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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Winter Finale’s Seven Stunning Moments: Amelia and Owen’s Drama, Alex’s Sacrifice and More!

One decision can change everything. On the Thursday, November 17, episode of Grey’s Anatomy, key characters were forced to confront secrets from their past, causing major present-day problems. Watch the highlights in the video above, and read on for our seven most shocking moments:

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1. Alex’s drama was interrupted by tragedy

Alex (Justin Chambers) revealed that he turned down a two-year plea deal in his case against DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti). As Alex, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Maggie (Kelly McCreary) discussed the possibility of him going to jail, they saw a large building collapse in front of them.

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2. Jo finally told Alex about her marriage — causing him to make a big decision

Jo (Camilla Luddington) panicked about being called to testify in the trial, out of fear that her abusive husband could track her down. “If I tell them, it’s public record,” she told DeLuca. “My husband can find me, and everything that I’ve built is gone.”

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Later, Jo and Alex ran into each other, and Alex apologized for his harsh words the night of the fight. Finally, he told Jo those three little words everyone wants to hear from the person they’re in love with: “You’re not trash.” *Swoon*

Jo eventually told Alex that she was married and had been using a fake name, to which he had a surprisingly calm reaction. Before she walked away, she told him: “After the trial, if I just take off, if I just leave, it’s not because of you.” Alex then pleaded with her to stay. “Don’t go anywhere, no matter what happens,” he said. “This is your life — you’re Jo Wilson. You belong here.” Okay, now we’re swooning.

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After talking to Jo, Alex told Meredith that he was going to take the plea deal and go to jail for two years. As he was in the DA’s office, he listened to a voice mail from Meredith begging him not to go through with it. As a woman at the station told him that the DA was ready to see him, Alex just stared at her, leaving us with the cliffhanger. Of. The. Century.

3. A man claimed responsibility for the accident

A landlord revealed to Ben Warren (Jason George) that he knew his building had previous earthquake damage, which caused the building to fall. As Warren and Edwards discussed his confession, parents of a young girl injured in the accident overheard them. (Seriously, don’t these doctors know to look around by now?)

In the operating room, “Somewhere Only We Know” played while the doctors performed surgery on the young girl, who they eventually lost. The last time this song played was in season 1, when Meredith was still fighting the urge to date Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and went running off from a day of successful surgery to join Izzie (Katherine Heigl), Cristina (Sandra Oh) and George (T.R. Knight). #TBT, #RIP and also #WhatDoesItAllMean?

Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins

4. Arizona and Eliza continued to heat up

While working on a patient together, Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) pretended she didn’t remember her last conversation with Eliza (Marika Dominczyk). When the new doctor walked away, visibly embarrassed, Arizona asked the patient: “Did you see me winning?” (Ed. note: Get it, girl.)

Later, Eliza, who was clearly not about that game-playing life, walked up to Arizona and outwardly said, “I like girls,” and followed up with, “I have game.” Her bold strategy worked, as Arizona sort of agreed to go out with her. “Shut up, fine,” she said. “I’ll drink with you.”

Dr. Webber and Dr. Bailey

5. Richard found out that Eliza is taking over

Eliza casually mentioned to Richard (James Pickens Jr.) that he would be observing during her first few days of work. He was outwardly confused, because, well, no one told him she took his job. These doctors have many skills, but communication is just not one of them.

When Bailey (Chandra Wilson) told Richard that her decision wasn’t personal, he hit her with a true Webber classic: “Every decision that you make should be a personal one — if it isn’t, then you have no business being chief.” He looked so upset that he made Us feel guilty just for watching this betrayal play out.

Luckily, Maggie refused to be a bystander and brought him to a room where the majority of the doctors had joined together to figure out how to fight the decision.

Jo Wilson

6. Owen revealed he once cheated

Owen (Kevin McKidd) and Riggs (Martin Henderson) talked about a patient who they realized was cheating on his wife — because his girlfriend showed up to check on him. When deciding if they should tell the women, Owen mysteriously said, “You cheat on your wife, it’s gonna come back to bite you.”

Riggs assumed Owen was taking a shot at his past with Owen’s sister and immediately defended himself. “We had our own problems, Megan and I,” Riggs explained. “You’re better than me — you always have been.”

Owen then told Riggs that he cheated on his first wife, Cristina. “I wanted a kid; she did not want a kid,” he said. “Here I am again. Different person, same place.” We don’t know much yet, but it’s safe to assume things are about to get real dark and twisty.

7. Amelia may have left Owen

The show ended with Amelia, who had been absent for the entirety of the dramatic episode, leaving Owen a note. “Don’t make this all your fault,” she wrote. “I know you. That’s what you do, but please, please don’t do that.”

Tell Us: Do you think Alex is going to prison? And is there any hope for Amelia and Owen?

Grey’s Anatomy airs on ABC Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET. 

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