best episodes of Grey's Anatomy poster

Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

21 Seasons
447 Episodes
Returning Series
Drama
episode image Death and All His Friends
9.7/10 (4259 votes)

#1 Death and All His Friends

S6:E24
May 20, 2010

Cristina and Meredith's surgical skills are put to the ultimate test.

episode image Sanctuary
9.6/10 (3828 votes)

#2 Sanctuary

S6:E23
May 20, 2010

Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its' history.

episode image Now or Never
9.5/10 (3198 votes)

#3 Now or Never

S5:E24
May 14, 2009

In the second part of the two hour season finale, George delivers stunning news to Bailey, sending shockwaves throughout the hospital, and Izzie's friends anxiously await her recovery from surgery. Meanwhile Bailey is surprisingly displeased after being accepted into the pediatric fellowship program, and the victim of a near-fatal traffic accident brings the talents of Seattle Grace's doctors together. This is the second hour of a 2-hour season finale.

episode image Silent All These Years
9.5/10 (3093 votes)

#4 Silent All These Years

S15:E19
Mar 28, 2019

When a trauma patient arrives at Grey Sloan, it forces Jo to confront her past. Meanwhile, Bailey and Ben have to talk to Tuck about dating.

episode image It's the End of the World
9.4/10 (3399 votes)

#5 It's the End of the World

S2:E16
Feb 5, 2006

An explosive case arrives at the O.R. that might endanger all the lives of the people working there, which leads Dr. Burke to declare a "Code Black" for the hospital. Bailey worries where her husband is as she is in labor. Also Izzie and Alex may be creating some heat.

episode image As We Know It
9.4/10 (3294 votes)

#6 As We Know It

S2:E17
Feb 12, 2006

Derek is still operating when he finds out about Meredith's current situation. Meredith is freaking out about her situation. Webber and Bailey are dealing with medical health issues. Cristina and Izzie have their own issues to deal with because of Meredith's situation. Addison freaks out when George tries to find a solution to Bailey's impromtu postponement. Overall, Seattle Grace Hospital is still under code black and the situation is getting worse.

episode image Losing My Religion
9.2/10 (2699 votes)

#7 Losing My Religion

S2:E27

This episode is the second part of a two-hour season finale. Richard tries to get information from Addison about a family member's condition. Callie and George have a talk about his feelings. Meredith and Derek have a talk about Doc.

episode image Fear (of the Unknown)
9.2/10 (2032 votes)

#8 Fear (of the Unknown)

S10:E24
May 15, 2014

The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital bid an emotional farewell to the beloved Cristina Yang. A possible act of terrorism rocks Seattle and causes chaos at the hospital. Meanwhile, Meredith makes a life changing decision and one doctor receives shocking news.

episode image The Sound of Silence
9.2/10 (2461 votes)

#9 The Sound of Silence

S12:E9
Feb 11, 2016

Meredith is brutally attacked by a patient, and Penny is the one who discovers her. The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial rush to stabilize Meredith and remain by her side in the harrowing aftermath.

episode image What a Difference a Day Makes
9.1/10 (2017 votes)

#10 What a Difference a Day Makes

S5:E22
May 7, 2009

As Meredith, Derek and all of their friends prepare for the big wedding, a group of college students, injured in a car crash as they were heading to their graduation ceremony, is admitted to the ER. Meanwhile, Izzie fears the worst when she begins experiencing familiar symptoms.

episode image Dark Was the Night
9.1/10 (1835 votes)

#11 Dark Was the Night

S8:E9
Nov 10, 2011

Teddy puts her husband’s life in the hands of her peers when Henry is sent to the OR for surgery and she’s called away on another case; Meredith and Derek receive the long-awaited news about Zola; Callie and Jackson come under fire when their patient experiences post-surgery complications; and Meredith and Alex are involved in a life-threatening situation when they travel to a neighboring hospital to tend to a sick newborn, on Grey’s Anatomy

episode image Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story
9.1/10 (2053 votes)

