The ninth season of Grey's Anatomy opens in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash that resulted in the death of Lexie Grey. As the shock resonates throughout the hospital's halls and corridors, each surgeon handles their grief in a unique way; Meredith finds solace in the operating room, while Derek's injury forces him to find another means of coping. Elsewhere, Callie and Arizona give their relationship another try, Mark fights for his life, Alex finds new romance, Cristina further explores her relationship with Owen, and Bailey and Ben discover the many complications of holding a long-distance relationship.