10 Best Meredith Grey moments from Grey’s Anatomy 

Meredith Grey, the protagonist of Grey's Anatomy, has won fans' hearts as she faced life's trials with resilience, intelligence, and emotional depth. Throughout the years, she has survived tragic losses, numerous natural calamities, monumental medical cases, and all odds—rising from being a nervous intern to becoming one of the most respected surgeons in TV history. Her journey has been one of love, loss, pain, and self-realization, making her one of the most powerful characters in television history.

Meredith has proved that she is not just Ellis Grey's daughter or Derek Shepherd's lover but indeed a force of nature in her own right. Through heart-wrenching tragedies and stirring triumphs, she has consistently demonstrated her strength. From bomb threats and surviving plane crashes to navigating the uncertain path of medicine, Meredith has balanced strength and vulnerability in equal measure.

Now, as she steps into a new phase, leaving behind the hospital that shaped her, we look back at the moments that first defined her journey. Here's a rundown of ten defining scenarios that showcase all the greatness that Meredith Grey is made of.

1. Meredith's heartbreaking plea for love

In one of the most memorable scenes in Grey's Anatomy, Meredith Grey bares her soul in a last-ditch appeal to Derek Shepherd. "Pick me, choose me, love me," she implores, standing exposed before him. Though the moment became an integral part of her early arc, it was also indicative of her battle with self-esteem. Years later, fans rewound this scene and understood that Meredith's journey was not all about love—it was about learning to put herself first. This scene, albeit tragic, laid the groundwork for her transformation into a fierce, independent woman who no longer required anyone's validation, not even Derek's.

2. The intense bomb threat ordeal

Few characters on TV have endured as many close calls as Meredith Grey, and the Season 2 bomb threat was her first real test. When a patient rolls in with an unexploded device lodged within his body, Meredith is put directly in danger. As she cradles the bomb within the man's chest, her hands tremble, but her determination does not. This foreshadowed her fearless approach to chaos. In hindsight, it's amazing how far Meredith has come—she no longer survives because of chance but because of her resilience. That was a milestone moment in her development as a surgeon.

3. A life-altering near-death experience

Meredith's near-drowning in Season 3 was more than a medical crisis—it was a psychological epiphany. As she floated in the water, part of her was prepared to give up, exposing her battle with loss, grief, and self-worth. Seeing her mother in a surreal afterlife fantasy sequence was poignant, as Ellis Grey callously referred to her as "ordinary." But that moment became Meredith's rebirth. She decided to resist, to survive, and to be something special on her own terms. In hindsight, this was the beginning of the determined, world-renowned surgeon she would later become, overcoming tragedy at every turn.

4. A love story told in candlelight

Meredith and Derek's romance had many peaks and valleys, but this scene was magic. After seasons of angst, Meredith constructed a house of candles outside their dream home as a metaphor for her devotion to Derek. It was a contrast to her despairing Season 2 speech; this time, she was stepping up—she was ready for love, but only on her own terms. This was the first time Meredith openly accepted that her happiness wasn't tied to her past. Although their narrative took tragic turns later on, this was a rare moment when she fully believed in a future filled with love and stability.

5. A wedding like no other

No lavish ceremony, no wedding party—just a plain blue post-it. This non-traditional wedding between Meredith and Derek was one of the most endearing moments in Grey's Anatomy history. Their scribbled vows to love each other forever, even when they hated each other, perfectly captured their relationship. Looking back, this moment was Meredith taking love on her own terms, showing that genuine gestures of affection matter more than societal norms. Even after his death, the post-it symbolized their love and Meredith's eternal resilience.

6. The heart-wrenching farewell to Derek

The instant Derek Shepherd slipped away was an everlasting turning point in Grey's Anatomy, but Meredith's goodbye left an indelible scar. Strong but broken in spirit, Meredith let Derek go in the hospital room. Instead of a dramatic breakdown, this moment was quiet, raw, and devastating. Meredith had spent years defining herself through their love, but this marked the beginning of her journey into the unknown. Instead of crumbling, she chose to gather her kids and walk away—only to later return stronger. The moment was significant not just for its sorrow but for the rebirth it symbolized.

7. Earning the recognition she deserved

Meredith Grey lived for years under the shadow of her mother, but winning the Harper Avery Award proved that she had made a name for herself. Years of nonstop struggles—losing Derek, parenting alone, and almost losing her career—led to this moment of finally receiving the recognition she deserved. Yet, what made the moment powerful wasn't necessarily the award itself but what it stood for. Unlike Ellis Grey, who was defined by ambition, Meredith had achieved greatness without sacrificing her humanity.

8. A dreamlike reunion with lost loved ones

While Grey's Anatomy tackled the COVID-19 pandemic, Meredith was in a coma, trapped in a dreamlike beach setting where she reunited with deceased loved ones. Viewers were thrilled to see Derek, George, Lexie, and Mark resurface, yet these moments served a deeper purpose beyond nostalgia. They symbolized Meredith's ongoing struggle between life and death. Derek's last words, "It's not your time yet," reminded viewers of what still lay ahead for her. In retrospect, this was a full-circle moment, demonstrating that she wasn’t merely a survivor—she was a fighter with stories yet to tell.

9. Walking away from Grey Sloan Memorial

After almost two decades, Meredith Grey's departure from Grey Sloan Memorial felt surreal. Moving to Boston wasn't just about career growth—it was about finally choosing herself after all those years. Unlike past goodbyes, this wasn’t marked by tragedy but by evolution. She had outgrown the hospital that had shaped her for so many years, and while it was sentimental, it was also the right step forward. Seeing her bid adieu, particularly to Miranda Bailey and Richard Webber, was bittersweet because they had been her mentors from day one. Meredith’s departure wasn’t an ending—it was a new beginning.

10. A poignant final goodbye

Throughout Grey's Anatomy, Meredith’s monologues led viewers through a journey of love, loss, and survival. Her final words in Season 19, echoing the series' timeless refrain about "pain and change," served as the most fitting send-off. Unlike earlier seasons, where she often second-guessed herself, this time, she knew exactly where she was headed, what she had become, and who she was. The series can continue, but Meredith's journey has come full circle. This wasn’t the end of an era—it was proof of her transformation from an intern searching for purpose to a woman who had finally found her place in the world.