Grey's Anatomy Recap: Thorpe (Scott Elrod) Will Wait for Meredith

By Micheline Goldstein

Apr 1st, 2016

In the Grey's Anatomy Season 12 episode "When It Hurts So Bad," Meredith gives in and takes a step forward with army surgeon Major Will Thorpe (Scott Elrod), who has been persistently pursuing her, but quickly regrets it. Maggie senses a disconnection with Andrew soon after they take their relationship public, and a difficult night leads Amelia to reevaluate her relationship with Owen. Meanwhile, Catherine Avery comes into town and really shakes things up with April and Jackson. Keep reading the Grey's Anatomy recap for highlights from Season 12, Episode 16, "When It Hurts So Bad."

Meredith Kicks Thorpe Out of Bed

Maggie is brushing her teeth when suddenly she hears Meredith screaming, "Get out!" She and Amelia rush into the hallway to find Major Will Thorpe standing, shirtless and bewildered, outside Meredith's bedroom door. He protests he didn't do anything, but Mer is still yelling for him to get out. Concerned, Mer's sisters kick Will out, and try to get her to open the door. She does briefly, to ask if he's gone, then slams it in Maggie's face. What just happened?

Watch: Meredith Freaks Out on Thorpe

That's One Way to Avoid Special Treatment

Although DeLuca was the one who pushed Maggie to take their relationship public, he's now regretting that everyone knows. Maggie corners DeLuca, because he's been ignoring her calls and she doesn't have time for games. Does he want to be with her or not?

Watch: Is DeLuca Dumping Maggie?

Meredith and Alex Talk It Out

Meredith finally opens up to Alex about what happened with Will Thorpe, and why she freaked out and kicked him out of her room. She's wrapped in Derek's blanket, which she found while furiously cleaning the house that day. She admits that her night with Thorpe was kind of amazing, and she wasn't ready for that.

Watch: Meredith Still Has Derek's Blanket

Amelia Needs to Count on Herself Now

After finding Owen in his trailer, falling-down drunk, surrounded by bottles of alcohol, Amelia took off running, and she's been avoiding him ever since. He goes to Meredith's house to apologize in person for putting newly-sober Amelia in that position, but her response is heartbreaking. She appreciates his apology, but says she can't trust it won't happen again. "It's not your fault... you're just not in this with me. So I can't do this with you, not right now, maybe not at all."

Watch: The End of Amelia and Owen?

Mama Avery's Evil Plan

Jackson thanks his mother for talking to April even after he told her not to, because whatever she said caused April to reach out to him. He's troubled when Catherine reveals she manipulated April to gather evidence against her, and wants to go after her for fraud.

Watch: Catherine Avery Plots Against April

Major Thorpe Will Be Back

Meredith explains to Major Will Thorpe she freaked out because he's the first person she's been with since she lost her husband, and she's just not ready to date yet. He agrees to back off for a while, but promises he will be calling her again. "I'll be waiting, 'til you're ready, because I'm pretty sure you're worth waiting for."

Watch: Thorpe Will Wait for Meredith

Sofia, Meet Penny

Callie and Arizona are both unreachable when their daughter, Sofia, is brought into the ER, so Penny treats her injuries. Callie is uncomfortable with it, but blames Arizona. Penny is angry that Callie lied to her, and accuses Callie of freaking out because Penny said "I love you" the night before. After some soul searching, and a consult with Bailey, Callie decides she's ready to introduce Penny to Sofia after all.

Watch: Penny Meets Callie's Daughter

Share you reactions to the events of this episode, and tune in THURSDAY, APRIL 7 8|7c to see Season 12, Episode 17, "I Wear the Face," as part of TGIT on ABC and watch Episode 16, "When It Hurts So Bad," now!

Season 12 Recaps

Season 12, Episode 15: "I Am Not Waiting Anymore"

Season 12, Episode 14: "Odd Man Out"

Season 12, Episode 13: "All Eyez On Me"

Season 12, Episode 12: "My Next Life"

Season 12, Episode 11: "Unbreak My Heart"

Season 12, Episode 10: "All I Want Is You"

Season 12, Episode 9: "The Sound of Silence"

Season 12, Episode 8, the Winter Finale: "Things We Lost in the Fire"

Season 12, Episode 7: "Something Against You"

Season 12, Episode 6: "The Me Nobody Knows"

Season 12, Episode 5: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"