WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for the mid-season premiere ofGrey's Anatomy.
Grey's Anatomyfans' happiness over the show returning for its mid-season premiere Thursday night quickly turned into anger, resentment and sadness, when the writers completely blindsided everyone with the death of a major character.
Dr. Andrew DeLuca, portrayed by actor Giacomo Gianniotti since 2015, was stabbed while attempting to pursue and expose a sex trafficker during Thursday night's crossover event withStation 19.While it seemed like DeLuca was initially going to make it, the episode took a shocking turn.
On the beach in Meredith's dream sequence, DeLuca told her, "No matter what happens, I want you to know that I never felt seen the way you saw me. I never felt inspired the way you inspired me. You made me want to be not just my best self, but better. And yeah, I felt small around you sometimes. I felt insecure. I wanted something from you that I needed to give to myself. But here, now, on this beach with you, I get it. I don't just get it, I feel it. I get who I am. I know my own soul, my strength."
DeLuca died on the operating table after saying goodbye to Meredith, who has been in a dream sequence due to being diagnosed with COVID-19.
"I'll miss you. If I go back and you don't, I'll miss you," Meredith told DeLuca, before he ran into his mother's arms.