Grey’s Anatomy has left millions of viewers delighted, heartbroken and deeply moved over the past 20 years. Following the eventful lives of the staff at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, the TV drama is truly an iconic staple of ABC’s Thursday night lineup, but also the cultural zeitgeist in general.
On March 27, the series — featuring major stars like Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Jesse Williams — celebrates the 20th anniversary of the pilot episode airing in 2005.
For those who can’t get enough of the high-stakes surgery scenes or love to get lost in the complex relationships of these beloved doctors, here’s a look back at the most iconic Grey’s Anatomy episodes.
01
of 19
“Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” (Season 1, Episode 9)
From left: T.R. Knight, Katherine Heigl, Sandra Oh and Ellen Pompeo in the season 1 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’
From left: T.R. Knight, Katherine Heigl, Sandra Oh and Ellen Pompeo in the season 1 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’. ABC
Early Grey’s Anatomy fans were immediately hooked on the budding romance between Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) … until his wife showed up. At the end of the episode, Derek’s spouse, Addison Shepherd (Kate Walsh), appears in a fabulous fur coat and delivers a legendary line after she introduces herself to Meredith: “And you must be the woman who’s been screwing my husband?”
Ellen Pompeo Didn’t Want to Say Iconic ‘Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me’ Grey’s Anatomy Line: ‘Why Would I Beg?’
02
of 19
“Into You Like a Train” (Season 2, Episode 6)
Isaiah Washington, Monica Keena and Bruce A. Young in the season 2 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Into You Like a Train’
Isaiah Washington, Monica Keena and Bruce A. Young in the season 2 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Into You Like a Train’. Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty
Who can forget the intense train accident that left passengers Bonnie and Tom (guest stars Monica Keena and Bruce A. Young) impaled on a metal pole? The worst part? Only one could be saved — a classic Shonda Rhimes move. In a dramatic (and emotional!) turn of events, Tom ended up surviving.
03
of 19
“As We Know It” (Season 2, Episode 17)
Ellen Pompeo and Kyle Chandler in the season 2 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘As We Know It’
Ellen Pompeo and Kyle Chandler in the season 2 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘As We Know It’. ABC
Over the course of the series, Meredith Grey has been known to put herself in the face of danger — and tragedy. But this will always be her most outrageous move. Meredith, who has her hand on a bomb (inside a patient) can’t move, otherwise the bomb could go off. After she successfully removes the device from the patient, she hands it to the leader of the bomb squad, Dylan (guest star Kyle Chandler). As he walks slowly and carefully out of the OR, the bomb explodes in his hands, killing him and another member of the squad. While this is all happening, Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is giving birth.
04
of 19
“Losing My Religion” (Season 2, Episode 27)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Katherine Heigl in the season 2 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Losing My Religion’
Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Katherine Heigl in the season 2 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Losing My Religion’. Scott Garfield/ABC via Getty
We still don’t understand why Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) had to die. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) finally found the love of her life in her patient, Denny, only for him to be taken away from her. The scene of Izzie lying in Denny’s hospital bed with him — after he had died — is one of the show’s most haunting images.
05
of 19
“Some Kind of Miracle” (Season 3, Episode 17)
Ellen Pompeo in the season 3 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Some Kind of Miracle’
Ellen Pompeo in the season 3 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Some Kind of Miracle’. ABC
Why, Meredith, why? Why do you do the things you do? During the infamous ferry accident episode, Meredith is inadvertently knocked off the dock by a panicked passenger, but after a short effort, she gives up and allows herself to sink. Eventually, her saving grace Derek pulls a blue Meredith out of the water and tries to revive her. While in the hospital, Meredith takes a visit to the afterlife and sees familiar faces who have died, including her mom, Denny, and her dog, Doc. She eventually has a revelation and fights to live.
06
of 19
“What a Difference a Day Makes” (Season 5, Episode 22)
Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers in the season 5 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’
Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers in the season 5 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’. Scott Garfield/ABC via Getty
Not only was this Grey’s 100th episode, but Izzie also found love again! While fighting her cancer battle, Izzie takes in married life with Alex Karev (Justin Chambers).
07
of 19
“Now or Never” (Season 5, Episode 24)
T.R. Knight and Ellen Pompeo in the season 5 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Now or Never’
T.R. Knight and Ellen Pompeo in the season 5 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Now or Never’. Scott Garfield/ABC via Getty
No big deal, this is the one (but not the only) episode where we cry the whole time. George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) dies, but no one realizes it’s him until the very end. After George was hit by a bus trying to save another woman, he is brought to the hospital and is completely unrecognizable. Meredith realizes it’s him after he traces 007 (his nickname) on her hand.
Ellen Pompeo Reveals Which Viral Scene from Grey’s Anatomy Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry (Exclusive)
08
of 19
“Sanctuary” (Season 6, Episode 23)
Sandra Oh, Jesse Williams and Michael O’Neill in the season 6 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Sanctuary’
Sandra Oh, Jesse Williams and Michael O’Neill in the season 6 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Sanctuary’. Scott Garfield/ABC via Getty
The shooting spree episode is one of those powerful episodes that stays with you the entire series. Gary Clark (guest star Michael O’Neill), a disgruntled man who recently lost his wife at Seattle Grace, goes on a shooting spree at the hospital, killing multiple people and leaving many injured. After shooting Derek in the chest, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) and others fight to save his life. A pregnant Meredith miscarries while operating on Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), who was also shot.