#12 Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story

S14:E7
Nov 9, 2017

After a roller coaster car falls off the track at the county fair, the doctors at Grey Sloan tend to patients who spark memories about ghosts from their past. The series 300th episode!

episode image Into You Like a Train
9.0/10 (2343 votes)

#13 Into You Like a Train

S2:E6
Oct 30, 2005

Train Wreck victims come to Seattle Grace and all staff gets called in. Everyone deals with really weird cases. Except Addison and Izzie. They work with a woman who is pregnant.

episode image 17 Seconds
9.0/10 (2052 votes)

#14 17 Seconds

S2:E25
May 14, 2006

George and Derek work together, Denny still doesn't have a heart, and Meredith gets paired with Callie. A 12-week pregnant girl dies in the O.R. and her parents try to keep the baby alive. This causes tension between Derek and Addison. One doctor's overreaction unites two bickering patients. Finn is still treating Doc for medical problems.

episode image Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response
9.0/10 (2046 votes)

#15 Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response

S2:E26

Denny needs a heart or else. Izzie and George go crazy trying to get him one. Derek has the life of a friend in his hands as he operates on Burke who has been shot. Burke cannot operate on Denny after Denny's heart stopped and now Denny is in a dire condition. Cristina gets put in charge of the ER and she is worried about Burke.

episode image Stairway to Heaven
9.0/10 (1898 votes)

#16 Stairway to Heaven

S5:E13
Jan 22, 2009

Bailey grows desperate as a patient's condition becomes more and more dire. Everyone in the hospital is stepping up to try to find the boy a new organ donor, including Meredith, who considers a death row patient's wish to die before execution. Meanwhile, an injury leaves Mark in a compromising position in the OR and Cristina awkwardly avoids Owen.

episode image I Saw What I Saw
9.0/10 (2053 votes)

#17 I Saw What I Saw

S6:E6
Oct 22, 2009

After a burn victim unexpectedly dies in the midst of a chaotic ER, the Chief and board member Jennings interrogate the residents to find the culprit, as all the Mercy West and Seattle Grace resident defends their actions in an effort to save their jobs.

episode image Suddenly
9.0/10 (1661 votes)

#18 Suddenly

S8:E10
Jan 5, 2012

A severe car crash involving an entire family results in an all-hands-on situation in the ER, as the eldest daughter is left to make the toughest decision of her life. Meanwhile Teddy, still in the dark about Henry's death, calls upon Cristina to help with her patient in the O.R., and Lexie finds herself working alongside Mark's new girlfriend, Julia, during an eye surgery.

episode image Drowning on Dry Land
8.9/10 (1946 votes)

#19 Drowning on Dry Land

S3:E16
Feb 15, 2007

Meredith is still underwater, but nobody seems to notice. Her worsening condition makes her rescuing an urgent matter. Derek finds her coat on a man she had helped, and starts looking for her and, much to his shock, the little girl Meredith took care of suggests that she is in the water. Derek saves her, but she is almost dead, due to hypothermia. Izzie has to perform brain surgery on a man stuck between cars, as he begins to experience seizures. She drills holes into his head, perforates his skull and ultimately saves his life before he is rescued and transferred to Seattle Grace Hospital. George lies to the woman whose son he had been looking for, in order to get to surgery, but still doesn't have any luck in locating him. Alex finds no hope in searching for the pregnant Jane Doe's family as she undergoes surgery. The interns find out about Meredith's situation and express their hopelessness. She wakes up in what appears to be limbo and meets her deceased acquaintances.

episode image Elevator Love Letter
8.9/10 (1701 votes)

#20 Elevator Love Letter

S5:E19
Mar 26, 2009

All eyes are on Derek as he is set to perform his first surgery after his breakdown; attention is also set on Izzie, whose medical condition requires her to undergo a difficult surgery; and Owen has another PTSD episode that injures Cristina and traumatizes both of them, throwing the future of their relationship into question.

episode image Perfect Storm
8.9/10 (1585 votes)

