Fans Think Meredith's Advice To Link In Grey's Anatomy's Season 19 Premiere Is Hilariously Ironic

Season 19 of "Grey's Anatomy" has taken fans to halls of Grey Sloan Memorial once again to rejoin Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her colleagues for more heart-pounding medical drama. However, things are looking a bit different this time, as a group of new medical interns will be taking the spotlight for the time being. Centering upon these fresh characters is a major part of showrunner Krista Vernoff's purposeful plan for "Grey's Anatomy" Season 19, that being to bring the show back to its roots by once again focusing on characters who have just started out in their careers. 

Of course, there's still plenty of room for some classic, juicy drama among the series' older cast as well. As Link (Chris Carmack) confides in Meredith during the season premiere, he's gotten himself into a very sticky situation regarding the hospital's latest recruits. Unaware that they would be working together at Grey Sloan Memorial, the surgeon sleeps with new intern Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane). That obviously makes things rather awkward at work, and Meredith offers her friend a hilarious piece of advice that longtime fans of the series will find extremely ironic.

Responding to Link's confession regarding his tryst with Jules, Meredith tells her peer in perfect deadpan, "I'm in no position to judge you on this. I do recommend you stay away from elevators."

Fans who have seen the show from the beginning will recognize Meredith's advice as a hilarious nod to the "Grey's Anatomy" pilot, in which she initiates her steamy romance with Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). In those early episodes, Meredith is an intern herself, and the series begins with her fresh off a one-night stand with Shepherd before learning he's an attending physician at the hospital she'll be working at. Sound familiar?

Of course, the pair's fling doesn't stay a fling for long, as the second episode depicts the iconic scene in which the pair furiously make out in the hospital elevator. It would prove to be far from the only scene of its kind, as elevators are now the go-to location for romantic and emotional moments for Meredith, as well as the rest of the cast. Considering how many times Meredith has embarked on the elevator of passion herself, it seems a tad ironic for her to dissuade Link from doing the same.

"Attending sleeps with an intern," @LaurieKransky tweeted. "[Deja] vu much? Meredith's elevator advice is priceless." Other fans echoed their appreciation of the scene and the meta-reference to the elevator. "I need more elevator scenes always," @Renadaehab tweeted. "Don't listen to Mer"