Have you ever wondered what if things had turned out differently on “Grey’s Anatomy”? What if Meredith’s mother, Ellis, was never diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? What if Derek and Meredith never met at the bar in the first episode? Well last night these questions were answered as Seattle’s Grace transformed into an alternate universe of sorts through Meredith’s dream. And the different path each character takes offered a completely warped world at the hospital.

This parallel life begins as Meredith is walking into her kitchen, to be greeted by Ellis (who is the chief of surgery) and her dad… no not Thatcher, Webber. Things get even more bizarre at the hospital where each character lives a completely different life.

Derek and Addison are still married, expecting their first child. But Derek’s attitude is bleak and he is reluctant to teach the younger residents. And instead of “McDreamy,” the residents refer to him as “McDreary.”

Cali is married to Owen. Not only is Owen still recovering from the war but the two of them also have three kids together. Cali is head of cardio at the hospital and she and Arizona barely even know each other until they treat the same patient.

Bailey is portrayed as meek and unwilling to speak up for herself, especially when Ellis decides to steal her surgery from her. She also rocks long braids and glasses.

Perhaps the strangest though was Meredith. Not only was she not friends with Cristina (who was the loner rebel surgeon that no one liked), but she was also engaged to none other than Alex! What’s more is Alex was chief resident AND was peppy and animated, a polar opposite of his usual disposition.

Meanwhile Lexi is at the hospital too… but as a patient. Sporting dreadlocks, multiple piercings and tattoos, she is rushed to the emergency room after nearly overdosing on cocaine. She later steals morphine and codeine and runs away, even though she needs emergency heart surgery. 

In another part of the hospital Meredith attempts to steal a surgery from Cristina after feeling pressured by her mother. To both of their disappointments, they are told to split the surgery.

So a furious Cristina rushes to Alex to complain and she walks in on a bit of an awkward situation…. Alex making out with April Kepner, who is supposed to be Meredith’s best friend. 

Of course secrets never stay secrets for long at Seattle’s Grace and Meredith finds out about April and Alex. As she cries to Webber (whom she refers to as “Dad”), her mother scrutinizes her surgery with Cristina instead of offering any sort of sympathy. She also tells Ellis to fire Bailey after the surgery she stole from Bailey was a failure. 

Then Sloane walks into the emergency room, carrying an unconscious Lexi after he found her lying in the street. And even though she almost does not make it, Cristina and Meredith manage to save her. 

Derek, who has been struggling with his marriage, later finds out that Addison’s baby actually does not belong to him and Sloane is the father. 

But as Meredith says, “some things are going to work out as if they’re destined to happen.” And both she and Derek end up at Joe’s bar in the final minutes of the episode, suggesting that they are meant to be. 

Tune into “Grey’s Anatomy” Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC. 

Reach reporter Elizabeth Pereira here.