The Best Episodes Written By Joan Rater

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.0/10(2 votes)

   #1 - Dirty Money

   S3:E164/4/2025

   Bode and his aunt, Sheriff Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin), investigate the attempted murder of her estranged father, Wes Fox (W. Earl Brown), Mickey’s estranged father and Sharon’s stepfather who runs an illegal marijuana business.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
2. 

   8.5/10(13 votes)

   #2 - Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response

   S2:E265/15/2006

   Denny needs a heart or else. Izzie and George go crazy trying to get him one. Derek has the life of a friend in his hands as he operates on Burke who has been shot. Burke cannot operate on Denny after Denny's heart stopped and now Denny is in a dire condition. Cristina gets put in charge of the ER and she is worried about Burke.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
3. 

   8.5/10(10 votes)

   #3 - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

   S10:E225/1/2014

   Cristina considers her future at the hospital; Amelia and Derek collaborate on a tough surgery involving conjoined twins; Jo takes on too many cases at once; Stephanie stumbles on the truth about Bailey's case.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
4. 

   8.4/10(13 votes)

   #4 - Wishin' and Hopin'

   S3:E142/1/2007

   The race for the Chief's position is on, and the attending physicians, Derek, Burke, Addison and Mark, compete for Richard's affections by trying to help out everywhere possible. The Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic is open for business, but only one single patient shows up. Izzie is disappointed in what she invested Denny's legacy in, and tries to steal patients from the emergency room. Callie and George get back from Las Vegas, announcing their marriage, much to everyone's disbelief. Izzie is not supportive of their marriage and tries to get George to realize the mistake he has made. Meanwhile, Meredith's Alzheimer's-stricken mother, Ellis Grey, experiences a change in her medical condition by becoming lucid for the day. She is disappointed in the mediocrity her daughter has fallen into and begins to despise Derek, blaming him for what happened to the Meredith that used to be "a force of nature". Ellis has to have heart surgery and, despite her wishes, Meredith schedules her upcoming surgery. Richard talks to Ellis and realizes that she is still in love with him, but loses her memory after their talk ends, before Meredith has the chance to tell her how she really feels.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
5. 

   8.2/10(14 votes)

   #5 - Oh, the Guilt

   S3:E510/19/2006

   Derek learns one of Addison's secrets. Bailey talks about motherhood and depression to a mother who is set to have cancer surgery and who seems to not care about any decisions concerning the future. A resident is fiercely questioned about the death of a male patient. An ex-couple meet before lunch and get stuck - Meredith and Addison work on their case. Things get awkward when the ex-couple's daughter, Michelle, arrives at the hospital.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
6. 

   8.2/10(12 votes)

   #6 - Before and After

   S5:E152/12/2009

   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

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
7. 

   8.2/10(12 votes)

   #7 - Free Falling

   S8:E19/22/2011

   The fifth-year residents return for the first day of a year that will make or break their careers: Meredith faces the consequences of tampering with Derek's clinical trial and is terminated at the hospital; April tries to step up to the plate as Chief Resident in the wake of a giant sinkhole in the middle of Seattle; and Cristina and Owen are still at odds over their drastically different feelings for their unborn child.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
8. 

   8.2/10(9 votes)

   #8 - The End is the Beginning is the End

   S9:E111/17/2013

   Meredith, Derek, Cristina and Arizona receive big news regarding the plane crash lawsuit, Richard avoids Catherine's romantic advances and Jackson takes on one of Mark Sloan's old patients. Meanwhile, Derek begins recovery on his hand.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
9. 

   8.1/10(14 votes)

   #9 - In the Midnight Hour

   S5:E911/20/2008

   Meredith, Cristina and Bailey come to Lexie and Sadie's rescue when a routine surgery goes horribly wrong, as Owen and Derek treat a man seriously injured while sleepwalking and Mark comforts the sleepwalker's distraught daughter.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater

   Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Joan Rater
10. 

