The series ended its fourth season on May 22, 2008, and began its fifth season on September 25, 2008. As of April 6, 2009, a total of 97 episodes of Grey's Anatomy have been aired, plus four recap specials: Straight to the Heart (January 8, 2006, covering the first season and first half of the second season), Under Pressure (April 23, 2006, covering the second half of the second season), "Complications of the Heart" (September 21, 2006, covering the first two seasons), and "Every Moment Counts" (April 12, 2007, covering the first three seasons). Episodes 22 and 23 of Season 3 served as a backdoor pilot for the spin-off show featuring Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Private Practice, while episodes 15 and 16 of season 5 and episode 16 of season 2 of Private Practice were a crossover between Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.
| Episode |
Title |
Written by |
Directed by |
Premiere |
| 1-01 (1) |
"A Hard Day's Night" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Peter Horton |
March 27, 2005 |
| Meredith Grey enrolls in a rigorous surgical residency program at Seattle Grace Hospital where she will spend the next 7 years. Hours into the program, Meredith finds out her one-night-stand is her boss. Meanwhile, George is chosen to perform the first operation. |
| 1-02 (2) |
"The First Cut Is the Deepest" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Peter Horton |
April 3, 2005 |
| Meredith looks for roommates to share her mother's house with. Izzie helps out a Chinese woman whose daughter is in need. Meredith visits the maternity ward and discovers something wrong with one of the babies. |
| 1-03 (3) |
"Winning a Battle, Losing the War" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Tony Goldwyn |
April 10, 2005 |
| Competition between the interns ensues after an annual unauthorized bike race causes many injuries. Izzie has trouble finding the family of an almost braindead man. Cristina becomes excited when the patient's family agrees to harvest his organs if he dies. This causes Dr. Bailey to lecture Cristina on bedside manner when she becomes out of control. A patient, who is a friend of Dr. Webber, flirts with George. |
| 1-04 (4) |
"No Man's Land" |
James D. Parriott |
Adam Davidson |
April 17, 2005 |
| When a retired nurse at Seattle Grace is admitted, Cristina takes on her case and befriends her. A patient who recognizes Izzie from a modeling photo does not want her to treat him. Meredith and Dr. Shepherd treat a construction worker who surprisingly survived his injuries but have bad news in store for his wife about his future. Alex humiliate Izzie in front of everyone. |
| 1-05 (5) |
"Shake Your Groove Thing" |
Ann Hamilton |
John David Coles |
April 24, 2005 |
| Izzie plans a party for her old boyfriend, a hockey player. Meanwhile, Meredith believes she may be in trouble when something goes wrong during a procedure. At the party, Dr. Bailey spots Dr. Shepherd and Meredith together. Cristina and Burke have sex in on-call room. |
| 1-06 (6) |
"If Tomorrow Never Comes" |
Krista Vernoff |
Scott Brazil |
May 1, 2005 |
| When Dr. Shepherd picks Meredith to help assist surgery with a patient with Parkinson's disease, Dr. Bailey thinks he is showing favoritism and begins to be tough on Meredith. Alex befriends a patient who has a very large tumor but when he talks about her behind her back, she asks that he not be her doctor. |
| 1-07 (7) |
"The Self-Destruct Button" |
Kip Koenig |
Darnell Martin |
May 8, 2005 |
| Derek spends the night at Meredith's, which they try to keep secret from her other roommates. George suspects an anesthesiologist of drinking before major surgeries but is scolded when he does speak up. Alex treats a man who enjoys being in pain. Cristina catches the flu. |
| 1-08 (8) |
"Save Me" |
Mimi Schmir |
Sarah Pia Anderson |
May 15, 2005 |
| Alex treats a teenage Orthodox Jew who refuses surgery when she learns the treatment goes against her beliefs. Cristina has trouble relating to a pregnant woman who has terminal cancer and refuses to abort the baby turning to Meredith for advice. Izzie is mesmerized by a patient who has psychic abilities who is diagnosed with AVM. |
| 1-09 (9) |
"Who's Zoomin' Who?" |
Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman, Jr. |
Wendey Stanzler |
May 22, 2005 |
| Meredith is shocked when someone from Derek's past arrives at Seattle Grace. When a number of interns, including George, are diagnosed with STDs, Dr. Webber calls an emergency meeting. Izzie and Cristina want to perform an unauthorized autopsy against the family's wishes. |
| Episode |
Title |
Writer(s) |
Director |
Premiere |
| 2-01 (10) |
"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" |
Stacy McKee |
Peter Horton |
September 25, 2005 |
| While Meredith and Cristina discuss their shortcomings at the Emerald City Bar, Joe the bartender collapses. Dr. Webber recovers from his surgery and asks George to be his "eyes and ears". Dr. Addison Shepherd arrives in Seattle to join her husband at the hospital, causing an explanation to Meredith. |
