SPOILER WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for Grey’s Anatomy Season 23, Episode 4, “Love on the Brain.”

Well, Grey’s Anatomy, you certainly had some surprises for us this week!

Miranda Bailey is discovering that being a student isn’t nearly as much fun as being the teacher, Richard Webber is still learning how to give people second chances, and some of our favorite doctors have quite a bit going on in their personal lives.

And after 23 seasons, I love that this show can still catch me completely off guard.

Miranda Bailey, MID?!

I’m sorry, but somebody actually looked at Miranda Bailey’s research proposal and called it “mid”?!

EXCUSE ME?!

Now, I understand that Bailey is a student again, and that means accepting criticism. But GOOD LORD! You couldn’t find a better way to explain what was wrong with her proposal?

I have to admit, though, it’s interesting watching Bailey navigate being on the other side of the classroom. She’s so accustomed to being the person with the answers that I imagine being told her work isn’t good enough is quite the adjustment.

And Richard isn’t exactly making things easier. He’s still unhappy about Norton’s changes at Grey Sloan, although he acknowledges to Bailey that Catherine supports them. Whether they like it or not, Norton is there.

Meanwhile, Bailey and Kwan are working on the Olympic floor, which brings me to something that’s been bothering me since it was introduced.

Why should somebody’s bank account determine how much attention they receive at a hospital?

Look at Lillian’s family. This woman has been suffering for six months without a diagnosis, and her children have practically emptied their savings trying to help her.

They’re frustrated, and understandably so! Imagine watching your mother suffer while doctor after doctor fails to give you an answer.

And the fact that they felt they needed to pay for VIP treatment to get somewhere? That bothers me.

Jo Wilson, Oh, Honey

I was glad to see Jo finally attend a birth trauma support group, even if she clearly wasn’t thrilled about being there.

And Corrie? Honey, announcing a walnut allergy the moment somebody asks you to share your experience is certainly one way to escape a conversation!

Of course, Jo tells her she’s a doctor and offers to take her to the ER.

But what starts as an escape from the group turns into something I think both women really needed.

A Salmon Run? Well, That’s Different!

Okay, I have questions about this salmon run.

Not necessarily important questions, but still!

Unfortunately, Tracie’s attempt to retrieve a handmade hat ends with her getting trampled, which is how she winds up at Grey Sloan.

And her sister apparently sees Winston as a potential date for her.

MA’AM!

I love that you’re looking out for your sister’s romantic future, but perhaps we should get her injuries taken care of first!

And Jules standing there rolling her eyes? I was right there with her.

I also couldn’t ignore the awkwardness between Jules and Winston. I’ve said before that I hated seeing their relationship fall apart, and watching them try to navigate working together afterward hasn’t exactly been easy.

Especially when Winston keeps offering Jules professional support while acting like their breakup hasn’t affected him.

SIR!

You cannot keep looking at this woman like you still care about her and then expect her not to be confused!

Amelia Shepherd, This Poor Child

Meanwhile, Amelia has an eight-year-old patient, Miguel, who initially appears to have suffered a concussion during a soccer game.

But when he has a seizure, it’s clear they’re dealing with something more serious.

And the scan reveals a large cyst in his brain.

Oh, honey.

I can only imagine how frightening that must be for his mother. Thankfully, Amelia believes she can remove it, and they prepare for surgery.

Ben and Wes, Well, This Is Awkward

Over in plastics, Ben needs to leave to pick up Pru, and Wes agrees to cover for him.

Which sounds simple enough.

Except, of course, this is Grey Sloan.

Their patient’s surgical flap develops a complication while Ben is gone, and Wes has to make a decision.

He recognizes the problem and uses leeches to relieve the congestion, saving the flap.

Good for Wes!

But there’s something about the way these two handle helping each other that I have a feeling isn’t going to be quite so simple.

Jo, Now I Understand a Little More

Corrie starts talking about her traumatic C-section and how hearing Britney Spears’s “…Baby One More Time” brings her right back to that experience.

And then Jo explains that she still hears the hospital monitors from her own delivery, even when she’s home with her babies.

Oh, Jo. That sucks.

And now we understand a little more.

We’ve known that Jo has been struggling since the twins were born, but hearing her explain how those memories follow her into everyday life made it much easier to understand what she’s experiencing.

She’s spent years working in hospitals. She knows how medical emergencies work. But knowing what could happen doesn’t make being the patient any less terrifying.

And Corrie is pregnant again, which means she’s facing the possibility of another frightening delivery.

I’m glad these two connected. They don’t have to pretend everything is wonderful simply because they and their babies survived.

When Jo tells Link she had a good day, I think that says quite a bit about how much that conversation meant to her.

Amelia Shepherd, WHAT IS THAT?!

Now, I knew Miguel’s case was serious, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for what Amelia discovered during surgery.

Something inside that cyst is MOVING?!

EXCUSE ME?!

WHAT IS THAT?!

A PARASITE?!

OH MY GOD!

THERE’S A PARASITE IN THIS CHILD’S BRAIN?!

I genuinely wasn’t expecting that!

And then we learn that Amelia has to remove the entire thing without rupturing it because doing so could cause a dangerous reaction.

GOOD LORD, AMELIA! NO PRESSURE!

Thankfully, she manages to get it out intact.

And Lucas wants to know whether they can pop it afterward.

LUCAS!

I understand the curiosity, but perhaps we should leave the brain parasite alone!

