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: 6/4/2026Network: 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
The Room Where It Happens
star
6.99
1313 votes

#2 - 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

#3 - 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
Leave a Light On
star
7.04
920 votes

#4 - 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
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
One Flight Down
star
7.13
1102 votes

#6 - 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
3133 votes

#7 - 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
Love Don't Cost a Thing
star
7.14
423 votes

#8 - 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
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
223 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
Take Me to the River
star
7.25
106 votes

#18 - 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.

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
An Honest Mistake
star
7.26
1344 votes

#20 - 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

#21 - 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
Brave New World
star
7.27
1414 votes

#22 - Brave New World

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2008

Meredith is sent into a state of panic when Derek finds her mother's diary in the house. Meanwhile, Callie stresses while preparing for her first date with Erica. Later, Cristina stumbles across a part of the hospital no one has ever seen before.

Directors: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Debora Cahn
Before and After
star
7.27
1394 votes

#23 - Before and After

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/12/2009

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

Directors: Daniel Attias
Watch Now:Apple TV
Wish You Were Here
star
7.27
1541 votes

#24 - Wish You Were Here

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/8/2009

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.

Directors: Rob Corn
Writer: Debora Cahn
Watch Now:Apple TV
Here Comes the Flood
star
7.27
1394 votes

#25 - Here Comes the Flood

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/9/2008

When the plumbing springs a leak, chaos breaks out at Seattle Grace as the Chief tries to put in place new teaching methods. Meanwhile, George takes his residency exam; and Derek attempts to get Meredith's roommates to move out, much to their surprise.

Directors: Michael Pressman