The third season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 21, 2006, and concluded on May 17, 2007. The season was produced by Touchstone Television, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company, the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes. Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers and T. R. Knight reprised their roles as surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev and George O'Malley, respectively, continuing their expansive storylines as focal points throughout the season. Previous main cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Kate Walsh, Isaiah Washington, and Patrick Dempsey also returned, while previous guest-stars Sara Ramirez and Eric Dane were promoted to series-regulars, following the extension of their contracts.
Meredith Grey, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional and titular character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo. She made her first appearance in the pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night", which was broadcast on March 27, 2005. She made her final appearance in the seventh episode of season 19, "I'll Follow the Sun" which was broadcast on February 23, 2023. She will continue to do the voiceover at the beginning and end of each episode. Meredith appears in the spin-off series Station 19 as a recurring character.
Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which has aired for 20 seasons on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by actress Sandra Oh. Introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Yang worked her way up to resident level, eventually becoming a cardiothoracic surgical fellow, while her relationships with colleagues Meredith Grey, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev and George O'Malley formed a focal point of the series. Earlier in the series, Yang got engaged to Preston Burke, in the past had a relationship with renowned surgeon and mentor Colin Marlow, and married but later divorced Owen Hunt.
"A Hard Day's Night" is the pilot episode of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, which first aired on March 27, 2005 on ABC. The episode introduces main characters and surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev and George O'Malley, who come face to face with what their future holds as they enter the realm of surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital. Other main characters include Derek Shepherd, Miranda Bailey, Richard Webber and Preston Burke.
"Didn't We Almost Have It All?" is the twenty-fifth episode and the season finale of the third season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and is the 61st episode overall. It was written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and directed by Rob Corn. The episode originally aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 17, 2007. The episode runs for 53:05 minutes, making it the longest episode of the series, excluding 2-part episodes. The title of the episode refers to the song "Didn't We Almost Have It All", by American singer Whitney Houston.
"Time Has Come Today" is the first episode of the third season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 37th episode overall. Written by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Daniel Minahan, the episode aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 21, 2006. The episode primarily focuses on Dr. Izzie Stevens coping with the unexpected death of her fiancé, Denny Duquette, while dealing with the decision to quit the internship program. Further storylines include Dr. Preston Burke facing the repercussions of his being shot, and Dr. Meredith Grey dealing with the aftermath of her affair with Dr. Derek Shepherd, which puts a strain in his already troubled marriage to Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd.
"A Change Is Gonna Come" is the fourth season premiere of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the 62nd episode of the overall series. The premiere focused on the aftermath of the main characters' promotion to residency, following the conclusion of their internship. The episode was the first not to feature Isaiah Washington, portraying Preston Burke, due to his being fired from the series at the conclusion of season 3. The episode also marked Chyler Leigh's promotion to series regular status, following her guest appearances in the last 2 episodes of the previous season. Also featured were one-time guest actors Mark Pellegrino, Stephania Childers, Sandra Thigpen, and Steven Porter.
"Stand by Me" is the 18th episode of the fifth season of the American television medical drama, Grey's Anatomy and the show's 96th episode overall. Written by Zoanne Clack and directed by Jessica Yu, the episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on March 19, 2009. The initial airing was viewed by 14.36 million Americans and garnered a 4.9/12 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic. The episode garnered many positive reviews from critics.
"What a Difference a Day Makes" is the twenty-second episode of the fifth season of the American television medical drama, Grey's Anatomy and the show's 100th episode overall. It is written by series creator Shonda Rhimes and directed by Rob Corn, the episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 7, 2009.
"Now or Never" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the fifth season of the American television medical drama, Grey's Anatomy and the show's 102nd episode overall. Written by Debora Cahn and directed by Rob Corn, the episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 14, 2009. The initial airing was viewed by 17.12 million viewers and garnered a 6.2/17 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic. The episode received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise directed towards Katherine Heigl's performance. It marked the last regular appearance of original cast member T. R. Knight, who played Dr. George O'Malley who got into an accident during the episode and dies in the season 6 premiere. He later returns in season 17 as part of a dream of Meredith Grey.
"Flight" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the eighth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 172nd episode overall. It was written by series creator Shonda Rhimes, and directed by Rob Corn. The episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 17, 2012. In the episode, 6 doctors from Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital who are victims of an aviation accident fight to stay alive, but Dr. Lexie Grey ultimately dies. Other storylines occur in Seattle where Dr. Richard Webber plans his annual dinner for the departing residents, Dr. Owen Hunt fires Dr. Teddy Altman, and Dr. Miranda Bailey gets engaged to Dr. Ben Warren.
