SPOILER ALERT! Grey's Anatomy deals with the loss of McDreamy as season 12 kicks off with a bang

Published: 03:21 EST, 25 September 2015 | Updated: 09:14 EST, 25 September 2015

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It may be the first episode without Dr. McDreamy, but it seems like everyone's alright with that.

The 12th season of Grey's Anatomy premiered on ABC on Thursday and has already received mostly accolades from long-time fans.

According to TVLine, this season promises to be slightly more lighthearted than the heavy handed and often times depressing previous season.

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Light's back on! The 12th season of Grey's Anatomy premiered on ABC on Thursday and has already received mostly accolades from long-time fans

He is no more: It may be the first episode without Dr. McDreamy, but it seems like everyone's alright with that

The big one: Patrick Dempsey's dashing Dr. Derek Shepherd, after his character was killed off in the season 11 finale

Of course the episode was also the first without 49-year-old Patrick Dempsey's dashing Dr. Derek Shepherd, after his character was killed off in the season 11 finale.

The episode, titled 'Sledgehammer', starts off with the tool being used by Amelia to bust open a wall in the house that is now shared by Meredith and Maggie as well; obviously the new roommates have their work cut out for them in terms of getting used to the new living arrangements.

Back at the hospital, the first case of the season involves an apparent accident where two teenage girls, Aliyah and Jessica, were hit by a train.

Happier times: this season promises to be slightly more lighthearted than the heavy handed and often times depressing previous season

Things are more complicated than that however, as Jessica reveals to Callie that it was in fact a joint suicide attempt; the teens are lesbians in love, and Jessica's mother doesn't approve.

The attempt was fueled by Jessica's mother's threat to send her daughter to a religious conversion camp.

Tensions run high, as various doctors come into conflict with the mother, until Maggie boils over and punches the mother in the face.

Roommates: Meredith, Maggie and Amelia have their work cut out for them in terms of getting used to the new living arrangements

Maggie then reveals her own past of having to deal with bullying, prompting others to share their experiences.

Meanwhile, the competition for the chief of surgery job is causing it's own drama.

Dr. Bailey must battle Catherine's candidate for the position, Tracy McConnell.

Race to the top: Meanwhile, the competition for the chief of surgery job is causing it's own drama for Dr. Bailey

Tracy almost sinks Bailey outright by offering up a life-saving tip during a surgery for Aliyah, but Bailey later gets a pep talk from Ben which motivates her to give a moving speech, in the OR, that convinces even Catherine of her competence.

The episode did offer up some heartwarming resolutions, including Jessica and Aliyah's fathers bonding over love for their daughters and standing up to Jessica's backward mother.

Maggie also makes Meredith and Amelia deal with their feelings toward each other, which turns out positively.

There may no longer be a McDreamy on the premises, but it looks like life at Grey Sloan hospital will go on regardless.