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The Best Episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 12

Every episode of Grey's Anatomy Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 12!

Binge this in 17h 12m•Peaking at 9.3/10

Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 1 - Sledgehammer
    8.2/10(1532 votes)

    #1 - Sledgehammer

    S12:E1

    The doctors from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital spring into action to save the lives of two girls with a powerful story. Meanwhile, Meredith tries to cope with the fact that Amelia is now living with her and Jackson prepares for April's return back to Seattle.

    Director:Kevin McKidd
    Writer:Stacy McKee

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  2. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 2 - Walking Tall
    7.8/10(1048 votes)

    #2 - Walking Tall

    S12:E2

    The pressure is on as a determined Bailey tackles her first day as Chief; meanwhile, April's marriage is in jeopardy and she finds herself unable to address her problems; Meredith struggles to juggle all her responsibilities and Amelia works to define her relationship with Owen.

    Director:Debbie Allen
    Writer:Meg Marinis

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  3. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 3 - I Choose You
    8.1/10(1159 votes)

    #3 - I Choose You

    S12:E3

    Maggie reevaluates her life choices after receiving an invitation to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding; Richard questions Bailey’s loyalty, and Jo confides in Stephanie about a secret she’s been keeping from Alex. Meanwhile, Alex struggles with making a difficult decision that will affect the lives of newborn twins.

    Director:Rob Corn
    Writer:William Harper

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  4. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 4 - Old-Time Rock-and-Roll
    8.3/10(1287 votes)

    #4 - Old-Time Rock-and-Roll

    S12:E4

    Owen suggests the interns learn a vital lesson on how to break bad news to patients’ families, and Arizona’s 90-year-old patient reassures her that she’s destined to find love again. Meanwhile, the sisters completely forget about the dinner party they’re hosting for everyone.

    Director:Nicole Cummins-Rubio
    Writer:Austin Guzman

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  5. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 5 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
    8.9/10(1784 votes)

    #5 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

    S12:E5

    In the midst of the sisters’ dinner party, Maggie ditches her cooking duties to rush to the hospital. Meanwhile, April steps in to help cook as an attempt to avoid Jackson, and Arizona nervously waits to find out more about Callie’s new girlfriend.

    Director:Debbie Allen
    Writer:Meg Marinis

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  6. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 6 - The Me Nobody Knows
    7.8/10(975 votes)

    #6 - The Me Nobody Knows

    S12:E6

    Grey Sloan Memorial not only welcomes a new transfer resident, but also a patient who's the topic of converstation after accidentally sending his sex tape to his entire congregation. Meanwhile, Richard wrestles with how to progress his relationship with Maggie when an old friend visits the hospital, and April brings in a case of a young boy from the Middle-East.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:William Harper

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  7. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 7 - Something Against You
    7.7/10(951 votes)

    #7 - Something Against You

    S12:E7

    The team of doctors work on a high stakes case of a long time patient, adding additional pressure to an already tense environment. Meanwhile, Bailey wants Ben to kick out their new roommate, and Arizona is eager to get back into the dating world with a new wingman.

    Director:Geary McLeod
    Writer:Andy Reaser

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  8. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 8 - Things We Lost in the Fire
    8.3/10(1209 votes)

    #8 - Things We Lost in the Fire

    S12:E8

    Midseason Finale - As the rumor mill around the hospital continues to spiral out of control, Grey Sloan Memorial is flooded with injured firefighters from a nearby wildfire. Maggie struggles to keep things with Andrew professional at work; meanwhile, Jo questions Alex’s priorities.

    Director:Rob Corn
    Writer:Tia Napolitano

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  9. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 9 - The Sound of Silence
    9.3/10(2561 votes)

    #9 - The Sound of Silence

    S12:E9

    Meredith is brutally attacked by a patient, and Penny is the one who discovers her. The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial rush to stabilize Meredith and remain by her side in the harrowing aftermath.

    Director:Denzel Washington
    Writer:Stacy McKee

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  10. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 10 - All I Want Is You
    8.1/10(1119 votes)

    #10 - All I Want Is You

    S12:E10

    Everybody attempts to deals with Meredith's trauma as Maggie and Callie perform a risky, experimental surgery on a teenager. Nathan and Owen continue to be at odds. Maggie and Andrew's relationship continues to progress.

    Director:Kevin Sullivan
    Writer:Elisabeth R. Finch

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  11. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 11 - Unbreak My Heart
    7.1/10(1521 votes)

    #11 - Unbreak My Heart

    S12:E11

    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.

    Director:Rob Corn
    Writer:Elizabeth J.B. Klaviter

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  12. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 12 - My Next Life
    8.1/10(1115 votes)

    #12 - My Next Life

    S12:E12

    A patient from Meredith's very first surgery as an Intern is readmitted to Grey Sloan Memorial with a new aneurysm, and Amelia takes her case. Meanwhile, Maggie suspects that Richard knows about her relationship with Andrew, and Arizona debates dating again.

