Every Season of Grey’s Anatomy, Ranked

As a long-time fan of Grey’s Anatomy, I must say that each season holds a special place in my heart. However, if I were to pick one that truly stands out and resonates with me the most, it would have to be Season 2.

This story contains spoilers for Grey’s Anatomy.

For more than two decades, “Grey’s Anatomy” has touched the hearts of countless viewers as they follow Meredith Grey, a skilled surgeon, and her fellow characters through a myriad of perilous and emotionally charged situations, both professional and personal. With an impressive tally of over 430 episodes, “Grey’s Anatomy” has earned the title of the longest-running primetime medical drama because the drama never ceases: the stakes are always high (or even explosive) in the haunted corridors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Initially, the early seasons of the show have been its most popular due to the exceptional camaraderie between the initial five interns who debuted in season 1 – Meredith, George, Cristina, Alex, and Izzie. However, Grey’s Anatomy has a lot more to offer beyond their first work experiences. Many later seasons are also worth watching. To find out which one is the best among the 20 seasons, we delved into the show’s history, evaluating memorable cliffhangers, emotional cast departures, and standout episodes, as well as taking into account the quality of the cast and season finales.

Here, every season of Grey’s Anatomy, ranked.

20. Season 11

The series’ first season without Cristina Yang is a bummer for many reasons, the biggest being that in an unthinkable twist, Derek Shepherd is killed off before the finale. While it proves to be a necessary reset for the series, his abrupt death undermines many of the season’s bigger plot developments. For most of season 11, Meredith and Derek were having very real arguments about ego, ambition, and work-life balance and it briefly seemed like they weren’t going to make it. He even kissed another woman! But everything is tied up too neatly and then he’s fatally hit by a semi-truck. What comes after is a slog to watch: a two-part episode that speeds through the next nine months, in which Meredith is MIA, so we spend a lot of unnecessary time with Ben and Bailey discussing their marriage in bed.

19. Season 14

This season presents a confusing blend of events as Amelia Shepherd’s character undergoes a significant transformation when she learns she’s had a harmless brain tumor for years, which has significantly influenced her actions and judgement. The main reason this season is rated so poorly is that Arizona Robbins and April Kepner were written out after developing intricate, engaging storylines that appeared to be left unfinished. Fortunately, they return as guests later in the series. (Fingers crossed!)

18. Season 12

In this standard TV series run, there are several notable episodes worth mentioning. One such episode is “The Sound of Silence,” directed by Denzel Washington, where we find Meredith, a widow following Derek’s death, being assaulted by a patient and having her jaw wired shut. This compelling episode sees Meredith facing the anger she’s harbored since her husband’s demise. Another noteworthy installment is “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” which takes the storyline outside of the hospital, to Meredith’s house for a historic dinner party, where an unanticipated and undesirable character from their past makes an appearance. Additionally, this season marks Callie’s departure, but her farewell is made more complicated by a contentious custody battle with Arizona over their daughter, following Callie’s decision to relocate to New York City.

17. Season 13

Meredith develops feelings for Nathan Riggs, who happens to be Maggie’s current interest and Owen’s adversary. The sudden end of their relationship following a brief period is disheartening. However, this season offers a treat for Jackson and April fans as they engage in deep discussions about their relationship post the birth of their daughter Harriet, as depicted in the season 12 finale.

16. Season 16

Following their involvement in insurance fraud, Meredith, Alex, and Richard are dismissed from their jobs, leading to a stretch where main characters aren’t deeply involved in hospital antics for several episodes. This gap provides ample time to develop the budding romance between Amelia and Link, as well as offering growth opportunities for Jo after a challenging season. In addition, the narrative explores the series’ rich history through an episode titled “My Shot,” where some of Meredith’s former patients rally to her aid as the medical board considers revoking her license. However, this season is considered less impactful due to the sudden departure of Alex and the timing, which coincides with Jo rediscovering self-love.

15. Season 20

The most recent batch of inhabitants (to be discussed further ahead) are causing quite a stir in this shortened 10-episode season, which was abridged due to writers’ and actors’ unions strikes. Despite being featured in just half the season, Meredith is making significant contributions in Boston, possibly dismantling Derek’s legacy as she advances her pioneering Alzheimer’s study. Her contentious discoveries pave the way for a major confrontation with Catherine Avery.

14. Season 19

Over the years, Grey’s has welcomed numerous new characters, but the group that debuted in Season 19 might just be the best since the original cast members. This includes Simone Griffith, Lucas Adams, Benson Kwan, Mika Yasuda, and Jules Millin – all talented doctors who found themselves at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as a last resort. Their stories are captivating and they also bring plenty of humor to the series. Additionally, Season 19 features more appearances by Addison, who made a comeback in Season 18, in intriguing episodes centered around reproductive healthcare. Furthermore, Meredith decides to leave Seattle for Boston so that her daughter can attend a more academically challenging school.

