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The Best Episodes Written By Shonda Rhimes

Every TV Episode Written by Shonda Rhimes Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 0 Episode 3 - The Other Side of This Life (2) (Pilot)
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    S0:E3

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  2. undefined Season 2 Episode 17 - As We Know It
    9.2/10(19 votes)

    S2:E17

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  3. undefined Season 6 Episode 23 - Sanctuary; Death and All His Friends
    9.1/10(17 votes)

    S6:E23

    Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its history. Cristina and Meredith's surgical skills are put to the ultimate test.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  4. undefined Season 2 Episode 16 - It's the End of the World
    9.0/10(21 votes)

    S2:E16

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  5. undefined Season 5 Episode 22 - Gone, Baby, Gone
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    S5:E22

    When Amelia goes into labor, the Seaside doctors - even those she pushed away -- come to her side as she faces the hardest decision of her life. Meanwhile, after Pete finds himself in life-changing trouble, he and Violet realize what they mean to one another, and Addison is faced with a choice.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  6. undefined Season 3 Episode 15 - Walk on Water
    8.8/10(16 votes)

    S3:E15

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  7. undefined Season 4 Episode 7 - Did You Hear What Happened to Charlotte King?
    8.8/10(4 votes)

    S4:E7

    Pete finds Charlotte bloodied and bruised in the halls of the hospital, but only Addison learns the full extent of her injuries.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  8. undefined Season 5 Episode 22 - What a Difference a Day Makes
    8.7/10(16 votes)

    S5:E22

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  9. undefined Season 10 Episode 24 - Fear (of the Unknown)
    8.7/10(11 votes)

    S10:E24

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  10. undefined Season 3 Episode 16 - Drowning on Dry Land
    8.6/10(17 votes)

    S3:E16

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  11. undefined Season 2 Episode 9 - Thanks for the Memories
    8.6/10(19 votes)

    S2:E9

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  12. undefined Season 2 Episode 5 - Bring the Pain
    8.6/10(19 votes)

    S2:E5

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  13. undefined Season 3 Episode 17 - Some Kind of Miracle
    8.5/10(17 votes)

    S3:E17

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  14. undefined Season 5 Episode 1 - Dream a Little Dream of Me (1)
    8.5/10(16 votes)

    S5:E1

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  15. undefined Season 8 Episode 24 - Flight
    8.5/10(16 votes)

    S8:E24

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  16. undefined Season 6 Episode 1 - Survival of the Fittest
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    S6:E1

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

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  17. undefined Season 2 Episode 27 - Losing My Religion
    8.4/10(20 votes)

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  18. undefined Season 4 Episode 9 - Crash Into Me (1)
    8.4/10(17 votes)

    S4:E9

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  19. undefined Season 11 Episode 4 - Only Mama Knows
    8.4/10(15 votes)

    S11:E4

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  20. undefined Season 11 Episode 1 - I Must Have Lost It on the Wind
    8.4/10(16 votes)

    S11:E1

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  21. undefined Season 2 Episode 22 - The Name of the Game
    8.4/10(17 votes)

    S2:E22

    Meredith and Izzie take up knitting. Derek operates on Andrew, a spelling bee champ with a serious head injury. Bailey gets in on Andrew's surgery because she's worried that her coworkers won't recognize her Nazi-status now that she's a mother. Addison's patient has an unborn baby with medical issues. After Alex fails to bite his tongue when a terminal patient routinely lies to her daughter about her health he gets a lesson in bedside manners from Burke. George also begins to overstay his welcome at Burke's apartment after Callie visits him. Meredith has more confusing and uncomfortable encounters with members of her family. One of the female doctors meets a veterinarian named Finn. Izzie flirts with Denny and they play more naughty-Scrabble. Meredith, Derek, and Addison sarcastically take another small stab at their friendships.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  22. undefined Season 6 Episode 13 - In Which We Say Goodbye
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    S6:E13

    Naomi returns to stand by Addison's side on her wedding day, Cooper struggles with the hardships of being a stay-at-home father, and Violet begins a new project close to her heart, on the Series Finale of "Private Practice

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  23. undefined Season 5 Episode 2 - Dream a Little Dream of Me (2)
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    S5:E2

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  24. undefined Season 4 Episode 10 - Crash Into Me (2)
    8.3/10(18 votes)

    S4:E10

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  25. undefined Season 4 Episode 1 - A Change Is Gonna Come
    8.3/10(15 votes)

    S4:E1

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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Shonda Rhimes Ratings Summary

"The Other Side of This Life (2) (Pilot)" is the best rated episode written by Shonda Rhimes. It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 5/3/2007 and is rated 0.8 points higher than their second-best episode, "As We Know It".