09
of 19
“Flight” (Season 8, Episode 24)
Sandra Oh, Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey in the season 8 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Flight’
Sandra Oh, Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey in the season 8 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Flight’. Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty
How is it that these doctors have the worst bad luck? After surviving a plane crash, the doctors fight to stay alive in the woods. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) endures a life-changing leg injury (that eventually led to amputation) while Meredith’s little sister, Lexie (Chyler Leigh), dies.
10
of 19
“Get Up, Stand Up (Season 10, Episode 12)
Charles Drew and Sarah Drew in the season 10 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Get Up, Stand Up’
Charles Drew and Sarah Drew in the season 10 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Get Up, Stand Up’. Ron Tom/ABC via Getty
April Kepner (Sarah Drew) leaves her fiancé Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening) at the altar and runs into the arms of Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams), aka the day “Japril” was created.
Meet the Real-Life Loves of the Grey’s Anatomy Cast (Including One Couple Who Met on Set!)
11
of 19
“Fear (of the Unknown)” (Season 10, Episode 24)
Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh in the season 10 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Fear (of the Unknown)’
Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh in the season 10 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Fear (of the Unknown)’. Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty
This was the episode that shifted everything! The beloved Cristina Yang leaves Grey Sloan in search of something else. But first she has to “dance it out” with her person, Meredith.
12
of 19
“How to Save a Life” (Season 11, Episode 21)
Patrick Dempsey in the season 11 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘How to Save a Life’
Patrick Dempsey in the season 11 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘How to Save a Life’. Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty
Why. Did. This. Happen? How could this happen? To be honest, we still haven’t accepted it. After pulling over on the side of the road to help a family who was involved in a car crash, Derek eventually becomes the victim when a semi-truck hits his car. R.I.P. McDreamy.
13
of 19
“Family Affair” (Season 12, Episode 24)
Caterina Scorsone (center) in the season 12 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Family Affair’
Caterina Scorsone (center) in the season 12 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Family Affair’. Byron Cohen/ABC via Getty
Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen tie the knot! But not without some drama first. First, Hunt is a no-show. Then, someone forgot the rings. As a pregnant April retrieves the rings at Meredith’s house, she suddenly goes into labor. A scared Ben Warren (Jason George) has to perform an emergency C-section with a kitchen knife, yes, a kitchen knife. But not to worry, mom and baby survived!
14
of 19
“True Colors” (Season 13, Episode 23)
From left: Ellen Pompeo, Martin Henderson and Darby Camp in the season 13 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘True Colors’
From left: Ellen Pompeo, Martin Henderson and Darby Camp in the season 13 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘True Colors’. Richard Cartwright/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
When Stephanie Edwards (Jerrika Hinton) and a young girl named Erin (Darby Camp) are trapped in a hospital room by a dangerous patient (Casey Thomas Brown), Stephanie takes matters into her own hands by setting the man on fire to stop him from escaping — only to create a massive explosion throughout the building.
15
of 19
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” (Season 14, Episode 11)
Jason George and Chandra Wilson in the season 14 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’
Jason George and Chandra Wilson in the season 14 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’. Mitch Haaseth/ABC via Getty
Dr. Miranda Bailey is a machine and nothing bad will ever happen to her … not. Bailey suffers a heart attack, aka not-so-subtle reminder to slow down.
16
of 19
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” (Season 15, Episode 15)
Ellen Pompeo and Giacomo Gianniotti in the season 15 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’
Ellen Pompeo and Giacomo Gianniotti in the season 15 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’. Eric McCandless via Getty
This is Grey’s 332nd episode, making history as the longest-running medical drama on American television — surpassing ER, the groundbreaking NBC series that premiered in 1994 and signed off after 15 seasons. “ER was one of the shows that made me want to write television,” Grey’s showrunner Krista Vernoff exclusively told PEOPLE during a set junket in January 2019. “It changed TV and it forged a path for Grey’s Anatomy to come. We walked in ER’s footsteps and we’re forever grateful. It’s amazing to me that we’re breaking that record. I’m just blown away!”
17
of 19
“All Tomorrow’s Parties” (Season 17, Episode 1)
Patrick Dempsey in the season 17 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’
Patrick Dempsey in the season 17 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’. ABC
DEREK SHEPHERD IS BACK! Well, he’s a hallucination, but he’s back! After dying and leaving us heartbroken in season 11, episode 21, McDreamy made a surprise return at the end of the season 17 premiere as part of Meredith’s dream … or should we say McDream?
Grey’s Anatomy’s Debbie Allen Credits Meredith and Derek’s Relationship for Keeping the Show ‘Going Strong’ (Exclusive)
18
of 19
“Hotter Than Hell” (Season 18, Episode 3)
Kate Walsh (center) in the season 18 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Hotter Than Hell’
Kate Walsh (center) in the season 18 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘Hotter Than Hell’. Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty
Addison made a surprising return to Grey Sloan Memorial in a quest to help Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) shape up the newest group of residents. This one is an emotional tearjerker as Meredith and Addison have a heartfelt moment of honesty in an elevator, after which Addison accepts Meredith’s invitation to meet her and Derek’s children. Cue the waterworks.
19
of 19
“When I Get to the Border” (Season 19, Episode 5)
At left: Chandra Wilson and Kate Walsh in the season 19 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘When I Get to the Border’
At left: Chandra Wilson and Kate Walsh in the season 19 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode ‘When I Get to the Border’. Liliane Lathan/ABC via Getty
Never a series to shy away from tough topics, this episode follows Addison and Miranda near the Idaho border, where they volunteer at a fertility clinic. When they meet a patient suffering from an ectopic pregnancy, Addison and Miranda cross the state line to try and save the woman’s life — only to deal with a tragic loss as a consequence of the new reproductive care legislation.
