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The Best Episodes Written By Shonda Rhimes

Every TV Episode Written by Shonda Rhimes Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Shonda Rhimes Ratings Summary

"As We Know It" is the best rated episode written by Shonda Rhimes. It scored 8.9/10 based on 9 votes. It was directed by Peter Horton. It aired on 2/12/2006 and is rated 0.0 points higher than their second-best episode, "Sanctuary".

  • As We Know It
    8.9/109 votes

    #1 - As We Know It

    Season 2 Episode 17 - Aired 2/12/2006

    Derek is still operating when he finds out about Meredith's current situation. Meredith is freaking out about her situation. Webber and Bailey are dealing with medical health issues. Cristina and Izzie have their own issues to deal with because of Meredith's situation. Addison freaks out when George tries to find a solution to Bailey's impromtu postponement. Overall, Seattle Grace Hospital is still under code black and the situation is getting worse.

    Director: Peter Horton

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Sanctuary
    8.9/108 votes

    #2 - Sanctuary

    Season 6 Episode 23 - Aired 5/20/2010

    Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its' history.

    Director: Stephen Cragg

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Drowning on Dry Land
    8.7/109 votes

    #3 - Drowning on Dry Land

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 2/15/2007

    Meredith is still underwater, but nobody seems to notice. Her worsening condition makes her rescuing an urgent matter. Derek finds her coat on a man she had helped, and starts looking for her and, much to his shock, the little girl Meredith took care of suggests that she is in the water. Derek saves her, but she is almost dead, due to hypothermia. Izzie has to perform brain surgery on a man stuck between cars, as he begins to experience seizures. She drills holes into his head, perforates his skull and ultimately saves his life before he is rescued and transferred to Seattle Grace Hospital. George lies to the woman whose son he had been looking for, in order to get to surgery, but still doesn't have any luck in locating him. Alex finds no hope in searching for the pregnant Jane Doe's family as she undergoes surgery. The interns find out about Meredith's situation and express their hopelessness. She wakes up in what appears to be limbo and meets her deceased acquaintances.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • It's the End of the World
    8.6/1010 votes

    #4 - It's the End of the World

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 2/5/2006

    An explosive case arrives at the O.R. that might endanger all the lives of the people working there, which leads Dr. Burke to declare a "Code Black" for the hospital. Bailey worries where her husband is as she is in labor. Also Izzie and Alex may be creating some heat.

    Director: Peter Horton

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Walk on Water
    8.4/108 votes

    #5 - Walk on Water

    Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 2/8/2007

    A mass trauma situation, which turns out to be a ferryboat accident, challenges the whole staff of Seattle Grace Hospital. Richard finds difficulty in coping with his separation from his wife and dyes his hair "for the ladies", which becomes an internal joke between Mark, Burke and Derek. Cristina tries to tell Meredith about her upcoming marriage, but doesn't have the strength to. George promises to find a woman's son, who has been separated from her at the accident. The woman refuses to go into surgery until she is assured that her son is alive. Izzie has to take care of a man who got stuck between two cars on the ferry, but nobody helps her due to the large number of injured people. Alex rescues a pregnant woman with severe wounds on her face, and promises to take care of her. Meredith looks after a girl who has been separated from her mother after the accident, but accidentally falls into the water and drowns, with nobody but the little girl as a witness.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • What a Difference a Day Makes
    8.3/107 votes

    #6 - What a Difference a Day Makes

    Season 5 Episode 22 - Aired 5/7/2009

    As Meredith, Derek and all of their friends prepare for the big wedding, a group of college students, injured in a car crash as they were heading to their graduation ceremony, is admitted to the ER. Meanwhile, Izzie fears the worst when she begins experiencing familiar symptoms.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Bring the Pain
    8.2/1010 votes

    #7 - Bring the Pain

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/2005

    Cristina goes right back to working right after being discharged. Izzie isn't talking to Alex. Derek and Meredith treat a patient. George and Alex get stuck in an elevator.

    Director: Mark Tinker

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Fear (of the Unknown)
    8.2/105 votes

    #8 - Fear (of the Unknown)

    Season 10 Episode 24 - Aired 5/15/2014

    The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital bid an emotional farewell to the beloved Cristina Yang. A possible act of terrorism rocks Seattle and causes chaos at the hospital. Meanwhile, Meredith makes a life changing decision and one doctor receives shocking news.

    Director: Tony Phelan

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Thanks for the Memories
    8.1/1010 votes

    #9 - Thanks for the Memories

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 11/20/2005

    It's Thanksgiving at Seattle Grace Hospital but the holiday's festivites are less than in order. Meredith and Derek try to counsel a family after their relative has had a seriously traumatic accident.

    Director: Michael Dinner

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Flight
    8.1/108 votes

    #10 - Flight

    Season 8 Episode 24 - Aired 5/17/2012

    Faced with a life threatening situation, the doctors must fight to stay alive while trying to save the lives of their peers; Bailey and Ben make a decision regarding their relationship; and Teddy is presented with a tempting offer. Meanwhile, Richard plans a special dinner for the residents.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Queen to Be
    8.0/10100 votes

    #11 - Queen to Be

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 5/4/2023

    Betrothed against her will to King George, young Charlotte arrives in London on her wedding day and faces scrutiny from the monarch's cunning mother.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Losing My Religion
    8.0/1010 votes

    #12 - Losing My Religion

    Season 2 Episode 27 - Aired 5/15/2006

    This episode is the second part of a two-hour season finale. Richard tries to get information from Addison about a family member's condition. Callie and George have a talk about his feelings. Meredith and Derek have a talk about Doc.