13. Season 17

The seventeenth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, elicited a sense of division. With reality already being challenging enough, some viewers felt it was distressing to witness their favorite fictional medical professionals grapple with the virus too. Meredith Grey, a central character, spent a significant part of the season in a hospital bed, connected to a ventilator following a COVID-19 diagnosis. However, the season wasn’t entirely somber; it contained its fair share of heartwarming moments as well. In a state between life and death, Meredith imagined her “afterlife beach,” where she met up with old friends and romantic interests. Foremost among these was McDreamy. The show skillfully kept the scenes featuring Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey under wraps, so when McDreamy returned, long after his last appearance in season 11, it was a delightful, unexpected turn of events. Other cherished (and departed) characters like Mark Sloane, Lexie Grey, and George O’Malley also made appearances.

12. Season 4

In season 4, most of the interns upgrade to being residents (with George being an exception due to his failed exam), and Lexie, Meredith’s half-sister, joins the cast. As Burke departs, Erica Hahn takes over as head of cardio and develops a relationship with Callie. Meredith and Derek continue their will-they-won’t-they dance, climaxing in the season finale when Meredith constructs the famous candle house to demonstrate her dedication to him. While there are many memorable scenes throughout this season, it loses some of its original charm as the initial five interns start drifting apart.

11. Season 15

This season presents an engaging love triangle involving Meredith, DeLuca, and Link, but what sets it apart from the rest of the series’ second half is the captivating storyline surrounding Jo’s personal exploration. Abandoned as a newborn at a fire station and raised in foster care, Jo embarks on a quest to find her birth mother. Her investigation uncovers a troubling truth about her past, causing her to isolate herself from those around her. This subplot is delicately woven into the narrative, ultimately affecting Jo profoundly. Meanwhile, Owen grapples with complications in his love life as Teddy discloses she’s pregnant with his child, all while rekindling feelings for Amelia.

10. Season 6

Season 6 marked a fresh chapter for Grey’s Anatomy. The departure of George and Izzie meant the end of the original intern group as we had known them, leaving only Meredith, Alex, and Cristina at Seattle Grace. This season also welcomed Jackson and April from Mercy West Hospital during their merger, and introduced Teddy as the head of cardio. The drama became more personal (no major explosions or bomb incidents) until the heart-wrenching final episodes, which are among the show’s finest. Spanning two parts, the emotional climax revolved around a hospital shooting, with repercussions that echoed for years afterward.

9. Season 18

If you’re pondering why this latest season ranks so high, it’s all thanks to Nick Marsh, portrayed by the captivating Scott Speedman. This transplant surgeon, whom Meredith operates on in season 14, resurfaces and reunites with her in Minnesota. For the first time since Derek’s demise, Meredith encounters someone who can intellectually rival her, encourages her aspirations, and demonstrates extraordinary patience. The season 18 plotline, reminiscent of a romantic comedy, unfolds as Meredith’s fortunes take a turn for the better with Nick. Moreover, Meredith receives long-awaited closure with Addison, who makes a comeback this season. Amelia also finds herself drawn to a new character, Dr. Kai Bartley, a researcher on Meredith’s Parkinson’s study. This relationship allows Amelia to delve into her sexuality and gain valuable insights about what—and who—she desires in life.

8. Season 8

This is a banger of a season with one of the best casts of the series, a mix of OGs and fresh faces like Jackson, April, Teddy, and the short-lived Henry. Standout episodes include the two-part “Dark Was the Night” and “Suddenly,” which finds Meredith helping the victims of a car crash after her daughter’s adoption looks like it’s about to fall apart. There’s also “If/Then,” a hilarious sliding doors episode that envisions an alternate reality as Meredith wonders what her life would look like if her mother didn’t have Alzheimer’s. But even the most gripping scenes of the season are nothing compared to its finale, the iconic plane crash episode that leaves Meredith, Derek, Cristina, Arizona, Lexie, and Mark stranded in the woods in dire conditions. Though Grey’s is never afraid to kill off their series regulars—it’s still horrific and shocking when Lexie dies crushed under a piece of the airplane not even halfway through the finale.

