The ABC medical drama is heading to its final episode of season 20 –

a ten-part series as a result of the writers and actors strikes of last year.

Showrunner Meg Marinis, in her first season at the helm of the hit drama,

said that “things come to a head” in the season finale.

“Heading towards the end of the season, because it’s a shorter season of

10 episodes because of the strikes, we really pay off what we started in episode

one at the end of the season. Interns being in trouble, Meredith doing this secret

research, things come to a head,” she said.

The interns dealing with the aftermath from the events in the Season 19 finale, in which a patient died in the OR, has been a main storyline all season, as has been Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) secret team-up with Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) to continue the controversial Alzheimer’s research behind Catherine’s back, as well as Teddy’s (Kim Raver) recovery.

Marinis talked about Monica Beltran, a pediatric surgeon played by Natalie Morales, who joined this season. She called her a “great addition” and “very different” to Jessica Capshaw’s Arizona Robbins (who also returned this season for a guest appearance). “I think she challenges a lot of our doctors and it was important to bring on a new pediatric surgeon, to be very different to Arizona. All I can say is she’s going to keep challenging our doctors and episode eight is a really amazing episode for that character.”

Camilla Luddingon, who plays Dr Josephine “Jo” Wilson, added that things “really pay off” in the finale. She said it was an “edge of your seat” episode with “cliffhangers.”

Kevin McKidd, who plays Dr. Owen Hunt, called it a “fiery” episode.

Scorsone and Raver were also on the panel, along with original cast member James Pickens Jr whose character Dr. Richard Webber spent the season finding his way back after almost relapsing in his sobriety.

Grey’s Anatomy was renewed last month for season 21. The series is produced by ABC Signature and Shondaland.