It’s winter hiatus time for Grey’s Anatomy season 22. The show is now officially on a break, and that means no more new episodes for the rest of the year.
This is one of those disappointing times, but it’s also a time when we expect a break. However, the Grey’s Anatomy break has come much sooner than we’re used to. Does this mean a much longer break than we’d like?
Grey’s Anatomy season 22 winter hiatus has begun
The Thursday, Nov. 13 episode was the Grey’s Anatomy season 22 fall finale. Yes, there were only six episodes to start off the season, which is much less than normal. We’re used to going into episode eight or so before we even have to think about a winter break.
This could be a strategic decision based on what’s to come in the new year. Remember that NBC is getting the Winter Olympic coverage, and going up against that could be a death sentence for many shows. ABC will try to hold up against it with Will Trent, High Potential, and The Rookie on Tuesday nights, but it probably won’t try that with the TGIT lineup.
The good news is that you can still check out episodes. All Grey’s Anatomy up to season 21 is on Netflix, and the season 22 episodes are on Hulu to make it easy to catch up.
Grey’s Anatomy season 22 will return sooner than expected
Now, usually when Grey’s Anatomy goes on its winter break, we have to wait until the spring for new episodes. That’s how it’s been for a few years, anyway, and there are plenty of fears that will happen again.
Well, fear no more! The great news about this season is that it will return sooner than normal. Grey’s Anatomy season 22, episode 7 will air on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 10/9c. Yes, the entire TGIT lineup is back at that time.
This is likely strategic to deal with the Winter Olympics coverage. It’s likely that the show will go on a short break in February as NBC airs the Winter Olympics, because it would be tricky to go up against that, and then return around Thursday, Feb. 26. ABC hasn’t been ultra clear on the plans for the Winter Olympics time period.
With 18 episodes to the season, they will need to be spaced out a little. That’s probably why there have only been six episodes in the fall compared to the usual count, allowing for a January return and then another return around the late winter or early spring.
Grey’s Anatomy is available on Netflix and Hulu to catch up.