'Grey's Anatomy' season 13 news, spoilers: EP shares hints on what to expect at the show's return

"Grey's Anatomy" executive producer Shonda Rhimes shed some light on where the characters of the show are headed towards the second half of season 13. Meanwhile, Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) goes to prison in the first episode of the season's back half.

"Grey's Anatomy" season 13 left many unanswered questions before going into the winter break. The big cliff-hangers of the season are whether Alex (Justin Chambers) is going to jail for what he did to DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti), and if Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen (Kevin McKidd) can still repair their marriage.

TV Line conducted an interview with Rhimes, but because of her busy schedule, she was only able to answer them through e-mail. Although Rhimes' answers were short, she still hinted at possible directions that the season's unfinished stories may head to.

A lot of fans have been pushing for a Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Alex love team, but it seems like it's not something that will happen in the series.

When asked why the two characters have not yet considered taking their friendship to the next level, Rhimes answered, "That's like asking me why haven't I had a certain kind of cheese. The answer is, 'Because I haven't had that kind of cheese.'"

Meanwhile, there is still a lot of hope that Jackson (Jesse Williams) and April (Sarah Drew) will still get back together. Based on Rhimes' answer, there might be good chance that the two characters will reunite.

"It's such a positive thing to watch our characters behave as fully formed adults who know how to co-parent. What's great is that parenting has nothing to do with their storyline this season — it gets much more interesting than you'd imagine," Rhimes' shared.

On the return of "Grey's Anatomy" season 13, Arizona will be going to prison. But it won't be to visit Alex or to pay for a crime of her own. In an interview with TV Guide, Capshaw shared that her character will be tasked to work on a case where the patient is currently confined at a maximum security prison.

Arizona will ask the help of Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Jo (Camilla Luddington) to work on what looks like a simple procedure, but there might be more to it than it appears.

"It's truly kind of creepy at the same time as it's super provocative and exciting," Capshaw said.

"Grey's Anatomy" season 13 returns on Thursday, Jan. 19, on ABC.