Thursday's episode of "Grey's Anatomy" was indeed a sad one for Derek and Meredith fans. While many heaved a sigh of relief when Meredith finally revealed where she went when she was supposed to go meet her husband, they also realised that Meredith might finally be done with Derek.
Speculation of whether Meredith has been cheating on Derek has been doing the rounds ever since the promo of Thursday's episode released, a suspicion that was held by her sister Maggie as well. But towards the end of Thursday's hour Meredith finally confessed to her sister that she did not cheat on Derek, instead she checked into a hotel and spent the weekend by herself.
Worse, she later hints that she might be done with Derek for good. "I definitely don't want to be with him right now," she tells Alex.
Are Mer-Der finally over? Showrunner Shonda Rhimes previously hinted that things are going to get difficult for Meredith, especially since she does not have the familiar support system around her.
"I said that this was 'the season of Meredith,' and she is very much going to be tested by what happens. This will be the first time she's without Derek and Cristina, without any of those familiar supports, so this will be about her coming into her own, as a person and as a surgeon," Rhimes told TVLine.
"Things are always difficult when people grow apart, and sometimes they don't grow back together, which is always the worst. Meredith is having a very difficult time."
The synopsis of the next week's episode, titled "Staring at the End" does not give much clues about what's in store for the couple. But the major focus is expected to be on Dr. Herman's case.
Check out the official synopsis below:
"The hospital doctors become fascinated with Dr. Herman's case when Amelia gives a lecture detailing the intricacies of the surgery. Arizona and Herman continue to bond over the amount of cases they are trying to complete before the big surgery. Meanwhile, Bailey brings them the case of a pregnant woman who is close to her heart."
"Grey's Anatomy" airs Thursdays on ABC.