Derek's Big 'Grey's' Return Could Mean Something Really Scary For Meredith

Grey's Anatomy has gone through a lot of changes in its nearly two decades on the air. But one thing — or rather, person — has always remained a constant: Meredith Grey. The show is named after her, after all, and no matter how many tragedies she endures, Meredith always survives. But the big twist at the end of this season's premiere has fans wondering if Meredith dies in Grey's Anatomy Season 17. Buckle up, because there is a chance audiences will have to say goodbye to her.

Throughout the two hours of the Season 17 premiere, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) was bogged down by the physical and emotional exhaustion of caring for coronavirus patients. By the end of the premiere, she collapsed in the middle of the hospital parking lot and entered a dream state, in which she was reunited with her late husband Derek (Patrick Dempsey).

Right now, it’s unclear if she became unconscious because of her exhaustion or because of a more serious medical condition. But the Season 17, Episode 3 promo shows Meredith undergoing lots of medical tests, which seems to hint something is amiss with her. The promo also shows more Derek-Meredith moments on the beach, which indicates Meredith will continue to slip into dreams as the doctors of Grey Sloan work to find out what's going on with her.

In the past, Grey's Anatomy characters seeing visions their dead loved ones isn't a good sign for their health; remember when Izzie's ghost sex with Denny led to the diagnosis of her brain tumor? Meredith herself seems scared that all her dreaming is not a good sign. In the promo, she says, "If I fall asleep, I'm afraid I might not wake up."

It would be a pretty big deal for Meredith to die, but it's not out of the question. Pompeo has made it clear in several interviews that she'd like to leave Grey's Anatomy on a high note. She told Variety Season 17 could be the last one, especially since her contract is up. “We don’t know when the show is really ending yet, but the truth is, this year could be it," she said.

If this is the end of the road for Meredith, being reunited with Derek in a dream would certainly be a big way to go.

Season 17 of Grey's Anatomy continues on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.