Grey's Anatomy: Meredith Breaks the Rules as Winston Makes a Big Decision About His Future

This post contains spoilers from Thursday’s episode of Grey's Anatomy.

It was a night of secrets and lies on Thursday’s Grey's Anatomy.

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) was continuing to keep her secret that she and Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) were doing her Alzheimer’s research behind Catherine Avery’s (Debbie Allen) back.

During a run-in with Catherine at the hospital, she tried to explain her visit as “a consult" and insurance issues with her Seattle home. After revealing her plans to Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), she said she was “living in a medical thriller book,” adding, “It’s just so bold and exciting.”

She then surprised Meredith by offering her a possible solution to her money problems. She explained the hospital has a “discretionary fund” and she was “willing to take that risk” on Meredith’s research.

Read on to learn more about this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Winston Makes a Big Decision

Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Winston Ndugu (Anthony Hill) worked to save a man named Nate who became trapped in “a bubble” he made to go to Hong Kong. 

Before they attempted to extricate him, he told them that he only wanted to speak to his wife, saying, “I want to talk to her. I need to talk to her.”

When they couldn’t reach her, the doctors encouraged Nate to tell them what he needed to say. He shared, “I love her, that’s all that matters…Everything I do is for her…Tell her I’ll never give up trying to do right by her.”

The patient began to bleed out once they removed the rods and they raced him inside the hospital but he coded on the table. They ultimately had to declare him dead in the OR.

When the doctors delivered the news to the patient’s wife, she said, “It’s all my fault that he’s gone.” Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) responded, "It’s no one’s fault. He loved you. You loved him. That’s what mattered.”

The conversation made Winston reflect on his relationship with Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), who left Grey Sloan for Chicago last season.

He told Owen that Maggie had canceled on him and asked, “At what point do I stop trying?” Owen then asked him why he was trying if he didn’t know what was next for them as a couple. 

Winston ultimately came to the conclusion that it was time to let Maggie go. He removed his wedding ring as he sat on the steps of the hospital. 

Levi’s Ex Returns

Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli) was over the interns’ shenanigans, saying, “No trading, negotiating or complaining” when giving out assignments. 

But, he soon had his own problem when he spotted his ex Nico Kim (Alex Landi) talking with Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) in the hospital waiting room. 

He later demanded to know why Nico was at the hospital and seeing an OB/GYN but Jo refused to give him any details citing patient privacy. But, he ran into Nico and found out he and his partner Jason were having a baby via surrogate, which upset him because he didn’t know that his ex wanted children. 

“You’re just upset that his life has moved further along than yours,” Jo suggested but then gave him some advice about stepping up to the plate both personally and professionally.   

“You want to win, get in the game,” she told him after watching him step back from dating and holding back from applying to the new program at the hospital.

Lucas Is Moving On

Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) was still reeling from Lucas Adams (Niko Terho) telling her that he was done due to egocentric choices during last week’s episode.

“We’re roommates because apparently I’m selfish,” she told Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane).

Lucas was also in trouble with his other roommate Mika Yasuda (Midori Francis) after he left her alone to treat Dorian, a patient from last week’s episode, in search of a chance to get back in the OR. When she paged him after the patient alarms went off, he ultimately took credit for her diagnosis of Dorian with Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson).

“I don’t want to be your friend anymore,” she told Lucas after the incident.

The episode concluded with Simone knocking on Lucas’ door and finally entering his room, where she discovered he had packed up his belongings and moved out.

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Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.