Actress Ellen Pompeo, of the series "Grey's Anatomy," arrives at the 2013 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, January 9, 2013.
Actress Ellen Pompeo, of the series "Grey's Anatomy," arrives at the 2013 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, January 9, 2013. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

"Grey's Anatomy" Season 11, Episode 4, titled "Only Mama Knows," airs Thursday, Oct. 17, on ABC. Shippers watching the show may have been feeling a little low. Jolex, Calzona, and Merder are all unhappy. Japril has little screentime, and the characters are in a mess. No Cristina Yang, no sound mind in the hospital.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains Grey's Anatomy Season 11 spoilers. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the previous episodes.

"Just go!" Meredith tells Derek in a Grey's Anatomy promo clip released by ABC. She knows he's not happy about foregoing the Washington opportunity. She's "the sun," she tells Alex Karev, reminding viewers that these words by Cristina Yang will set Mer's course in this new season.

Here are some more updates on the shippers' couples in Grey's Anatomy Season 11:

Merder. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) learns in Grey's Anatomy Season 11, Episode 2 that Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) is her sister. In Episode 3, Mer turns to Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) for her regular rambling need. Derek (Patrick Dempsey) realizes Mer comes to the hospital drunk, and loses it.

Calzona. Callie (Sara Ramirez) is expanding her "robot leg" research with the help of Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) is having difficulty meeting the demands of her new mentor. They talk it out and realise they cannot have another baby in the picture.

Calzona's renewed conflict is one of the highlights of Grey's Anatomy Season 11, Episode 3, and it continues for at least two more weeks.

Calzona still hasn't completely healed since the plane crash. Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes has earlier said Callie and Arizona will soon realise all they've been doing are fixing themselves with band-aids. Calzona's stand-off continues up to Season 11, Episode 5, "Bend and Break."

Jolex. That Jo (Camilla Luddington) has been ranting about Mer's closer relationship with Karev seems to be leading to a bigger problem. Jo says in the Grey's Anatomy Season 11 opener that Meredith has "widowed" her.

Things have changed, however. Mer and Alex might not be in good terms after the Board decided in favour of Bailey for the vacated Board seat. Grey's Anatomy Season 11, Episode 4 is expected to show how Karev is dealing with the news.

There is not much to tell about the fourth ship - Japril (Jackson and April). Unlike the other men in the drama, Jackson has no romance-related issues going on -- so far, in Grey's Anatomy Season 11. What Jackson Avery wants is to elevate his career and cut the boredom out of being a Board doc.

WATCH: Grey's Anatomy Season 11, Episode 4 ('Only Mama Knows') | ABC Promo Video on YouTube

Grey's Anatomy Season 11 airs Thursdays on ABC.

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