| 2-02 (11) |
"Enough is Enough (No More Tears)" |
James D. Parriott |
Peter Horton |
October 2, 2005 |
| Mrs. Webber returns from vacation to help her husband recuperate from his surgery. George continues to be associated with nurse Olivia but still has a crush on Meredith. A car crash brings a family into the hospital which causes a liver transplant debate between the father and son. Dr. Bailey deals with an odd surgery. |
| 2-03 (12) |
"Make Me Lose Control" |
Krista Vernoff |
Adam Davidson |
October 9, 2005 |
| Meredith's secrets are made painfully public when her mother is brought to Seattle Grace for a surgical procedure. Meanwhile, shocking news about Cristina’s health is brought out into the open. |
| 2-04 (13) |
"Deny, Deny, Deny" |
Zoanne Clack |
Wendey Stanzler |
October 16, 2005 |
| As Cristina tries to recover, she proves to be a very difficult patient, and a visit from her mother doesn't improve her demeanor at all. Meredith's mother, Dr. Ellis Grey, has the hospital staff running in circles. |
| 2-05 (14) |
"Bring the Pain" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Mark Tinker |
October 23, 2005 |
| Meredith and Dr. Shepherd have to use more than medicine when a young Hmong woman’s traditional, religious father forbids her to have a life-saving operation. Meanwhile, George and Alex are forced to perform surgery under less than ideal conditions in an attempt to save a patient’s life. Derek must make a decision between Meredith and Addison. |
| 2-06 (15) |
"Into You Like a Train" |
Krista Vernoff |
Jeff Melman |
October 30, 2005 |
| While Meredith nervously awaits Derek's decision, her angst is interrupted by a train crash that brings several seriously injured patients to the hospital, including Bonnie and Tom, a pair of passengers who’ve been impaled on a metal pole. Addison Shepherd sees great potential in Izzie, who must decide whether her loyalty as Meredith’s friend outweighs professional gain. |
| 2-07 (16) |
"Something to Talk About" |
Stacy McKee |
Adam Davidson |
November 6, 2005 |
| Cristina, Izzie, and Meredith aggressively pursue the case of Shane, a male patient who seems to have a hysterical pregnancy, which fascinates them and the entire medical staff; and a sheltered young patient inspires Alex to better express his feelings for Izzie. |
| 2-08 (17) |
"Let It Be" |
Mimi Schmir |
Lesli Linka Glatter |
November 13, 2005 |
| Derek and Addison Shepherd’s professional relationship is challenged when their closest friends come to Seattle Grace seeking a radical, preemptive operation to avoid breast and ovarian cancer. Cristina and Dr. Burke go on a date. |
| 2-09 (18) |
"Thanks for the Memories" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Michael Dinner |
November 20, 2005 |
| The Thanksgiving holiday is more difficult for the interns and residents than any of them is willing to admit, as Izzie plans a big dinner at Meredith’s -- but it remains to be seen who among the invited guests will actually show up. Meanwhile, George endures the O’Malley tradition of hunting turkeys with his less-than-sophisticated family, and Meredith treats a patient who’s been in a vegetative state for 16 years. |
| 2-10 (19) |
"Much too Much" |
Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman, Jr. |
Wendey Stanzler |
November 27, 2005 |
| Meredith is mortified when her “one night stand” shows up at the hospital suffering from priapism and needing medical attention. A patient carrying quintuplets is overwhelmed by numerous medical issues as she navigates her high-risk pregnancy. Alex begins to frustrate Izzie. |
| 2-11 (20) |
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" |
Mark Wilding |
Dan Minahan |
December 4, 2005 |
| Cristina Yang has little sympathy for a prison inmate who jeopardizes her health just to get out of solitary confinement. Meanwhile, the interns all keep careful watch on the family of premature quintuplets with a variety of serious health challenges. |
| 2-12 (21) |
"Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" |
Krista Vernoff |
Peter Horton |
December 11, 2005 |
| A young boy needs a heart transplant but doesn’t seem to want it, and his treatment causes Burke and Cristina to have philosophical differences. Meanwhile, when the interns rally to help Alex prepare to re-take his exam, Meredith has to remind Izzie of the true spirit of the Christmas holiday; and despite a reconciliation with his wife, Derek isn’t in a festive mood. |
| 2-13 (22) |
"Begin the Begin" |
Kip Koenig |
Jessica Yu |
January 15, 2006 |
| Izzie seems to be getting over Alex when she shares an undeniable chemistry with Denny Duquette, a patient who’s awaiting a heart transplant, and George treats Bex, a young intersex patient. |
| 2-14 (23) |
"Tell Me Sweet Little Lies" |
Tony Phelan & Joan Rater |
Adam Davidson |
January 22, 2006 |
