We’re just weeks away from the Season 13 premiere of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” The upcoming season is shaping up to be a good one based on recent spoilers that tease new romances and drama.

In addition to those juicy arcs, the medical drama will take on some serious issues. According to Entertainment Weekly, much of Season 13 will center around Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and girlfriend Jo (Camilla Luddington). Both have dealt with domestic violence in different capacities during their lifetimes and writer Shonda Rhimes intends to explore those stories more in depth. During an interview with EW, she explained that she never set out to tackle heavy issues, but added that she feels that it’s important to explore such things as they pertain to her characters.

“I don’t think that I ever think about doing things, like, ‘Oh, we’re doing a domestic violence story as an issue,” Rhimes said. “It felt like it was time to tell Jo’s story, and it felt like it was time to tell Jo’s story especially in the context of Alex, who he is and how he grew up. Alex is so defined by who he used to be and who is trying to become, and so is Jo.”

Rhimes’ revelation about Season 13 revolving, at least partially, around Alex should come as no surprise to fans. On Wednesday, ABC released photos from the “Grey’s Anatomy” premiere, slated to air in late September. One photo showed Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Alex in the middle of what appears to be an intense conversation. Meredith can be seen grabbing Alex’s hands as he seemingly shouts back in her direction. The synopsis suggests the premiere will deal with the fallout from Alex and DeLuca’s (Giacomo Gianniotti) violent confrontation in the Season 12 finale. DeLuca is now in the hospital, which has the whole Grey-Sloan Memorial team in a frenzy. While the doctors scramble to do what they can, Meredith is grappling with a secret that could cost her the relationship she’s built with both half sister Dr. Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) and Alex.

The future of Alex and Jo’s relationship is currently hanging in the balance. In addition to attacking DeLuca for flirting with her — or so Alex thought — the troubled young doctor has repeatedly had his marriage proposals shot down by his girlfriend. With Jo’s Season 12 bombshell revelation that she is still legally married to a mystery man, it’s anyone’s guess whether Alex will stick it out. Jo has been tight-lipped about her past in previous seasons, but she did share some details about changing her name to escape an abusive partner. She also opened up about a previous relationship revealing that she has been married before.

Marriage may not be high on her priority list, but Jo has another idea for her and Alex — during the final episode she suggests that the two show their commitment to one another by agreeing to have a baby together. Jo questions whether that is enough to show that she’s committed, despite her qualms about walking down the aisle. Alex isn’t pleased and leaves his girlfriend alone in the apartment they share. Jo’s loneliness leads her to the bar, where she finds Amelia prepping for her wedding with a little liquid courage. DeLuca eventually joins Jo at the bar where she confides in him about her previous marriage and the abuse she suffered. Just before the episode comes to a close, Jo reveals that she hasn’t been honest with her beau, despite the fact that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him.

“Grey’s Anatomy” returns Thursday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

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