‘THIS IS NOT HOW I’M SUPPOSED TO DIE!’
| Getting ready to tie the knot, Simone told Jules that red robins had been her mom’s favorite bird, and she’d seen one on her first date with Trey — a sure sign, Griffith thought, that her mom would want her to marry her fiancé. Cue a red robin fatally crashing into the window. And Simone’s wedding dress ripping. And Grandma coming in, speaking to Simone as if she was her late mom. “Denise” didn’t have to marry Keith if she really wanted Dwayne, Grandma said. After spotting the ill-fated robin on her way down the aisle, Simone asked her father if her mom had been engaged to someone else before him. (Yup.) Before you could say, “I don’t,” she’d left the ceremony, hightailed it to Grey Sloan and made love with Lucas in an on-call room.
Flying to Boston, Richard, Catherine, Bailey, Winston, Nick and Amelia experienced turbulence even before they took off. Winston went so far as to switch seats to get away from Amelia, who instead of bug him pushed Nick to give Meredith another chance. “You really enjoy interfering in other people’s relationships,” Ndugu observed. When actual turbulence hit, Richard reached for Catherine’s martini and would’ve drunk, had Bailey not swatted the glass from his hand. Once the plane had landed safely, Nick split from the group to pay Meredith a house call. To his — and our! — surprise, the door of her mammoth home was opened by Gilles Marini, who suggested that “it’s probably best if you text” rather than just show up. Snap!
‘THAT EXPLAINS WHY THE DOCTOR WHO SAVED MY LIFE NOW LOOKS LIKE HE WANTS TO KILL ME’
| “Happily Ever After?” began with Jules tearing into Blue for ignoring Max’s wishes. Since Millin is her roommate’s medical proxy, thanks to Kwan, “I might have to decide to unplug my favorite person in the world.” When Max awakened, intubated and terrified, Jules and Blue calmed her with promises to play Tom Jones. It looked like the patient was going to make it, but with Grey’s Anatomy, you can never be too sure, especially with guest stars. Jules’ feeling for Blue, as complicated as they already were, had become even trickier to navigate. “Now I don’t just get to hate you, I have to love you, too,” she said. “You saved my favorite person.”
At the same time, Sam deduced that Link’s more and more open hostility toward him stemmed from love for Jo. Pfft, no, she replied. In that case, as soon as Sam was sprung from his hospital bed, he was going to sweep her off her feet, he said. (Don’t count on it, buddy.) Next thing we knew, Lucas was checking on Sam, and, in a matter of seconds, he went from “I feel funny” to code blue. Where was his primary doctor? Outside, arguing with Jo about their relationship. “I’m so completely in love with you,” he finally declared. “How do you not see that?!?” He’d almost said it 100 times. And whether he’d ever managed to spit it out, “I love you, and I’m gonna love you forever.” Jo’s response? “You unbelievable dummy. I love you, too.”
‘MAINTAIN THE RESPECT YOU HAVE BUILT FOR YOURSELF’
| In Boston, Meredith summoned Nick as well as the rest of her Grey Sloan family to her lab. She had a radical new theory about curing Alzheimer’s. It might be correct, but in the years that it would take to prove it, Mer would be seen as crazy, Richard warned. She could destroy her whole career. Plus, Amelia noted, “What you are hypothesizing insults Derek’s work.” During a moment alone with Mer, Nick was cold. He didn’t mention Gilles Marini Michael and didn’t want to bother with small talk. Impractical but understandable.
At Grey Sloan, Trey was ambulanced in after crashing into a tree. While being treated, he surmised that Lucas was the reason he’d been jilted and slugged him. “I didn’t leave you for another man, I left because I’m not the person I was,” Simone tried to explain. Also, you always came off like a jerk, Trey. (That was me there, not Simone, obv.) Back in Boston, Maggie recruited Winston to zip her dress before the Catherine Fox Awards, and soon, both of them had ditched their clothes and hit the sheets. At the ceremony, Mer couldn’t keep her lips zipped about her Alzheimer’s theory; she blurted it out to Catherine’s table full of moneybags.
‘I CAN’T BELIEVE I UGLY-CRIED IN FRONT OF THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED SURGEONS IN THE WORLD’
| Just as Bailey was being passed over as presenter in favor of Meredith, Ben showed up. But Miranda wasn’t being dissed, it turned out. The Catherine Fox Award was going to someone who wasn’t even a nominee, Grey explained. For her tireless work in training the next generation of doctors to provide reproductive care in these impossible times, Bailey was being given the prize! After the ceremony, Maggie and Winston pondered divorce and… seemed not to really come to any conclusions. (Maybe next season, when someone new catches his eye?)
