‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Recap: Lexie Returns & Mark Joins Her On The Beach

Lexie wasn't the only fan-fave on the beach during the April 1 episode. The one and only Mark Sloan returned and gave us an epic Mark/Lexie moment.

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April 1, 2021 9:35PM EDT
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GREY’S ANATOMY - "All Tomorrow's Parties" - In the midst of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grey Sloan Memorial and its surgeons' lives have been turned upside down. The season 17 premiere picks up one month into the pandemic, and it's all-hands-on-deck as Meredith, Bailey and the rest of the Grey Sloan doctors find themselves on the frontlines of a new era. Meanwhile, an unintentionally started fire has first responders from Station 19 bringing patients into the hospital for treatment on the "Grey's Anatomy" season premiere, THURSDAY, NOV. 12 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on ABC.” (ABC) ELLEN POMPEO
GREY’S ANATOMY - “Look Up Child” – Jackson pays a visit to his father that helps set him on the right path on a new episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Richard Cartwright) JESSE WILLIAMS
GREY’S ANATOMY - “Look Up Child” – Jackson pays a visit to his father that helps set him on the right path on a new episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Richard Cartwright) SARAH DREW
Image Credit: Everett Collection

Meredith is still on the beach, and she continues to see faces from her past. After playing in the ocean, Lexie hands her a towel. Lexie asks her if she’s going to stay on the beach. Meredith’s still not sure. Everything is so easy here.

Suddenly, someone else joins them on the beach. It’s Mark Sloan! Right away, he tells Meredith that it’s “too early” for her to die. Her oldest is now Sophia’s age. Kids need their parents. “I promise you it’s too early.”

Mark Lexie
Mark and Lexie in a previous episode of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ (Everett Collection)

“I don’t know how to get back,” Meredith admits. She tells Mark that she keeps waiting for Derek to help her get back to the real world. “It’s not up to him. It’s up to you,” Mark tells her. It’s about time someone told Meredith this!

Meredith has to address the elephant on the beach. “You two are together?” she asks Mark and Lexie. Mark quips, “On your beach? It looks like we are.” Meredith watches Mark and Lexie living their best after-lives playing in the ocean. It’s so heartwarming to see Mark and Lexie so happy.

Ellen Pompeo
Meredith on the beach. (ABC)

In the real world, Meredith is still unconscious. Nothing has really changed for her. Teddy is doing better, but she’s still not 100 percent. Owen has also been texting Cristina regarding updates about Meredith.

Back on the beach, Mark tells Meredith that it’s “nice being able to talk” with her. He admits that he spends “a fair amount” of time trying to talk to people like Callie, Arizona, and Sofia. He tries to warn them sometimes. Other times, he hangs out and just watches Sofia grow. “When you love someone you tell them,” Mark stresses.

In a field of flowers with Mark and Lexie, Meredith reflects on all the pain and grief she’s had to endure. Mark and Lexie ask her to name the thing that’s caused the pain. It’s love. “As long as you’re alive you get to feel it,” Lexie says. Meredith admits that she misses them both so much, but Lexie says that they’ve never left her.

Lexie urges Meredith to not waste her life. “Don’t waste one single minute,” Mark adds, before looking over at Lexie. They know how quickly your life can be over.

Owen and Richard work to take Meredith off the vent. She’s breathing on her own. Winston proposes to Maggie, and she accepts!