With over 430 episodes and counting, Grey’s Anatomy has maintained its rightful spot on primetime television for 20 years. Complete with dashing doctors and immense medical cases; this drama offers everything audiences would need if they are eager to sink their teeth into a gripping procedural. So, whether they identify as a casual viewer or have been watching since the start, Grey’s Anatomy is still regarded as one of the best shows in modern history.
But with a wide selection of episodes to search through, it’s obvious that not every episode will hit the mark. Certain relationships aren’t as exciting as others, and some viewers claim that the medical drama has become a tad too unrealistic in recent years. As such, there seems to be just a small handful of episodes that are simply exquisite.
10. Where It All Began
Season 1, Episode 1, “A Hard Day’s Night”
It’s very rare for a show to get things right from the first episode, but Grey’s Anatomy works to build this alluring fictional world exceptionally well. After being introduced to this fresh-faced group of interns, the audience discovers that they will be dropped straight into the deep end. As such, “A Hard Day’s Night” showcases Grey’s Anatomy as a hard-hitting medical drama and not a standard soap opera.
Alongside introducing the characters, this episode also works to build strong bonds between them. For example, the audience quickly uncovers the sexual tension between Meredith and Derek, so they don’t have to sit through endless exposition just to get to the point. Overall, this pilot successfully follows the golden rule of screenwriting: show, don’t tell.
9. Troubles Begin to Brew in Paradise
Season 2, Episode 5, “Bring the Pain”
Any Grey’s Anatomy fan will agree that Meredith and Derek are the ultimate power couple. Yet, “Bring the Pain” highlights that the pair are yet to iron out some very big creases in their relationship. After refusing to divorce his first wife, Addison Montgomery, Meredith decides to kick Derek out of her life. Although fans can obviously see where Meredith is coming from, the writers also prove that this is also a tough decision for Derek, creating an immense dilemma for both of them.
Plus, this episode is jam-packed with tension, making it one of the best episodes for those who love to sit on the edge of their seats. Alex and George get stuck in an elevator while trying to take their patient up to the OR. So, with no way out, the pair of inexperienced surgeons are forced to complete open-heart surgery in the dark with very limited supplies.
8. Meredith Has a Sinister Gut Feeling
Season 2, Episode 16, “It’s the End of the World”
“It’s the End of the World” is an incredibly successful episode because it presents a wealth of drama from every angle. The episode begins with Meredith having a sneaking suspicion that she’s going to die today, which then spirals out into a wealth of unfortunate events. Not only does Bailey have to give birth while her husband is on the operating table, but a patient arrives at Grey Sloan with a bomb trapped inside of them.
This episode is truly stunning because the audience just doesn’t know where to look. On the one hand, one of the show’s prized characters could lose her baby and her husband in the same breath, and on the other hand, the entire hospital could blow up at any second. Though some argue that this example is just too far-fetched, the majority of audiences adore how this episode delivers the maximum amount of tension from start to finish.
7. A Wedding With a Heartfelt Twist
Season 5, Episode 22, “What a Difference a Day Makes”
As Izzie prepares for Meredith and Derek’s wedding, she begins to experience some familiar symptoms. After hallucinating about her ex-fiance Denny Duquette, she’s adamant that her brain tumor has returned. As Izzie learns to cope with her shocking diagnosis and hair loss, Meredith decides to hand over her wedding.
Thus, this episode is filled to the brim with tender moments, especially when fans spot that Yang has been cast as maid of honor and Meredith is essentially the best man. Thus, even though Meredith and Derek didn’t get to enjoy their big day, it seems that everything worked out in the end. As such, this episode proves that Grey’s Anatomy is not just about the patients but about the well-being of the staff, too.
6. The Surgeons Are Forced to Fend for Themselves
Season 8, Episode 24, “Flight”
Though this episode features the loss of a beloved character, there’s no denying that it’s one of the most exciting episodes of Grey’s Anatomy ever. After they are involved in a major plane crash, Meredith, Derek, Mark, and Cristina must fight for their lives while also protecting each other. Just a few minutes into this episode, the team must confront the fact that Lexie Grey is dead, giving this episode a harsh layer of grief.