7. Season 9

The aftermath of the plane crash in season 9 leaves a profound emotional and financial impact on almost every storyline. This incident marks a significant turning point for the show, as Callie and Arizona’s marriage disintegrates following Arizona’s leg amputation, Jackson and April grapple with their true feelings, and the hospital faces closure due to a lawsuit over the faulty plane. However, the season isn’t all gloom and despair, as Bailey and Ben tie the knot and Meredith and Derek welcome another child. Additionally, new interns Jo Wilson, Stephanie Edwards, and Shane Ross join the team at Seattle Grace, promising to make a lasting impression.

6. Season 7

In a heart-wrenching twist of events during season 6, I found myself gripped by the fallout of a gunshot incident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Among the poignant narratives unfolding, Cristina’s harrowing ordeal operating on Derek under the constant threat of a gun stood out as particularly moving. As fate would have it, this high-pressure situation unexpectedly brought them closer together, with Derek taking Cristina under his wing (a move that left Meredith somewhat bewildered). Their bond deepened to such an extent that they even embarked on a peaceful fishing trip in the episode titled “Adrift and at Peace.

5. Season 10

At the core of “Grey’s” lies a deep friendship story, and it hasn’t been about Meredith and Derek all along. Instead, it’s been centered around Meredth and Cristina, and season 10 sees these characters at a critical juncture: Meredith is grappling with the demands of work and motherhood, while Cristina is considering a fresh start elsewhere, amidst her complications with Owen. As their bond weakens, conflicts escalate to a point where they risk damaging their friendship fundamentally, culminating in an intense argument while they’re both getting fitted for bridesmaid dresses. Their reconciliation is hard-won and concludes with Cristina’s departure, marking a poignant farewell between the two as they share one last dance. This season also presents significant developments for Jackson and April—Jackson interrupts April’s wedding in a shocking turn of events, and ultimately, April chooses to jilt her fiancé (unfortunate for Matthew) for her true love.

4. Season 1

The inaugural season that sparked it all. The debut episode is captivating. An undeniable energy flows among each character, most notably between Meredith and Derek, whose connection seems instinctive, despite their initial encounter happening just before Meredith’s first day at Seattle Grace Hospital. Although this season has its fair share of drama, it’s noticeably calmer compared to what’s to come. The patient stories are captivating, from a rhythmic gymnast battling a brain aneurysm to a pregnant woman fighting breast cancer. As the season concludes, the first major plot twist unfolds as Addison Montgomery Shepherd shows up at the hospital and delivers a stunning revelation to Meredith: “And you must be the woman who’s been sleeping with my husband.

3. Season 3

Initially, the initial three seasons of Grey’s depict the original “Magic Five” interns (excluding George) during their formative year at Seattle Grace Hospital. This period is significant for the show as it witnesses numerous blunders and transformations simultaneously. In the third season, George’s father passes away, Izzie grapples with her loss of Denny, Meredith nearly drowns and comes close to death, Alex experiences love for the first time, and Cristina is heartbroken when Burke leaves her at the altar on their wedding day. This season was particularly poignant for Izzie as she delves into aspects of her past, including the daughter she gave up for adoption during her teenage years. Katherine Heigl earned an Emmy for her portrayal of Izzie in this season, and it’s clear to see why given the emotional depth she brought to the character.

2. Season 5

At what location were you when they disclosed that George was the mysterious man who got hit by a bus in the season 5 finale? This pivotal event left a lasting impact on the show, becoming an iconic moment in television history as the episode concluded with Izzie reappearing in the dress she wore at Denny’s death, witnessing George in his military uniform. The fifth season was rich with such scenes that served as the cornerstone for the over a dozen seasons to follow, including Meredith and Derek’s unconventional Post-It note wedding. Moreover, this marked the commencement of Cristina and Owen’s complex, multi-year romantic saga.

1. Season 2

Season 2 ranks highest due to its exceptional episodes, an impressive ensemble cast, notable guest appearances, and the introduction of “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol among other highlights. Let’s focus on those episodes first: Airing post-Super Bowl 2006 to a staggering audience of 38 million viewers, the two-part sequence titled “It’s the End of the World” and “As We Know It” puts Seattle Grace under lockdown. This is due to a patient carrying unexploded ammunition in his chest, with a tense Christina Ricci as the paramedic who has her hand inside, holding a homemade bomb steady. To mitigate the danger, the bomb squad led by Dylan Young (Kyle Chandler) must guide the doctors on how to handle the situation without causing an explosion throughout the hospital. Moreover, season 2 offers much more, such as Izzie developing a deep connection with her patient, Denny, which leads her to make a risky move that jeopardizes her fellow interns’ positions. Additionally, Addison, one of the series’ most captivating characters, joins full-time, making it evident that her relationship with Derek is far more complex than Meredith could have foreseen.

2024-09-26 21:07

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