| The truth is in short supply as Meredith and Cristina lie to themselves and each other about the status of their relationships. George is given the unpleasant task of discharging an elderly patient who’s no longer sick, but refuses to leave the hospital; and Alex learns his fate after re-taking his medical exams. |
| 2-15 (24) |
"Break on Through" |
Zoanne Clack |
David Paymer |
January 29, 2006 |
| The nurses at Seattle Grace Hospital go on strike, leaving the doctors to fend for themselves; Meredith’s mistake in treating an elderly patient is brought to light by the patient’s friends. Izzie reveals a cherished secret to a pregnant teen. |
| 2-16 (25) |
"It's the End of the World" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Peter Horton |
February 5, 2006 |
| Meredith's fears that she is in for a bad day are realized when a medial case arrives at Seattle Grace that threatens the lives of everyone in the O.R.. |
| 2-17 (26) |
"(As We Know It)" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Peter Horton |
February 12, 2006 |
| Despite the best efforts of the Seattle Grace staff, the Code black situation escalates. Dr. Bailey gives birth in the midst of the circumstances. |
| 2-18 (27) |
"Yesterday" |
Krista Vernoff (teleplay)
Mimi Schmir (story) |
Rob Corn |
February 19, 2006 |
| Someone from Derek and Addison’s past arrives in Seattle and shakes things up. Meanwhile, Burke learns about Cristina’s secret and, after a visit with her mother, Meredith looks into more of her family’s dirty laundry. |
| 2-19 (28) |
"What Have I Done to Deserve This?" |
Stacy McKee |
Wendey Stanzler |
February 26, 2006 |
| Meredith and George suddenly find themselves at odds at work. Meanwhile Bailey, although technically still on maternity leave, finds herself treating Addison for an unusual feminine issue, and Alex finds himself oddly jealous when Izzie pays more attention to Denny. |
| 2-20 (29) |
"Band-Aid Covers the Bullet Hole" |
Gabrielle Stanton & Harry Werksman, Jr. |
Julie Anne Robinson |
March 12, 2006 |
| After Dr. Bailey is called into surgery, Cristina is forced to watch baby Tucker for the remainder of the day. Meanwhile, George and Meredith are still on the outs as she confides in Derek with her problem. Izzie continues to warm up to Denny who is having problems breathing. George meets a new friend. |
| 2-21 (30) |
"Superstition" |
James D. Parriott |
Tricia Brock |
March 19, 2006 |
| When a series of deaths occur at Seattle Grace, the uncanny events bring out the doctors' superstitious sides and make Izzie nervous about Denny's surgery. Meanwhile, Derek and Addison discuss making a more permanent living arrangement, and Richard treats a very special, old friend. |
| 2-22 (31) |
"The Name of the Game" |
Blythe Robe |
Seith Mann |
April 2, 2006 |
| George begins to overstay his welcome at Burke's apartment; Meredith learns a secret about her father; Bailey worries her colleagues will not treat her the same now that she's a mother; and Alex gets a lesson in bedside manners. |
| 2-23 (32) |
"Blues for Sister Someone" |
Elizabeth Klaviter |
Jeff Melman |
April 30, 2006 |
| Izzie grills George about the personal details of his life, Addison takes Alex to task about a sensitive case, and Burke feels the pressure when he treats his musical hero. |
| 2-24 (33) |
"Damage Case" |
Mimi Schmir |
Tony Goldwyn |
May 7, 2006 |
| The interns deal with a family involved in a car accident, Derek lets his emotions get the best of him, and Burke and Izzie make a new suggestion to Denny. |
| 2-25 (34) |
"17 Seconds" |
Mark Wilding |
Dan Minahan |
May 14, 2006 |
| Victims of a workplace shooting fill the ER as Derek and Addison's marital tensions come to a head and Burke, Alex and Izzie fight for a heart for Denny. |
| 2-26 (35) |
"Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response" |
Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Rob Corn |
May 15, 2006 |
| Izzie and George attend to Denny as the pressure increases to find him a new heart, Cristina suddenly finds herself in charge of a Trauma Room, Dr. Webber's niece is rushed to the emergency room from her prom and Derek grapples with the realization that the life of a friend is in his hands. |
| 2-27 (36) |
"Losing My Religion" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Mark Tinker |
May 15, 2006 |
| Dr. Webber goes into interrogation mode about Denny's condition. Callie confronts George about his feelings for her. Dr. Bailey forces the interns to throw a prom for Dr. Webber's niece. Meredith and Derek are forced to make a decision regarding their dog. A fight between the two results in a long awaited reunion. |
| Episode |
Title |
Written by |
Directed by |
Premiere |
| 3-01 (37) |
"Time Has Come Today" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Dan Minahan |
September 21, 2006 |
| The doctors of Seattle Grace help Izzie cope with the loss of her fiancé, Denny, and her decision to quit the internship program. Meredith must decide what the future holds after her hospital liaison with Derek. The Chief is confronted by his wife, Adele, after spending the night in his office, and George seeks relationship advice from a surprising source. |
