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The Best Episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 6

Every episode of Grey's Anatomy Season 6 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season 6!

Binge this in 17h 12m•Peaking at 9.6/10

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 6 Episode 23 - Sanctuary; Death and All His Friends
    9.6/10(4309 votes)

    S6:E23

    Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its history. Cristina and Meredith's surgical skills are put to the ultimate test.

    Directors:Rob Corn, Stephen Cragg
    Writer:Shonda Rhimes

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  2. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 6 - I Saw What I Saw
    9.0/10(2266 votes)

    S6:E6

    After a burn victim unexpectedly dies in the midst of a chaotic ER, the Chief and board member Jennings interrogate the residents to find the culprit, as all the Mercy West and Seattle Grace resident defends their actions in an effort to save their jobs.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:William Harper

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  3. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 15 - The Time Warp
    8.8/10(1879 votes)

    S6:E15

    In his new role as Chief, Derek restores the hospital lecture series, and Richard, Bailey and Callie present to the group pivotal surgical cases from their pasts Bailey reflects on her first days as a shy resident, Callie looks back on a polio case, and Richard recalls a case in which he and Ellis worked on a patient diagnosed with GRID, a virus later called AIDS.

    Director:Rob Corn
    Writer:Zoanne Clack

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  4. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 7 - Give Peace a Chance
    8.7/10(1634 votes)

    S6:E7

    When Isaac has an inoperable tumor wrapped around his spine, he wants Derek to do the impossible. Derek tests the Chief's authority when Richard objects to moving forward with the risky surgery.

    Director:Chandra Wilson
    Writer:Peter Nowalk

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  5. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 1 - Good Mourning; Goodbye
    8.4/10(1737 votes)

    S6:E1

    The hospital staff is left to deal with the aftermath of George's passing. Hitting the staff hard, they all find unique ways to get through the various stages of grief. George's mom returns, faced with the difficult task of deciding what to do with his organs. Everyone is struggling after losing one of their own and are turning to any distraction they can find. Meredith and Derek seem to be consummating their marriage anywhere and everywhere, while Cristina and Owen have been instructed to abstain from sex by Dr. Wyatt.

    Directors:Bill D'Elia, Edward Ornelas
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  6. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 8 - Invest In Love
    8.4/10(1457 votes)

    S6:E8

    A generous 25 million donation is offered to Seattle Grace by the parents of Arizonas 10-year-old patient, she finds herself in a conflict of interest when his condition worsens. Cristina tests her boundaries with Owen at the hospital. Alex is left with all of Izzies hospital bills to contend with.

    Director:Jessica Yu
    Writer:Stacy McKee

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  7. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 22 - Shiny Happy People
    8.2/10(1479 votes)

    S6:E22

    An elderly patient admitted into the E.R. for a heart condition sees a familiar face, a long lost love who happens to be in the E.R. as well for a fractured arm, and the staff find themselves caught up in their love story. Meanwhile, Karev treats a troubled teenage patient (guest star Demi Lovato) whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia, and Meredith can't help but tell Cristina about her suspicions of Owen -- which inevitably messes with Cristina's head.

    Director:Edward Ornelas
    Writer:Zoanne Clack

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  8. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 9 - New History
    8.1/10(1280 votes)

    S6:E9

    Owen recruits Dr. Teddy Altman, a former Iraqi veteran, as the new cardiothoracic surgeon. Cristina questions her abilities in the E.R. and relationship with Owen. Izzie returns to Seattle Grace with her high school mentor seeking treatment for his dementia. Richard's responsibilities, post-merger, are taking a toll on him.

    Director:Rob Corn
    Writer:Allan Heinberg

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  9. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 21 - How Insensitive
    8.1/10(1266 votes)

    S6:E21

    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.

    Director:Tom Verica
    Writers:Shonda Rhimes, Peter Nowalk

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  10. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 5 - Invasion
    8.0/10(1396 votes)

    S6:E5

    The residents of Seattle Grace and Mercy West vie for surgeries and their careers as day one of the hospital merger begins. Meanwhile, Arizona stands by an enraged Callie when her father, Mr. Torres, employs a priest to help convince her to date men, and Izzie experiences the brunt of her new surgical competition.

    Director:Tony Phelan
    Writer:Mark Wilding

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  11. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 11 - Blink
    8.0/10(1276 votes)

    S6:E11

    Mark flies Addison to Seattle to help with a difficult procedure on his pregnant daughter, Sloan, Owen questions Teddy's motives when she assigns Cristina the lead on a complicated surgery, and Derek's suspicions are raised when the Chief recruits Meredith to assist with a high profile operation on.