#21 Perfect Storm

S9:E24
May 16, 2013

Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital enters crisis mode as the storm rages, resources become scarce and patients flood in by the busload. Meanwhile, one of the doctors fights for their life.

episode image Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
8.9/10 (1719 votes)

#22 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

S12:E5
Oct 22, 2015

In the midst of the sisters’ dinner party, Maggie ditches her cooking duties to rush to the hospital. Meanwhile, April steps in to help cook as an attempt to avoid Jackson, and Arizona nervously waits to find out more about Callie’s new girlfriend.

episode image My Shot
8.9/10 (1413 votes)

#23 My Shot

S16:E8
Nov 14, 2019

Meredith faces the medical board as her future as a doctor remains uncertain, and she’s forced to reckon with her past in some challenging ways. Meanwhile, the interns are put to the test as they are each vying to be the most successful on their respective cases in the absence of some of the attendings.

episode image Walk on Water
8.8/10 (1789 votes)

#24 Walk on Water

S3:E15
Feb 8, 2007

A mass trauma situation, which turns out to be a ferryboat accident, challenges the whole staff of Seattle Grace Hospital. Richard finds difficulty in coping with his separation from his wife and dyes his hair "for the ladies", which becomes an internal joke between Mark, Burke and Derek. Cristina tries to tell Meredith about her upcoming marriage, but doesn't have the strength to. George promises to find a woman's son, who has been separated from her at the accident. The woman refuses to go into surgery until she is assured that her son is alive. Izzie has to take care of a man who got stuck between two cars on the ferry, but nobody helps her due to the large number of injured people. Alex rescues a pregnant woman with severe wounds on her face, and promises to take care of her. Meredith looks after a girl who has been separated from her mother after the accident, but accidentally falls into the water and drowns, with nobody but the little girl as a witness.

episode image Freedom (2)
8.8/10 (1395 votes)

#25 Freedom (2)

S4:E17
May 22, 2008

A couple undergoes surgery. Derek and Meredith's clinical trial gets a second shot from a new patient. Izzie helps Alex. McSteamy hooks up with someone.

episode image Stand By Me
8.8/10 (1632 votes)

#26 Stand By Me

S5:E18
Mar 19, 2009

After his fellow surgeons try and fail to bring Derek back to work, Meredith must summon the strength to convince him. Meanwhile the hospital is abuzz as Mark attempts a rare face transplant surgery. Cristina, at last awarded her first solo surgery, is more focused on the needs of her friends, and Izzie does her best to keep her medical condition a secret.

episode image Here's to Future Days
8.8/10 (1672 votes)

#27 Here's to Future Days

S5:E23
May 14, 2009

In the first part of the two hour season finale, Izzie spends time with a fellow cancer patient and contemplates whether or not to undergo a risky surgery, as Mark is ready to take his relationship with Lexie to the next level and a patient makes Owen reassess his place at Seattle Grace.

episode image The Time Warp
8.8/10 (1718 votes)

#28 The Time Warp

S6:E15
Feb 18, 2010

In his new role as Chief, Derek restores the hospital lecture series, and Richard, Bailey and Callie present to the group pivotal surgical cases from their pasts Bailey reflects on her first days as a shy resident, Callie looks back on a polio case, and Richard recalls a case in which he and Ellis worked on a patient diagnosed with GRID, a virus later called AIDS.

episode image Flight
8.8/10 (2253 votes)

#29 Flight

S8:E24
May 17, 2012

Faced with a life threatening situation, the doctors must fight to stay alive while trying to save the lives of their peers; Bailey and Ben make a decision regarding their relationship; and Teddy is presented with a tempting offer. Meanwhile, Richard plans a special dinner for the residents.

episode image Remember The Time
8.8/10 (1676 votes)

#30 Remember The Time

S9:E2
Oct 4, 2012

In this flashback episode, return to the site of the plane crash and watch as each doctor tries to cope with the heartache and injuries caused by the crash. Meanwhile, back at Seattle Grace, everyone struggles to find a bit of normalcy amidst the chaos.

episode image The Distance
8.8/10 (1590 votes)

