“Grey’s Anatomy”: Meredith Is Blackmailed, Jo’s Secret Is Exposed and Bailey’s Fate Is Revealed in Season 21 Premiere

Jason George and Kali Rocha returned to 'Grey's Anatomy' as the ripple effects of Meredith’s secret research being discovered were felt across Grey Sloan Memorial on the season 21 premiere

The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial were facing the repercussions of Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) secret research being discovered on the season 21 premiere of Grey's Anatomy.

The Sept. 26 episode kicked off with Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) standing her ground against Catherine after she threatened to fire the interns.

After Bailey asked if she was replaceable, Catherine responded, “Do you know how many doctors I have replaced in my career? Your rejects can stay but your salary will pay for the lawyers who will fix their mistakes. You’re done here, Dr. Bailey. Goodbye.”

“You don’t get to fire me. You don’t deserve to fire me,” Bailey told her, but Catherine countered, “You think you’re God’s gift to this hospital. Please, they won’t even notice the second you walk out that door. You’re just another doctor.”

That stinging comment then led to Bailey slapping her across the face.

It turned out the explosive moment was, in fact, a dream, but Bailey was still let go from the hospital alongside her fellow surgeons Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) while Meredith resigned in the aftermath of the scandal.

Read on to find out more about the season 21 premiere of Grey's Anatomy.

Related: Grey’s Anatomy's Camilla Luddington Reveals Why Jo and Link's Love Story Is 'Very Reminiscent of My Own' (Exclusive)

Bailey Faces a New Reality

Catherine wasted no time in replacing Bailey with a new resident director, but she was able to stay in charge of her reproductive health clinic.

With her husband Ben Warren (Jason George) looking for a new job after leaving the Seattle Fire Department, following the ending of Station 19, he showed his allegiance to wife. “I’m not applying to any Fox [Foundation] hospitals," he declared. "Catherine let you go. I don’t trust her and you wanted to slap her. I heard a rumor that the new residency director starts today.”

The new residency director was Sydney Heron (returning guest star Kali Rocha) and she used her signature loving, caring approach... much to the surprise — and dislike — of the interns.

“I’m not your new fearless leader… I did my residency here so think of me as one of you guys, OK? Who’s ready to heal with love?” she told them while introducing herself.

Related: Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneak Peek Teases Jesse Williams' Return as Jackson Avery: 'Welcome Back' (Exclusive)

When Bailey attempted to go unnoticed while sneaking around the hospital, Sydney saw her and immediately gave her a bear hug. “Isn’t this fun?" she said. "A new generation of lady doctors alongside our generation of lady doctors. All working together to make the world a better place.”

The interaction irked Bailey, who later told her husband, “Her philosophy is to heal with love. Love does not heal. Science heals. Medicine and trained doctors heal… She took my interns when I was pregnant and slowed them down with positivity and smiles and butterflies… I am the one who got those residents back in shape.”

Simone Griffin’s (Alexis Floyd) frustrations with Sydney continued to mount as they searched the hospital for a missing patient but Bailey told them it was no longer her problem.

“It should be,” Simone replied. “Why aren't you fighting for your job? Is it that easy to leave after everything you’ve been through with us? Why aren’t you banging on doors?”

After the patient was found in the wall of a supply closet and they rushed her into surgery, Bailey further explained her stance to Simone, saying, “I did fight, putting my job on the line for all of you. That was me fighting. What happened is not your fault. You can’t carry everyone else’s choices on your shoulders… you always know where to find me.”

Meredith and Catherine Face Off

After Catherine discovered Meredith was misappropriating funds for her Alzheimer's research in the season 20 finale, she was reserved with an injunction from the Fox Foundation. The messenger informed her, “If you don’t respond, you could be held in contempt of the court.” However, she immediately tossed the papers in the trash.

Amid the fallout, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) returned to Grey Sloan Memorial and asked his mother if she had spoken to Meredith since the discovery. Catherine fired back, “I won’t talk to that entitled fire starter if we were the last two remaining people on this earth and it was the only way to save civilization.”

Meredith later insisted to Jackson that the legal repercussions  — including cease and desist letters from Catherine - were stopping the other institutions from wanting to work with them on the research. Jackson countered, “Are those people aware of misuse of funds? Breach a contract? That you signed a non-compete? I’m not here to make things easier for you. I was also the source of those letters.”

“This is not just about my mom. I brought you in so I could be a part of groundbreaking work…You have no idea how much you two are like,” he later told her. “Catherine broke more rules than all of us but she was strategic about it. She understood how to play the game.”

Meredith noted she doesn’t “have time for games” but wanted Amelia, Owen and Teddy to get their jobs back. She told Jackson, “I’ll sell a percentage of my shares of Grey Sloan and I can pay you back everything.”

“This isn’t about money,” Jackson insisted. “Not anymore.”

Related: Ellen Pompeo Is Set to Appear in 7 Episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 21

Meredith went to Catherine to address their disagreement but she collapsed before they could have a conversation. Meredith realized that Catherine’s cancer was progressing and she needed further treatment. However, Catherine revealed, “I’m not pursuing any invasive treatments.”

Meredith then asked if she knew about the tumor on her spine and Catherine responded, “I do know about it but Richard and Jackson don’t, and you’re not going to tell them.”

Meredith told Catherine that Jackson and Richard should know about her condition and she responded, “I’ll tell them when I’m ready."

“Do you know how much work planning for your death is?” she shared. “And I’m not just talking about picking out a casket or making out a will. I’m talking about taking stock in your life and making sure you’ve done everything you want to do with it. I think about this every day and when I do, there’s two things that I know. My family is perfect, especially my grandbaby, and I’m not ready to sit on [the] sidelines.”

Related: Grey's Anatomy's Camilla Luddington Teases Jo Be Will Be Stuck in 'Her Own Tornado of Emotions and Hormones' (Exclusive)

Meredith tried to remind her of her “extraordinary” career but Catherine told her to “keep your mouth shut.” She asked what if she doesn’t and Catherine replied, “Then, you and your friends will never get your jobs back.”

“You’re threatening me over your health,” Meredith fired back and Catherine responded, “I’ve blackmailed people over far less.”

Meredith later informed Jackson and Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) that “everyone can have their jobs back” but when asked if she would continue the research, she replied, “Yes, I will but not here.”

Amelia clarified what she meant and Meredith said, “You should take yours in Seattle and the research will just go in a different direction.”

Link Put the Puzzle Pieces Together

After it was revealed that Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) is pregnant in the season 20 finale, she struggled with how to tell her boyfriend, Atticus "Link" Lincoln (Chris Carmack).

“I keep trying to tell him then everyone got fired and it felt weird to celebrate something… and I’m scared of how he’s going to react and I’m scared of how I’ll react to how he reacts,” she told her pal Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli).

Later while discussing his career with Link, Schmitt almost let the news slip when he said, “You’re gonna be a good dad.” Link was confused and quickly responded, “I already am.”

However, Link put the puzzle pieces together when Jo turned down fries and wine at the bar. “Are you? Are we?” he asked, as she shook her head yes.

He was overwhelmingly happy and the pair shared a hug.

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Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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