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With over 445 episodes and counting, ABC’s Gray’s Anatomy is likely one of the longest-running TV reveals in historical past. When the medical drama premiered in 2005, introducing a bunch of surgical interns at Seattle Grace Hospital, viewers could not have predicted the fixture the sequence would change into of their lives. Its compelling characters, dramatic storylines, and riveting medical circumstances have made for a extremely addictive watch since its inception.

Gray’s Anatomy has seen its fair proportion of docs exit and enter the present, with every character endlessly imprinting themselves into the hearts of followers. Boasting 21 seasons to date, there are a large number of episodes which can be nothing in need of cinematic perfection. A few of these have been finales which have redefined what audiences might ever come to anticipate from community tv.

From conclusions that may require a field of tissues to storylines that may have you ever gripping the sting of your seat, this listing consists of the ten greatest season finales of Gray’s Anatomy, ranked from nice to absolute gold.

10

“Somebody Saved My Life Tonight”

Season 17, Episode 17

The seventeenth season of Gray’s Anatomy was one of many hardest to observe. Having portrayed the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and aired that very same 12 months, it had a quite melancholic observe. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) was out and in of a COVID-coma for an excessive amount of its run, through which she skilled dream sequences of the late Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and George (T.R. Knight). Within the finale, she’s lastly out of the woods and in a position to carry out her first surgical procedure after her restoration.

The Mild on the Finish of the Tunnel

After a tragic and darkish curler coaster of a season, it was welcoming to have some levity on the display. Maggie (Kelly McCreary) and Winston (Anthony Hill) get married, with a proud Richard officiating his daughter’s ceremony. The festivities have been such a welcome reprieve for each the viewers and the characters. Owen and Teddy additionally get engaged. And to the shock of everybody, fan-favorite couple Hyperlink and Amelia appear to be over when she rejects his proposal, leaving everybody in anticipation of what would occur in Season 18.

9

“Concern (of the Unknown)”

Season 10, Episode 24

Season 10’s finale is jam-packed with depth. A fuel primary explosion in a mall, which is initially believed to be a chemical assault, fills the hospital with sufferers. It is also purported to be Cristina’s (Sandra Oh) final day earlier than she leaves for her new job in Zurich, which she has been pushing again each time she says “right this moment is the day.” After making an attempt to place it off, once more. Meredith lastly places Cristina in a cab, just for her to return to allow them to have yet one more dancing session to say a correct goodbye.

The Finish of an Period

Cristina leaves Meredith one final beneficial piece of knowledge, seeing how a lot her pal was making herself small in her relationship: “You’re a gifted surgeon with a rare thoughts. Do not let what he needs eclipse what you want. He is very dreamy, however he is not the solar. You’re.” The nice love story of Gray’s Anatomy was by no means Meredith and Derek, however Cristina and Meredith. They’ve all the time been and can endlessly stay one another’s “particular person.” The present hasn’t been the identical in Cristina’s absence, but it surely has been good to see that the twisted sisters stay as shut as ever, regardless of being on completely different continents.

8

“Did not We Virtually Have it All?”

Season 3, Episode 25

Aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon Cristina Yang had her coronary heart ripped out by Burke (Isaiah Washington) when he left her on the altar within the third season finale. Set on their marriage ceremony day, nearly all of the episode is spent constructing anticipation for the massive occasion. Burke practices his marriage ceremony vows for the docs and nurses in his OR, delivering among the most shifting, lovely phrases ever spoken on Gray’s Anatomy. Though it was for the perfect, as he had pressured Cristina to present in concerning so many issues, it nonetheless got here as a stunning left flip when he broke up together with her on the church. Information did not come out about Washington’s departure from the present till weeks after the finale aired, so viewers weren’t anticipating it.

A Heartbreak, a Goodbye, and a Welcome

The break-up additionally stole the final bit of religion Meredith had in love, inflicting her to interrupt up with Derek. In one of the soul-crushing scenes, Cristina walks into Burke’s empty condo sporting her bridal gown, hyperventilating and completely damaged. Meredith bodily cuts her out of her marriage ceremony robe, in a show of the sturdy friendship between the twisted sisters. The finale additionally noticed the exit of Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh), and welcomed Meredith’s sister, Lexie Gray (Chyler Leigh), into the hospital as an intern, each of which might go on to deeply change the present.

