Well, Grey-Sloan Memorial fans, the long wait is finally (almost) over. Season 14 of ABC’s hit from Shonda Rhimes returns Sept. 28 to head the network’s TGIT lineup. To get ready, we rounded up our 14 favorite episodes.
Season 8 Episode 21: “Moment of Truth”
Biggest moment: April decides to have sex with Jackson
April has toned way down in the most recent seasons of “Grey’s,” but remember back when she was the virgin whose buttons everyone loved to push? That all changed in this episode, when the fifth year residents head out to take their board exams and April and Jackson get it on. It’s fun to watch the very beginning of what will become one of our favorite relationships to watch on the show. April is full of adrenaline after punching a mouthy competitor for a job she’s been offered and Jackson is fresh off a breakup with Lexie.
Season 3 Episode 25: “Didn’t We Almost Have it All?”
Biggest moment: Cristina and Burke’s wedding
This episode marks a major heartbreak for our girl Cristina and also the exit of primary character Dr. Burke. Cristina and Burke have had clear red flags throughout their relationship, but have made it as far as Burke’s mom coming into town to transform Cristina for the wedding (and steal her eyebrows). At the wedding, Cristina realizes she can’t walk down the aisle and has a panic attack. Burke realizes that she would get married for him, but in her heart of hearts she doesn’t really want to. They’re relationship is done, especially when Burke disappears after the botched ceremony.
Season 10 Episode 24: “Fear (Of the Unknown)”
Biggest Moment: Cristina’s last day
This episode really pulled at our heartstrings, as it marks the exit of Meredith’s other half Cristina. As Cristina is preparing for her move to Zurich, an explosion occurs at a local mall, and, of course, she can’t help but to dive in. Cristina gets Meredith to promise not to be a hero — she’s had enough close calls — and they dance it out one last time before she’s gone.
Season 5 Episode 19: “Elevator Love Letter”
Biggest moment: Derek proposes to Mer
We love this moment in Mer and Derek’s on-again, off-again romance, when Derek finally decides to pop the question to Meredith, who is traditionally anti- all things ooey gooey. He goes all out after showing up on Meredith’s door step with a ring and nothing else, totally catering the (second) proposal to Meredith and their relationship by putting up scans of important surgeries they worked on together in the elevator at the hospital (fans of the show will remember plenty of awkward elevator run-ins for the couple). Plus, he delivers this full-on McDreamy line: “You say you’re dark and twisty, but that’s not a weakness, it’s a strength. It makes you who you are. I love you Meredith Grey, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Season 6 Episode 1: “Good Mourning”
Biggest moment: George dies
This episode gives us one of the most heartbreaking deaths of the entire series: George O’Malley. We know, it’s hard to relive. After saving a girl at a bus stop by pushing her out of the way, George is brain dead and all of his organs are donated to children who are in need. Izzie breaks up at the funeral, and ends up laughing at the absurd twists of fate everyone has experienced, from her cancer to George’s death. Meredith holds in her emotions until it’s time for George’s locker to be cleaned out. The end of the episode delivers a shocker: Seattle Grace will merge with rival hospital Mercy West.
Season 3 Episode 15, 16 and 17: “Walk on Water,” “Drowning on Dry Land” and “Some Kind of Miracle”
Biggest moment: Meredith almost drowns
In Season 3, Meredith is going through some serious depression, and we honestly can’t blame her. She’s been up and down with Derek, dealing with her mom’s Alzheimer’s and disappointment, not to mention helping everyone else navigate their own problems and manage being a resident. So when a ferry crash leads her to the scene by the Puget Sound and she accidentally falls into the water, she doesn’t try to save herself. Luckily, Derek saves her, and after toying with the afterlife, Meredith ends up being OK.
Season 5 Episode 24: “Now or Never”
Biggest moment: Meredith and Derek’s Post-It Note marriage
The Season 5 finale marks a huge moment in Meredith and Derek’s relationship — and also a huge reveal from fan-favorite character George O’Malley. George announced abruptly that he’s joining the army to be a trauma surgeon, to the dismay of Bailey and the others. Meanwhile, Meredith announces to Cristina that she’s getting married. Cristina is surprised, but gives her something old — a grocery list on a Post-It, something new — a new Post-It, something borrowed–her favorite pen, and something blue –all of their attitudes. Later in the day, Mer and McDreamy realize they don’t have time to get married because of surgeries, so they write their vows on the empty Post-It note and call it good. It’s a moment that is so sweet and so indicative of their relationship.
The end of the episode also delivers a huge shock, when John Doe outlines “007” on Meredith’s hand–that’s George’s old nickname, tipping her off that the surgical patient that stalled her wedding his George O’Malley.
Season 2 Episode 5: “Bring the Pain”
Biggest moment: George operates in an elevator and Meredith’s iconic “Pick me, choose me, love me” line
Who could forget the moment George finally earned some respect when he saved the life of a Seattle police officer in the middle of a storm. Oh, not to mention that he, Karev and the patient were stuck in an elevator and Dr. Burke had to talk him through the whole thing. It’s one of our favorite George moments.
Meanwhile, Derek must choose between wife Addison and intern Meredith Grey. Meredith doesn’t want to beg, but does anyway: “Pick me. Choose me. Love me,” she tells Derek. The episode ends with Mer waiting at Joe’s Bar to see if Derek will, in fact, choose her. The scene is iconic and one of our favorite moments from their relationship.
Season 2 Episode 16 and 17: “It’s the End of the World” and “As We Know It”
Biggest moment: The bomb
This was the first of the Grey’s Anatomy disaster episodes, and let us know pretty early on in the series that anything can — and will — happen at Seattle Grace. In this iconic episode, Meredith ends up taking the place of a young paramedic whose hand is stuck in the body cavity of man who got his homemade grenade stuck in there … we know, it’s crazy. Also, Kyle Chandler guest stars in this episode, and who can get enough of Kyle Chandler?
Meanwhile, Dr. Bailey is in labor while her husband is in surgery after a car crash, and it’s up to George to get her to agree to have the baby before he’s out of surgery, or else risk the baby’s health.
Season 6 Episode 23 and 24: “Sanctuary” and “Death and All His Friends”
Biggest moment: An active shooter infiltrates Seattle Grace
Another twofer and another well-recognized storyline from the series. Meredith learns she’s pregnant, only to miscarry hours later after the angry husband of a patient who died comes back to the hospital to get his revenge. Clark, the vengeful shooter, shoots Derek, and he needs surgery right away. As Cristina operates on Derek, Clark finds them in the OR and threatens Cristina, because he blames Derek for his wife’s death. Meredith — in typical Meredith fashion — begs for Clark to shoot her instead. Owen tries to get the gun from Clark and ends up getting shot, too. Clark ends up taking his own life.
Season 8 Episode 24: “Flight”
Biggest moment: Plane crash
This episode might be “Grey’s Anatomy’s” most recognized (it’s a toss up between this one and the bomb episode, also on this list). It’s definitely one of the most heart-wrenching, as several main characters are either seriously injured or killed-off, like fan-favorite Lexie, who is Meredith’s half-sister and Mark Sloan’s love interest. Watching his heart break while she died caused our hearts to break, too.
OK, so you actually got more than 14 episodes thanks to plenty of two-and three-part episodes featured on this list. We know there are plenty more amazing moments, but we just couldn’t include them all. Now get out of here to binge as much as you can before the premiere of Season 14 Sept. 28 on ABC.