| 3-02 (38) |
"I Am a Tree" |
Krista Vernoff |
Jeff Melman |
September 28, 2006 |
| Cristina meets Burke's parents, in the most awkward of circumstances, Izzie begins baking to comfort herself, Addison takes a break from her hospital duties and gets drunk, Richard discovers Callie living in the hospital, and a surgical patient lives what may be her last day to the fullest. |
| 3-03 (39) |
"Sometimes a Fantasy" |
Debora Cahn |
Adam Arkin |
October 5, 2006 |
| Cristina tries to help Preston cope with his hand tremor, Izzie attempts to return to the hospital for the first time since she left the program, Alex deals with a patient who has a long history of injuries and believes she is a super hero, and George and Callie’s relationship moves forward. |
| 3-04 (40) |
"What I Am" |
Allan Heinberg |
Dan Lerner |
October 12, 2006 |
| Addison doubts her abilities as a doctor, Cristina pushes Burke's rehabilitation and Izzie receives the surprise of her life. |
| 3-05 (41) |
"Oh, the Guilt" |
Zoanne Clack, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Jeff Melman |
October 19, 2006 |
| Bailey treats a young mother battling breast cancer, Derek learns more about Mark and Addison's relationship, the interns defend a resident's competence at a hospital staff meeting, and Meredith and Addison examine a couple who find themselves in a rather awkward position. |
| 3-06 (42) |
"Let the Angels Commit" |
Stacy McKee |
Jessica Yu |
November 2, 2006 |
| Cristina scrubs in on the rare "humpty dumpty" procedure, much to the envy of her fellow doctors, Alex questions his future medical specialty, George and Addison work with a pregnant woman with an unusual dilemma, and Derek receives a surprise visit from his sister. |
| 3-07 (43) |
"Where the Boys Are" |
Mark Wilding |
Dan Minahan |
November 9, 2006 |
| The men of Seattle Grace go on a camping trip together, Addison and Callie must team up to work on a patient, Meredith assist Sloan with a procedure unlike any she has experienced, and, suspicious of her recent actions at the hospital, Bailey confronts Cristina. |
| 3-08 (44) |
"Staring at the Sun" |
Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman, Jr. |
Jeff Melman |
November 16, 2006 |
| The O'Malley Family visits George at the hospital, Meredith is determined to have a more positive outlook on life, Derek and Addison strive for a civil relationship, and Richard endeavors to reunite with his wife, Adele. |
| 3-09 (45) |
"From a Whisper to a Scream" |
Kip Koenig |
Julie Anne Robinson |
November 23, 2006 |
| A traumatic car accident fills the ER, Cristina has a crisis of conscience about her deceptive teamwork with Burke, and Izzie pushes the boundaries of her probation. |
| 3-10 (46) |
"Don't Stand So Close to Me" |
Carolina Paiz |
Seith Mann |
November 30, 2006 |
| Recent events strain Burke and Cristina's relationship, Meredith's half-sister, Molly, is admitted to the hospital, and Derek and Mark must work together when two close-knit brothers seek medical help. |
| 3-11 (47) |
"Six Days, Part 1" |
Krista Vernoff |
Greg Yaitanes |
January 11, 2007 |
| Part one of a two-part episode. After a successful operation on his heart, George's father undergoes surgery for his cancer, Thatcher Grey visits Seattle Grace in order to see his new granddaughter, and Meredith discovers that Derek has trouble sleeping soundly. |
| 3-12 (48) |
"Six Days, Part 2" |
Krista Vernoff |
Greg Yaitanes |
January 18, 2007 |
| Part two of a two-part episode. George and his family must struggle with a difficult decision regarding Harold who is on life support. Meredith learns she shares something in common with her father. Addison regrets an event from her past. Izzie is barred from Heather's surgery after Bailey finds out she paid for the operation. |
| 3-13 (49) |
"Great Expectations" |
Eric Buchman |
Michael Grossman |
January 25, 2007 |
| After the Chief announces his retirement, rumors begin to circulate on his departure and successor. Dr. Bailey is ambitious to create a free medical clinic. Two people at the hospital receive an unexpected proposal. |
| 3-14 (50) |
"Wishin' and Hopin'" |
Tony Phelan & Joan Rater |
Julie Anne Robinson |
February 1, 2007 |
| The race for the Chief's position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard's affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition. |
| 3-15 (51) |
"Walk On Water" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
February 8, 2007 |
| Part one of a three-part story arc. A mass trauma situation challenges the interns in many different ways. Richard begins a transition while going through a life change, while Cristina struggles to tell Meredith and the others about becoming engaged to Burke. |
| 3-16 (52) |
"Drowning On Dry Land" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
February 15, 2007 |