Admittedly, some fans see this episode as entirely unrealistic, others view it as a clear representation of what Grey’s Anatomy stands for; drama. Although these surgeons have received some of the best education in the world, it’s fair to say that they have very few survival skills. Thus, they must throw away everything they have learned and focus entirely on maintaining their most basic instincts.
5. Arizona Brings Her New Partner to Dinner
Season 12, Episode 5, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”
Aside from all the medical cases, Grey’s Anatomy is often celebrated for the way it handles romantic relationships. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” sits at the halfway point of this list because it accurately shows the awkwardness of meeting a friend’s new partner. In this episode, Callie introduces everyone to her new girlfriend, Penny, which causes the entire group to feel entirely on edge. Not to mention, Penny was also present when Derek passed away, opening a huge can of worms for Meredith.
This is the first episode of Season 12 that doesn’t feature a voice-over.
Alongside this, Maggie rushes to the ER because she fears that she’s contracted an STI from Andrew. Though she’s diagnosed with a simple UTI, she also has to come face-to-face with the same doctor she slept with. Overall, this episode hands viewers a heavy dose of second-hand embarrassment, which makes a nice change from the constant dramatic tension.
4. Meredith Faces the Brunt of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Season 17, Episode 2, “The Center Won’t Hold”
A lot of medical dramas placed a lot of focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lot of fans argue that Meredith’s story in “The Center Won’t Hold” was expressed exceptionally well. After passing out in the car park, Dr. Cormac works to get Meredith hooked up to supplementary oxygen as quickly as possible. But, while Meredith is drifting out of consciousness, she travels to her happy place and sees Derek on the beach again.
Grey’s Anatomy is well-known for its flashback sequences, and this episode provides viewers with one of the best. Even though Derek died in Season 11, fans always enjoy seeing him again. As such, even though Meredith is close to death, fans take comfort in the fact that she can be reunited with the man she loves unconditionally.
3. Fans Bid Farewell to One of Their Favorite Surgeons
Season 10, Episode 24, “Fear (of the Unknown)”
“Fear (of the Unknown)” is a prime example of an episode being flawless from start to finish because even though it discusses a sad goodbye, it’s still packed full of heart. In this episode, fans, as well as the staff at Grey Sloan, say their final goodbyes to Cristina Yang. As such, this episode proves that not all character exits have to be distressing or traumatic.
While all of this is going on, a nearby explosion at a local mall creates a ton of anxiety for the team and the community. So, just as the audience starts to grieve the loss of their favorite character, they’re forced to snap out of it and wonder if a serious act of terrorism is afoot. Thus, it’s clear that a flawless episode often strives to keep fans on their toes.
2. A Threat Rocks Grey Sloan
Season 6, Episode 23, “Sanctuary”
“Sanctuary” begins with Meredith finding out that she’s pregnant, deceiving the audience that this is going to be a light-hearted episode. Yet, Gary Clark works to flip the entire hospital upside down. This man is determined to get revenge for his wife’s death, making Derek Shepherd the ultimate target.
However, Clark injures a handful of other staff members and even makes his way into the OR. As such, fans don’t know what to expect from one minute to the next because the tone of this episode shifts so suddenly. Therefore, this episode offers fans a delicate blend of good news and bad news, creating an uncomfortable amount of tension.
1. A John Doe Patient Is Revealed
Season 5, Episode 24, “Now or Never”
Despite being one of the saddest episodes in Grey’s Anatomy history, fans can’t help but praise how this story unfolded. To begin with, George O’Malley tells his superior that he’s quitting his job to become a trauma surgeon in the army. As expected, the entire team is against the idea as they believe that he will either be killed instantly or seriously emotionally scarred.
Later, the team are forced to treat a John Doe patient who jumped out in front of a bus in order to save a woman’s life. Though the crew struggles to identify him at first, Meredith spots “007” on the patient’s hand, proving to her that it’s George. This marking is a reference to James Bond’s license to kill because O’Malley was the first intern to have someone die under his care. Thus, this shocking revelation and heartbreaking loss easily puts this episode at the top spot on this list.
