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 12, Episode 1 (“Sledgehammer”) has answered a few questions from the eleventh season of the ABC drama. One, who is Bailey (Chandra Wilson) competing for the chief of surgery seat at Grey Sloan Memorial? It’s Tracey, a character portrayed by Joey Lauren Adams of “Chasing Amy.”

(Spoiler alert) This “Grey’s Anatomy” recap contains spoilers. Read on at your own risk, or check back after watching the series. It is available on ABC Go.

In Grey’s Anatomy 12x01: While the rest of the doctors are trying to help two female teenagers who are in-love with each other, Miranda Bailey’s ego is crushing. She has gone head-to-head with a rival, and she has quickly lost confidence in herself. A new and “shiny” doctor, Tracey, happens to be Catherine Avery’s (Debbie Allen) bet for the Chief of Surgery position. Miranda realises that Tracey has more undeniable accomplishments.

The premiere episode title, "Sledgehammer," is about the conflict between two characters who need to literally break down a wall to start something new. They are grieving, but they are moving on.

Meanwhile, the landscape has changed for the popular “Grey’s Anatomy” couples. There is some symbolic mourning for Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), but the characters are not dwelling. Everyone’s mostly moving on. (To recap, Derek dies toward the end of Season 11. Meredith gives birth to their second child months later.)

Based on the premiere episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 12, fans of Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) would be pleased to know their Jolex ship is sailing strong. There is some hope between Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone).

For her part, Meredith has Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) photos on her fridge, and she’s adjusting to life with hew new roommates. She now lives with her half-sister Maggie (Kelly McCreary) and SIL Amelia.

Other fan -favourite‘ships are not doing so well. The Calzona high five is okay, but it could not keep one’s reconciliation hopes up. Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) have sold their house. Arizona’s new roommate is intern Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti), who apparently has no intern pals after the events in Season 11.

Side note: Joe Adler does not have much screen time in Grey’s Anatomy 12x01. However, the new interns are expected to figure in some storylines soon enough. DeLuca gets in the limelight after being mistaken for a real doc last season. And now, he becomes Arizona’s new roommate.

Over at the Japril ‘ship, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and April Kepner (Sarah Drew) have agreed to talk – but “tomorrow.” Fans are hoping these two could still talk their way out of their issues and stay married. Do Jackson and April know what they want, though?

By the end of the season premiere episode, the doctors got to save both the two teenagers, who were also victims of bullying. It is later revealed that Karev used to get bullied when he was a kid; this unfolds way after Callie pointed out that Karev had bullied the late George O’Malley (T.R. Knight).

Finally, congratulations are in order for Miranda Bailey, who has successfully beaten Joey Lauren Adams’s Tracey character. The Nazi of “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 1 is now Chief Bailey.

WATCH: Grey’s Anatomy Season 12 Trailer | ABC on YouTube

“Grey’s Anatomy” Season 12, Episode 1 was directed by one of its actors, Kevin McKidd. Stacy McKee wrote the episode. The next episode (“Walking Tall”) will air on Oct. 1.

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