After Amelia invited Richard to a meeting, he stayed behind in the ballroom… and was served a vodka tonic. Meredith slipped a note under Nick’s hotel-room door. When he opened it, they finally talked. She’d been tired and scared and overwhelmed when she’d pretended not to hear his “I love you.” She was still all of those things… but she missed him. Um, and what about Michael? He’s Zola’s tutor, and he’s gay, Mer laughed. In that case, Nick said, he wanted a life full of “love and mess and pain and you.” With that, there was smiling, laughing, kissing…
In the season’s final moments, Teddy was just about to perform life-saving surgery on Sam when she collapsed without so much as a pulse. (Must’ve been some toothache!) Since when it rains in Seattle, it pours, Sam also went code blue. If the residents were going to save him, they had to act fast immediately — they couldn’t wait for an attending. (Do they ever wait anymore?) As Lucas and Simone began to tag-team the procedure, Owen arrived and started trying to shock Teddy back into consciousness. Hell of a way to wrap a season, no?
Grade the finale in the poll below, then hit the comments with your theories, hopes, worries about Season 20.
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FAQs
What happens in season 11 episode 23 of GREY's anatomy? ›
Months after Derek's funeral, Amelia struggles with her emotions; April plans on returning; and a part of Derek continues to grow in Meredith's life. Months after Derek's funeral, Amelia struggles with her emotions; April plans on returning; and a part of Derek continues to grow in Meredith's life.
What happens in season 11 episode 25 of GREY's? ›During the party, Maggie tells Meredith that her parents are getting divorced, and that the reason why she didn't tell her before was because her problems seemed so trivial to Meredith's. Meredith comforts Maggie by saying she can always talk to her, and she, Maggie, and Amelia "dance-it-out."
What happens in Season 11 Episode 24 of GREY's? ›With the collapse of a tunnel sending multiple victims to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, April, Maggie, Amelia, and Meredith take off to the site to help rescue others. Richard, now serving as interim Chief of Surgery since Owen resigned, is giving his famous first day speech to the new round of interns.
What happens in Season 9 Episode 24 of GREY's anatomy? ›Short Summary
Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital enters crisis mode as the storm rages, resources become scarce, and patients flood in by the busload. Meanwhile, one of the doctors fights for their life.
Juast when normalcy for Meredith and Derek seemed established, he got into a car accident while handing in his resignation in DC. His injuries left fatal complications, and Meredith decided to remove him from life support, leading to Derek's season 11 death.
What big events happened in GREY's Anatomy Season 11? ›The biggest storyline of the season was the death of Derek who is involved in a car accident in "How to Save a Life." Other story-arcs include Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) moving to Seattle, learning the ropes at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) try ...
Do Meredith and Derek divorce in season 11? ›Ultimately, Derek decided not to sign his divorce papers and instead work on his marriage to Addison.
Who kissed Derek in season 11? ›'Grey's Anatomy' Recap: Season 11, Episode 17 — Derek Kisses Renee | TVLine.
What is Jo's secret on GREY's Anatomy season 12? ›“You had an abortion,” Vicki surmises. She is correct. While Jo has spoken about her history as a domestic abuse survivor repeatedly, this is the first time Grey's fans have ever heard about the abortion. Even Jo isn't sure why she kept that part of her past secret.
Which episode does Derek come back in season 11? ›| "How to Save a Life" | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 11 Episode 21 |
| Directed by | Rob Hardy |
| Written by | Shonda Rhimes |
How does April have her baby? ›
April doesn't sign the papers and returns to work the same day, praying for a miracle. They decide to give birth to the baby via induction at 24 weeks gestation having it baptized right then.
What happens in season 11 episode 22 of GREY's anatomy? ›The two-hour episode serves as a tribute to the death of Derek Shepherd, the show's male lead played by Patrick Dempsey, who died in a car accident in the previous episode. In the episode, the doctors at the Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital mourn the death of their colleague and friend following the tragic accident.
What happens at the end of 24 Season 9? ›The final scene saw Jack exchanging his life for Chloe's as she was being held captive by the Russians. (You didn't think Jack was going to get away, did you?) In the end, it's Jack's masochistic selflessness that makes him such an indelible character.
In what episode does Meredith get pregnant? ›Perfect Storm (Grey's Anatomy)
Does Meredith have a baby after Derek dies? ›After Derek's funeral, Meredith left Seattle with Zola and Bailey and didn't let anyone know where she was going. Meredith's friends spent months trying to locate her with no luck. It wasn't until Meredith gave birth to baby Ellis that Alex saw his friend again.
Why did Izzie leave GREY's anatomy? ›Heigl revealed she was at "a level of intensity that was not healthy" before leaving the show. Heigl left "Grey's Anatomy" in 2010 after speaking out against the show's harsh working conditions.