7

“Freedom”

Season 4, Episodes 16 and 17

When a 19-year-old is encased in cement, the surgeons at Seattle Grace battle the clock and work as a group in one of many present’s most intense medical circumstances. Callie (Sara Ramirez) learns that the group of bullies who arrived with him dared him to lie within the recent cement after which waited a very long time earlier than calling 911, additional endangering his life. Suspecting that the woman within the group cares extra for the affected person than she lets on, the orthopedic surgeon provides her a lesson on vulnerability, kindness, and never caring what others suppose.

A Lengthy-Awaited Rekindling

It wasn’t all simply beneficial life teachings and riveting medical drama. The 2-part episode additionally introduced followers the second that they had waited for all season. After their scientific trial lastly resulted in a breakthrough case, saving the lifetime of Beth (Jurnee Smollett), Meredith and Derek rekindle their romance in a home made from candles on the web site of their future residence in a romantic grand gesture by the “darkish and twisty” Meredith. It was rewarding to see the end result of all of the arduous work Meredith did in remedy. As for Derek, Rose (Lauren Stamile) could not have been extra flawed for him. It was one of many sequence’ happiest moments seeing him again in Meredith’s arms, the place he all the time belonged.

6

“Ring of Fireplace”

Season 13, Episode 24

When information broke out that Jerrika Hinton was leaving Gray’s Anatomy, followers apprehensive it meant a tragic ending for Stephanie, who had already suffered a lot all through the present. Season 3’s twenty third episode appeared to verify their worst fears, when it ended together with her setting a rapist on hearth to save lots of herself and somewhat woman named Erin (Darby Camp), just for it to result in a big explosion. The heart beat-pounding finale sees each of them alive, however trapped due to a hospital-wide lockdown.

A Highly effective Sendoff

After saving Erin’s leg, which had been injured within the blast, with nearly no provides and all of the whereas coping with burn accidents of her personal, Stephanie carries the woman by means of smoky corridors to security. The ordeal made Stephanie notice that after a childhood and profession spent in hospitals, she was completed and able to begin really experiencing life. Her last look was unforgettable, and one which showcased her character’s power, energy, and dedication. Stephanie’s heroism is likely one of the most shifting acts displayed by any character within the entirety of the sequence.

5

“Good Storm”

Season 9, Episode 24

Within the nerve-wracking Season 9 finale, a violent storm with hurricane-level winds causes an influence outage, after which mills fail to kick in. To high it off, a bus crashes into the ER. Meredith goes into labor, faces problems, and should get a C-section at the hours of darkness. However she is not out of the woods after the supply, and the interns are pressured to step in. In the meantime, within the NICU, docs, nurses, and fogeys are pressured to manually ventilate the infants.

An Motion-Packed Episode With Loads of Drama

The high-stakes episode additionally had its fair proportion of drama. A heartbroken Callie discovers Arizona’s (Jessica Capshaw) infidelity with Dr. Lauren Boswell (Hilarie Burton), and nothing would ever be the identical between them. Cristina realizes that she and Owen (Kevin McKidd) won’t ever have a future collectively, no less than not a contented one. April (Sarah Drew), who’s engaged to another person, can now not deny she hasn’t stopped loving Jackson (Jesse Williams) when he almost loses his life, and asks him to present her a cause to not get married. The finale additionally featured one of many present’s largest cliffhangers with an unconscious and electrocuted Richard (James Pickens Jr.) mendacity in a puddle of water within the hospital basement.

4

“Now or By no means”

Season 5, Episode 24

“Now or By no means” noticed numerous drama and challenges unfold for the docs at Seattle Grace. George causes a stir when he proclaims that he is leaving to be a trauma surgeon within the military. When Arizona gives Bailey (Chandra Wilson) a coveted pediatric fellowship, Bailey hesitates, since her husband has given her an ultimatum. Izzie (Katherine Heigl) has short-term reminiscence issues within the aftermath of her mind surgical procedure. The group works tirelessly to save lots of the lifetime of an unrecognizable John Doe who stepped in entrance of a bus to save lots of another person’s life.

