Grey’s Anatomy has reached a fork in the road, with the news that actress and producer Ellen Pompeo is hanging up her coat as far as the show goes – I thought we would have a look back at an incredible run for both the character and the person and see if we could try to pick five of Meredith’s most memorable episodes in Grey’s Anatomy.
The news has left fans reeling, and though her presence will still be felt, Ellen may still provide some voiceovers for future shows. There is no doubt that her loss will be mourned.
Meredith Grey’s 5 Most Memorable Episodes in Grey’s Anatomy
5. Season 2, Episode 17 – “As We Know It.”
The second episode of a two-part story earned Shonda Rhimes an Emmy nomination and was directed by 3osomething royalty Peter Horton. Meredith was almost “pink mist” as she held an undetonated bomb inside a patient on the table.
Paramedic guest star Christina Ricci is initially tasked with the job. Still, Meredith switches with her and manages to remove the bomb, which eventually explodes, killing Dylan and one of the bomb squad. Tense, emotional, and with a haunting ending between Meredith and Derek, this is indeed one of our top five memorable Meredith moments.
4. Season 5, Episode 24 – “Now or Never.”
This is the heartbreaking season 5 finale, and Derek has the plan to operate on Izzie’s brain tumor, but there could be terrible consequences from the process for Izzie. Meanwhile, Meredith and Izzie decide to get married but can’t make it to City Hall in time. Instead, the vows are written on a post-it note.
Things kick into high gear when a John Doe is brought into the hospital after being hit by a bus while saving a girl. When Meredith attends the hero, he tries to trace something on her hand. Eventually, he manages to write “007,” and Meredith realizes that the hero is George O’Malley from season one of the show.
The season finale leaves audiences with not one but two cliffhangers. Does Izzie survive? Does George pull through? Fans and Meredith were put through the wringer with this one making it one of the most memorable episodes ever.
3. Season 4, Episode 17 – “Freedom” (Part 2)
Every episode of Season 4 was named after a song, and the finale, ‘Freedom,” ramped the tension up to number one.
The surgeons struggle to save a boy encased in a block of cement, Izzie and Alex have to care for Rebecca after she slits her wrists, George’s status as an intern is compromised, and much to the delight of the fans, Meredith and Derek rekindle their relationship. She builds him a house of candles.
Derek brings the champagne and maps out where all the rooms will be. As the music builds, Meredith declares she wants to be “Extraordinary together, rather than ordinary apart” as he moves in for a kiss. A moment that fans of the show still find memorable.
2. Season 2, Episode 5 – “Bring the Pain.”
The usual multiple plot lines are running through this episode and include Meredith and Dr. Shephard trying hard to convince a religious father to allow an operation to save his daughter, George and Alex are under extreme pressure to operate on a police officer, but the real kicker is the return of “Mc Dreamy’s” wife and the decision he has to make between her and Meredith.
Who can forget her pleas of “Pick me, choose me, love me”? Does he sign the papers? You need to watch and find out.
1. Season 3, Episodes 15 and 16 – “Walk on Water” and “Drowning on Dry Land.”
The first part of what would be a three-part arc escalates the drama with a mass casualty incident involving a ferry. Meredith has to help a young child who cannot communicate with anyone and has become separated from her mother.
However, when Meredith tries to save a patient, she ends up being pushed into the water, seemingly drowning, and the only witness to the event is the silent little girl. Derek finds her coat, the girl points to the water, and he manages to save her, but is it too late?
Meredith has near-death experiences, and viewers are horrified that this may be her final moments. Meredith is in limbo with the deceased characters, and the chance she might not make it made this heartbreaking and unmissable television, leaving fans mortified that the three-part story might have been her swan song.
How many episodes of Grey’s Anatomy are there?
At the time of writing, there have been 406 episodes of the long-running show and 19 seasons.
With a series that has run for so long, it is impossible to pick out all the significant moments for the main protagonist, but we have given it a go, and now we hand it over to you, the real fans out there. What are your suggestions for the most memorable Meredith scenes? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
What’s your most memorable episode of Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy? Comment below.
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