| Part two of a three-part story arc. Meredith is still under water which no one realizes until Derek finds her coat. Izzie drills holes into a trauma patient's head who is experiencing seizures. George continues to look for a patient's lost son after providing her with false optimism. Alex finds no hope in searching for the pregnant Jane Doe's family as she undergoes surgery. |
| 3-17 (53) |
"Some Kind of Miracle" |
Shonda Rhimes and Marti Noxon |
Adam Arkin |
February 22, 2007 |
| Part three of a three-part story arc. The interns of Seattle Grace take vigil outside Meredith's hospital room as Bailey and the Chief struggle to revive her. Meanwhile, Meredith is in limbo where she meets up with Denny, Dylan and many other familiar deceased patients from the past. Cristina remedies her grief for Meredith by shopping and Alex continues to bond with the pregnant Jane Doe who remains unclaimed. Ellis Grey goes into cardiac arrest. |
| 3-18 (54) |
"Scars and Souvenirs" |
Debora Cahn |
James Frawley |
March 15, 2007 |
| The race for chief heats up after a new competitor enters the fray, tensions escalate between Izzie and George, and Callie must reveal a big secret. Meanwhile, Derek treats a patient near and dear to him, while Alex continues his work with Jane Doe. |
| 3-19 (55) |
"My Favorite Mistake" |
Chris Van Dusen |
Tamra Davis |
March 22, 2007 |
| George meets his new father-in-law (and is in no condition to make a good impression), Alex helps Jane Doe determine how the world will see her from now on, the hospital board begins interviewing the candidates for the Chief's position, and Izzie wrestles with a startling revelation. |
| 3-20 (56) |
"Time After Time" |
Stacy McKee |
Christopher Misiano |
April 19, 2007 |
| When Izzie's daughter is brought to the hospital for leukemia treatment, Izzie is asked to donate her bone marrow in support. Derek finds that Meredith stands in his way of becoming chief. Marlowe continues to intrude on Burke and Cristina's lives with an impending surgery Burke will perform. Meredith becomes closer to her stepmother. Parents claiming to be Ava's come in to identify her but learn she is not theirs. |
| 3-21 (57) |
"Desire" |
Mark Wilding |
Tom Verica |
April 26, 2007 |
| As the interns of Seattle Grace cram for their upcoming exam, the attendings vie for the Chief's position by tending to the chairman of the hospital board after he's admitted as a patient. Meanwhile, Burke struggles to involve Cristina in the wedding planning, things heat up between Addison and Alex, and Derek questions his relationship with Meredith. |
| 3-22 (58) |
"The Other Side of This Life, Part 1" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Michael Grossman |
May 3, 2007 |
| Part one of a two-hour episode. After things become too complicated in Seattle, Addison travels to Los Angeles to reunite with old friends from medical school. Meanwhile, Derek must perform emergency surgery on Ava/Jane Doe and Cristina plans her wedding with both her mother and Burke's. This double episode is a backdoor pilot for Private Practice. |
| 3-23 (59) |
"The Other Side of This Life, Part 2" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Michael Grossman |
May 3, 2007 |
| Part two of a two-hour episode. After things become too complicated in Seattle, Addison travels to Los Angeles to reunite with old friends from medical school. Meanwhile, Derek must perform emergency surgery on Ava/Jane Doe and Cristina plans her wedding with both her mother and Burke's. This double episode is a backdoor pilot for Private Practice. |
| 3-24 (60) |
"Testing 1-2-3" |
Allan Heinberg |
Christopher Misiano |
May 10, 2007 |
| The interns take the biggest test of their careers, their first-year medical exams, as the residents attend to three injured mountain climbers. Meanwhile Callie’s suspicions of George and Izzie grow, and Cristina struggles to write her wedding vows. |
| 3-25 (61) |
"Didn't We Almost Have It All?" |
Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Rob Corn |
May 17, 2007 |
| Cristina and Burke’s wedding day arrives. Along with the interns’ first exam results, a successor to the Chief is named and as Callie and George make a big decision about their relationship. |
| Episode |
Title |
Written by |
Directed by |
Premiere |
| 4-01 (62) |
"A Change Is Gonna Come" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
September 27, 2007 |
| Having just returned from her honeymoon with Meredith, Cristina searches for Burke, but he's nowhere to be found. Meredith, Cristina, Izzie and Alex spend their first day as residents with their own groups of interns - among the interns are George, repeating his intern year after failing his exams, and Lexie Grey, Meredith's half-sister whom she has never met. Now that Derek's relationship with Meredith has reached an emotional impasse, he looks to his fellow doctors for friendship; Bailey wrestles with her place within the hospital now that her former interns report to new Chief Resident Callie; and Richard resumes his position as Chief of Surgery. |
| 4-02 (63) |
"Love/Addiction" |
Debora Cahn |
James Frawley |
October 4, 2007 |
