Is Grey's Anatomy new tonight, November 23?

Is Grey’s Anatomy new tonight, November 23?

GREY'S ANATOMY - "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" - After a roller coaster car falls off the track at the county fair, the doctors at Grey Sloan tend to patients who spark memories about ghosts from their past, on a special 300th episode of "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, NOV. 9 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Derek Johnson)ELLEN POMPEO /

Since the holiday season is officially upon us, there’s no new episode of Grey’s Anatomy until January, but let’s review the first half of season 14 so far.

In case you somehow missed the boat or you live somewhere where the seasons don’t change and it’s impossible to tell when it’s time for the holidays, this Thursday is Thanksgiving. While there are some shows that will be airing new episodes, TGIT won’t. It’s Thank God It’s Thursday, not Thank God It’s Thanksgiving. That would be a little redundant, after all.

But if there’s something we should all be thankful for this year, it’s the return of Krista Vernoff. Thanks to our showrunner, who left the show in 2011 and returned for season 14, this season of Grey’s Anatomy shifted back to a noticeably lighter tone. The first half of the season included a lot of banter without feeling like we were watching a totally new show.

Of course, a lot of that has to do with the fact she’s responsible for several episodes in the past that have become fan-favorites. Vernoff’s writing feels familiar, and I’m not just saying that because she nailed the 300th episode by peppering in things that originated with her, like the overuse of the phrase “seriously?” and the double damage patients.

If anything, most of the 300th episode Easter eggs were very Vernoff things.

It’s been a really fun season so far. I love more of the Alex and Meredith banter, the new interns, and how the relationships are changing. Though a handful of them are currently in flux, it all feels very organic as the characters grow. I mean, even the way Riggs was ultimately written out of the show felt legit.

Next: Grey’s Anatomy season 14, episode 8 recap

I’m not sure what’s in the store for the second half of the season. But our winter cliffhanger included the return of Matthew Morrison’s Dr. Paul Stadler, Jo’s abusive ex-husband. If Grey’s Anatomy remains diligent with this storyline (as I’m sure they will), the rest of the season could prove to be one of its most powerful.

Grey’s Anatomy returns to ABC on Jan. 18, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET.