The Best Episodes Written By Shonda Rhimes

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #1 - The Other Side Of This Life (2) (Pilot)

   S0:E35/3/2007

   Addison goes on a road trip to LA as she is given another job offer in California, although she finds that no matter where she is, drama follows her. While in LA, she helps resolve a surrogacy problem, where it seems the surrogate had unprotected sex with many other guys on the week she was implanted with the fertilized egg. Meredith continues to improve her relationship with her father and step-mother when her step-mother is brought to the hospital. Cristina is having issues coping with her mother and (soon-to-be) mother-in-law.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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2. 

   9.1/10(15 votes)

   #2 - As We Know It

   S2:E172/12/2006

   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.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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3. 

   9.1/10(15 votes)

   #3 - Sanctuary

   S6:E235/20/2010

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

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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4. 

   8.9/10(16 votes)

   #4 - It's the End of the World

   S2:E162/5/2006

   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.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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5. 

   8.8/10(14 votes)

   #5 - What a Difference a Day Makes

   S5:E225/7/2009

   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.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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6. 

   8.7/10(14 votes)

   #6 - Drowning on Dry Land

   S3:E162/15/2007

   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.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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7. 

   8.6/10(13 votes)

   #7 - Walk on Water

   S3:E152/8/2007

   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.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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8. 

   8.5/10(11 votes)

   #8 - Freedom (2)

   S4:E175/22/2008

   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.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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9. 

   8.5/10(15 votes)

   #9 - Bring the Pain

   S2:E510/23/2005

   Cristina goes right back to working right after being discharged. Izzie isn't talking to Alex. Derek and Meredith treat a patient. George and Alex get stuck in an elevator.

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   Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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10. 

    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #10 - Fear (of the Unknown)

    S10:E245/15/2014

    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.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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11. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Survival of the Fittest

    S6:E11/26/2017

    The election results for the presidential race between Mellie Grant and Francisco Vargas are announced, and the shocking results lead to an explosive outcome.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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12. 

    8.4/10(13 votes)

    #12 - Dream a Little Dream of Me (1)

    S5:E19/25/2008

    As Meredith and Derek begin to find that their "happily ever after" is anything but easy, Cristina develops a crush on a military doctor who brings in a trauma patient. Meanwhile, the Chief and his staff cope with the news that Seattle Grace is no longer considered a top-tier teaching hospital.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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13. 

    8.4/10(15 votes)

    #13 - Thanks for the Memories

    S2:E911/20/2005

    It's Thanksgiving at Seattle Grace Hospital but the holiday's festivites are less than in order. Meredith and Derek try to counsel a family after their relative has had a seriously traumatic accident.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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14. 

    8.4/10(15 votes)

    #14 - Death and All His Friends

    S6:E245/20/2010

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

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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15. 

    8.4/10(13 votes)

    #15 - Flight

    S8:E245/17/2012

    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.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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16. 

    8.3/10(15 votes)

    #16 - Some Kind of Miracle

    S3:E172/22/2007

    Everyone is pushing for Meredith to survive, or in this case to be revived. People are still dealing with the fallout from the ferry disaster. A young man named Lucas is having problems with brain-mouth coordination. Someone else dies.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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17. 

    8.3/10(11 votes)

    #17 - Dream a Little Dream of Me (2)

    S5:E29/25/2008

    Alex is offended when Izzie talks about how great a man Alex is to Meredith. Derek is stabbed with the scalpel in the palm of his hand by Rose, while the Chief is stunned over Mercy West's increase in the number of patients, a deadly ice storm ravages Seattle.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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18. 

    8.3/10(15 votes)

    #18 - Losing My Religion

    S2:E275/15/2006

    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.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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19. 

    8.2/10(14 votes)

    #19 - Time Has Come Today

    S3:E19/21/2006

    Meredith must make an important choice about which path she wants to follow to determine the future of her love life. While she considers her future she and others have flashbacks of their pasts. Cristina spends time with Burke while he recovers. Webber and Adele have a conversation after he spends the night at the hospital. Everyone attempts to deal with Izzie's choice to quit. George seeks relationship advice from Derek.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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20. 

    8.2/10(14 votes)

    #20 - Crash Into Me (1)

    S4:E911/22/2007

    An ambulance crash endangers the lives of the paramedics involved, as Meredith and the Chief work on-site to save them, Bailey treats a patient who refuses her help, and Ava returns for Alex and meets his other girlfriend in the process.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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21. 

    8.2/10(12 votes)

    #21 - Only Mama Knows

    S11:E410/16/2014

    Secrets from Ellis Grey’s past come to light when Meredith watches old videos and reads through her mother’s journals. Meanwhile, Maggie rocks the hospital with an unexpected announcement; Alex gets new responsibilities and Callie focuses her attention on the Veterans’ project.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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22. 

    8.2/10(12 votes)

    #22 - I Must Have Lost It on the Wind

    S11:E19/25/2014

    With Cristina gone, a new doctor, Maggie Pierce, making the rounds and Derek wanting to move to Washington DC, Meredith struggles to regain a sense of normalcy both at home and in the hospital. Meanwhile, Callie and Arizona come to a decision about surrogacy, Amelia overhears a big secret, Bailey realizes she will have to fight Alex for Cristina’s board seat and a freak accident causes two teenagers to be caught in a very compromising position.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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23. 

    8.1/10(13 votes)

    #23 - A Change Is Gonna Come

    S4:E19/27/2007

    Entering their first year as residents, Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens and Alex Karev now have interns of their own to mentor. Among the new interns are George, forced to repeat his internship after failing his exams, and Lexie Grey, Meredith's half-sister. Another two new interns will be introduced in this season premiere. And they'll have their hands full when a three-car accident sends multiple casualties pouring into Seattle Grace. Some of the doctors need to deal with new stressed out interns. A young boy brings his bleeding deer to the hospital in the hope a doctor will save her.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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24. 

    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #24 - Crash Into Me (2)

    S4:E1012/6/2007

    Meredith works furiously to save a paramedic trapped in an ambulance; Lexie holds the life of a patient in her hands; Derek must rely on a nurse to save a patient; Bailey struggles to balance her personal life with her work.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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25. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #25 - It's Handled

    S3:E110/3/2013

    With Olivia's name out there as the President's mistress, both the White House and Pope & Associates face their biggest scandal to date, and a surprise allegiance is formed in order to get things handled. Meanwhile, Olivia's father, Rowan, will stop at nothing to carry out his orders and no one, including Olivia, can stand in his way.

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    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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