S8·E1 Free Falling; She's Gone

Episode recap

Task: Write a 280-380 word episode recap for Grey's Anatomy S8E1 ("Free Falling; She's Gone").
Constraints:
Use ONLY verifiable facts from the provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES.
No invented titles, names, dates, counts, awards, ratings, etc.
No guessing or inventing plot points.
Write original, neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Format: Plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
Word count: 280-380 words.
Synopsis:
Fifth-year residents return for the first day of a year that will make or break their careers.
Meredith faces consequences for tampering with Derek's clinical trial and is terminated at the hospital.
April tries to step up as Chief Resident following a giant sinkhole in Seattle.
Cristina and Owen are at odds over different feelings for their unborn child.
News of Meredith and Derek's unsteady relationship raises a red flag for Zola's adoption counselor.
Alex realizes he is the outcast of the group after ratting out Meredith.
Cristina makes a tough decision regarding her unexpected pregnancy.
Chief Webber brings Henry in for a last-minute surgery, alarming Teddy.
The episode is described as historic, crossing a long-standing barrier.
Sources:
[1] TMDB: Series follows personal/professional lives of doctors at Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
[4] Prime Video: Mentions Meredith Grey as a brilliant first-year surgical intern (this refers to the series start, not necessarily this episode, but establishes her name).
Drafting - Segment 1: The Residents and Meredith:
The fifth-year residents return to Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital for the start of a year that will determine the future of their careers. Meredith faces significant professional consequences after tampering with a clinical trial involving Derek. As a result of her actions, Meredith is terminated from the hospital. This situation impacts her personal life as well, as news regarding the unsteady relationship between Meredith and Derek raises a red flag for Zola's adoption counselor. Additionally, Alex realizes he has become an outcast among the group of residents after he ratted out Meredith.
Drafting - Segment 2: April and the Sinkhole:
In the wake of a giant sinkhole appearing in the middle of Seattle, April attempts to step up to the plate in her role as Chief Resident.
Drafting - Segment 3: Cristina and Owen:
Cristina and Owen deal with conflicting feelings regarding their unborn child. Due to her unexpected pregnancy, Cristina is forced to make a tough decision.
*Drafting - Segment 4: Chief Webber