Grey’s Anatomy: Meredith takes control as another doctor dies after the explosion

Chaos erupted at Grey Sloan Memorial as the doctors faced the devastating aftermath of an explosion that left lives hanging in the balance, and one of their own didn’t make it.

The season 22 premiere of Grey’s Anatomy began right where the previous season ended, moments after a gas valve left open during a tense hostage situation triggered an explosion inside the hospital.

Jenna Gatlin (Piper Perabo) was responsible for the accident, which trapped Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) inside as flames engulfed the building.

Refusing to stay on the sidelines, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) broke through a glass door when police blocked her from entering the hospital, declaring, “Clinic’s open,” as she led a new group of interns through the smoke-filled corridors.

Atticus “Link” Lincoln (Chris Carmack) and Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales) were among those severely injured. Link panicked after learning a piece of the ceiling had pierced his collarbone, while Beltran suffered a shattered pelvis.

With the elevators down, Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), and Ben Warren (Jason George) improvised to save Link’s life.

As he bled heavily, Bailey handed him the phone to call Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), who is pregnant with their twins. “I love you. Love our kids,” he told her.

“I feel pretty damn stupid it took me so long to get my crap together to tell you that.” Moments later, he passed out as Jo broke down in tears.

After an intense surgery, Link miraculously pulled through. Bailey told Jo, “I haven’t seen anyone fight that hard in a long time. That man did not want to leave you.” Jo smiled when he gripped her hand, giving her hope he would recover.

Beltran, however, wasn’t as fortunate. While assisting Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane) in an emergency procedure on a child, she urged the young doctor to keep going despite running out of anesthesia.

“Unless you want to see that sweet little boy die, I suggest you open him up right now,” she told her. Jules managed to save the patient but soon realized Beltran had collapsed beside her.

Despite desperate attempts at CPR, Beltran died on the OR floor. Devastated, Jules wept in Winston Ndugu’s (Anthony Hill) arms as he later delivered the heartbreaking news to Amelia.

Meanwhile, Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) faced emotional turmoil of her own after sleeping with new intern Wes Bryant (Trevor Jackson), who later turned out to be her subordinate.

When she crossed paths with her ex, Lucas Adams (Niko Terho), she admitted, “I don’t think we should get back together. We almost died in a hostage situation. That’s not real life. I think we both need time to focus on work… I slept with someone.” Lucas walked away in silence.

As Meredith takes charge and the staff mourns Beltran’s death, Grey Sloan Memorial is left forever changed.

Between fresh heartbreaks, new beginnings, and the lingering trauma of the explosion, Grey’s Anatomy proves once again that no one is safe, not even its doctors.