A definitive ranking of the most unforgettable moments in Grey's Anatomy history.

There are those pop culture moments where someone says, Do you remember when that happened? And then — bam — you realise it was 20 years ago, not five years, and suddenly, we all feel ancient. 

Well, consider this your weekly reminder to buy night cream: Shonda Rhimes' first TV series, Grey's Anatomy, premiered 20 years ago this week.

At the time, Shonda had no medical background, she likely still doesn't — rather a fascination with hospital dramas. She thought her pitch was a long shot, but ABC executives were hooked on the idea of a fast-paced, soapy medical show with a fresh, diverse cast.

Watch Jackson and April's iconic scene. Story continues below.

Grey's Anatomy wasn't expected to be a huge success. It was a midseason replacement for Boston Legal, quietly premiering on March 27, 2005. ABC didn't heavily promote it, but word-of-mouth turned it into a phenomenon.

It didn't hurt that it aired right after Desperate Housewives, one of the hottest shows on TV at the time. ABC hoped it would hold onto that audience, but instead, it exceeded expectations, pulling in a staggering 16.3 million viewers in its debut episode.

Years later, when Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl sat down for Actors on Actors, they both reflected on the show's explosive launch. No one—not the cast, not the crew, not even Shonda Rhimes herself—was prepared for the immediate fandom. 

In Australia, I vividly remember it airing on a Sunday night, only for the network to rerun it three days later, just in case anyone had been living under a rock and missed meeting their new best friends: Meredith, Christina, Izzie, George, and Alex.

These five messy, brilliant, idealistic interns had us hooked from the start. Their dreams of becoming world-class surgeons kept us invested — until, one by one, they all left us. Some got better exits than others (still not over the abysmal writing of Alex's departure — justice for Justin Chambers).

It's fair to say — and I think even Shonda would admit this—the show started as a high-stakes drama that broke the mould of medical TV, blending surgical emergencies with relationships and gut-wrenching moments. And while Grey's is still chugging along today, its edge has softened. It's less about gripping suspense and more about comfort TV — the kind of show you put on when you just need something familiar. Both have value… but one era was definitely better than the other.

So, to honor one of the greatest shows of all time, here's a look back at the most shocking, heartbreaking, and unforgettable Grey's Anatomy moments — the ones that made the series a cultural and Emmy-winning phenomenon… until Sandra Oh's exit.

The most iconic moments in Grey's Anatomy.

1. "You're My Person"

The most iconic trio. Image: Disney.

Meredith and Cristina were the definition of friendship goals. Their relationship had a rocky start, with career competitiveness threatening to drive a wedge between them. But from the beginning, they proved they could talk it out, dance it out and move forward. Their bond was cemented early in season two, with a single line that would become iconic: "You're my person."

2. "Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me"

The scene that started a movement. Image: Disney.

The term 'pick-me girl'—used to describe someone who seeks external validation, often from men — traces its origins back to Season two.

After Addison Montgomery Shepherd's dramatic arrival at the end of Season one, Derek is torn between two incredible women. Unable to decide whether to repair his marriage or pursue his relationship with Meredith, he avoids making a choice entirely — kissing them both and burying his head in the sand.

It isn't until Addison presents him with divorce papers that he's finally forced to confront reality. And Meredith, alone with him in the scrub room, drops her initial façade of indifference and replace it with raw vulnerability, she pleads: "Pick me. Choose me. Love me."

3. "Somebody Sedate Me"

Christina's most iconic line. Image: Disney.

Christina, pregnant and just days away from her scheduled abortion, suddenly collapses in Burke's OR — the baby daddy, although unknown to him.

Thankfully, Addison Montgomery Shepherd is still at the hospital and quickly discovers via ultrasound that Christina has an ectopic pregnancy. As Meredith later reminds her, she loses a baby, a boyfriend, and a fallopian tube — all in one day, she's allowed to feel something. 

At first, Christina resists showing any emotion, but in a rare and deeply relatable moment, the weight of it all finally hits her. Overcome with shock and unable to stop the tears, she breaks down, delivering one of her most iconic lines: "Somebody sedate me!"

Shocking Episodes and Storylines.

4. The Train Crash 

One of the most memorable and emotional deaths. Image: Disney.

This was the first truly big-budget episode of Grey's Anatomy — cue the extras, the jaw-dropping practical effects, and, of course… the giant metal pole impaling two strangers.

