“Grey’s Anatomy” sets up two cast exits

Note: This story contains spoilers from Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, Episode 6.

“Grey’s Anatomy” began moving on from Dr. Levi Schmitt to say goodbye – and at the same time announced a possible tragic end for Dr. Mika Yasuda.

Fans have been expecting to say goodbye to cast members Jake Borelli and Midori Francis, who played Dr. Schmitt and Yasuda, respectively, since reports surfaced earlier this year that both would be exiting the ABC medical drama sometime during Season 21. While both actors have been involved in extensive storylines so far this season, Thursday’s hour cemented one of the farewells as a potential good luck ending, while the other doctor may not make it out alive.

This was followed by Episode 6, titled “Night Moves,” in which the doctors at Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital dealt with their typical handling of tense medical cases and personal problems. While considering a medical research opportunity in Texas, Levi spent the hour learning from Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Dr. Courting Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), trying out as a senior general surgeon and taking the lead on an emergency procedure.

Confidently saving a life, Levi battled the possibility of leaving the hospital to pursue an opportunity to improve his resume before applying for a very competitive pediatric surgery fellowship. He was also starting a relationship with hospital chaplain James (Michael Thomas Grant) and felt hesitant about leaving him behind.

But at the end of the episode, Levi decided to reject his mentor’s offer and opt for the research position. The doctor then said goodbye to Dr. Webber and Bailey before breaking up with his best friend, Dr. Taryn Helm (Jaicy Elliott), said goodbye. In this episode, Levi was wondering how to break the news about breaking up with his new boyfriend.

As for Mika, the surgical resident has spent the last few episodes caring for her younger sister Chloe (Julia Rose) during chemotherapy – after she was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer. That followed the hour on Thursday when she returned to work from a vacation and strained herself trying to make up for her fellow interns at the hospital filling in for her.

For her and her intern colleague Dr. Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane) romance blossomed when they both admitted they still had feelings for each other despite previously putting a pause on their blossoming relationship.

At the end of the episode, Mika was leaving the hospital with her sister, and the duo was driving away, considering stopping for breakfast. While resting in the passenger seat, Chloe mentioned what she wanted for herself and was confused when her sister didn’t respond. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Mika had fallen asleep at the wheel. The episode faded to black as the two gasped for air, leaving the cliffhanger that they might get into a car accident.

We’ll have to wait until next week’s episode to find out what happens to both doctors. And there was a lot more drama in the hospital. Dr. Jo Wilson (Camila Luddington) continued to struggle with accepting the pregnancy with twins, but got a supportive conversation with Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and Link (Chris Carmack). Meanwhile, Teddy (Kim Raver) and Owen’s (Kevin McKidd) marriage is once again on the rocks after an interrupted double date with another couple ends with Dr. Cass Beckman (newcomer Sophia Bush) kissed Teddy. When Teddy told Owen as a joke, another argument began between the couple.

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Peacock.