Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 has confirmed Link’s fate. In the Season 21 finale, Dr. Atticus "Link" Lincoln and others were in an OR when an explosion shocked the hospital. The season left the character’s fate hanging in the balance.
For months, fans remained worried about Link. Played by Chris Carmack, the orthopedic surgeon made his debut in the show in Season 15 and became one of the fan favorites over time.
Things did not look good for him in Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Episode 1, and he spent the whole episode fighting for his life. But in the end, he fortunately made it out alive, thanks to his colleagues who treated him.
Does Link die in Grey’s Anatomy?
No, Link does not die in Grey’s Anatomy. In the Season 22 premiere, his chances of survival look grim initially as a huge piece of ceiling crashes down on him and traps him under the rubble. His chest is badly hurt, and he is losing blood. His friends know they have only a short time to save him before it’s too late.
Dr. Miranda Bailey, Ben Warren, Owen Hunt, and Winston Ndugu rush to help Link. When they reach him, they see a heavy beam stuck under his collarbone and realize he is bleeding inside. They plan to take him to Seattle Presbyterian Hospital for surgery, but the explosion has knocked out the elevators.
This means they have to carry him down the stairs. As they struggle to move him, Link’s condition gets worse, and they realize he would not survive the trip. Bailey tells Link to call his wife, Jo Wilson, in case it’s his last chance. On the phone, Link tells Jo how much he loves her and their soon-to-be-born kids.
His voice fades as he passes out, and Jo breaks down, terrified that she is about to lose the man she just married. Meanwhile, the doctors argue about what to do. Teddy Altman and Owen can not agree on whether to risk moving him or operate right there. Ben finally steps in and convinces Teddy that they can not wait any longer.
The group then rushes Link into a small CCU room and starts emergency surgery on the spot. Owen cuts into Link’s chest and finds a hidden injury that is causing the bleeding. Teddy then tends to it, and finally, Link’s heartbeat becomes stable.
Hence, the team is able to save Link’s life in Grey’s Anatomy Season 22. Later, Owen tells Jo that Link will recover, but it will take time. Jo then reunites with her husband and is relieved to see him alive.
What Chris Carmack has said about his character’s fate in Grey’s Anatomy
In an interview with Parade, Chris Carmack talked about Link’s collapse and his eventual survival in Grey’s Anatomy. The actor revealed that even he was unaware of Link’s fate after the Season 21 finale, as he was only told by the creators that he would at least be in the first episode of Season 22:
“Season 21 definitely left us in a precarious place. I didn’t know what was coming down the pipe. I had been told that I’d be in at least Episode 1. I knew I wasn’t going to be smoldering ash, but it was definitely the worst-case scenario for Link. It was pretty rough reading that first episode and seeing the physical damage that Link had succumbed to.”
Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 airs new episodes on ABC on Thursdays.