"Going, Going, Gone" is the first episode of the ninth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 173rd episode overall. Written by Stacy McKee and directed by Rob Corn, the episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 27, 2012. The initial airing was viewed by 11.73 million people and received a 4.4 Nielsen rating in the 18–49 demographic, registering the show as the week's highest rated television drama.
"How to Save a Life" is the twenty-first episode of the eleventh season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and is the 241st episode overall. It aired on April 23, 2015 on ABC in the United States. The episode was written by showrunner Shonda Rhimes and directed by Rob Hardy, making it the first episode Rhimes has written since the season 8 finale "Flight". The installment marked the death of the series’ male lead character, Derek Shepherd, who had starred on the series since its inception.
"Fear (Of the Unknown)" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the tenth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and is the 220th episode overall. It aired on May 15, 2014, on ABC in the United States. The episode was written by Shonda Rhimes and William Harper and directed by Tony Phelan. On its initial airing, it was watched by 8.92 million viewers. The episode marked the departure of one of the lead characters, Cristina Yang, played by Sandra Oh since the inception of the series. The episode focuses on Yang as she prepares to say her goodbyes to the doctors at Grey-Sloan Memorial hospital, including her "person" Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), her long-time friend and Meredith's husband Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and her love-interest Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and leave for Zurich for her new job at the Klausman Institute for Medical Research. The episode received widespread critical acclaim with high praise directed towards Oh's performance.
"Only Mama Knows" is the fourth episode of the eleventh season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and is the 224th episode overall. It aired on October 16, 2014 on ABC in the United States. The episode was written by Mark Driscoll and directed by Nicole Rubio. The episode focuses on the show's protagonist Meredith Grey's past and troubled childhood and her relationship with her mother world-renowned surgeon Ellis Grey and Richard Webber while she struggles in her marriage with Derek Shepherd. On its initial airing it was watched by 8.43 million viewers and received universal acclaim from television critics with many calling it one of the best episodes of the entire series.
The sixth season finale of Grey's Anatomy consisted of two parts, "Sanctuary" and "Death and All His Friends". Both parts, encompassing the twenty-third and twenty-fourth episodes of the season, were written by Shonda Rhimes and originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 20, 2010. The first hour gained 13 million viewers and the second hour had an audience of 16.13 million viewers. The two-parter opened up to universal acclaim with television critics lauding the writing and performance of the entire cast. It went on to be hailed as one of the best episodes of the entire series.
"Beautiful Doom" is the fifth episode of the ninth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 177th episode overall. Written by Jeannine Renshaw and directed by Stephen Cragg, the episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on November 8, 2012. The initial airing was viewed by 9.26 million people and garnered a 3.3/8 Nielsen rating in the 18–49 demographic, registering the show as the week's highest rated television drama. Grey's Anatomy centers around a group of physicians struggling to balance their professional lives with their personal lives.
"Sledgehammer" is the season premiere of the twelfth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the 246th episode overall. It aired on September 24, 2015, on ABC in the United States. The episode was written by Stacy McKee and directed by Kevin McKidd. On its initial airing the episode was watched by 9.55 million viewers and opened up to positive reviews from television critics. Earlier in April 2015, Patrick Dempsey had revealed that he would be leaving the show after the eleventh season despite having signed a contract through another season. Grey's Anatomy centers around a group of physicians struggling to balance their professional lives with their personal lives.
Margaret Pierce, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actress Kelly McCreary from the tenth season's penultimate episode onwards. It is revealed in the season ten finale, Maggie's biological parents are Richard Webber and Ellis Grey, making her Meredith's half-sister. McCreary was upgraded to a series regular in the eleventh episode of the eleventh season.
Nathan Riggs M.D., F.A.C.S., is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which has aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actor Martin Henderson. He was introduced in the episode "The Me Nobody Knows" as a cardiothoracic surgeon who had worked overseas with April Kepner during her time in Jordan. After bringing a patient to Grey-Sloan Memorial, he begins working there as an attending under Maggie Pierce. At the hospital, he begins a romantic relationship with Meredith Grey, now a widow after the death of Derek Shepherd, until his missing fiancée, Megan Hunt, is found and brought home. Nathan makes his last appearance in the episode "Danger Zone" when he and Megan start their life anew with her son in Los Angeles. It is revealed in Season 18 by Megan that the couple broke up.
