“Grey’s Anatomy” returns for its eighth season with a two-hour event THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

In the first hour, “Free Falling” (9:00-10:00 p.m.), the fifth-year residents return for the first day of a year that will make or break their careers: Meredith faces the consequences of tampering with Derek’s clinical trial and is terminated at the hospital; April tries to step up to the plate as Chief Resident in the wake of a giant sinkhole in the middle of Seattle; and Cristina and Owen are still at odds over their drastically

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different feelings for their unborn child.

In the second hour, “She’s Gone” (10:00-11:00 p.m.), news of Meredith and Derek’s unsteady relationship raises a red flag for Zola’s adoption counselor; Alex quickly realizes that he has become the outcast of the group after ratting out Meredith; and Cristina makes a tough decision regarding her unexpected pregnancy. Also, Chief Webber brings Henry in for a last minute surgery, alarming Teddy.