#31 The Distance

S11:E14
Mar 5, 2015

In this Amelia-centric episode, Amelia engages in the surgery of a lifetime as a crowd of doctors look on from the gallery. With Stephanie by her side, she begins operating on Dr. Herman, but quickly realizes it's far more difficult than she anticipated. Meanwhile, Bailey becomes skeptical when Arizona takes on one of Herman’s cases.

episode image Personal Jesus
8.8/10 (1959 votes)

#32 Personal Jesus

S14:E10
Jan 25, 2018

A young boy is admitted to Grey Sloan Memorial and his case has a profound impact on the doctors. Meanwhile, April is faced with a surprising patient, and Jo continues to deal with her estranged husband.

episode image Cold as Ice
8.8/10 (1261 votes)

#33 Cold as Ice

S14:E23
May 10, 2018

One of Grey Sloan Memorial’s own is seriously injured, making the team reflect on what is truly important to them. Meanwhile, Nicole Herman pays a visit to Grey Sloan and talks to Arizona about an exciting opportunity.

episode image Didn't We Almost Have It All?
8.7/10 (1921 votes)

#34 Didn't We Almost Have It All?

S3:E25
May 17, 2007

The mountain climbers lie about the axe in their friend's head, telling Derek that it accidentally got there. During surgery, he and George discover that it was deliberately put there, and one of the climbers admit that he was trying to "put him out of his misery". Adele is saved after Richard finds her lying in the bathroom and is stabilized, but soon suffers a miscarriage. Richard learns Adele was actually pregnant with his son, not someone she had one night stand with. Bailey is disappointed to see that Callie is the new Chief Resident and begins to question her abilities as a surgeon. Richard chooses Derek as Chief of Surgery, but he refuses, telling him that he isn't done doing what he does best. Cristina and Burke's wedding day arrives, but Cristina won't stay out of the hospital. However, Cristina's nervousness results in Burke's realizing that he does not love the real Cristina and leaves her. Meredith and Derek are uncertain about their future and despite Derek admitting that she is the love of his life, they call their relationship over.

episode image Give Peace a Chance
8.7/10 (1479 votes)

#35 Give Peace a Chance

S6:E7
Oct 29, 2009

When Isaac has an inoperable tumor wrapped around his spine, he wants Derek to do the impossible. Derek tests the Chief's authority when Richard objects to moving forward with the risky surgery.

episode image Family Affair
8.7/10 (1292 votes)

#36 Family Affair

S12:E24
May 19, 2016

Meredith and Maggie support Amelia on an important day; Jo reveals that she has been keeping secrets from Alex while Arizona and Callie deal with the impact of their custody arrangement. Meanwhile, Ben leaps into action to help a friend.

episode image True Colors
8.7/10 (1276 votes)

#37 True Colors

S13:E23
May 11, 2017

The doctors of Grey Sloan encounter a difficult case involving a dangerous patient. Meanwhile, Owen receives life-changing news that pushes Amelia to step up to support him, and Alex attends a medical conference after making a shocking discovery.

episode image 1-800-799-7233
8.7/10 (1605 votes)

#38 1-800-799-7233

S14:E9
Jan 18, 2018

Jo finally faces her estranged, abusive husband Paul Stadler, while Grey Sloan continues to work with the FBI after a hacker has compromised the hospital’s computer system.

episode image Who's Zoomin' Who?
8.6/10 (2021 votes)

#39 Who's Zoomin' Who?

S1:E9
May 22, 2005

A sexually transmitted disease breaks out and affects several members of the hospital staff. Chief Webber promptly calls a meeting. Meanwhile, the chief reluctantly tells Dr. Derek Shepherd about his own medical concerns. Izzie and Cristina worry about a patient's wife and daughter who can't agree on his care. Burke treats his college buddy Bill, whose medical diagnosis raises some questions regarding his wife's actions. Then just as Meredith and Derek grow more intimate, a surprise is revealed.

episode image Make Me Lose Control
8.6/10 (1845 votes)

#40 Make Me Lose Control

S2:E3
Oct 9, 2005

Cristina and Meredith try to figure out if Cristina should tell Burke that she's pregnant right before Cristina faces an emergency. Alex and Izzie get closer while Meredith's mother gets too close.