    Director:Randall Zisk
    Writer:Debora Cahn

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  12. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 13 - State of Love and Trust
    8.0/10(1254 votes)

    S6:E13

    As Derek begins his role as interim chief, he faces a potential lawsuit when Bailey and Meredith's patient awakens from anesthesia mid-surgery. Meanwhile, Teddy refuses to place Cristina on her service, as Arizona tests Alex out in Pediatrics, and Mark refuses to speak to a heartbroken Lexie.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Stacy McKee

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  13. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 14 - Valentine's Day Massacre
    8.0/10(1244 votes)

    S6:E14

    It's Valentine's Day, and the doctors must treat dozens of injured people after the roof collapses at a popular romantic restaurant; Derek tries to manage his busy schedule as Chief of Surgery; Meredith wrestles with her new duties as the Chief's wife; and Mark and Callie team up to convince Sloan to do the right thing for her baby.

    Director:Stephen Cragg
    Writer:William Harper

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  14. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 16 - Perfect Little Accident
    8.0/10(1265 votes)

    S6:E16

    When famous surgeon Dr. Harper Avery is rushed to Seattle Grace-Mercy West, the staff is surprised to discover that one of their own is related to this legend, and his unorthodox request for his surgery causes tensions t between Derek and Richard. Meanwhile Callie and Arizona try to help Teddy and Sloan move on from their pasts and find greener pastures.

    Director:Bill D'Elia
    Writer:Peter Nowalk

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  15. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 4 - Tainted Obligation
    7.9/10(1338 votes)

    S6:E4

    When Meredith and Lexie's father, Thatcher, returns to the hospital with a failed liver, it's up to Meredith to save his life. Meanwhile, Izzie empathizes with a patient riddled with tumors, as Mark, annoyed with Cristina's competitive zeal, tricks her into assisting on an unusual surgery.

    Director:Tom Verica
    Writer:Jenna Bans

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  16. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 10 - Holidaze
    7.9/10(1332 votes)

    S6:E10

    As Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's pass, Miranda gets a visit from her father, William who disapproves of her choices in life. Mark and Lexie cope with an arrival of a woman from his past. Thatcher questions the Chief's recent behavior as Meredith comes to his defense.

    Director:Robert Berlinger
    Writer:Krista Vernoff

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  17. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 19 - Sympathy for the Parents
    7.9/10(1247 votes)

    S6:E19

    When Alex's younger brother, Aaron, shows up at Seattle Grace-Mercy West with a hernia, it's up to Alex to get Bailey's approval for his pro bono surgery. Matters are further complicated when Aaron discloses that his family has not heard from Alex since he arrived in Seattle, and parts of Alex's past long kept secret are revealed to his friends and fellow doctors.

    Director:Debbie Allen
    Writer:Allan Heinberg

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  18. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 3 - I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watchin' Me
    7.8/10(1330 votes)

    S6:E3

    Several weeks after her near-death experience, a recovering Izzie returns to work. Meanwhile, nervous that there will be layoffs in the hospital in the wake of an announcement from the Chief, the Seattle Grace residents compete to survive the cuts, including Cristina, who attempts to work alongside Arizona in pediatrics. And Bailey and Alex's patient's already complex case is further complicated by her schizophrenic son.

    Director:Michael Pressman
    Writer:Joan Rater

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  19. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 12 - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
    7.8/10(1287 votes)

    S6:E12

    After learning of Richard's drinking problem, Derek confronts him for the sake of his friend and the hospital, Izzie returns, hoping to reconcile with Alex, and tensions run high between Teddy, Cristina and Owen in the aftermath of Cristina's startling confession.

    Director:Donna Deitch
    Writer:Joan Rater

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  20. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 17 - Push
    7.8/10(1258 votes)

    S6:E17

    A patient who needs an extremely difficult surgery comes to Seattle Grace, and it's Richard and Owen who vie for the opportunity to tackle it. But the decision lies in the hands of Derek, who deems that Owen should take on the surgery, leaving Richard bitter. Meanwhile, Bailey deals with her own personal struggles when she nervously prepares for another date with Ben.

    Director:Chandra Wilson
    Writer:Debora Cahn

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  21. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 18 - Suicide Is Painless
    7.8/10(1318 votes)

    S6:E18

    When Teddy's patient seeks to end treatment and her life, she turns to Hunt for help. The situation triggers Hunt's memories of his life at war and his past relationship with Teddy. Meanwhile, Callie and Arizona have a difference in opinion on what their future holds, and Richard tries to adjust to his role as a surgeon.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Joan Rater

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  22. Grey's Anatomy Season 6 Episode 20 - Hook, Line and Sinner
    7.6/10(1211 votes)

    S6:E20

    Sloan returns to Mark's apartment, just as she's going into labor, and Teddy, Mark and the still-fighting Callie and Arizona are there to help with the birth and to get Mark through his grandson's pending adoption. Meanwhile Teddy sees Derek's invitation to illustrious cardiothoracic surgeon Tom Evans' as a threat to her future employment at the hospital, and the team work on a crab boat captain who has been stabbed with a giant shark hook.

    Director:Tony Phelan
    Writer:Meg Marinis

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Season 6 Ratings Summary

"Sanctuary; Death and All His Friends" is the best rated episode of "Grey's Anatomy" season 6. It scored 9.6/10 based on 4309 votes. Directed by Rob Corn, Stephen Cragg and written by Shonda Rhimes, it aired on 5/20/2010. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "I Saw What I Saw".