What I found especially touching, though, was Miguel’s mother blaming herself after learning that he might have contracted it during a family trip.

She wanted to show her child the world and give him wonderful memories. And now she’s worried that doing something loving may have put him in danger.

Oh, honey.

I’m glad Amelia reassured her that they don’t know exactly where he contracted it.

And I’m even happier that Miguel is expected to recover.

Because that was quite enough excitement for one eight-year-old!

Kwan, You Figured It Out!

Back on the Olympic floor, Kwan starts connecting Lillian’s symptoms with the family’s medical history.

WAIT A MINUTE! KWAN FIGURED IT OUT!

After months of searching, they finally have a possible diagnosis: multiple endocrine neoplasia.

And suddenly Bailey has a research idea that I’m much more interested in than whatever she originally submitted.

What is the Olympic floor providing that helped these doctors find an answer? And how can those same benefits be made available to everybody?

YES, MIRANDA!

Because THAT is the kind of research that could actually make a difference.

And to the teaching assistant who called her original proposal mid?

WHO’S MID NOW?!

Amelia and Toni, Just Talk to Each Other!

Speaking of Amelia, I understand why Toni thought surprising her with a romantic getaway would be sweet.

Whidbey Island? Lovely. A weekend together? Wonderful.

But rearranging Amelia’s surgical schedule without asking?

OH, HONEY, NO!

And apparently there’s a 90-minute couples massage involved, too.

Well, this surprise is going beautifully!

But Amelia’s reaction makes more sense when she explains that planning is important to maintaining her sobriety.

And I liked how they handled that conversation.

Toni wanted to do something romantic. Amelia needed to feel comfortable with the plans. Neither of those things is unreasonable.

So they compromise, and Amelia gets her itinerary.

See? That wasn’t so difficult!

Jules, Oh, Honey

Things take a heartbreaking turn when Tracie’s condition deteriorates.

Jules recognizes something seriously wrong with her heart, and she and Winston do everything they can to save her.

It isn’t enough.

Oh, no.

Winston tells Jules they did everything they could, and she responds, “It wasn’t enough.”

Oh, Jules.

And then she has to tell Tracie’s sister that she died.

That was sad. Especially knowing that these two women had been joking around together not long before.

I think what made this particularly difficult was watching Jules struggle with the loss. She’s a good doctor, and she did her job, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to feel any better about the outcome.

Sometimes doing everything right still isn’t enough, and I hate that for her.

Ben and Wes, I Have Mixed Feelings

Remember how Wes covered for Ben earlier?

Well, apparently there’s a difference of opinion about what helping a colleague means.

Wes wants an opportunity in the operating room, and Ben isn’t particularly receptive to the idea that covering for somebody means you’re owed a favor.

Here’s where I’m torn.

I understand wanting somebody to help you when you’ve helped them. That’s human nature. And I don’t think it’s unreasonable to hope your colleagues will support you.

But I also understand the argument that helping somebody shouldn’t automatically mean they owe you something.

Especially in a hospital, where the patient’s well-being should come first.

I don’t think either of those ideas is particularly unreasonable, which is why I had mixed feelings about the disagreement.

Simone, You Don’t Have to Tell Him Everything

Oh, Simone.

After everything that happened with her pregnancy, I can understand why she’s having such a difficult time.

Lucas knows something is wrong, and he’s trying to be there for her, but she isn’t ready to explain what happened.

And that’s okay.

She just went through something frightening and deeply personal. She shouldn’t have to discuss it before she’s ready.

I liked that Lucas didn’t demand answers.

He’s been trying to figure out where he stands with Simone, and their relationship certainly hasn’t been simple. But right now, she needs somebody who can be there without making everything about their relationship.

And I think Lucas is beginning to understand that.

Jules and Winston, FINALLY!

Okay, can we talk about Jules and Winston?!

Because I have been waiting for these two to figure themselves out!

Jules has been trying to move forward, but how is she supposed to do that when Winston keeps giving her reasons to wonder whether he’s moved on?

Then he finally admits he hasn’t.

AND THEY KISS!

FINALLY!

Now, I know that doesn’t magically fix everything. Winston is still in a position of authority over Jules, and they have some things to work through.

But I really liked these two together, and I was happy to see that their feelings for each other haven’t disappeared.

Richard Webber, It’s About Time!

I’ve had plenty to say about Richard’s treatment of Kwan, especially after what happened in the previous episode.

And I stand by it.

Blue made a serious mistake when he used an unauthorized experimental treatment. He deserved consequences, and he received them.

But Norton gave him another chance, and Richard has been acting like the man shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near an operating room.

Richard, how many second chances have you received throughout your career?

We’ve been through this!

So watching Kwan help solve Lillian’s medical mystery was particularly satisfying.

And when Richard finally acknowledges that Blue did good work?

FINALLY, RICHARD!

THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

It was nice seeing Kwan receive some recognition instead of another lecture about his past mistakes.

And I thought that was going to be the end of his storyline for the week.

Apparently not.

Because then a man approaches him.

“Benson.”

Kwan turns around.

“Dad.”

WAIT.

WHAT?!

DAD?!

THAT’S HIS FATHER?!

OH, COME ON, GREY’S ANATOMY!

You cannot introduce Blue Kwan’s father in the final seconds and then roll the credits!

We know so little about Kwan’s family, and now suddenly his father is standing right in front of him.

Well, THAT certainly wasn’t on my bingo card!