    Director:Chandra Wilson
    Writer:William Harper

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  13. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 13 - All Eyez on Me
    7.6/10(1150 votes)

    #13 - All Eyez on Me

    S12:E13

    Meredith, Bailey, Jackson, Callie and Jo travel to a military hospital to perform an extraordinary and extremely risky surgery on a veteran with an advanced tumor. Meanwhile back at Grey Sloan, Andrew is tired of being Maggie’s worst kept secret; Ben makes an impulsive surgical decision; and a team of cheerleaders wreak havoc in the ER.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Austin Guzman

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  14. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 14 - Odd Man Out
    7.9/10(1005 votes)

    #14 - Odd Man Out

    S12:E14

    There is plenty of turmoil after Richard messes with the staff pairings. Arizona takes a risk to help a woman who is pregnant with quadruplets.

    Director:Kevin McKidd
    Writer:Meg Marinis

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  15. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 15 - I Am Not Waiting Anymore
    7.9/10(1073 votes)

    #15 - I Am Not Waiting Anymore

    S12:E15

    Jackson learns about April's pregnancy, while Alex and the team of doctors handle an hours-long triple-organ transplant surgery. Meredith considers dating again, and Andrew insists on not receiving special treatment after he and Maggie go public.

    Director:Nicole Cummins-Rubio
    Writer:Mark Driscoll

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  16. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 16 - When It Hurts So Bad
    7.7/10(950 votes)

    #16 - When It Hurts So Bad

    S12:E16

    Meredith takes a step forward with Will but quickly regrets it; Maggie senses a disconnection with Andrew; and Amelia reevaluates her relationship with Owen. Meanwhile, Catherine comes into town and really shakes things up with April and Jackson.

    Director:Eric Laneuville
    Writer:Andy Reaser

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  17. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 17 - I Wear the Face
    7.6/10(937 votes)

    #17 - I Wear the Face

    S12:E17

    Meredith goes on an ambulance ride with Owen and Nathan to pick up a heart for a transplant patient. Musician & MS patient Kyle Diaz is admitted to Grey Sloan Memorial with a tremor in his hand, and the residents apply for the Preminger Grant. Meanwhile, Catherine continues to insert herself into Jackson and April’s business against Richard’s wishes.

    Director:Chandra Wilson
    Writer:Karin Gist

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  18. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 18 - There’s a Fine, Fine Line
    8.6/10(1138 votes)

    #18 - There’s a Fine, Fine Line

    S12:E18

    After a missing child forces the hospital into lockdown, Ben decides to operate on a pregnant mother without the proper surgical equipment. Miranda, as Chief, is faced with the repercussions of the event and whether or not Ben's impulsive actions were justified.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Jen Klein

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  19. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 19 - It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
    8.1/10(1025 votes)

    #19 - It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)

    S12:E19

    Miranda continues to deal with the aftermath of Ben's reckless decision and forms an advisory committee to recommend proper disciplinary action against him. Meanwhile, April and Jackson try to put their differences aside for the sake of their baby, and Arizona makes a decision that could affect her relationship with Callie forever.

    Director:Chris Hayden
    Writer:Austin Guzman

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  20. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 20 - Trigger Happy
    7.8/10(1077 votes)

    #20 - Trigger Happy

    S12:E20

    The doctors work frantically to save a young boy who was accidentally shot. Meanwhile, Arizona is upset when Callie tries to make an important decision about Sofia’s future without consulting her

    Director:Zetna Fuentes
    Writer:Zoanne Clack

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  21. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 21 - You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side
    7.9/10(1114 votes)

    #21 - You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side

    S12:E21

    Stephanie’s relationship with Kyle becomes complicated. Meanwhile, Meredith encourages Amelia and Owen to take a chance and choose to be a real couple. Arizona and Callie are at odds and put their friends in the middle of an uncomfortable situation.

    Director:Debbie Allen
    Writer:Lauren Barnett

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  22. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 22 - Mama Tried
    8.5/10(1205 votes)

    #22 - Mama Tried

    S12:E22

    Callie and Arizona are at odds over Sofia’s future, and Stephanie questions the status of her relationship with Kyle. Meanwhile, Alex and April work on a pregnant teen that is readmitted to Grey Sloan Memorial.

    Director:Kevin McKidd
    Writer:Tia Napolitano

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  23. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 23 - At Last
    8.0/10(1178 votes)

    #23 - At Last

    S12:E23

    Owen and Amelia take their relationship to the next level; Alex gains some clarity on his future with Jo; and Callie and Arizona continue to struggle with the current custody arrangement.

    Director:Rob Corn
    Writer:Stacy McKee

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  24. Grey's Anatomy Season 12 Episode 24 - Family Affair
    8.7/10(1342 votes)

    #24 - Family Affair

    S12:E24

    Meredith and Maggie support Amelia on an important day; Jo reveals that she has been keeping secrets from Alex while Arizona and Callie deal with the impact of their custody arrangement. Meanwhile, Ben leaps into action to help a friend.

    Director:Debbie Allen
    Writer:William Harper

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"Sledgehammer" is the best rated episode of "Grey's Anatomy" season 12. It scored 8.2/10 based on 1532 votes. Directed by Kevin McKidd and written by Stacy McKee, it aired on 9/24/2015. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Walking Tall".