NOTE: this post contains spoilers for Grey's Anatomy season 19 episode 5, "When I Get to the Border." Catch up with the our recap of Grey's Anatomy season 19 episode 4.
Grey’s Anatomy season 19 episode 5 gave fans a delightful duo and familiar faces from the past. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Addison (Kate Walsh) teamed up for a road trip to volunteer at a family planning center, but naturally, there are complications. The interns are also trying to figure out what the relationship between Lucas (Niko Terho) and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) is. But it was perhaps Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) trip to Boston that had fans talking the most as she meets up with Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams).
In season 17, fans said goodbye to Dr. Jackson Avery but were treated to a hopeful ending when he seemingly reunited with Sarah Drew’s April Kepner. Both actors made an appearance in last season’s finale and confirmed that the former couple is back together in Boston.
While Williams returned for season 19 episode 5 to guest star and direct, Drew was unfortunately absent, which frustrated fans, who still want a spin-off.
"I just don’t see the point in bringing back jackson without april ?? he moved to boston with her and their daughter, so how is he coming back without her ? they have so much room for interesting storylines with them but won’t take advantage of it. i don’t get it," one viewer expressed.
i just don’t see the point in bringing back jackson without april ?? he moved to boston with her and their daughter, so how is he coming back without her ? they have so much room for interesting storylines with them but won’t take advantage of it. i don’t get itNovember 3, 2022
The closest we got to @sarahdrew being in Greys tonight🥺 #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/QyLlaw4uiVNovember 4, 2022
However, there was a small Japril moment that everyone noticed in the episode: an old picture of the couple was in their daughter’s new bedroom.
"The pic was in Samuel's nursery and now it is in Harriet's bedroom," someone else observed.
The pic was in Samuel's nursery and now it is in Harriet's bedroom 🥺 #japril #greysanatomy pic.twitter.com/prtIyu3ec5November 4, 2022
gonna be soft here 'cause:-it means either jackson or april kept the pic when they got divorced 😭-jesse directed this episode so he actually did this!🥺🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/9YWfelMIjdNovember 4, 2022
"Japril is alive and well," stated one tweet.
Japril is alive and well 🥹#GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/Ip1KRv3T1bNovember 4, 2022
jackson commemorating the day he found out april dumped matthew he's so real for this pic.twitter.com/D7UyQW94xzNovember 4, 2022
"The little horse in the background?? Remember the “they’ll ride horses at boarding school” comment Jackson made about how he and April would raise their kids.. yeah," a fan noted.
The little horse in the background?? 🥹 Remember the “they’ll ride horses at boarding school” comment Jackson made about how he and April would raise their kids..yeah 🥲 https://t.co/MBTJjZaPV1November 4, 2022
Lastly, audiences also praised Jesse Williams’ directing of the episode and were glad to see him take on this role while returning.
A comment voiced, "Jesse Williams did an absolute kickass job at directing #Greys . The little nuances he added were impeccable. Can he direct every episode?"
Jesse Williams did an absolute kickass job at directing #Greys. The little nuances he added were impeccable. Can he direct every episode? 🥹November 4, 2022
@iJesseWilliams great directing! Honestly it truly was. There was a different feel from the rest of the season it was obvious your touch was on it. But can we talk about this consolation prize? There must be more right?….RIGHT? pic.twitter.com/WLm7fUDtjMNovember 4, 2022
@iJesseWilliams amazing directing Jesse. Killing it as always. So proud to be a fan.November 4, 2022
New episodes of Grey’s Anatomy air Thursdays at 9 pm ET/PT on ABC. Catch up with the most recent episodes on Hulu.
