Season 18 (Grey's Anatomy)

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Season 18 (Grey's Anatomy)
A new tomorrow, today.
Season Information
No. of episodes	20
Original run	September 30, 2021 - May 26, 2022
Season Guide
Previous	Season 17
Next	Season 19

The eighteenth season of Grey's Anatomy was announced on May 10, 2021. It aired on Thursday nights at 9/8c starting September 30, 2021. Krista Vernoff continued to serve as showrunner on both Grey's Anatomy and Station 19.

Summary

Tensions at Grey Sloan Memorial run high as Owen and Teddy attempt to take the next step in their engagement. Bailey wants to hire new doctors. Richard is reenergised as he takes teaching to a new level at the hospital. Seattle's favorite redhead is back. Levi faces a loss. An explosion rocks Seattle. Jo, Link and Amelia find themselves at a crossroads. And as Meredith struggles with major decisions, she realizes the end of an era is easier said than done.

Plots

• Having survived COVID, Meredith searches for her next big career move and finds it at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where David Hamilton persuades her to lead research on a cure for Parkinson's disease at The Grey Center. Meredith recruits Amelia for the project and runs into Nick Marsh. The two rekindle their romance as she splits her time between Seattle and Minnesota. Eventually, she is invited to move to Minnesota to join the Mayo Clinic staff full time, causing friction with her former mentors, who struggle to keep the residency program from being shut down.
• Looking to reinvent the teaching of the residents after the COVID year, Richard develops the Webber Method, a teaching method that allows the residents to take charge during non-critical parts of surgeries. When Levi loses a patient on the table while not following the method's rules, the method comes under scrutiny and Richard begins doubting his aptitude as a teacher and surgeon.
• Owen illegally dispenses lethal drugs to veterans dying of pulmonary fibrosis while setting up research to properly aid said veterans. Megan Hunt and Farouk visit for Owen and Teddy's wedding as Farouk grows sick, resulting in a heart transplant. A near-death experience causes Owen to come clean about his actions to Cormac, who decides to remove himself from the situation altogether by abruptly relocating back to Ireland with his sons. Teddy learns about Owen's actions as word spreads amongst the veterans, putting a heavy strain on their marriage as he risks being charged with a felony.
• Amelia co-parents with Link after his marriage proposal definitively ends their relationship. While working on the research project, she falls for neuroscientist Kai Bartley and the two develop a romantic relationship.
• Newlyweds Winston and Maggie spend some time apart while the latter aids her father in Boston after hip surgery. Later, Maggie is faced with a side of Winston she never saw before due to the arrival of Winston's brother Wendell Ndugu.
• Levi grows more confident, but his hubris results in the death of a patient. He leaves the residency program and breaks up with Nico. His depressed state causes his mother to start a smear campaign against the residency program, causing a formal investigation into the program.
• Link and new mother Jo co-habitate with their children and venture into friends with benefits territory while Jo continues her training as an OB/GYN resident.
• Addison Forbes Montgomery visits multiple times to perform and follow up on a uterine transplant.

Cast

Main Cast

• Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey (20/20)
• Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey (19/20)
• James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber (19/20)
• Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt (18/20)
• Caterina Scorsone as Dr. Amelia Shepherd (20/20)
• Camilla Luddington as Dr. Jo Wilson (19/20)
• Kelly McCreary as Dr. Maggie Pierce (15/20)
• Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman (18/20)
• Jake Borelli as Dr. Levi Schmitt (17/20)
• Chris Carmack as Dr. Atticus Lincoln (17/20)
• Richard Flood as Dr. Cormac Hayes (9/20) (until Living In a House Divided)
• Anthony Hill as Dr. Winston Ndugu (18/20)
• Scott Speedman as Dr. Nick Marsh (17/20)

Special Guest Stars

• Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery (3/20)