| The residents and interns treat the victims of a massive explosion at an apartment building, while Alex investigates the cause of the accident, Mama Burke returns to collect her son's things just as Cristina trades her wedding presents in exchange for surgeries, Lexie tries to have a heart-to-heart with an unwilling Meredith, and while Callie is overwhelmed with her duties as Chief Resident, Bailey searches for an outlet for her pent-up leadership skills. |
| 4-03 (64) |
"Let the Truth Sting" |
Mark Wilding |
Dan Minahan |
October 11, 2007 |
| Meredith reluctantly helps Lexie with her first surgical procedure, while Lexie helps keep George's "repeater" status a secret from their fellow interns. |
| 4-04 (65) |
"The Heart of the Matter" |
Allan Heinberg |
Randy Zisk |
October 18, 2007 |
| Izzie confides in Alex about George and the reaction is not what she expected, the Chief's niece returns to the hospital where she once had her prom, and Derek teaches Cristina how to be a better resident to her interns. |
| 4-05 (66) |
"Haunt You Every Day" |
Krista Vernoff |
Bethany Rooney |
October 25, 2007 |
| Halloween is full of surprises for the Seattle Grace doctors when Ava makes an unexpected visit to see Alex, Meredith thinks her deceased mother is haunting her, and Callie reveals George and Izzie's affair to their fellow doctors. |
| 4-06 (67) |
"Kung Fu Fighting" |
Stacy McKee |
Tom Verica |
November 1, 2007 |
| With his marriage in trouble, the Chief turns to his fellow male surgeons for a "gentlemen's evening," Cristina and Izzie heatedly compete for the same surgery, and the doctors treat two injured finalists from a promotional wedding competition. |
| 4-07 (68) |
"Physical Attraction, Chemical Reaction" |
Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Jeff Melman |
November 8, 2007 |
| George and Izzie's romantic chemistry is put to the test, Mark develops a crush on a fellow surgeon, and Callie's role as Chief Resident is in jeopardy. |
| 4-08 (69) |
"Forever Young" |
Mark Wilding |
Rob Corn |
November 15, 2007 |
| A schoolbus crash floods Seattle Grace with teenagers, Derek goes out on a date with a fellow doctor, and Meredith sees her father for the first time since her stepmother's death. |
| 4-09 (70) |
"Crash Into Me, Part 1" |
Shonda Rhimes and Krista Vernoff |
Michael Grossman and Jessica Yu |
November 22, 2007 |
| Part one of a two-part episode. An ambulance crash endangers the lives of the paramedics involved, as Meredith and the Chief work on-site to save them, Bailey treats a patient who refuses her help, and Ava returns for Alex and meets his other girlfriend in the process. |
| 4-10 (71) |
"Crash Into Me, Part 2" |
Shonda Rhimes and Krista Vernoff |
Jessica Yu |
December 6, 2007 |
| Part two of a two-part episode. Meredith furiously works to save the life of a paramedic trapped inside an ambulance, as her sister, Lexie, holds the life of a patient in her hands, and Derek must rely on the help of a nurse to save a patient's life. |
| 4-11 (72) |
"Lay Your Hands On Me" |
Allan Heinberg |
John Terlesky |
January 10, 2008 |
| Bailey's family faces a medical trauma just as her marriage is falling apart, George receives a very unexpected visit from his mother, and a faith healer wishes to forgo traditional surgery. |
| 4-12 (73) |
"Where the Wild Things Are" |
Zoanne Clack |
Rob Corn |
April 24, 2008 |
| Six weeks have passed since Derek started dating Rose, and the new residents are competing in a surgical contest. George and Lexie move into their new apartment while Callie and Erica continue their friendship. |
| 4-13 (74) |
"Piece of My Heart" |
Stacy McKee |
Mark Tinker |
May 1, 2008 |
| Addison returns to Seattle Grace to perform an operation and is surprised by all the changes in the lives of her former co-workers; Derek and Meredith's clinical trial has its first patient; Rebecca returns with shocking news for Alex. |
| 4-14 (75) |
"The Becoming" |
Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Julie Ann Robinson |
May 8, 2008 |
| A "date and tell" policy is instated at Seattle Grace after the nurses object to Mark's trysts, Cristina has to face her feelings for Burke and Meredith and Derek admit a gay veteran soldier into their clinical trial. |
| 4-15 (76) |
"Losing My Mind" |
Debora Cahn |
James Frawley |
May 15, 2008 |
| Dr. Wyatt refuses to let Meredith give up on therapy, Alex learns the truth about Rebecca's medical condition, the Chief insists that Erica perform a risky surgery on his mentor, and after receiving news of Burke, Cristina continues to do things contrary to her nature, going so far as cleaning her always-messy apartment. |
| 4-16 (77) |
"Freedom, Part 1" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
May 22, 2008 |
| Part one of a two-hour season finale. Meredith and Derek work on their last patient in their clinical trial, as the other surgeons try desperately to free a boy from a hardening block of cement. Izzie helps Alex care for Rebecca, and Lexie discovers important information about George's intern status. Callie confronts her feelings about Erica. |
