Thursday's episode of 'Grey's Anatomy' let fans witness the many obstacles surpassed by Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Arizona (Jessica Capshaw). However, the episode also showed how tense things are getting at Seattle Grace-Mercy West Hospital after plans to close it down become public.
While the survivors of the crash may have celebrated their court victory against the hospital last week, this week they're feeling the repercussions of their $15 million win. In order to save the hospital, Owen (Kevin McKidd) brings in a "physician advisor" Alana Cahill (guest star Constance Zimmer) that is charged with making the hospital and its staff as efficient as they can. However, her presence at the hospital causes everyone to be on edge.
Meanwhile, three survivors of the crash are forced to overcome major obstacles related to the deadly incident. Meredith, who is riddled with pregnancy hormones and is overly emotional, must get back on a plane to pick up an organ transplant. Naturally, she's nervous about getting back on the plane since the last time she did get on one, her sister tragically died. Meredith's husband Derek, has to overcome his own obstacle in the form of a long surgery.
The husband-wife duo manages to overcome their hurdles, moving them one step closer to fuller emotional recovery. Fellow plane crash survivor, Arizona, begins to experience phantom limb syndrome, which causes her unimaginable pain where her leg use to be before it was amputated. With Owen's help, she overcomes her pain after she has Alex (Justin Chambers) stab her in her prosthetic.
The hospital's tension comes to a head when the staff meets up to talk about some cuts they'll have to undergo in order to have the hospital. After finding out that they will most likely have to cut the ER from the hospital's infrastructure, Derek lashes out against Alana only to be rebuked by Bailey (Chandra Wilson), who tells him that not everyone "has millions to fall back on." She then tells him, "Unless you have a better idea, why don't you just sit there and listen to what she has to say?"
In the upcoming episode, "Bad Blood," Derek will take Bailey's challenge to heart and will enlist the help of April (Sarah Drew) to find a viable solution for the hospital. Meanwhile, Christina (Sandra Oh) will struggle "to respect the wishes of a family whose son is dying," ABC teases. Arizona will also be helping out a teenager who is facing issues similar to her own.
A promo for the episode also hints at a possible issue in Meredith's pregnancy. Bailey asks Meredith, "Are you okay?" To which Meredith answers, "Something's not right."
'Grey's Anatomy' S9E13, "Bad Blood," airs on Thursday, January 31 at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
WATCH THE PROMO FOR "BAD BLOOD"