Recurring Guest Stars

• Kate Burton as Dr. Ellis Grey (3/20)
• Jaicy Elliot as Dr. Taryn Helm (15/20)
• Alex Landi as Dr. Nico Kim (8/20)
• Debra Mooney as Evelyn Hunt (2/20)
• Lynn Chen as Dr. Michelle Lin (5/20)
• Melissa DuPrey as Dr. Sara Ortiz (5/20)
• Alexis Raich as Tara Brown (1/20)
• Abigail Spencer as Dr. Megan Hunt (9/20)
• Peter Gallagher as Dr. David Hamilton (9/20)
• Johnny Rey Diaz as Noah Young (5/20)
• E.R. Fightmaster as Dr. Kai Bartley (12/20)
• Robert I. Mesa as Dr. James Chee (3/20)
• Chantal Maurice as Rashida Flowers (2/20)
• Zaiver Sinnett as Dr. Zander Perez (12/20) (final two appearances only, recurring co-star otherwise)
• Jason George as Dr. Ben Warren (6/20)
• Meryl Hathaway as Tovah Freedman (3/20)
• Aniela Gumbs as Zola Grey Shepherd (9/20)
• Debbie Allen as Dr. Catherine Fox (7/20)
• Stefania Spampinato as Dr. Carina DeLuca (4/20)
• Nikhil Shukla as Dr. Reza Khan (3/20)
• Jaina Lee Ortiz as Lieutenant Andy Herrera (1/20)
• Grey Damon as Lieutenant Jack Gibson (1/20)
• Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes (1/20)
• Jay Hayden as Travis Montgomery (2/20)
• Okieriete Onaodowan as Dean Miller (1/20)
• Carlos Miranda as Lieutenant Theo Ruiz (1/20)
• Greg Germann as Dr. Tom Koracick (2/20)
• Alain Uy as Captain Pat Aquino (1/20)
• Michelle Gardner as Myrna Schmitt (2/20)
• Ashley Tavares as Heather Young (2/20)
• Greg Tarzan Davis as Dr. Jordan Wright (9/20)
• Octavio Rodriguez as Devon Gomez (2/20)
• LaTanya Richardson Jackson as Diane Pierce (1/20)
• Skylar Astin as Todd Eames (4/20)
• Tessa Slovis as Laura Eames (2/20)
• Rome Flynn as Wendell Ndugu (3/20)
• Dawnn Lewis as Jamarah Blake (3/20)
• Bianca Santos as Kristen Clark (4/20)
• Cedric Sanders as Simon Clark (4/20)
• Sandy Martin as Sally James (2/20)
• Kristin Lehman as Cora James (2/20)
• Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner (1/20)
• Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery (1/20)

Recurring Co-Stars

• Norm Nixon, Jr. as Nurse James (2/20)
• Bardia Seiri as Farouk Shami Hunt (8/20)
• Avalon Gray & Colette Gray as Leo Hunt (5/20)
• River Davidson as Allison Hunt (5/20)
• Ryden Murphy & Ryker Murphy as Scout Derek Shepherd Lincoln (11/20)
• Annabelle King as Luna Wilson (8/20)
• Antonio Roccucci as Brad DiMarco (1/20)
• Sylvia Kwan as Dr. Mabel Tseng (14/20)
• Frances Nichols as Karen (4/20)
• Boone Nelson as Danny Young (2/20)
• Martin Mullen as Paramedic (1/20)
• Juliette Myers as Paramedic D. Kennedy (1/20)
• Rasta Thomas as J. Gause (3/20)
• Brody Goodstadt & Ryder Nolan Goodstadt as Derek Bailey Shepherd (6/20)
• Kevin Clarke as Paramedic Kevin Clarke (1/20)
• Janai Kaylani as Pruitt Arike Miller (4/20)
• Kimberly Aria Peterson as Aaliyah (1/20)
• Ella Faris & Gracie Faris as Ellis Shepherd (5/20)
• Chris King Wong as Lee Kang (1/20)
• MaryLynn Suchan as MaryAnn Suchan (2/20)
• BokHee An as BokHee (1/20)
• Payton Silver as Dr. Knox (2/20)
• Penelope Kapudija as Harriet Kepner-Avery (1/20)

Notes and Trivia

• The series was officially renewed for season eighteen on May 10, 2021.
• All three remaining original stars - Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens, Jr. - signed new contracts for the season, as their contracts expired at the end of season seventeen. Jesse Williams' contract also expired, but he opted to leave the series near the end of the previous season. As such, it will be the first season since season six not to feature Dr. Jackson Avery as a series regular.
  • As Andrew DeLuca died in season seventeen, this was also the first season not to feature Giacomo Gianniotti as Andrew since his first appearance in season eleven.
• Filming for the season started on August 11, 2021.^[source?]
• The promotional poster for the season includes Miranda Bailey and Richard Webber. The last time the poster featured other characters besides Meredith Grey was season fourteen, which featured all remaining originals at the time.
• T.R. Knight shadowed directors this season.^[source?]
• Due to COVID-19, the holiday break was extended. Instead of resuming production on January 10, 2022, it was pushed back to January 12, 2022.^[source?]
• This is the first season since season six to feature a two-hour finale.
• Meredith narrates all of the voiceovers this season, which hadn't happened since season one.

