The Season 22 premiere of Grey's Anatomy hit fans right in the feels, as the staff at Grey Sloan Memorial grappled with the aftermath of last May’s devastating hospital explosion — and heartbreakingly had to say goodbye to a beloved character. But here’s where it gets controversial: who lived, who didn’t, and what the future holds for the survivors has everyone talking.
After months of anticipation, the episode opened with Dr. Monica Beltran (played by Natalie Morales) guiding Jules through a critical, life-saving surgery on a young patient. Tragically, despite her efforts, Monica’s injuries from the explosion were fatal, and she passed away in Jules' arms. Natalie Morales, who portrayed her, left a strong impression within her relatively short time on the show, and her loss was deeply felt by both cast and fans alike. Chris Carmack, who plays Link, shared with TVLine how much he valued working with Natalie — describing her as bright, kind, and immensely talented — and admitting that Beltran’s death was truly painful to witness.
Now, turning to Link, whose fate had viewers on edge all summer, the tension was palpable. While his wife Jo tried to stay composed, Link underwent emergency surgery in a hallway stairwell, a grim setting that reflected the desperation of the moment. Thanks to timely decisions by Ben, who has been granted the chance to complete his residency at Grey Sloan, Link pulled through the initial crisis. Before losing consciousness, he even managed to ask Jo for the dog he promised their future children — twins, no less. Although the full extent of his injuries remains unknown, the good news is that Link is alive, a fact that has fans cautiously hopeful.
In a candid conversation with TVLine, Chris Carmack revealed that while he was aware Link would survive the blast, the script’s details still held surprises. He described the surreal experience of transitioning from the surgeon fixing others to suddenly being the patient under the care of his colleagues — an unforgettable role reversal. Looking ahead, Carmack explained that Link faces a challenging road ahead, not just physically but emotionally, as he adjusts to impending fatherhood. Link’s identity is shifting from surgeon to new dad, and recovering from his injuries will be critical before he can fully embrace those roles.
Regarding the twins’ names, Carmack teased that important plot developments related to them are coming up, encouraging viewers to stay tuned for those revelations.
Another highlight from the premiere was the mature co-parenting relationship between Link and Amelia. Despite no longer being romantically involved, they share a deep trust in each other when it comes to caring for their son, Scout. Amelia’s intense response to Link’s injury underscores the profound impact his potential loss would have, even outside of a romantic context.
The episode also gave viewers several new plot lines: Owen seeking refuge in a hotel after a revealing conversation with Teddy, the introduction of new intern Dr. Spencer following a dramatic emergency with Meredith, and Lucas and Kwan’s sometimes clumsy but ultimately successful efforts to save Nora. Meanwhile, Simone’s decision to end things with Lucas in favor of Wes added another layer of romantic drama.
So, what do you think? Were you shocked by Monica’s death? Relieved Link survived, yet anxious about his recovery journey? And was Simone too quick to break up with Lucas, or is she ready to move forward with Wes? The premiere has set the stage for plenty of debate — don’t hold back, share your thoughts and ratings below. What are your predictions for the survivors and the hospital’s future? The floor is yours to agree, disagree, and dive into the drama!