Did Derek cheat on Mer in season 11? ›'Grey's Anatomy': Derek Cheated In D.C. With A Resident — Season 11, Episode 17 – Hollywood Life.
Why did Alex leave GREY's anatomy? ›Why did Alex Karev leave Grey's Anatomy? Alex Karev actor Justin Chambers left the show to “diversify his acting roles and career choices.” Chambers unexpectedly announced that he was stepping down as Alex Karev in January 2020.
How old was Meredith Grey in season 11? ›During season 11, it is confirmed Meredith was 5 years old in 1983, when her sister Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) was born.
Why did April leave in season 11? ›Sarah Drew was pregnant when the first half of the season was filmed, giving birth right after shooting episode 11. Therefore, she does not appear in episodes 12 and 13 because of her maternity leave.
What happens to Kepner in season 11? ›
April Kepner for nine seasons on the beloved Shonda Rhimes show, opened up to PEOPLE about how that raw scene in season 11, in which April gave birth to her son Samuel, who died in her arms moments later, was followed in real-life by the birth of her daughter Hannah only hours later.
Who does Callie Torres end up with? ›Callie and Arizona have a five-year relationship, ultimately marrying in season 7 and divorcing in season 11. Callie starts a new relationship with Penny Blake and leaves to go to New York with her in the season 12 finale.
Who did Derek cheat on Meredith with before he died? ›In a flashback, we meet Derek's research fellow, Renee (Scottie Thompson). And, as Meredith expected of the Other Woman, she is young and hot and has great hair (and great eyes, incidentally).
What seasons does Derek cheat on Meredith? ›Derek Shepherd On Meredith Grey
Arguably one of the worst betrayals on Grey's Anatomy has been Derek's moment with his research fellow, Renee. In seasons 10 and 11, Meredith's dream relationship with Derek went through a rough patch as the latter left for DC.
That's right: One of the new interns, Lucas Adams (Niko Terho) is Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey)'s nephew.
Who answers Derek's phone? ›According to Derek, his research fellow Renee (NCIS' Scottie Thompson), who he insists is just his research fellow, answered his phone because he left it in the lab and was already at the airport.
Who did Derek Shepherd's wife cheat on him with? ›Addison cheated on her husband of over 10 years, Derek with his best friend Mark Sloan.
Who is the father of Jo's baby? ›Luna Wilson is the daughter of Jo Wilson, who was born to her late patient Val Ashton.
Did Jo get pregnant in GREY's? ›The biggest shocker was when Jo revealed she was pregnant at the altar to freak out Alex— until she spilled the truth.
Does Jo get pregnant in season 12? ›KID STUFF | Early on in “I Choose You” (obviously shortened from its full title, “I Choose You, Pikachu”), Jo seemed to confide in Stephanie that she'd just found out she was pregnant. (It was never overtly stated — this would be important later.)
Why did Patrick Dempsey leave in season 11? ›
According to Vanity Fair, reports from producers and others who worked with him on the show suggest that he became nearly impossible to work with during later seasons due to scheduling issues. Dempsey later explained that filming for a show like Grey's took a major toll on him over time.
Why is Derek not in season 5? ›There's no easy way to say this, so let's just rip the Band-Aid: Tyler Hoechlin will not be a series regular in the upcoming season of "Teen Wolf." As BuzzFeed reported earlier today, the actor is stepping out of his role as Derek Hale in order to pursue other opportunities.
Does Christina come back after season 11? ›Oh left the show after season 10, and her character Cristina Yang was written out of the storyline as a main cast member.
Whose baby is April pregnant with? ›The Ultimatum alum is expecting her first baby with boyfriend Cody Cooper, the couple announced on Feb. 13. Alongside a montage featuring pictures of the pair holding a sonogram and a positive pregnancy test, April shared on Instagram, "The hardest secret we've ever had to keep!
Who does Kepner end up with? ›Drew, 40, played Dr. April Kepner on the medical drama from 2009 until she was written off the show in 2018. The character ultimately married paramedic Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening), the former fiancé she'd left at the altar to run away with Jesse Williams' Jackson Avery.
Who does April get pregnant by? ›Jackson professed his love for April as she stood at the altar with Matthew. So, April and Jackson ran off together and eloped. April and Jackson get pregnant unexpectedly.
Did Cristina go to Derek's funeral? ›Grey's Anatomy star Kevin McKidd (Owen) revealed in a TV Line interview that Cristina Yang was indeed by Meredith's side at Derek's funeral, which took place last season.
