Last night, we saw the long awaited premiere of the 17th season of “Grey's Anatomy." Like many other things in 2020, the most recent season of “Grey's Anatomy" was cut short by the pandemic. With four episodes left in Season 16, Greys fans around the world were left hanging for the past eight months. But last night, we got to watch our favorite show not only answer our questions, but be one of the first shows to tackle the incorporation of the pandemic into the plot. As one of the most well-known medical dramas currently on air, we wouldn't expect anything less.And all I can really say is, “WOW!"

I am a long-time “Grey's Anatomy" fan, and I have shed many many tears throughout the show's tenure, but the rawness of what I saw and the connection that I felt to what was playing on my TV last night makes everything else pale in comparison.

The premiere episode is set in April of 2020, and we are thrown straight into the new reality at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital. As always, the show pulls no punches, and I was crying less than an hour into the two hour long premiere. My idol Meredith told it like it is, and we saw all the uncertainty and fear that medical professionals endured at the start of the pandemic.

The intensity of the reality that we have lived through is evident in the show.

It seems to come at a time where we need to be reminded once again of those affected by the harsh realities of the pandemic, as cases rise with a renewed frequency across the US. But also, the reminder that we are in this together. The realities of our world coupled with the escape into the lives of our favorite characters and finally getting answers to the questions we were left with in April made it worth the wait.

I cried for DeLuca and Jo. Their story lines from the unmade, four episodes of Season 16 being told in flashbacks. I cried for Meredith's new reality, too. “Grey's Anatomy" has always been the only show that can make me cry at the drop of a hat, but watching my favorite characters that I've grown up with on-screen face the harsh realities that I'm currently facing was oddly comforting and devastating at the same time.

I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the season.

I want to watch the staff at Grey-Sloan continue to battle the ongoing pandemic that has affected us all and the lives of the doctors, as well. The surprise return of Patrick Dempsey is both exciting and concerning, too. You can bet I will be glued to my TV next Thursday, and every Thursday for the remainder of the season.