Cast & Chracters

character image Meredith Grey

Meredith Grey

Actor: Ellen Pompeo
character image Miranda Bailey

Miranda Bailey

Actor: Chandra Wilson
character image Richard Webber

Richard Webber

Actor: James Pickens Jr.
character image Owen Hunt

Owen Hunt

Actor: Kevin McKidd
character image Amelia Shepherd

Amelia Shepherd

Actor: Caterina Scorsone
character image Jo Wilson

Jo Wilson

Actor: Camilla Luddington
character image Teddy Altman

Teddy Altman

Actor: Kim Raver
character image Ben Warren

Ben Warren

Actor: Jason George
character image Atticus Lincoln

Atticus Lincoln

Actor: Chris Carmack
character image Winston Ndugu

Winston Ndugu

Actor: Anthony Hill
character image Jules Millin

Jules Millin

Actor: Adelaide Kane
character image Simone Griffith

Simone Griffith

Actor: Alexis Floyd
character image Lucas Adams

Lucas Adams

Actor: Niko Terho
character image Benson 'Blue' Kwan

Benson 'Blue' Kwan

Actor: Harry Shum Jr.

The highest rated episode of Grey's Anatomy is "Death and All His Friends" (S6E24) with a rating of 9.70.

This episode received 4,259 votes.

It aired on May 20, 2010.


The lowest rated episode is "Leave a Light On" (S16E16) with a rating of 4.40.

This episode received 2,742 votes.

It aired on March 5, 2020.

The highest rated episode is "Who's Zoomin' Who?" (S1E9) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 2,021 votes.

It aired on May 22, 2005.


The lowest rated episode is "Winning a Battle, Losing the War" (S1E3) with a rating of 8.00.

This episode received 2,084 votes.

It aired on April 10, 2005.

The highest rated episode is "It's the End of the World" (S2E16) with a rating of 9.40.

This episode received 3,399 votes.

It aired on February 5, 2006.


The lowest rated episode is "Let It Be" (S2E8) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 1,546 votes.

It aired on November 13, 2005.

The highest rated episode is "Drowning on Dry Land" (S3E16) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,946 votes.

It aired on February 15, 2007.


The lowest rated episode is "The Other Side of This Life (1)" (S3E22) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 1,649 votes.

It aired on May 3, 2007.

The highest rated episode is "Freedom (2)" (S4E17) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 1,395 votes.

It aired on May 22, 2008.


The lowest rated episode is "Love/Addiction" (S4E2) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 1,318 votes.

It aired on October 4, 2007.

The highest rated episode is "Now or Never" (S5E24) with a rating of 9.50.

This episode received 3,198 votes.

It aired on May 14, 2009.


The lowest rated episode is "These Ties That Bind" (S5E8) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 1,497 votes.

It aired on November 13, 2008.

The highest rated episode is "Death and All His Friends" (S6E24) with a rating of 9.70.

This episode received 4,259 votes.

It aired on May 20, 2010.


The lowest rated episode is "Hook, Line and Sinner" (S6E20) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 1,080 votes.

It aired on April 29, 2010.

The highest rated episode is "Disarm" (S7E11) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 1,468 votes.

It aired on January 6, 2011.


The lowest rated episode is "Song Beneath the Song" (S7E18) with a rating of 6.20.

This episode received 4,572 votes.

It aired on March 31, 2011.

The highest rated episode is "Dark Was the Night" (S8E9) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 1,835 votes.

It aired on November 10, 2011.


The lowest rated episode is "If/Then" (S8E13) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 1,766 votes.

It aired on February 2, 2012.

The highest rated episode is "Perfect Storm" (S9E24) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,585 votes.

It aired on May 16, 2013.


The lowest rated episode is "Sleeping Monster" (S9E21) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 996 votes.