| 4-17 (78) |
"Freedom, Part 2" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
May 22, 2008 |
| Part two of a two-hour season finale. Meredith and Derek work on their last patient in their clinical trial, as the other surgeons try desperately to free a boy from a hardening block of cement. Izzie helps Alex care for Rebecca, and Lexie discovers important information about George's intern status. Callie confronts her feelings about Erica. |
| Episode |
Title |
Written by |
Directed by |
Premiere |
| 5-01 (79) |
"Dream a Little Dream of Me, Part 1" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
September 25, 2008 |
| Part one of a two-hour season premiere. A military doctor piques Cristina's interest -- and she helps him -- and he helps her when she gets stabbed by an icicle. Meredith and Derek attempt to work on their "happily ever after", and the attendings are stressed over Seattle Grace's ranking of #12. |
| 5-02 (80) |
"Dream a Little Dream of Me, Part 2" |
Shonda Rhimes |
Rob Corn |
September 25, 2008 |
| Part two of a two-hour season premiere. Alex is offended when Izzie talks about how great a man Alex is to Meredith. Derek is stabbed with the scalpel in the palm of his hand by Rose, while the Chief is stunned over Mercy West's increase in the number of patients, a deadly ice storm ravages Seattle. |
| 5-03 (81) |
"Here Comes the Flood" |
Krista Vernoff |
Michael Pressman |
October 9, 2008 |
| A plumbing leak causes a flood at Seattle Grace, as the Chief tries to implement new teaching policies and George retakes his intern exam. Derek tries to move Izzie and Alex out of Meredith's house. |
| 5-04 (82) |
"Brave New World" |
Debora Cahn |
Eric Stoltz |
October 16, 2008 |
| Meredith freaks out when Derek discovers her mother's old diary in the house, Callie frets as she prepares for her first official date with Erica, and Cristina stumbles into a part of the hospital that neither she nor her fellow residents have seen before. |
| 5-05 (83) |
"There's No 'I' in Team" |
Jenna Bans |
Randy Zisk |
October 23, 2008 |
| Bailey heads up a team of surgeons performing a "domino procedure" in which each surgery hinges on the one preceding it. Derek gets sole credit for the brain tumor study he did with Meredith. Lexie goes to great lengths to have George notice her romantically, and Sloan counsels a desperate Callie on the ways of love. |
| 5-06 (84) |
"Life During Wartime" |
Mark Wilding |
Jim Frawley |
October 30, 2008 |
| To help Bailey become the best general surgeon at Seattle Grace, the Chief gives her new power, new responsibility, and the challenge of removing a young girl's inoperable tumor. The new head of trauma, Owen Hunt, challenges both the attending doctor's methods and the residents' surgical abilities. |
| 5-07 (85) |
"Rise Up" |
William Harper [disambiguation needed] |
Joanna Kerns |
November 6, 2008 |
| The Chief announces to the residents that a solo surgery will be awarded, and the news sends them into a competitive frenzy. Meanwhile Derek turns to Bailey for advice when he feels Cristina is interfering in his relationship with Meredith, and Erica discovers a shocking connection between one of her surgical residents and a longtime patient. |
| 5-08 (86) |
"These Ties That Bind" |
Stacy McKee |
Eric Stoltz |
November 13, 2008 |
| One of Meredith's oldest friends, Sadie, becomes an intern at Seattle Grace, but Mer's friends are less than welcoming to her. Lexie leads her fellow interns in secretive, unorthodox surgical training sessions; and a new surgeon, Virginia Dixon, brings rules and order to the OR. |
| 5-09 (87) |
"In the Midnight Hour" |
Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Tom Verica |
November 20, 2008 |
| Meredith, Cristina and Bailey come to Lexie and Sadie's rescue when a not-so-routine surgery goes horribly wrong, as Owen and Derek treat a man seriously injured while sleepwalking and Mark comforts the sleepwalker's distraught daughter and has feelings for Lexie. |
| 5-10 (88) |
"All by Myself" |
Peter Nowalk |
Arlene Sanford |
December 4, 2008 |
| Cristina is awarded the first solo surgery among the residents, but she has to relinquish it and choose her replacement; Mark performs a cutting-edge procedure to restore a patient's speech, impressing Lexie in the process; and Callie can't figure out if Sadie is flirting with her or just being friendly. |
| 5-11 (89) |
"Wish You Were Here" |
Debora Cahn |
Rob Corn |
January 8, 2009 |
| Bailey teams with Seattle Grace's new pediatric surgeon, Dr. Arizona Robbins, to save the life of a young patient near and dear to her heart, as the admittance of a death row inmate at the hospital stirs anger in Derek and further erodes Meredith and Cristina's friendship; meanwhile, Callie and Sloan work as a team to fight their respective attractions to Sadie and Lexie, and Izzie tells Alex that she's seeing Denny. |
| 5-12 (90) |
"Sympathy for the Devil" |
Jenna Bans |
Jeannot Szwarc |
January 15, 2009 |
