Overview

• The hour picks up immediately after the hospital blast, focusing on improvised rescue efforts and urgent triage.
• Showrunner Meg Marinis said the writers weighed difficult outcomes to ensure the fallout carries real emotional weight.
• A central surgeon endures severe injuries and begins a prolonged recovery arc that will influence relationships and work.
• Ellen Pompeo returns in a prominent role as Meredith Grey as the series refocuses on core surgical storylines.
• ABC confirms an 18-episode season, with the next episode marking the show's 450th installment.