10 Best Episodes of Grey’s Anatomy Directed by Kevin McKidd

Grey’s Anatomy boasts a handful of long-running cast members, all of whom praise the show’s legacy as well as its creator, Shonda Rhimes. Actors like Chandra Wilson and Ellen Pompeo have immersed themselves in Executive Producer roles, ensuring that the hit medical drama feels consistent and aligned with the characters’ stories. As such, it seems that a lot of the show’s team are willing to step up to the plate when it comes to extending the drama even further.

Kevin McKidd, best known for playing Dr. Owen Hunt, also works behind the scenes as a director on some of the show’s most prominent episodes. Although a lot of fans will recognize him from his breakout role in Trainspotting, the actor seems to have found his new stomping ground in Grey Sloan. As such, it could be argued that McKidd is responsible for bringing some of Grey’s Anatomy’s most successful storylines to life.

10. Callie’s Pregnancy Causes Her Lovers a Lot of Stress

Season 7, Episode 13, “Don’t Deceive Me (Please Don’t Go)”

Pregnancies are a common theme throughout Grey’s Anatomy, and they are typically tied to some sort of heartbreak. In “Don’t Deceive Me (Please Don’t Go),” it’s clear that the writers were keen to subvert the common narrative and allow Callie’s pregnancy journey to be shared with Mark and Arizona. In this episode, Callie suffers a ton of anxiety and worries that she’s miscarried. Fortunately, the admirable Dr. Lucy Fields is available to help put her mind at rest.

McKidd did an excellent job directing this episode because he made sure that the audience was also included in Callie’s pregnancy journey. During her scan, the audience is directed towards the monitor so that they can also be reassured that the baby is healthy and well. Thus, this is a prime example of how McKidd’s work helps to keep the audience on their toes and ensures that they can mirror the same emotional reaction as the characters.

9. Cristina Derails Meredith’s Research

Season 10, Episode 8, “Two Against One”

Though Meredith and Cristina were initially presented as best friends, their relationship started to break in Season 10. In “Two Against One,” Grey begins using a 3D printer to create basic objects in the hopes that the technology can be used for more in the future. Later on in the episode, Cristina believes that the technology could be used to save a baby’s life but doesn’t want to use the printer in case it ruins Meredith’s research.

But, the final scene shows that Cristina has hijacked the machine and placed Meredith’s 3D-printed fork to one side. McKidd followed the age-old rule of screenwriting in this episode: show, don’t tell. Meredith notices that the door is unlocked, and her research is thrown over to the side, eliminating any need for boring exposition. So, by just using a few visual motifs, the director was able to express a tremendous bombshell.

8. A Teenage Patient Opens Up About Her Love Life

Season 12, Episode 1, “Sledgehammer”

Fans often find “Sledgehammer” a difficult episode to stomach as it focuses on two teenage girls who try to jump under a train because they believe it’s the only way they can be together forever. Not only does this episode allow Callie to mentor one of the patients and talk more about her own Queer identity, but it forces the audience to confront their own experiences with bullying at school. Overall, “Sledgehammer” is a masterpiece in emotive storytelling and reminds audiences why these surgeons work with the general public.

Aside from the main plot points, McKidd also places a greater focus on Arizona and her insecurities about not being liked. This allows the audience to take a glimpse into her mind and ensures that she’s no longer seen as a side character or just as Callie’s partner. Again, McKidd’s direction provides audiences with more information and context about their favorite characters.

7. April and Jackson Are Expected to Break Some Devastating News

Season 13, Episode 16, “Who Is He (And What Is He To You?)”

In “Who Is He (And What Is He To You?)”, fans get to see another side to Jackson Avery, one that proves that he’s actually a very compassionate professional. During this episode, Jackson and Avery take a trip to Avery Medical Center, where they’re tasked to tell a father that there’s no more that the team can do to help his son. Throughout this episode, Jackson discusses his role as a father, providing a sense of comfort to patients who need it the most.

The best thing about this episode is that it allows two secondary characters to take center stage. Though their relationship was an integral part of the show, seeing the two of them together alone gives the audience a sneak peek into the ups and downs of their relationship. Thus, McKidd manages to create a thrilling Grey’s Anatomy episode that still works well outside the confines of Grey Sloan.

6. Grey’s Anatomy Has Its Own #MeToo Moment

Season 14, Episode 21, “Bad Reputation”

“Bad Reputation” focuses on the downfall of Harper Avery after he faces allegations of sexual misconduct. Though the episode criticizes his action, McKidd is careful not to place too much focus on this infamous character. Thus, he tends to show how the staff are coping with the discovery that one of their biggest idols is actually a bad person.