Yes, the personal drama of the episode simmers in the background — Derek still hasn't picked Meredith, who is nursing a brutal hangover through her entire shift. But the emotional gut punch comes from the case at the center of it all: two patients impaled together, and the devastating realisation that only one of them can survive.

Bonnie, knowing she won't make it, delivers a final, heartbreaking message to her fiancé: If love were enough, I'd still be here. And with that, Shonda Rhimes shattered us emotionally for the first time—but certainly not the last. (See below for the dagger that was Denny Duquette).

5. Denny Duquette

I can't even look at this photo. Image: Disney.

Set to the hauntingly perfect soundtrack of Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars', the Denny Duquette storyline reaches its conclusion. Izzy, standing in her prom dress, the interns in deep trouble, and all of us watching with shattered hearts.

We had seen Izzy fall completely, recklessly, and unapologetically in love with Denny — just as we had. And yes, it was unprofessional, but who could blame her for following a connection so deep, so real?

For a moment, we believed in their happy ending. He survived the surgery. They exchanged I love yous and confirmed proposals. And just as we exhaled, it happened—Denny was gone. The joy, the relief, the love—all ripped away in an instant.

There's not much more to say except this: a TV death had never felt so unfair… until the final episode of Scandal.

6. George's Dad 

Such a beautiful (and heartbreaking) plotline. Image: Disney.

This moment is a full testament to Shonda and the writers, as one of them must certainly be a member of the grief club. After a brief illness, George's dad is taken off life support. The music choice—subtle but powerful—and the surgeons lining the hallways in quiet solidarity. But it's Christina who follows George as he walks out of the room.

In one of the most raw, human exchanges, Christina welcomes George to the "grief club," the "dead dad's club." He mutters, "I don't know how to live in a world where my dad doesn't," and Christina simply replies, "Yeah, that never really goes away."

Grief has never been so perfectly captured on television. There are no overused clichés or forced apologies. Instead, it's a stark acknowledgement: George, just like Christina, has become a different person. 

7. The Shooting

Oh, Gary Clark. Image: Disney.

In a now infamous Grey's Anatomy style two-parter, the hospital becomes the site of an unimaginable crisis when a gunman, Mr. Clarke, enters with one goal: to take out those he blames for his wife's death.

These episodes have everything — shocking twists, casualties, a pregnancy, and even Mandy Moore. While Derek and Owen get shot, and it's very scary, it's Miranda Bailey's performance that truly steals the show.

After Dr. Percy is shot, Bailey, with the help of Mandy Moore, does everything in her power to keep him alive. They fight to stabilise him, but just as they're on the verge of getting him to an OR, Bailey realises the elevators have been shut off, and with it Dr. Percy's chance of survival.

For the entire ordeal, Bailey has been composed. But when the reality of the situation hits, she breaks, delivering an Emmy-worthy performance shouting at the elevators. In the end, she returns to Dr. Percy's side, holding him and staying with him until he dies in her arms.

8. 007 

Our hearts simply couldn't take this one. Image: Disney.

Just this week, when Ellen Pompeo appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she was asked about the saddest death in Grey's Anatomy history. Without hesitation, just like all of us, she confirmed it was George O'Malley.

The entire episode sets us up to believe George is in surgery, with the doctors preparing to convince him not to join the army after he finishes his training. But then, a very injured man—who is being hailed as a hero for pushing a woman out of the way of an oncoming bus—is gripping Meredith's hand, trying desperately to communicate something. 

He tries once, twice, and then with one final squeeze, Meredith gasps. And in that moment, the entire audience understands — he's been tracing "007," the nickname bestowed upon George on his very first day as an intern. Meredith races down the halls, her voice echoing, "It's George, it's George!" before unfairly leaving us on a season cliff hanger with no resolution. 

Over the years, Grey's Anatomy has thrown everything at us — The Plane Crash, Izzy's cancer, bomb in a body cavity (and Christina Ricci reminding us she exists), the ferry boat disaster, Meredith's near-drowning, the icicle impalement, and more car accidents than any hospital staff should reasonably endure.

Through every tragedy, disaster, and heartbreak, the doctors of Seattle Grace… Mercy West… and Grey Sloan Memorial has somehow kept going. And to them, we say, Happy 20-year anniversary.

Grey's Anatomy Season 1 to 21 are streaming on Disney+.