It aired on April 25, 2013.

The highest rated episode is "Fear (of the Unknown)" (S10E24) with a rating of 9.20.

This episode received 2,032 votes.

It aired on May 15, 2014.


The lowest rated episode is "Thriller" (S10E7) with a rating of 7.20.

This episode received 1,272 votes.

It aired on October 31, 2013.

The highest rated episode is "The Distance" (S11E14) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 1,590 votes.

It aired on March 5, 2015.


The lowest rated episode is "How to Save a Life" (S11E21) with a rating of 5.60.

This episode received 3,632 votes.

It aired on April 23, 2015.

The highest rated episode is "The Sound of Silence" (S12E9) with a rating of 9.20.

This episode received 2,461 votes.

It aired on February 11, 2016.


The lowest rated episode is "Unbreak My Heart" (S12E11) with a rating of 7.10.

This episode received 1,466 votes.

It aired on February 25, 2016.

The highest rated episode is "True Colors" (S13E23) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 1,276 votes.

It aired on May 11, 2017.


The lowest rated episode is "The Room Where It Happens" (S13E8) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 1,849 votes.

It aired on November 10, 2016.

The highest rated episode is "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" (S14E7) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 2,053 votes.

It aired on November 9, 2017.


The lowest rated episode is "Danger Zone" (S14E5) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 1,393 votes.

It aired on October 26, 2017.

The highest rated episode is "Silent All These Years" (S15E19) with a rating of 9.50.

This episode received 3,093 votes.

It aired on March 28, 2019.


The lowest rated episode is "Add It Up" (S15E18) with a rating of 7.20.

This episode received 909 votes.

It aired on March 21, 2019.

The highest rated episode is "My Shot" (S16E8) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,413 votes.

It aired on November 14, 2019.


The lowest rated episode is "Leave a Light On" (S16E16) with a rating of 4.40.

This episode received 2,742 votes.

It aired on March 5, 2020.

The highest rated episode is "The Center Won't Hold" (S17E2) with a rating of 8.10.

This episode received 1,252 votes.

It aired on November 12, 2020.


The lowest rated episode is "In My Life" (S17E9) with a rating of 5.20.

This episode received 1,591 votes.

It aired on March 25, 2021.

The highest rated episode is "You Are the Blood" (S18E20) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 933 votes.

It aired on May 26, 2022.


The lowest rated episode is "The Makings Of You" (S18E12) with a rating of 5.80.

This episode received 727 votes.

It aired on March 17, 2022.

The highest rated episode is "Happily Ever After?" (S19E20) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 494 votes.

It aired on May 18, 2023.


The lowest rated episode is "I'll Follow the Sun" (S19E7) with a rating of 6.30.

This episode received 660 votes.

It aired on February 23, 2023.

The highest rated episode is "Burn It Down" (S20E10) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 339 votes.

It aired on May 30, 2024.


The lowest rated episode is "Keep the Family Close" (S20E2) with a rating of 7.20.

This episode received 340 votes.

It aired on March 21, 2024.

The highest rated episode is "Love You Like a Love Song" (S21E17) with a rating of 8.30.

This episode received 6 votes.

It aired on May 8, 2025.


The lowest rated episode is "If Walls Could Talk" (S21E1) with a rating of 7.20.

This episode received 313 votes.

It aired on September 26, 2024.

Name Department Job
Nicole Gonzalez Art Props
Marcial Gonzalez Camera Dolly Grip
Glen Hall Costume & Make-Up On Set Dresser
Kelly Golden Costume & Make-Up Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Ketty Gonzalez Costume & Make-Up Hairstylist
Natalie Vermiglio Costume & Make-Up Hairstylist
John Wesley DeWolfe Editing Dailies Technician
Sara Steinberg Editing Assistant Editor
Betsy Beers Production Executive Producer
Krista Vernoff Production Executive Producer
Linda Klein Production Co-Executive Producer
Mark Gordon Production Executive Producer
Shonda Rhimes Production Executive Producer
Zoanne Clack Production Consulting Producer

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