    Director: Mark Tinker

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Time Has Come Today
    8.0/108 votes

    #13 - Time Has Come Today

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2006

    Meredith must make an important choice about which path she wants to follow to determine the future of her love life. While she considers her future she and others have flashbacks of their pasts. Cristina spends time with Burke while he recovers. Webber and Adele have a conversation after he spends the night at the hospital. Everyone attempts to deal with Izzie's choice to quit. George seeks relationship advice from Derek.

    Director: Daniel Minahan

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Freedom (2)
    8.0/106 votes

    #14 - Freedom (2)

    Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 5/22/2008

    A couple undergoes surgery. Derek and Meredith's clinical trial gets a second shot from a new patient. Izzie helps Alex. McSteamy hooks up with someone.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Death and All His Friends
    8.0/109 votes

    #15 - Death and All His Friends

    Season 6 Episode 24 - Aired 5/20/2010

    Cristina and Meredith's surgical skills are put to the ultimate test.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Only Mama Knows
    8.0/108 votes

    #16 - Only Mama Knows

    Season 11 Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2014

    Secrets from Ellis Grey’s past come to light when Meredith watches old videos and reads through her mother’s journals. Meanwhile, Maggie rocks the hospital with an unexpected announcement; Alex gets new responsibilities and Callie focuses her attention on the Veterans’ project.

    Director: Nicole Cummins-Rubio

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • It's Handled
    8.0/103 votes

    #17 - It's Handled

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2013

    With Olivia's name out there as the President's mistress, both the White House and Pope & Associates face their biggest scandal to date, and a surprise allegiance is formed in order to get things handled. Meanwhile, Olivia's father, Rowan, will stop at nothing to carry out his orders and no one, including Olivia, can stand in his way.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Survival of the Fittest
    8.0/101 votes

    #18 - Survival of the Fittest

    Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 1/26/2017

    The election results for the presidential race between Mellie Grant and Francisco Vargas are announced, and the shocking results lead to an explosive outcome.

    Director: Tom Verica

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Some Kind of Miracle
    7.9/109 votes

    #19 - Some Kind of Miracle

    Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 2/22/2007

    Everyone is pushing for Meredith to survive, or in this case to be revived. People are still dealing with the fallout from the ferry disaster. A young man named Lucas is having problems with brain-mouth coordination. Someone else dies.

    Director: Adam Arkin

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • The Name of the Game
    7.8/108 votes

    #20 - The Name of the Game

    Season 2 Episode 22 - Aired 4/2/2006

    Meredith and Izzie take up knitting. Derek operates on Andrew, a spelling bee champ with a serious head injury. Bailey gets in on Andrew's surgery because she's worried that her coworkers won't recognize her Nazi-status now that she's a mother. Addison's patient has an unborn baby with medical issues. After Alex fails to bite his tongue when a terminal patient routinely lies to her daughter about her health he gets a lesson in bedside manners from Burke. George also begins to overstay his welcome at Burke's apartment after Callie visits him. Meredith has more confusing and uncomfortable encounters with members of her family. One of the female doctors meets a veterinarian named Finn. Izzie flirts with Denny and they play more naughty-Scrabble. Meredith, Derek, and Addison sarcastically take another small stab at their friendships.

    Director: Seith Mann

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Crash Into Me (1)
    7.8/109 votes

    #21 - Crash Into Me (1)

    Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/22/2007

    An ambulance crash endangers the lives of the paramedics involved, as Meredith and the Chief work on-site to save them, Bailey treats a patient who refuses her help, and Ava returns for Alex and meets his other girlfriend in the process.

    Director: Michael Grossman

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • I Must Have Lost It on the Wind
    7.8/109 votes

    #22 - I Must Have Lost It on the Wind

    Season 11 Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/2014

    With Cristina gone, a new doctor, Maggie Pierce, making the rounds and Derek wanting to move to Washington DC, Meredith struggles to regain a sense of normalcy both at home and in the hospital. Meanwhile, Callie and Arizona come to a decision about surrogacy, Amelia overhears a big secret, Bailey realizes she will have to fight Alex for Cristina’s board seat and a freak accident causes two teenagers to be caught in a very compromising position.

    Director: Kevin McKidd

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Crash Into Me (2)
    7.7/1010 votes

    #23 - Crash Into Me (2)

    Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2007

    Meredith works furiously to save a paramedic trapped in an ambulance; Lexie holds the life of a patient in her hands; Derek must rely on a nurse to save a patient; Bailey struggles to balance her personal life with her work.

    Director: Jessica Yu

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Dream a Little Dream of Me (2)
    7.7/106 votes

    #24 - Dream a Little Dream of Me (2)

    Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 9/25/2008

    Alex is offended when Izzie talks about how great a man Alex is to Meredith. Derek is stabbed with the scalpel in the palm of his hand by Rose, while the Chief is stunned over Mercy West's increase in the number of patients, a deadly ice storm ravages Seattle.

    Director: Rob Corn

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes

  • Blues for Sister Someone
    7.6/108 votes

    #25 - Blues for Sister Someone

    Season 2 Episode 23 - Aired 4/30/2006

    Addison's patient is a Catholic mother of seven. Addison gets in trouble after learning that the patient's husband won't use contraceptives. Derek treats a divorce attorney who asks if Derek is in need of her services. While Izzie and George are talking about their personal lives they "overhear" part of Derek's conversation with the divorce attorney who calls herself one of Seattle's best. Alex gets in trouble with Addison yet again for not being able to keep his mouth shut when other people think he should. A legendary jazz musician refuses to see medical reason. The musician is Burke's musical hero. Finn makes Meredith breakfast.

    Director: Jeff Melman

    Writer: Shonda Rhimes