Content Warning: This article contains discussions/references to death, mass shootings, violence.
Every season of Grey's Anatomy allows fans to catch up with the characters and see their growth. In the case of this hospital drama, it also means saying goodbye - whether it is because some people tragically pass away or move on from their medical jobs. When thinking about any TV series, most will say that the very first season has the most amazing and memorable storytelling, and the final batch of episodes often lacks what made people become invested in the first place.
In the case of Grey's Anatomy, not every season is a stand-out and fans do become frustrated with certain plotlines or character choices. But it's fair to say that many groups of episodes are so well-done that it's no wonder so many fans praise this iconic hospital drama.
Season 17
Season 17 made fans of Grey's Anatomy emotional, as there were several sweet and tragic moments. The main focus of this season saw the doctors handle the intense and heartbreaking COVID-19 pandemic.
While many viewers found this season very tough to watch, there are some that praise the season for the beach scenes, as Meredith gets some closure regarding the people she has loved and lost. She is visited by Lexie, George, and Derek, and even though this isn't the way that she wants to see them again, as she's lying in a hospital bed and having visions, it's still nice for her to learn that they're doing okay. Meredith has said goodbye to so many people that this means a lot to her.
Season 12
While the early seasons of Grey's Anatomy are popular, season 12 deserves a mention, as this is a turning point for the beloved drama.
In season 11, Derek dies, leaving Meredith to raise their kids alone and changing her life forever. Season 12 almost reboots the show, allowing viewers to see what it's like for Meredith to move forward. She sees a counselor and thinks about dating, and fans root for her the whole time, hoping that she will come out of this okay. This season also deserves a shout-out for Callie and Arizona's custody case. While sad to watch them fight over Sofia, it's a reminder of how caring they are and how they want the best for their daughter.
Season 13
Season 13 is a fairly dark one, as Alex deals with the aftermath of assaulting DeLuca, and the doctors are nervous that their jobs are on the line thanks to Dr. Minnick's place in the hospital.
Since fans see Alex as someone who finally grew up and became more compassionate, it was awful watching him hurt someone else, all because of a misunderstanding over DeLuca's friendship with Jo. Viewers were invested in season 13 as they hoped that Alex would learn from his mistake and continue on his path of being a good, better person and doctor.
Season 11
Season 11 is a powerful one, as it not only features Derek's death, but it's when Maggie joins Grey-Sloan Memorial team and Meredith gets to know her half-sister.
This batch of episodes is a study in contrasts: while Meredith is welcoming Maggie into her life and they slowly connect, Meredith has to say goodbye to the person who she thought would always be there for her. This is an important season as it sets up season 12 and all the ones after it.
Season 6
Season 6 deserves a mention for a few reasons: fans learn more about Jackson and his wealthy, privileged family, and the finale 'Death And All His Friends' is one of the saddest and scariest episodes from the whole show.
In this Grey's Anatomy episode, Meredith and her colleagues' lives were endangered as the hospital was involved in a mass shooting. This incident ended up impacting all characters involved and set up many centric storylines for season 7. Although there was a bit of a tonal shift, season 6 remains a fan favorite due to its fast-paced, emotional, and unpredictable storylines.
Season 5
The fifth season of Grey's Anatomy is another one that fans consider impactful. This season features the romantic episode 'What A Difference A Day Makes' when Meredith wants Izzie and Alex to have the wedding day that was supposed to be hers and Derek's.
It also features the post-it note wedding between Meredith and Derek that proves their relationship is special and unique. Season 5 has storylines that are sweet and also heartbreaking, which is definitely the tone of the hospital drama.
Season 3
Season 3 is also a popular group of episodes, and it includes some of the most iconic and memorable storylines: Burke leaving Cristina on their wedding day, Meredith almost drowning, and Izzie trying to move on after Denny's shocking death.
These are all absolutely heartbreaking plotlines, and they're ones that fans associate with the show, making this a season that people definitely remember. It's interesting to examine how the situations that the characters find themselves in changes their future. Later, Cristina struggles in her marriage to Owen and realizes that she wants to focus on her career, Meredith finds more confidence and security, and Izzie leaves and ends up raising her children with Alex.
Season 9
The ninth season of the popular hospital drama is another stand-out one, thanks to the plane crash that takes place in the season 8 finale. This event sets up major problems in Callie and Arizona's love story as Arizona is devastated and resents Callie for amputating her leg. The season also has fans saying goodbye to two major characters, Lexie and Mark.
Many Grey's Anatomy finales are surprising, and the ninth season episode, 'Perfect Storm,' is incredibly well-crafted. As the hospital loses power and Meredith has her baby, Jo and Alex confess their feelings, and Callie learns that Arizona had an affair. This season breaks fans' hearts over and over again and packs a major punch in the last episode.
Season 2
While many will say that season 1 of any show is the greatest one, there's something special about season 2 of Grey's Anatomy.
This season deserves praise thanks to its memorable and significant episodes and how it delves deeper into the family lives of the main characters. The episodes 'It's The End Of The World' and 'As We Know It' feature the iconic storyline when a patient has a bomb inside its chest, which puts Meredith's life at risk. Fans also learn the heartbreaking news that Meredith's mom has Alzheimer's. Season 2 sets fans up for the rest of the show: Meredith will always care deeply about the patients and her family members, and she will often feel that something bad is about to happen.
Season 1
The first season of Grey's Anatomy is the best one, as this is everyone's introduction to the characters, the heartbreaking world of the hospital, and the tension between Derek and Meredith.
Grey's Anatomy fans think Meredith and Derek are a great couple, but no fan could predict the bombshell that would be dropped in the season 1 finale: Derek is actually married to Addison. This season is short and sweet, as it's only 9 episodes, and fans learn the personality traits of the interns: Izzie is strong, George is gentle and kind, and Alex, Meredith, and Cristina are all tough but more vulnerable than they appear.