Easter Egg Hunt

Ellen Pompeo had the idea to sprinkle Easter eggs referencing back to the history of the show throughout the episodes of the season. The following section bundles all the Easter eggs sorted by episode.

18.01 - Here Comes the Sun

• The close-up of Meredith's face when she awakens from her dream is reminiscent of the close-up shown in A Hard Day's Night when she wakes up on the living room floor after her one-night stand with Derek.
• The white striped shirt and beige pants she wears throughout the episode are very similar to her outfit worn on her first day at Seattle Grace.
• David tells Meredith she is the spitting image of her mother. Richard told her the exact same thing in the first episode.
• Meredith tells Nick she is not sleeping with him, which she also told Derek in The First Cut Is the Deepest.
• The room in the background of Ellis's appearance in Meredith's dream is where she first appeared in the pilot, Roseridge Home for Extended Care.
• The Minnesota Mayo Clinic was previously featured in early season 9 when Cristina worked there. The location fits with previous statements that Ellis Grey worked there (as well as Nick Marsh).

Episodes

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
381	1	"Here Comes the Sun"	Debbie Allen	Meg Marinis	September 30, 2021
		As the city of Seattle revels at the Phoenix Fair celebrating the city's rebirth post-COVID, the Grey Sloan doctors treat a patient who encounters illegal fireworks. Meanwhile, Bailey has her sights set on hiring new doctors, but she's having trouble finding viable options. Owen and Teddy attempt to take the next step in their engagement, and Meredith has a surprising opportunity when she meets a dynamic doctor from her mother's past. Part two of a crossover that begins on Station 19's Phoenix from the Flame.
382	2	"Some Kind of Tomorrow"	Kevin McKidd	Felicia Pride	October 7, 2021
		Meredith seeks advice from Amelia. Meanwhile, Richard is reenergized as he takes teaching to a new level at the hospital, and Winston treats a patient suffering from kidney failure.
383	3	"Hotter Than Hell"	Chandra Wilson	Jamie Denbo	October 14, 2021
		Seattle's favorite redhead returns and graces the Grey Sloan halls with her experience and expertise as she attempts to help Richard teach the newest crop of residents. Meanwhile, Meredith has a decision to make, and Link confides in Teddy.
384	4	"With a Little Help From My Friends"	Michael Watkins	Jess Righthand	October 21, 2021
		Richard recruits Meredith and Bailey to help him launch a new program. Meanwhile, Addison's patient has complications from a procedure, and Jo helps a woman who goes into premature labor.
385	5	"Bottle Up and Explode!"	Lindsay Cohen	Kiley Donovan & Beto Skubs	November 11, 2021
		The Grey Sloan doctors spring into action after an explosion rocks Seattle, with the incoming trauma hitting close to home. Owen experiences PTSD after he hears the explosion, while his sister Megan enlists help from Winston and Hayes in confidence. In Minnesota, Meredith and Amelia meet up with a familiar face who assists in their study. Part two of a crossover that begins on Station 19's Things We Lost in the Fire.
386	6	"Everyday Is a Holiday (With You)"	Tony Phelan	Meg Marinis	November 18, 2021
		It's Thanksgiving and while Meredith faces travel complications due to the weather, Nick steps in to help in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Richard and Bailey seek out emergency surgeries, and Amelia and Link reconnect.
387	7	"Today Was a Fairytale"	Debbie Allen	Julie Wong	December 9, 2021
		Dr. Hamilton takes his frustrations out on Meredith, so Nick gives her a chance to blow off steam by scrubbing in on a surgery. Back in Seattle, Link and Jo take their kids to a fairytale theater performance that goes wrong. Bailey and Dr. Lin attend a recruitment fair in hopes of attracting more doctors to Grey Sloan but find themselves ill-prepared.
