Warning! SPOILERS about Greys Anatomy season 20, episode 3 ahead.

Winston and Maggies relationship seemed doomed before the Greys Anatomy season 19 finale gave some hope about it surviving, but season 20, episode 3 showed the true damage it secretly sustained. Maggie and Winstons relationship differed from Maggies previous ones, possibly even lasting the longest because Winston brought out Maggies most easygoing side, countering her tendency to plan meticulously and act most reasonably with his spontaneity. Winstons move to Seattle in Greys Anatomy season 17 was proof of that, with their relationship turning out to be one of the seasons happiest developments, given Merediths grave illness and the pandemic storyline.

While Maggie and Winstons dating turned quickly into a marriage, they overcame what they didnt have time to learn about each other with an eagerness to do their best from that moment forward. Greys Anatomy season 18 started showing irreconcilable differences between them when Winston shut everybody out, Maggie included, when his familys problems and his brother Wendell surfaced, showing an opposition to listen to any perspective that wasnt his, a side incongruous with how he presented himself beforehand. Although heartbreaking cases eventually reunited them, their different approaches couldnt be more opposite, causing insurmountable problems in Greys Anatomy season 19.

Maggie and Winston hooking up in Greys Anatomy season 19s ending brought out the best of their bond, with their connection seeming the most effortless as it had ever been throughout the season, thus raising hopes about a long-distance relationship between the two potentially working. However, Greys Anatomy season 20 repeatedly showed a more uncompromising Winston, either through his open discontent with Baileys Greys Anatomy season 20 intern methods or lack of bedside manners with Teddy and Owen. Greys Anatomy season 20, episode 3s medical case eventually exposed Winstons worst, with his anger even letting him snap at a patient.

Greys Anatomy season 20, episode 3s beginning revealed Winstons upcoming trip to Chicago, showing him seemingly calmer because of it. However, snapping at Nate Ardillas unreasonable goal to sail with his handmade floating bubble to Hong Kong exposed Winstons lack of control, especially considering the patients extensive wounds that eventually killed him. Winstons anger stemmed from Maggie canceling yet another time on him just before he was about to depart, with his and Owens ending discussion highlighting how fraught the situation was to frustrate Winston to the point of taking it out on a patient.

Owens helpful advice to pivot from asking himself at what point to stop trying, to why Winston still continued to do so eventually prompted him to remove his wedding band. Still, Winstons realization and his behavior repeatedly showed that they had already reached the point of no return. Indeed, his frustration only let Winston see Maggies shortcomings of not keeping her promises, but his love for her had already turned to resentment unbeknownst to him, against which Owen warned him in Greys Anatomy season 19, episode 4 at a time Maggie and Winston both revealed not to respect the other.

While the biggest hint in Greys Anatomy season 20, episode 3 could have been Winstons mood, something else helped him realize how much he had lost sight of his relationship with Maggie. Simones kindness in lying to Nates wife so that she wouldnt blame herself for his death after he told Simone to say that everything he did was for her showed how little the two spouses communicated. Nate mindlessly trying to prove himself against her ex-boyfriends accomplishments while Nates wife didnt even think about him revealed that despite being in the same marriage, they didnt have the same goals.

Winstons attempts to save his marriage with Maggie mirrored Nates behavior, as he tried his best since his idea to switch specialties in Greys Anatomy season 19 to put their relationship front and center, organizing trips to Chicago even just to discuss how to proceed. However, in doing so, Winston didnt check with Maggie about her goals and whether she truly wanted to continue to build something with him, just like Nate never asked what his wifes wishes were, instead trying to prove himself against adventurous accomplishments she never cared about and dying because of them.

Winstons actions in Greys Anatomy season 20, episode 3s ending right after Owens words got through to him clearly established he finally put himself first. Removing his wedding band symbolically meant Winston finally stopped trying to save an unsuccessful marriage at his expense. With Maggie away from Seattle and Kelly McCreary having officially left Greys Anatomy, this could be the best possible option for Winston, who can finally build the life he wants for himself without having to dampen his goals and wishes to make space for Maggie.

However, it could also be the best outcome for Maggie considering she spent the best part of Greys Anatomy season 19 either avoiding or fighting with Winston, not understanding his perspective more often than she did. Their relationship in Greys Anatomy season 19 consisted of the two never being able to accept the others point of view, losing respect for one another, and generally turning their hopeful relationship into something full of resentment. Winston finally letting the relationship end in Greys Anatomy season 20 thus gives him and Maggie a chance at happiness, unburdened by their past.

Episode #

Title

Release Date

4

Baby Can I Hold You

April 4, 2024

5

Never Felt So Alone

April 11, 2024

6

TBA

TBA

7

TBA

TBA

8

TBA

TBA

9

TBA

TBA

10

TBA

TBA

Grey's Anatomy airs new episodes every Thursday on ABC at 9pm ET.

Grey's Anatomy is considered one of the great television shows of our time, winning several awards and four Emmys. The high-intensity medical drama follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.

Excerpt from:
Grey's Anatomy Season 20 Just Proved Maggie & Winston Won't Be Endgame - Screen Rant