The WORST episodes of Grey's Anatomy

Every episode of Grey's Anatomy ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Grey's Anatomy!

A drama centered on the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns and their supervisors.

Last Updated: 6/18/2026Network: ABC (US)Status: Continuing
In My Life
star
6.62
712 votes

#1 - In My Life

Season 17 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/25/2021

After a heart-wrenching loss, Teddy struggles to cope and it triggers memories of her past; Amelia tries to help the situation by encouraging Owen to accept and forgive Teddy.

Directors: Kevin McKidd
Leave a Light On
star
6.86
667 votes

#2 - Leave a Light On

Season 16 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/5/2020

Bailey and Ben face a huge, life-altering decision, while Meredith, Jo and Bailey reflect on their past.

Directors: Debbie Allen
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Room Where It Happens
star
6.99
1313 votes

#3 - The Room Where It Happens

Season 13 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/10/2016

A difficult surgery brings back pivotal memories for Meredith, Richard, Owen and Stephanie, as they work together to save a life.

Directors: Debbie Allen
Writer: Meg Marines
Unbreak My Heart
star
7.01
981 votes

#4 - Unbreak My Heart

Season 12 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/25/2016

The evolution of April and Jackson's relationship is revealed through a series of flashbacks dating back to when they first met. Simultaneously, we follow the years-long progress of one of Jackson's patients.

Directors: Rob Corn
Danger Zone
star
7.09
1139 votes

#5 - Danger Zone

Season 14 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2017

In a flashback to Iraq in 2007, the events leading up to Megan’s kidnapping are revealed. In present day, Owen and Megan hash out old wounds.

Directors: Cecilie A. Mosli
Love Don't Cost a Thing
star
7.11
401 votes

#6 - Love Don't Cost a Thing

Season 19 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/9/2023

Simone is met with a life-changing decision upon the return of someone from her past. Blue shadows Maggie on a risky procedure, while Jo and Link tend to a pregnant woman. At the intern house, Lucas and Mika throw a party filled with surprises.

Directors: Kevin McKidd
One Flight Down
star
7.13
1102 votes

#7 - One Flight Down

Season 11 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/16/2015

A small plane crash in Seattle causes multiple casualties and brings back horrible memories for the doctors, especially Meredith and Arizona. Meanwhile, friction between Owen and Amelia makes for an uncomfortable working situation for Stephanie.

Directors: David Greenspan
Song Beneath the Song
star
7.13
3134 votes

#8 - Song Beneath the Song

Season 7 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/31/2011

A cataclysmic event leaves the doctors shaken; Callie, on the verge of a life-changing moment, starts imagining about the hospital and her friends.

Directors: Tony Phelan
The Makings of You
star
7.15
471 votes

#9 - The Makings of You

Season 18 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/17/2022

Nick whisks Meredith away to his Minnesota cabin for a romantic weekend, leaving Winston and Maggie to care for Meredith’s children. Meanwhile, Amelia and Kai grow closer.

Directors: Debbie Allen
Where the Wild Things Are
star
7.16
1130 votes

#10 - Where the Wild Things Are

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/24/2008

Time has passed but not much has changed. Sexual angst still runs rampant in the halls of Seattle Grace. Derek and Rose have been dating and Meredith has noticed the activities of her current off-again ex-boyfriend. The doctor's are in the midst of a competition.

Directors: Rob Corn
Writer: Zoanne Clack
If/Then
star
7.19
2963 votes

#11 - If/Then

Season 8 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/2/2012

As Meredith puts Zola to bed and falls asleep, she begins to wonder -- what if her mother had never had Alzheimer's and she'd had loving, supportive parents? The reverberations of a happy Meredith Grey change the world of Seattle Grace as we know it. What if she had never met Derek in that bar and he had never separated from Addison? What if Callie and Owen had become a couple long before she met Arizona? And what if Bailey never evolved from the meek intern she once was?

Directors: Jeannot Szwarc
Look Up Child
star
7.21
615 votes

#12 - Look Up Child

Season 17 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/6/2021

Jackson pays a visit to his father that helps set him on the right path.

Directors: Debbie Allen
Do You Know?
star
7.22
1325 votes

#13 - Do You Know?

Season 10 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/27/2014

Cristina imagines the two routes her life can take based on one decision she makes. Meanwhile one of the hospital’s patients decides whether or not to live.

Directors: Chandra Wilson
Writer: Stacy McKee
These Ties That Bind
star
7.22
1297 votes

#14 - These Ties That Bind

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/13/2008

One of Meredith's oldest friends, Sadie, becomes an intern at Seattle Grace, but Mer's friends are less-than-welcoming to her.

