The third season of the Emmy- and Golden Globewinning medical drama continues, following the trials and tribulations of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her fellow interns at Seattle Grace Hospital. In this week’s episode, Addison tries to deflect the advances of a new man; George and Burke both have doubts about the concept of marriage; and will Jane Doe get her memory back?

Addison is still away visiting friends in California, but her holiday has turned out to be far from relaxing. Faced with the reality of her infertility, she tries to reason that it is for the best: “I’m glad I can’t have a child,” she tells Naomi. “With my luck, I’d probably have a kid with two heads.”

When the clinic’s natural therapist, Pete, offers to give Addison some acupuncture, it becomes clear that she is still struggling with the news. “You’re going to feel a rush of emotion,” he explains. “A release of psychic pain.” Left alone, Addison insists that she is fine. “I’m great!” she cries. “Barren, but fan-friggin-tastic!”

Later, Pete corners Addison in the stairwell. Addison tries to discourage his flirtatious chat: “I am out of time,” she says. “I missed my chance and now I have two eggs left.” Not one to give up easily, Pete proceeds to kiss Addison. When she questions him on his motives, he claims that the kiss was “to remind you that you’re not dried up”.

Over at Seattle Grace, Jane Doe is diagnosed with a bleed in the brain that requires immediate surgery. Derek informs Jane that she will need to be awake during the procedure, and that there is a small chance that she may recover her memory after the operation. To make sure that she remains lucid, Alex is present in theatre to talk to Jane throughout the surgery. He sets about testing her with flashcards, but suddenly she begins giving her answers in Spanish, and then in French and German. Derek explains that he is stimulating the language areas of the brain, and this can only mean one thing – Jane was fluent in those tongues in her former life.

Although Derek is able to successfully stem the bleeding, Jane is devastated to find that she still does not remember who she is. “A lot of folks would kill for what you have,” says a philosophical Alex. “A clean slate.”

Elsewhere, Miranda refuses to play the role of confidante to a guilt-ridden George and apprehensive groom-to-be Burke. Instead, she pawns the two men off on each other. Still reeling from his one-night stand with Izzie, George asks, “Is it possible, do you think, to love two people at the same time?” Burke, on the other hand, is having serious doubts about whether Cristina wants to get married as much as he does. “I’m still hoping it’s possible just to love one person,” he answers.

Also this week, Susan is admitted with complications after surgery to halt an extreme case of hiccups. Her fever and slight heart murmur signal to Miranda that Susan has an infection. A simple course of antibiotics solves the problem – until Susan returns again, this time with severe cramping. Realising the urgency, Webber decides to perform emergency surgery. But on the way to theatre, Meredith cannot locate a pulse. Is it already too late?