Grey's Anatomy

10 Best Episodes of Grey's Anatomy - Season 1

Grey's Anatomy has been a fan favorite since its debut in 2005. The show follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, delivering drama, romance, and heartbreak in equal measure. With 22 seasons under its belt, the show has had its fair share of standout moments and fan-favorite episodes.

To celebrate the show's success, we've compiled a list of the best episodes ranked by viewers. From shocking twists to heartwarming moments, these episodes are sure to leave you on the edge of your seat. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, these episodes are a must-watch for any Grey's Anatomy enthusiast.

So sit back, grab some popcorn, and get ready to relive some of the most iconic moments from Grey's Anatomy. With its gripping storylines, talented cast, and unforgettable characters, it's no wonder the show has remained a staple of primetime TV for over 15 years.

Written by Sophie and last updated on may 04, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Grey's Anatomy - S1E3

#9 - Winning a Battle, Losing the War (Season 1 - Episode 3)

A bike race injures several pedestrians as well as well as participants. One pedestrian is left brain dead. Christina and Issie wish to use his organs for organ donation but with Christina's detachment and Issie's ever hopeful attitude that the man will recover, they will find the organ harvesting process an emotional one. Preston faces feelings of his dislike of organ harvesting - as a surgeon, he likes saving lives; harvesting organs doesn't save the person's life. George deals with Mac, a friend of the chief, who won't stop flirting with him. He is in need of a new liver. Meredith is fed up with Alex showing off as she continues trying to push Derek away. She also is reaching the limits of Issie's sunshine and George's politeness as she goes on living with them. Then there is their desire to see Meredith's mother's medical tapes. Getting through the day, Meredith realizes the keys to winning the race.

The episode was rated 7.89 from 1163 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E8

#8 - Save Me (Season 1 - Episode 8)

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Meredith grows increasingly dissatisfied with the unknown details of Derek's life. Meanwhile, Alex treats Devo, a patient whose religious beliefs jeopardize her chances for recovery; Izzie contemplates reconnecting with her estranged mother; Zoey, a pregnant woman in her 40s who's been diagnosed with cancer, disagrees with Cristina's medical advice; and the interns are mystified by Cable, a patient who's being treated for seizures and who thinks he's psychic.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 979 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E7

#7 - The Self-Destruct Button (Season 1 - Episode 7)

Derek and Meredith try (unsuccessfully) to be discreet as they spend the night together at Meredith's house, but their haggard appearance speaks volumes to everyone - including Bailey, who warns Meredith to end the relationship. Meanwhile George suspects an anesthesiologist of drinking on the job but is reluctant to speak up about it, Alex treats a former competitor who now finds honor in self-mutilation, Izzie has to deal with a patient who won't let go of his girlfriend - literally, and Cristina seems to be battling a case of the flu.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 1009 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E2

#6 - The First Cut is the Deepest (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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The surgical staff tries to be optimistic as a young woman clings to life after a brutal attack. Meanwhile Meredith puts her career on the line to save a newborn in the hospital nursery, and the other interns learn that it takes more than just medical knowledge to be good at their jobs.

The episode was rated 7.93 from 1279 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E5

#5 - Shake Your Groove Thing (Season 1 - Episode 5)

Meredith realizes that she must take on a lot more responsibility when she is told that her mother needs to sign over all of her assets to her. As Izzie prepares to have a party for her boyfriend Hank (the scale of which is unknown to Meredith), Meredith has her first heart surgery. During the surgery she fears that she has fallen asleep and damaged the patient's heart. Meanwhile, Cristina and Burke hit it off. At the party, Meredith and Derek get caught together by Dr. Bailey.

The episode was rated 7.93 from 1032 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E4

#4 - No Man's Land (Season 1 - Episode 4)

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While George is feeling a little less masculine because of the way Izzie and Meredith have been treating him (like a sister), Izzie is assigned to a patient about to loose all of his masculinity. Cristina, true to her competitive spirit, shows up early and assigns herself to an ill woman, who happens to have been Meredith's moms scrub nurse. Alex, meanwhile, is busying himself copying and pasting pictures of Izzie's racy magazine spread all over the interns' locker room. And while Meredith is trying to cope with her mother's Alzheimer's, Derek treats a patient who has managed to get nails stuck in his head.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 1110 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E6

#3 - If Tomorrow Never Comes (Season 1 - Episode 6)

Izzie tries to get George to find the courage to ask Meredith out. All of the interns are in awe when a woman comes in with a record breaking tumor, but it is so far advanced that the woman's prognosis is not good. Now that Bailey knows about Meredith and Derek's affair, their jobs are in jeopardy, and she advises Meredith to end it. Meanwhile, Cristina and Burke's secret relationship is also getting more complicated...

The episode was rated 7.98 from 1032 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E1

#2 - A Hard Day's Night (Season 1 - Episode 1)

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Meet Meredith Grey. Daughter of famous surgeon Ellis Grey and currently recovering from a one-night stand. She shoos away her evening's companion, saying she'll be late for her first day of work. She is a first year intern at Seattle Grace Hospital and is working alongside some colorful characters. Cristina Yang is a highly competitive Stanford graduate who befriends Meredith. George O'Malley is a quirky warm hearted man who learns a lesson or two on his first day. Izzie Stevens is a former model who doesn't get any special treatment on her first day. And Alex Karev is an arrogant jerk who misdiagnoses a patient on his first shift. Overseeing them is Miranda Bailey, (not-so-) affectionately dubbed 'The Nazi'. Meredith also gets a surprise when she realizes that her friend from the night before is a co-worker, and even worse, her boss.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 1680 votes.

Grey's Anatomy - S1E9

#1 - Who's Zoomin' Who? (Season 1 - Episode 9)

In the Grey's Anatomy episode "Who's Zoomin' Who?", a sexually transmitted disease sweeps through the hospital, causing chaos among the staff. Chief Webber takes charge and calls for a meeting to address the situation. While dealing with the outbreak, the Chief reluctantly confides in Dr. Derek Shepherd about his own medical concerns, adding an extra layer of tension to the episode.

Amidst the chaos, Izzie and Cristina find themselves worried about a patient's family dynamic. The patient's wife and daughter can't agree on his care, leading to emotional turmoil. This storyline highlights the real-life challenges that families face when it comes to making difficult medical decisions.

As the episode progresses, Burke treats his college friend, Bill, whose medical diagnosis raises questions about his wife's actions. This intriguing plotline adds a layer of mystery to the episode, leaving viewers guessing about the true motives behind Bill's illness.

Just when it seems like the drama couldn't get any more intense, Meredith and Derek's relationship takes a surprising turn. As they grow closer, a shocking revelation is unveiled, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

While some viewers may have mixed feelings about the episode's ending, "Who's Zoomin' Who?" certainly doesn't shy away from delivering twists and turns that keep Grey's Anatomy fans hooked until the last minute.

The episode was rated 8.15 from 940 votes.

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