    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #10 - Tell Me Sweet Little Lies

    S2:E141/22/2006

    Meredith and Cristina lie to each other and themselves about their relationships with McDreamy and Burke, respectively. George is given a hard task to expel a discharged and defiant woman from the hospital. Alex learns his fate after re-taking his medical exams. At the same time Izzie is trying to stop Alex from making stupid decisions when a patient that doesn't speak English is lied to by her coach. George, Cristina, and Alex compete in a hot dog eating competition.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
11. 

    8.1/10(11 votes)

    #11 - Adrift and at Peace

    S7:E1012/2/2010

    Derek takes Cristina out on a fishing trip; Teddy tries to help a patient who lacks the proper insurance to seek medical treatment.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
12. 

    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #12 - Throwing it All Away

    S10:E153/13/2014

    Arizona has a bad day which escalates when she advises one of Callie's patients on a potential double amputation. Derek goes back on a promise to Callie, and Jo and Stephanie come across an abandoned baby outside the hospital. Meanwhile, the doctors deal with the repercussions of the non-fraternization rule, which include meetings with HR and one doctor's suspension.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
13. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #13 - I'm Winning

    S10:E194/10/2014

    Cristina won't let herself get excited when she is nominated for a Harper Avery award; Alex thinks about making a change; Callie and Derek work with a machine that recognizes emotions.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
14. 

    8.0/10(10 votes)

    #14 - Seal Our Fate

    S10:E19/26/2013

    The Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital doctors are faced with the devastation left by the storm. A giant mudslide in Seattle injures a group of first responders and citizens, causing the already short handed ER to spring into action. Meanwhile, Meredith is faced with a tough decision that will affect the life of a loved one, Callie is rocked by the reality of Arizona’s infidelity, and Richard’s life is in extreme danger.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
15. 

    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - Alert the Sheriff

    S2:E64/12/2024

    After a fire camp inmate escapes from Three Rock, the deputy sheriff with a surprising connection to the Leones, Mickey, is called to investigate.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
16. 

    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Then and Now

    S1:E22/22/2017

    As Sadie tries to keep her relationship with Billy strictly professional, she works on a case involving one of Isaiah’s oldest friends, Jonah Porter. Also, Cameron is conflicted about whether or not to convince her client to testify against his own cousin in order to avoid jail time for a murder he didn’t commit.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
17. 

    7.9/10(13 votes)

    #17 - Physical Attraction, Chemical Reaction

    S4:E711/8/2007

    Izzie and George's new-founded relationship results in them having bad sex. Callie's Chief Resident position is taken away from her, and Bailey is the humble replacement. Meredith can barely handle it with Lexie anymore.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
18. 

    7.9/10(11 votes)

    #18 - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked

    S6:E121/21/2010

    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:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
19. 

    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #19 - I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watchin' Me

    S6:E310/1/2009

    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:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
20. 

    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Suicide is Painless

    S6:E183/25/2010

    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:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
21. 

    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Legacy

    S1:E85/22/2023

    With the war ending, Miep and Jan try to find the Franks and other Jewish residents of the annex.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
22. 

    7.3/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Pilot

    S1:E15/1/2023

    Miep, a young, carefree secretary, agrees to hide Otto Frank and his family from the Nazis.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
23. 

    7.2/10(5 votes)

    #23 - Welcome to Switzerland

    S1:E25/1/2023

    With the Frank family secure, Miep's Jewish dentist asks if she knows of a place where he can hide.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
24. 

    7.2/10(11 votes)

    #24 - Pilot

    S1:E110/7/2022

    Five years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving town with a big secret. Now he's back, with the rap sheet of a criminal and the audacity to believe in a chance for redemption with Cal Fire.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater
25. 

    7.0/10(16 votes)

    #25 - The Becoming

    S4:E145/8/2008

    The clinical trial continues to make progress. The anti-McSteamy club creates new initiatives but that isn't enough to stop one woman from spending time with him. Christina is affected by Burke's career developments.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Joan Rater