‘Grey’s Anatomy’ recap: Meredith says goodbye in Seattle after big declaration of love

It really is the end of a Gray Sloan era. Meredith takes the kids to the hospital to say goodbye before they leave for Boston. Zola wants to see one last surgery before leaving.

Before Meredith leaves for the east coast, she has to patch things up with Nick. Apparently, he’s upset that she never called him back. “I moved here to be with you,” he tells her. For Meredith, everything is so simple. She said “I love you” and he didn’t say it back. Nick is shocked and runs out of the room.

Maggie has to attend an exciting surgery for Zola. It’s a partial heart transplant in a newborn baby. This surgery has never been done before. Parents are understandably concerned. They forgo surgery when fear gets the better of them. Parents want to wait for a full heart.

Jo tries to get them to change their minds. The experimental aspect of the intervention is what raises the doubt. Only after Amelia talks to her parents do they reconsider their views. She opens up about the loss of her baby, Christopher. She tells them that if there was a chance she could survive, she would have put herself out there to make it happen.

Teddy wonders about the search for the new Chief of Surgery. He drops hints about wanting the job. Richard claims there are no extra payments for the show, causing Teddy to be cut off.

Mika visits Taryn at the café after Schmitt mentions that Taryn was a great surgeon before she quit. After her pet van is taken away, Mika needs a big win. She enlists Taryn’s help in getting her pick of her for Maggie and Winston’s surgery. Taryn’s advice helps Mike get the win he needs.

Tess arrives at the hospital, so Meredith and Nick are forced to work together to try and save her. Meanwhile, Maggie and Winston work with Mika on partial heart transplant surgery. Zola has to tell Blue and Jules to shut up in the gallery so everyone can see (and learn from) the masters. While Maggie and Winston’s surgery is a success, Meredith and Nick lose Tess at the table.

Once Meredith calls the time of death, it’s now or never for her relationship with Nick. Is this goodbye or the beginning of a new beginning for them? “I want you in my life if you want to be in my life,” Meredith tells Nick. However, she points out that he won’t “beg” him to love her. The ball is in your court if you want to be a part of her life.

Meredith is distraught over the loss of Tess, which was her last surgery at Gray Sloan. Simone reveals that Tess wrote her last book before she died and saved it on a flash drive. Tess’s last wish was to deliver it to her publisher in Boston. She hands it to Meredith.

Teddy confronts Richard about the situation with the Chief of Surgery. She is offended that he has offered her a seat on the council to choose a leader. She wants To be the boss. Richard tells her that if he wants to be chief of surgery, it’s her job.

Bailey toasts Meredith at her going away party. An emotional Bailey calls Meredith “one of my proudest.” Richard tells Meredith that “this place won’t be the same without you”. Meredith says goodbye to her favorite doctors.

Nick tries to drown his sorrows about Meredith’s situation at the bar. Taryn turns it on. Meredith Gray is OR Meredith Grey. This causes Nick to go after Meredith. He tries to catch her before she flies to Boston. When he knows she won’t make it, Nick calls Meredith. He tells Meredith that he loves her. “I loved you every minute of every day that I knew you,” he says.

Meredith acts like she can’t hear Nick. She says she’ll call him when they settle in Boston and hang up. Nick is amazed.

Despite the success and innovative surgery, Winston still wants to change his specialty. Maggie thinks she made a big mistake, blowing up Winston. “You’re cold and I don’t respect that,” Winston says. Later, Maggie asks Amelia if she can stay at her place.

Lucas, Simone and Mika show up at Meredith’s empty house. All were told they could stay there if they supervised the repairs after the fire. They’re all getting the home and camaraderie they’ve always wanted. When one generation leaves, another generation comes in. Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays on ABC.

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