One of many Present’s Most Devastating Episodes

In one of many present’s most tear-jerking moments, the unidentified hero seems to be George, which Meredith realizes when he writes “007” into her hand. Izzie’s coronary heart abruptly stops and, regardless of her DNR, Richard and the docs attempt to resuscitate her. As her life hangs within the steadiness, she has a imaginative and prescient of herself coming into an elevator in her notorious promenade gown from the second season, making it appear as if she could die and cross over into the afterlife. When the elevator stops and opens, she comes head to head with George in a military uniform. They have a look at one another, and the season ends within the cruelest cliffhanger.

3

“Flight”

Season 8, Episode 24

Seattle Grace Mercy West confronted one other tragedy within the Season 8 finale, however this time exterior its hospital doorways. On the finish of the earlier episode, a airplane comes crashing down within the woods with six docs on board: Meredith, Derek, Cristina, Mark (Eric Dane), Arizona, and Lexie. Due to Shonda Rhimes’ feedback, followers knew forward of time that it spelled dying for one in all their most beloved characters, but it surely did not ease the heartbreak in any respect.

A Extremely Emotional, Heartbreaking, and Excessive-Stakes Finale

Lexie, who acquired caught beneath part of the airplane, spent her last couple of minutes with the love of her life, Mark, through which the 2 lastly mentioned their “I like you’s” after their time spent aside. Lexie, figuring out she’s dying, asks Mark to inform Meredith that she was a great sister. A devastated Mark pleads with Lexie to not go away him as a result of they’re meant to stay a contented life collectively. In one of the gut-punching scenes, she takes her final breath, after which Mark closes her eyes (he’d quickly be a part of her, sadly succumbing to his personal accidents after being rescued). The remaining surgeons spend the remainder of the episode preventing for his or her lives and making an attempt to save lots of one another.

2

“Sanctuary” and “Demise and All His Pals”

Season 6, Episodes 23 and 24

The Season 6 finale is a two-parter, the highest-rated, and is basically acknowledged because the present’s greatest. With a tense, fight-for-survival storyline, it hardly comes as a shock. The finale dramatically opens with a voice-over from Meredith as Derek lies shot on the bottom, earlier than recalling the day’s occasions: “For most individuals, a hospital is a scary place. A hostile place. A spot the place dangerous issues occur. Most individuals would favor church, or faculty, or residence. However I grew up right here. Whereas my mother was on rounds, I discovered to learn within the OR gallery. I performed within the morgue. I coloured with crayons on outdated ER charts. The hospital was my church, my faculty, my residence. The hospital was my protected place. My sanctuary. I adore it right here. Correction: cherished it right here.”

The Most Memorable Episode

What begins out as a seemingly regular day within the hospital transforms into its darkest when Gary Clark (Michael O’Neill), Derek’s deceased affected person’s husband, goes on a capturing rampage, sending the hospital into lockdown. On his hunt for Derek, he shoots anybody who will get in his means. From Reed’s (Nora Zehetner) stunning, swift demise to Cristina working on Derek with a gun to her head to Bailey being pulled out from beneath a mattress by the gunman to Meredith’s tragic miscarriage, the episode by no means lets up. It is the sequence’ heaviest. With such heavy material, it might have simply been sensationalist, however the writers dealt with the subject of gun violence with excessive sensitivity, bringing to life a gutting, thought-provoking finale.

1

“Deterioration of the Struggle or Flight Response” and “Dropping My Faith”

Season 2, Episodes 26 and 27

You’ll be able to’t take into consideration probably the most heartbreaking episodes of Gray’s Anatomy with out picturing a grief–stricken Izzie in a pink promenade gown curled up subsequent to the physique of her useless fiancé and Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Automobiles” getting caught in your head. After 21 seasons, Season 2’s two-part finale nonetheless stays the gold commonplace for the present. Not solely is it the sequence’ most interesting finale, but it surely’s additionally one of many present’s all-time biggest episodes, and never simply due to its tragic love story.

A Dramatic, Gripping Conclusion to the Second Season

The episode was full of stress and drama. Izzie cuts Denny’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) LVAD wire to get him to the highest of the transplant listing. Chief Webber punishes the interns, who remained tight-lipped on the wrongdoer, by forcing them to throw an in-hospital promenade for his sick niece. Burke is shot, leaving him unable to function on Denny. Meredith and Derek sneak away from the promenade to hook up and cheat on their vital others. It had all the things that made Gray’s Anatomy nice throughout its early peak seasons.