SPOILER ALERT
Grey’s Anatomy fans are having one surprise after another this season.
Although ABC’s medical drama currently features the main character Meredith Gray (Ellen Pompeo) fighting for her life after contracting COVID-19, her hospitalization offered viewers the opportunity to see her reconnect with her deceased loved ones.
Thursday night’s episode ended with a teaser of what’s to come next week, and shows Gray reuniting with his half sister Lexie, known as “Little Gray”, on a beach.
The promo for the next episode shows Gray looking out over the ocean, the same spot where she previously met her late husband on the show, Dr. Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey.
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She hands over a towel and grabs it, only to realize seconds later that the person giving it to her is her deceased sister played by Chyler Gray.
“Lexie?” Gray says surprisingly.
Gray then admits, “I like it here,” and Lexie replies, “Are you going to stay?”
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Meredith Gray, played by Ellen Pompeo, will be reunited with another ex-character during next week’s episode.
(ABC)
Leigh’s return comes after nine seasons since his character died in a plane crash, which was highlighted at the end of season 8. Leigh joined the show from 2007 to 2012, first as a guest star before becoming a full-time character.
The official Twitter account for the TV series shared the clip, writing, “You were waiting for this one.”
The tweet generated mixed reactions from fans.
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“Surprised that you would screw this up in a preview! Great move!” one person said, to which another person replied, “Probably to increase the audience.”
However, others thanked the program for bringing Lexie back and pleaded with the writers not to kill Gray.
“I missed her so much, but please let Mer live, she can love it there because she misses Lexie and Derek, but her kids need her.” a tweet reads.
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“I’m screaming and screaming,” wrote another excited viewer.
“Millions of people came out of the depression with this reunion,” said another.
After the surprise return of Dr. Derek Shepherd from Patrick Dempsey, Dr. George O’Malley, played by TR Knight, also made a brief return.