Meredith is blackmailed, Bailey's fate is revealed

Doctors at Gray Sloan Memorial faced the fallout from Meredith Grey's (Ellen Pompeo) secret research being discovered in the season 21 premiere Grey's Anatomy.

The September 26 episode began with Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) standing up to Catherine after she threatened to fire the interns.

After Bailey asked if she was replaceable, Catherine replied, “Do you know how many doctors I've replaced in my career?” Your denials may stand, but your salary will pay for the attorneys to fix their mistakes. You're done here, Dr. Bailey. Goodbye.”

“You can’t fire me. “You don't deserve to fire me,” Bailey told her, but Catherine countered, “You think you're a gift from God to this hospital.” Please, they won't even notice once you walk through the door . You’re just another doctor.”

That stinging comment then led to Bailey punching her in the face.

It turned out that the explosive moment was actually a dream, but Bailey was still released from the hospital along with her fellow surgeons Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), while Meredith resigned after the scandal.

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

Bailey faces a new reality

Catherine wasted no time replacing Bailey with a new assistant director, but was able to retain leadership of her reproductive health clinic.

Her husband Ben Warren (Jason George) is looking for a new job after leaving the Seattle Fire Department Ward 19he showed his loyalty to his wife. “I’m not applying to any Fox [Foundation] Hospitals,” he explained. “Catherine let you go. I don't trust her and you wanted to slap her. I heard a rumor that the new residency director is starting today.”

The new residency director was Sydney Heron (recurring guest star Kali Rocha) and she displayed her typical loving and caring approach…much to the surprise – and dislike – of the interns.

“I'm not your new fearless leader… I spent my residency here, so consider me one of you, okay?” “Who is ready to heal with love?” she told them as she introduced herself.

When Bailey tried to sneak through the hospital unnoticed, Sydney saw her and immediately hugged her. “Isn’t that funny?” she said. “A new generation of women doctors alongside our generation of women doctors. Everyone working together to make the world a better place.”

The interaction angered Bailey, who later told her husband, “Her philosophy is to heal with love.” Love doesn't heal. Science heals. Medicine and trained doctors heal… When I was pregnant, she took in my interns and calmed them down with positivity, smiles and butterflies… I’m the one who got those interns back in shape.”

Simone Griffin's (Alexis Floyd) frustration with Sydney continued to grow as they searched the hospital for a missing patient, but Bailey told them it was no longer their problem.

“That’s how it should be,” Simone replied. “Why don’t you fight for your job? Is it so easy to leave after everything you've been through with us? Why don’t you knock on doors?”

After the patient was found in the wall of a supply closet and she was rushed into the office, Bailey Simone further explained her stance, saying, “I fought and put my job on the line for all of you. I fought there. What happened is not your fault. You can’t carry everyone else’s decisions on your shoulders…you always know where to find me.”

Meredith and Catherine face each other

After Catherine discovered in the season 20 finale that Meredith had misappropriated funds for her Alzheimer's research, she was hit with a restraining order from the Fox Foundation. The messenger told her, “If you don't answer, you could be held in contempt of court.” But she immediately threw the papers in the trash.

Amid the fallout, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) returned to Gray Sloan Memorial and asked his mother if she had spoken to Meredith since the discovery. Catherine shot back, “I won't talk to this supposed firelighter if we were the last two people left on 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 — prevented the other institutions from collaborating with them on the research. Jackson responded: “Are these people aware of the misappropriation of funds? Break a contract? That you signed a non-compete agreement? I'm not here to make things easier for you. I was also the source of these letters.”

“This isn’t just about my mother. “I brought you with me so I could be part of the groundbreaking work…You have no idea how special you two are,” he later told her. “Catherine broke more rules than any of us, but she did it strategically. She understood how to play the game.”

Meredith noted that she had “no time for games” but wanted Amelia, Owen and Teddy to get their jobs back. She told Jackson, “I’m selling a percentage of my shares in Gray Sloan and I can pay you back.”

“This isn’t about money,” Jackson emphasized. “No longer.”

Meredith went to Catherine to address their disagreement, but she collapsed before they could talk. Meredith realized that Catherine's cancer was progressing and she needed further treatment. However, Catherine revealed: “I don’t pursue invasive treatments.”

Meredith then asked if she knew about the tumor on her spine, and Catherine replied, “I know, but Richard and Jackson don't know, and you won't tell them.”

Meredith told Catherine that Jackson and Richard should know about her condition, and she replied, “I'll tell them when I'm ready.”

“Do you know how much work it takes to plan your death?” she shared. “And I’m not just talking about choosing a coffin or writing a will. I'm talking about taking stock of your life and making sure you've done everything you want to do with it. I think about it every day, and when I do, two things come to mind. My family is perfect, especially my grandchild, and I'm not ready to sit on it yet [the] Side hustles.”

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

“You're threatening me over your health,” Meredith shot back, and Catherine replied, “I've blackmailed people over much less.”

Later, Meredith told Jackson and Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) that “everyone can get their job back,” but when asked if she would continue research, she replied, “Yes, I will, but not here.” “

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

Link Put the puzzle pieces together

After it was revealed in the season 20 finale that Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) was pregnant, she had difficulty telling 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'll react and I'm scared of how I'll react to his reaction” she told her pal Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli).

When Schmitt later spoke to Link about his career, he almost ignored the news when he said, “You'll be a good father.” Link was confused and quickly replied, “I already am.”

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

He was overwhelmingly happy and the couple hugged.

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