| Derek's mother, Carolyn (Tyne Daly), makes a surprise visit to Seattle and meets Meredith for the first time, as Mark tries to conceal his relationship with Lexie from her as well; meanwhile, death row inmate William wishes to donate his organs to Bailey and Arizona's patient, as Owen and Cristina try to go on their first date. |
| 5-13 (91) |
"Stairway to Heaven" |
Mark Wilding |
Allison Liddi |
January 22, 2009 |
| Bailey grows desperate as a patient's condition becomes more and more dire. Everyone in the hospital is stepping up to try to find the boy a new organ donor, including Meredith, who considers a death row patient's wish to die before execution. Meanwhile, an injury leaves Mark in a compromising position in the on-call room and Cristina awkwardly avoids Owen. Izzie is still struggling with Denny as he is constantly reminding her "He is there for her". Izzie has an emotional blow out with Denny and soon understands what he is trying to tell her. She finally comes to the realization that Denny isn't here "for her" in the emotional sense, which leaves Izzie reeling when she soon discovers that she is sick. Jeffrey Dean Morgan Guest stars. |
| 5-14 (92) |
"Beat Your Heart Out" |
William Harper [disambiguation needed] |
Julie Anne Robinson |
February 5, 2009 |
| Now that Derek has the engagement ring, he searches for the perfect way to propose to Meredith, as Lexie demands that Mark go public with their relationship, and Bailey, encouraged by her work on recent cases and by Dr. Dixon, considers a new direction for her medical career. Dr. Dixon suggests that Dr. Bailey will make a good pediatric surgeon. Derek finally decides to propose to Meredith. Addison calls Derek, and Derek decides to postpone the proposal. Cross-over with Private Practice |
| 5-15 (93) |
"Before and After" |
Tony Phelan and Joan Rater |
Dan Attias |
February 12, 2009 |
| Addison, Naomi and Sam rush the ailing Archer to Seattle Grace and reunite with old friends Derek and Mark to help save his life; meanwhile, Izzie employs her fellow doctors in a medical game designed to help teach the interns, and Owen runs into a significant someone from his past. Cross-over with Private Practice. Kate Walsh returns and from Private Practice, Audra McDonald and Taye Diggs guest star. |
| 5-16 (94) |
"An Honest Mistake" |
Peter Nowalk |
Randy Zisk |
February 19, 2009 |
| Derek's confidence is shaken like never before as he faces off with Addison over what course is best for their dying pregnant patient; Cristina calls the abilities of a renowned surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure; and Bailey, who has decided to pursue a fellowship in Pediatric Surgery, is appalled by the Chief's less-than-stellar recommendation letter. Cross-over with Private Practice |
| 5-17 (95) |
"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" |
Jenna Bans |
Rob Corn |
March 12, 2009 |
| Izzie has the interns help her identify "Patient X"'s dilemma, and is unprepared for what they find. Bailey and Meredith perform a surgery where they remove a woman's stomach to protect her from a very invasive form of stomach cancer that runs in her family. Hunt and Karev treat a high school marching band player with seizures. Shepherd has to come to grips with killing one of his patients. |
| 5-18 (96) |
"Stand By Me" |
Zoanne Clack |
Jessica Yu |
March 19, 2009 |
| After his fellow surgeons try and fail to bring Derek back to work, Meredith must summon the strength to convince him. Meanwhile the hospital is abuzz as Mark attempts a rare face transplant surgery. Cristina, at last awarded her first solo surgery, is more focused on the needs of her friends, and Izzie does her best to keep her medical condition a secret. |
| 5-19 (97) |
"Elevator Love Letter" |
Stacy McKee |
Ed Ornelas |
March 26, 2009 |
| All eyes are on Derek as he is set to perform his first surgery after his breakdown; attention is also set on Izzie, whose medical condition requires her to undergo a difficult surgery; and Owen has another PTSD episode that injures Cristina and traumatizes both of them, throwing the future of their relationship into question. Derek proposes to Meredith in the elevator. |
| 5-20 (98) |
"Sweet Surrender" |
Sonay Washington |
Tony Phelan |
April 23, 2009 |
| As she endures aggressive treatment for her cancer, Izzie throws herself into planning Derek and Meredith's wedding, Callie introduces Arizona as her girlfriend to her disapproving father, George excels in a trauma emergency when Alex freezes, and Owen seeks help with his PTSD |
| 5-21 (99) |
"No Good At Saying Sorry" |
- |
- |
April 30, 2009 |
| |
| 5-22 (100) |
"???" |
- |
- |
May 7, 2009 |
| 100th episode - Shonda has stated on her Twitter page that this episode is Not called Beautiful Day quote "It's not called "Beautiful Day"...but i do love the weather here..." [1] |
| 5-23 (101) |
"Here's to Future Days, Part 1" |
- |
- |
May 14, 2009 |
| Part one of a two-hour season finale. |
| 5-24 (102) |
"Here's to Future Days, Part 2" |
- |
- |
May 14, 2009 |
| Part two of a two-hour season finale. |