What does Meredith do after Derek dies? ›After Derek's death, Meredith opts to avoid romance but falls into an entanglement of complication with Riggs. The two grow closer and closer as Meredith becomes more comfortable in opening herself up to love again. She and Riggs are looking promising for a hot second until Megan returns.
How long was Meredith gone after Derek died? ›New Wrinkles. Drama Rundown: Meredith goes missing for an entire year (it's only one episode) to cope with the loss of her husband — when she pops up again, surprise! She is giving birth to her and Derek's third child, Ellis. She moves back into her mother's house, where Maggie and Amelia eventually join her.
What happens to Jack Bauer in the end? ›However, the producers and network behind 24 weren't in favor of his route, and instead, the season ends with Jack handing himself over to Russian authorities to free his best friend - and beloved fan-favorite - Chloe.
Why was 24 cancelled? ›
The "constant upward spiral of cast and creative team salaries" over the show's eight years has driven the budget up to $5 million an episode, but the show's ratings have dropped 16 percent this season. Financially, it couldn't survive.
What happens to Tony Almeida in 24? ›Jack's attempts to dissuade him eventually cause Tony to hesitate, however, and Henderson is given time to disarm Tony of the syringe and inject him with it before escaping. Before Jack can get him medical help, Tony apparently dies.
Does Yang have a baby? ›Seasons. Theo Hunt is the son of Owen Hunt and Cristina Yang in one of her imagined futures.
Does Derek know Meredith is pregnant? ›Grey's Anatomy Tv Show
Season 9 episode 7 when Derek finds out Meredith is pregnant with Bailey.
After he was born, Shane Ross noticed that Meredith had suffered from a massive splenic hemorrhage caused by her fall down the stairs. Miranda Bailey performed surgery to stop the hemorrhage and saved Meredith's life, thus Meredith named her son after her.
How many children do Derek and Meredith have? ›Before his death in 2015, Derek was happily married to his longtime partner and wife Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). The couple had three children together.
Does Meredith get Alzheimer's? ›'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19: Meredith's Alzheimer's Research Doesn't Ruin Derek's, It Honors It. Sorry Amelia, but the fight against Alzheimer's was always Meredith's. In its ongoing, nearly twenty-year run, Grey's Anatomy has had plenty of dramatic and devastating moments.
How many babies does Meredith have? ›Meredith has three children: Zola, Derek Bailey, and Ellis. Zola was adopted by Meredith and Derek after coming to Seattle Grace (later known as Grey-Sloan) for surgery when she was 6-months-old.
What happens in season 11 episode 20 of GREY's anatomy? ›Episode Info
The crash of a small plane results in multiple casualties -- and brings back terrible memories, particularly for Meredith and Arizona; friction between Amelia and Owen becomes uncomfortable at work.
Episode Info
Amelia and Owen deepen their relationship; Alex has a clearer view of his future with Jo; Callie and Arizona struggle with their custody arrangement.
Did Meredith GREY have a baby after Derek died? ›
After Derek's funeral, Meredith left Seattle with Zola and Bailey and didn't let anyone know where she was going. Meredith's friends spent months trying to locate her with no luck. It wasn't until Meredith gave birth to baby Ellis that Alex saw his friend again.
What happens to Meredith in season 19? ›As revealed earlier in the season, Meredith will now move to Boston to research a cure for Alzheimer's. According to Deadline, Pompeo will continue to executive-produce and narrate episodes for this season of the ABC medical drama. She is also expected to return for an appearance in the season-19 finale.
Who leaves in season 19 of GREY's anatomy? ›Kelly McCreary said goodbye to Grey's Anatomy in Season 19 after her character, Maggie, left Grey Sloan Memorial to take a research position at the Heart Center of Chicago. Her decision to leave Seattle effectively ended her marriage to Dr. Winston Ndugu (Anthony Hill), but who knows what will happen?
What happens in season 18 of GREY's anatomy? ›Meredith decided to move her family to Minnesota with Nick after helping Grey-Sloan gain back its accreditation for the residency program that was on probation. But Meredith made a bad surgical call, Grey-Sloan lost more surgeons, and the hospital experienced a dire blood shortage.
What happens to Kepner in season 12? ›In season 12, April and Jackson go through divorce proceedings started by Jackson. The morning before they sign the divorce papers, April discovers that she is expecting a second baby. She does not inform Jackson, and he is told by Arizona Robbins, which leads to additional tension.
What big thing happens in season 13 of GREY's? ›Season 13 Finale: "Ring of Fire" - In the aftermath of the explosion, a fire rages in the hospital, putting everyone's lives at risk. Once the smoke finally clears, Meredith breaks the news to Nathan that Megan is alive. Dr. Eliza Minnick is fired as a result of her actions during the hospital crisis.