Directors: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Stacy McKee
If Only You Were Lonely
star
7.24
2913 votes

#15 - If Only You Were Lonely

Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/23/2012

As Adele's condition continues to deteriorate, Richard considers altering their living situation; an explosion at a local coffee shop results in a busy day in the ER for the doctors; Callie takes Meredith under her wing by helping her study for her boards; Lexie joins Arizona and Alex in peds, as they continue to care for intern Morgan's premature son; and when Jackson snaps at a patient, Mark encourages him to find ways to relieve his stress. Meanwhile, Cristina lets her suspicions get the best of her.

Directors: Susan Vaill
Writer: Matt Byrne
Fortunate Son
star
7.25
226 votes

#16 - Fortunate Son

Season 22 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/22/2026

Richard continues to navigate his health. Meanwhile, Meredith and Nick are visited by Nick's estranged sister from Boston.

Crazy Love
star
7.25
1101 votes

#17 - Crazy Love

Season 11 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/9/2015

Upon realizing that Owen and Amelia have been seeing each other behind her back, Meredith comes down hard on her sister-in-law causing Amelia to rethink things. Meanwhile, Catherine springs into action when a man is brought into the hospital after his wife seeks revenge on his cheating ways.

Directors: Paul McCrane
The Other Side of This Life (1)
star
7.25
1051 votes

#18 - The Other Side of This Life (1)

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/3/2007

Meredith works on her relationship with Susan and Thatcher. Cristina has to deal with her mother and Burke's. Alex continues to tend to Jane Doe/Ava. Meredith and Derek's relationship has a problem that needs resolution quick. Addison sees her god-daughter which leads to a job offer outside of Seattle. Derek has to perform surgery. Burke has a reservation about marrying Cristina. Many new people guest star in the course of Addison's road trip to California. Addison considers moving to be closer to her old med school friends until she discovers that drama she wishes to leave behind isn't exclusive to Seattle. Her friends who she thought had it all, are divorced. A pregnant woman must discover who the father of her child is. This two-part episode serves as a backdoor pilot for Private Practice.

Directors: Michael Grossman
Sign o' the Times
star
7.26
641 votes

#19 - Sign o' the Times

Season 17 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/15/2021

Maggie is preoccupied with Winston while trying to treat a patient wounded in the Seattle protests. Meanwhile, Levi is tested by an emergency, and the doctors struggle to treat a patient who doesn't believe in COVID.

Directors: Michael Medico
Take Me to the River
star
7.26
111 votes

#20 - Take Me to the River

Season 22 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/26/2026

Bailey and Blue are forced to confront the emotional costs of experimental care. Meanwhile, Owen, Teddy, Simone and Dani help out at a busy rural hospital, and Richard attempts to spread information about early prostate screenings to the community.

How Insensitive
star
7.26
2963 votes

#21 - How Insensitive

Season 6 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/6/2010

Bailey preps the team with mandatory sensitivity training prior to admitting a 700-pound patient with compounded medical issues, and the case proves to be challenging in every sense of the word. Meanwhile Derek has to come face to face with a former patient's husband in a wrongful death deposition, and spending time with a heart patient's daughter opens up some old wounds for Cristina.

Directors: Tom Verica
All Star
star
7.26
407 votes

#22 - All Star

Season 19 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/2/2023

Teddy makes a challenging decision. Meanwhile, Maggie and Winston aren’t on speaking terms, and Link leans on Jo for emotional support as he preps for a surgery on a well-known athlete. Simone and Lucas are surprised by an unlikely visitor.

The Last Supper
star
7.26
619 votes

#23 - The Last Supper

Season 16 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/6/2020

Jackson creates an uncomfortable situation when he invites new girlfriend, Vic, to what he thinks is Richard and Catherine’s anniversary celebration, only to discover the dinner was called for different reasons. Elsewhere, Levi brings Nico on a trip to visit an ailing family member.

Directors: Nicole Rubio
Writer: Jason Ganzel
An Honest Mistake
star
7.26
1344 votes

#24 - An Honest Mistake

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/19/2009

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 renown surgeon into question after she botches a standard procedure; and Bailey, who has decided to pursue a fellowship in Pediatrics, is appalled by the Chief's less-than-stellar recommendation letter.

Directors: Randy Zisk
Writer: Peter Nowalk
I Bet It Stung
star
7.27
1812 votes

#25 - I Bet It Stung

Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/17/2013

Meredith jumps back into work but finds it hard to excel at both motherhood and being a surgeon. Stephanie tries to make a good impression on Jackson's mom, and Jo finds herself overly involved with her new patient. Meanwhile, Callie and Owen deal with an emotional situation regarding a patient.

Directors: Mark Jackson