388	8	"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"	Michael Watkins	Jase Miles-Perez	December 16, 2021
		The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial celebrate the holidays. Hamilton and Meredith prepare for a milestone on their project. Link wants to spend the holiday with Amelia and Scout as a family, and Schmitt is faced with a difficult decision during surgery.
389	9	"No Time to Die"	Linda Klein	Krista Vernoff	February 24, 2022
		The Grey Sloan Memorial doctors grapple with the aftermath of the car crash that involved some of their own, while Meredith works to save Dr. Hamilton's life. After Levi is severely impacted from his latest loss, Bailey is forced to once again rethink the Webber Method. Later, Link confronts Amelia after witnessing her move on with someone new. Part two of a crossover that begins on Station 19's Started from the Bottom.
390	10	"Living In a House Divided"	Allison Liddi-Brown	Jamie Denbo	March 3, 2022
		Schmitt must face the Morbidity and Mortality conference. Meanwhile, Meredith convinces Nick to scrub in on a surgery in Seattle, and Jo faces her feelings.
391	11	"Legacy"	Kevin McKidd	Mark Driscoll	March 10, 2022
		While Meredith, Amelia and the team prepare for Dr. Hamilton's long-awaited, groundbreaking surgery, Bailey receives an unexpected offer. Owen's impatience makes him a difficult physical therapy patient, forcing Link to intervene. In Minnesota, Nick makes a liver transplant a teaching moment.
392	12	"The Makings of You"	Debbie Allen	Felicia Pride	March 17, 2022
		Nick whisks Meredith away to his Minnesota cabin for a romantic weekend, leaving Winston and Maggie to care for Meredith's children. Meanwhile, Amelia and Kai grow closer.
393	13	"Put the Squeeze On Me"	Allison Liddi-Brown	Julie Wong	March 24, 2022
		While Richard ponders his surgical abilities, Jo is charmed by her patient's brother. Elsewhere, Megan makes sure Teddy and Owen talk out their differences, and a pet python causes an uproar.
394	14	"Road Trippin'"	Linda Klein	Beto Skubs	March 31, 2022
		Tensions at Grey Sloan Memorial rise as the effects of the physician shortage begin to show. Meanwhile, Meredith struggles to step away from work as she spends a sick day at home with Zola, and the hospital receives an unexpected visitor.
395	15	"Put It to the Test"	Kevin McKidd	Zoanne Clack	April 7, 2022
		Bailey is on edge when an accreditation council stops by Grey Sloan to review the residency program, while Richard sets an assessment of his own for the same day. Meanwhile, Nick returns to Seattle to perform a first-of-its-kind operation with Meredith.
396	16	"Should I Stay or Should I Go"	Michael Watkins	Jase Miles-Perez & Jess Righthand	May 5, 2022
		Bailey faces an unhappy Catherine who is facing audits for several of her Foundation hospitals. Meanwhile, Addison is back at Grey Sloan, tensions rise between Meredith and Richard, and Owen returns to work.
397	17	"I'll Cover You"	Debbie Allen	Emily Culver & Kiley Donovan	May 12, 2022
		A former patient of Link's, Simon, is in the ER with his pregnant wife and Bailey receives an offer from Nick.
398	18	"Stronger Than Hate"	Chandra Wilson	Julie Wong	May 19, 2022
		A dinner party is thrown at the sister house in Nick's honor. Meanwhile, Grey Sloan Memorial receives a victim of a brutal hate crime.
399	19	"Out for Blood"	Kevin McKidd	Meg Marinis	May 26, 2022
		Due to a blood shortage, Grey Sloan Memorial is setting up a voluntary donation center. Meanwhile, Nick asks Meredith for help with his patient and Winston is hung up on his relationship with his brother.
400	20	"You Are the Blood"	Debbie Allen	Krista Vernoff	May 26, 2022
		The blood shortage at Grey Sloan Memorial continues. Meanwhile, Meredith makes a risky decision regarding a patient, and Owen's actions to help his fellow veterans come to light.

Gallery

Posters

Cast Promotional Photos

TV Guide's Kate Walsh Return Photoshoot