McKidd certainly flexes his directorial muscles in this episode, using small actions like Meredith packing up her awards to magnify the gravity of this situation. Plus, this episode feels quite contemporary, allowing the show to better reflect global events. As such, “Bad Reputation” sits at the halfway point on this list because it feels incredibly realistic but still manages to handle complex issues with grace.

5. Meredith Learns to Get Back on Her Feet

Season 16, Episode 8, “Let’s All Go to the Bar”

After facing the dreaded medical board, Meredith begins her first day back at work in “Let’s All Go Back to the Bar.” But, she doesn’t have an easy start as she’s forced to butt heads with Cormac after he tells his teenage patient that she may have cancer. Though this thankfully isn’t the case, it seems that Grey spends this entire episode trying to convince her peers that she still has what it takes to complete life-saving surgery.

McKidd did an excellent job reintroducing Grey in this episode and even threw in a few references to fan-favorite character, Cristina Yang. Overall, this episode focuses on the stressors Grey has to confront on a daily basis and how she still rises to the challenge at any chance she gets. Thus, it’s clear that the director understands her passion and is keen to communicate this with the audience in a more understated way.

4. The Doctors Deal with a Large Case

Season 9, Episode 4, “I Saw Her Standing There”

Though McKidd has worked on a ton of heartfelt episodes in the past, “I Saw Her Standing There” proves that he knows when to sprinkle in some much-needed comic relief. Here, the doctors meet a patient with an enlarged scrotum, causing them to feel an overwhelming sense of awkwardness and curiosity. So, while Meredith and Bailey are focusing on a rare type of tumor, it seems that the rest of the crew have a much larger problem on their hands.

Aside from the childish subplot, McKidd takes the time to draw parallels between Meredith and Cristina. In the opening scene, Meredith is having sex with Derek, while Cristina is having sex with Dr. Parker. This helps to strengthen their relationship because it highlights that even when the friends are working in different states, they still share intimate details about their personal lives with each other.

3. Callie and Arizona Struggle to Make Amends for Their Daughter

Season 12, Episode 22, “Mama Tried”

Grey’s Anatomy usually works best when the surgeons are forced to deal with a life-or-death situation, but “Mama Tried” highlights that a lot of the show’s drama comes from the characters’ personal lives. In this episode, Callie and Arizona struggle to form an adequate custody agreement for their daughter, Sofia. Not only does McKidd work to make this episode heart-breakingly relatable to a lot of audiences, but Owen Hunt also tries to support his friend Callie during the trial.

Thus, this episode highlights McKidd’s grand performances as both an actor and a director. In addition, many fans will agree that this episode feels very different compared to the rest, but it still works as it manages to show just how much the staff at Grey Sloan care about Callie. So, even though she isn’t granted full custody in the end, the audience is relieved that her peers still see her as an honorable friend and professional.

2. A Comical Episode Provides an Important Message

Season 19, Episode 3, “Let’s Talk About Sex”

“Let’s Talk About Sex” sees the interns creating a range of sex-ed videos for the younger generations. Even though Grey’s Anatomy and steamy romances seem to go hand-in-hand, a lot of the senior staff want nothing to do with the project. Yet, Bailey reminds her staff that without proper education, teenagers are more likely to experience unwanted pregnancies and potentially get themselves into a lot of trouble.

Initially, the interns’ presentation is not going very well, until a young girl suddenly runs out of the room. Addison comforts the girl and offers her a blood test to rule out pregnancy. Usually, Grey’s Anatomy deals with immense medical cases and trauma, but this episode reinstates the idea that hospitals deal with all types of problems, big or small. So, instead of creating a very rare and unrealistic medical disorder, McKidd seems to have taken a much simpler approach with this episode.

1. This Episode Shows That Things Will Get Better

Season 17, Episode 17, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”

It would be wrong to say that Grey’s Anatomy presented the COVID-19 pandemic with complete medical accuracy, but the show certainly handled these emotional topics with grace. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” begins with Meredith explaining what she learned during the pandemic and how her health woes changed her view on life. Toward the end of the episode, the story skips ahead to January 2021 and shows the staff of Grey Sloan lining up to receive their vaccines.

Though the COVID pandemic was a deeply traumatic time for many people, it could be argued that Grey’s Anatomy worked to encourage its audience to stay safe. In the final scene, Kevin McKidd shows the entire hospital coming together to protect themselves and others. So, even if the characters have had major feuds in the past, the director still wanted to show that there’s an avid sense of community throughout the hospital.