5 best Grey's Anatomy episodes, ranked

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Grey's Anatomy (Image via Youtube/@TV Promos)

Grey's Anatomy is one of the most enduring and significant medical dramas in television history, having debuted on March 27, 2005. Developed by Shonda Rhimes for ABC, the series is renowned for its intense emotional content, high-stakes medical procedures, and intricate relationships among the doctors at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle.

Celebrities such as Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey, and Jesse Williams have launched their careers through the show. Selecting the best episodes is challenging due to the sheer number of them. Several installments stand out for their emotional impact, narrative depth, and lasting influence.

Disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinion.


Top 5 Grey's Anatomy episodes

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Season 2, Episode 17

"As We Know It" is the title of one of the best episodes of Grey's Anatomy. After a cliffhanger, the doctors at Seattle Grace are faced with a bomb threat while performing surgery; it's a life-or-death scenario that paralyzes both the staff and the patients.

The cast list also includes Kyle Chandler, who makes a notable cameo as the head of the bomb squad. In the episode, the patient at the center of the story has a live bomb lodged in his chest cavity. As the hospital prepares for the worst, tensions rise among the staff, and relationships are tested.

Season 5, Episode 24

One of the most devastating moments in Grey's Anatomy history occurred during this season finale: a life-altering accident. Viewers were left wondering what would happen to the two main characters as summer vacation approached.

The storyline centers around Izzie Stevens' declining health following brain surgery. Meanwhile, a mysterious John Doe appears after being struck by a bus. Viewers learn the awful truth: the man is George O'Malley when he scratches "007"—his former moniker—into Meredith's palm. Justin Chambers, portraying Alex Karev, and Chandra Wilson, as Miranda Bailey, are also part of the cast.

Season 6, Episodes 23 & 24

The raw portrayal of suffering, loss, and survival in this two-part conclusion astounded viewers. It stands out as one of Grey's Anatomy's most intense and chilling chapters. Ellen Pompeo, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, and James Pickens Jr. comprised the primary cast members in this arc.

In a quest for revenge over his wife's death, a devastated widower introduces a gun into the hospital. A hostage situation swiftly unfolds in the episode, leading to the deaths or injuries of several staff members. Cristina operates on Derek while confronting the threat of being shot, as Meredith directly faces the danger, as depicted in the Grey's Anatomy episode.

Season 11, Episode 21

Season 11, Episode 21 showcases some of the best characters in the series. However, it delivers a devastating conclusion, forever altering the storyline of Grey's Anatomy. Its structure, which focused almost exclusively on a single plot, was also distinctive.

Derek Shepherd stops to assist victims of a vehicle accident while en route to Washington to resign from his position. He is struck by a truck after saving their lives and is taken to a nearby hospital. Fans find it painful that he dies on the operating table due to poor medical judgment from another team of doctors.

Ellen Pompeo, who portrayed Meredith, returned in the latter part of Grey's Anatomy. This episode was emotionally poignant and unforgettable as it centered on Derek's journey.

Season 2, Episode 27

This Grey's Anatomy climax episode blends devastating loss with romantic drama and remains one of the most memorable in the series, perfectly encapsulating Grey's distinctive fusion of hospital turmoil and emotional vulnerability.

The prom for the chief's niece, hosted in the hospital, serves as the main focus of the episode. Izzie Stevens grapples with the loss of her fiancé, Denny Duquette, following a failed heart transplant amidst the drama and glitz. Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, and Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery are among the other main cast members.

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Edited by Yesha Srivastava