Content material Warning: This text accommodates references to homicide, loss of life, human trafficking, shootings, and toddler loss.
In ABC’s Gray’s Anatomy, surprising moments are nearly the norm, however there’s additionally fairly a little bit of unhappiness for the characters amongst these surprising story moments. As a drama that has been occurring for greater than 18 seasons, the present has coated nearly each medical complication conceivable. To not point out, the present’s primary characters have gone by quite a bit themselves. It is sufficient to ship each the characters and the viewers into suits of tears. There are nearly numerous heart-wrenching issues which have occurred on the present over time. A number of the episodes that characteristic these moments are among the many present’s greatest.
The saddest episodes of Gray’s Anatomy can be a few of the most poignant. They permit the viewers to attach with the characters as they endure heartbreaking losses or grieve the outcomes of inauspicious choices. Disappointment that transcends the tv program and permits the viewers to really feel what the characters are feeling gives for one cathartic tv viewing expertise.
15 Did not We Nearly Have It All? (S3 Ep25)
Amongst all of the docs on Gray’s Anatomy, Cristina is, undoubtedly, one of the good surgeons ever featured. Followers additionally could recall that she was extremely aggressive from day one, keen to clean in on surgical procedures and achieve as a lot expertise within the OR as potential.
Her drive and cutthroat strategy to the job ultimately caught the eye of extra skilled surgeon Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington). As time glided by, Cristina and Preston began relationship one another and at one level, they even get engaged. Nonetheless, on this episode, Preston decides to name off the marriage as Washington exited the present. Whereas followers weren’t precisely disillusioned to see Preston go, they have been a bit of heartbroken for Cristina (who had been humiliated in entrance of their household and associates). She had deserved a lot greater than this horrible remedy. Her heart-wrenching request for assist getting out of her wedding ceremony gown is one the viewers will always remember.
14 One Day Like This (S14 Ep17)
Season 14 was a pivotal one for April by way of her character arc as followers noticed her undergo a disaster of religion. Whereas it was a storyline that went on for a number of weeks, the writers did handle to discover a solution to reconcile her religion in one of many saddest Gray’s Anatomy episodes, “One Day Like This,” by Eli (a rabbi that had been admitted to the hospital with poisonous epidermal necrolysis).
Eli may need solely been a minor character, however his phrases of knowledge and transient interplay with April touched the hearts of many followers. This was not solely as a result of the viewers might really feel the depth and fervour Sarah Drew and Saul Hersh Rubinek put behind the phrases but additionally as a result of the scene contained one of many saddest affected person deaths Gray’s Anatomy followers had ever seen too as Eli, sadly, handed away not lengthy after, believing April to be his spouse when he did.
13 Issues We Stated At this time (S9 Ep10)
Within the episode, it was found that Adele Webber wanted surgical procedure as a consequence of an undiagnosed belly aortic aneurysm. Decided to avoid wasting her, Bailey made the choice to delay her personal wedding ceremony ceremony, so she might personally function on Richard’s spouse.
Sadly, Adele suffered a coronary heart assault and Richard solely knowledgeable Meredith about Adele’s passing throughout Bailey’s wedding ceremony ceremony. The sorrow on his face was sufficient to make anybody weep, particularly since he had a flashback to his and Adele’s wedding ceremony. Many followers additionally thought it was fairly a tragic episode because it was the ultimate episode that Loretta Devine appeared in.
12 Helplessly Hoping (S17 Ep7)
Season 17 was one of the heartbreaking seasons for a lot of viewers because it concerned quite a lot of loss of life and severe storylines. Nonetheless, nobody ever anticipated that they might lose one other fan-favorite character, who was on his solution to changing into one of the promising surgeons.
After months of him investigating a human trafficking case, Andrew DeLuca was sadly murdered in “Helplessly Hoping” whereas attempting to convey the criminals to justice. Whereas many followers thought it was a well-written story and all actors concerned, significantly Giacomo Gianniotti and Stefania Spampinato, delivered highly effective and emotional performances, they have been however heartbroken that DeLuca’s character journey ended on such a tragic be aware in one of many saddest Gray’s Anatomy episodes.
11 Instantly (S8 Ep10)
There have been loads of iconic romances on Gray’s Anatomy which have had a profound impact on followers, however one of the underrated ones was Henry and Teddy’s relationship. It might have began out as a wedding of comfort, however the couple genuinely fell in love with each other as Teddy supported Henry together with his operations and situation.
Sadly, this did not final for very lengthy as Henry sadly died within the episode “Instantly.” Not solely have been the followers devastated by the result however a number of characters’ relationships, together with Cristina and Owen’s, have been affected in the long term too since he did not inform her she was working on her mentor’s husband.
10 Be Nonetheless, My Soul (S13 Ep18)
Though she arrived close to the top of season 10, it took 3 years earlier than the writers delved into Maggie’s private life correctly. Apart from realizing she is likely one of the greatest cardiothoracic surgeons Gray’s Anatomy has ever had and that she was the long-lost daughter of Richard Webber, followers had but to be taught what her upbringing was like or meet any of her mother and father.
Nonetheless, that every one modified by season 13 when Maggie’s mom, Diane, visited. Right away, it was clear that Maggie had adored her and hung onto her each phrase. Sadly, Diane wasn’t within the collection for lengthy as she sadly handed away from most cancers in “Be Nonetheless, My Soul,” with Maggie at her bedside. It was actually an emotional episode because it was clear that Maggie was struggling underneath the burden of all of the current adjustments and nobody knew how she would cope with out her mom.
9 Going, Going, Gone (S9 Ep1)
The season 9 premiere delved into the aftermath of the aircraft crash that rocked Gray’s Anatomy. At this level, the docs had already gone again to work. Nonetheless, nothing was the identical as a lot of them have been bodily and emotionally modified. Sadly, followers have been additionally pressured to say goodbye to a different fan-favorite character too as Mark died because of the accidents he sustained within the aircraft crash.
The place season 8 had been fairly comical and light-hearted, this episode confirmed followers that they might not be getting one other one prefer it. With Mark, Lexie, and Teddy Altman having made their departures and a brand new bunch of interns launched, it was just like the present was altering (which some have been a bit of unhappy about). They have been additionally disheartened to see that Mark did not get his completely happy ending since they knew how exhausting he had fought to get again to Callie and his daughter, Sofia. His finish made for a very unhappy Gray’s Anatomy episode.
8 Flight (S8 Ep24)
“Flight” is arguably even sadder of an episode than “Going, Going, Gone” due to how occasions fall. On this episode, a medical crew made up of Meredith, Cristina, Derek, Mark, Lexie, and Arizona Robbins get entangled in a aircraft crash. After regaining consciousness, the docs struggled to deal with one another and keep alive after assist didn’t arrive immediately.
Amongst them, the worst off was Lexie who finally ends up getting pinned underneath part of the aircraft. And when it turned evident that they couldn’t free her, Lexie herself got here to the conclusion that she was dying. In a bittersweet second, she admitted to Mark that they have been “meant to be” earlier than taking her final breath. Lexie was such a shiny gentle amid heavier storylines within the present that it hit the viewers exhausting. It was actually a loss of life that followers carried them within the years to return as Meredith turned darker and the storylines much more intense.
7 Sanctuary (S6 Ep24)
This season 6 episode opened with Meredith’s voiceover explaining that the hospital could be a scary place for lots of people. It’s an ominous message, contemplating {that a} shooter named Gary Clark would begin a killing spree contained in the hospital a number of moments later.
For the reason that episode contained mature themes and graphic violence, manyfans felt that the writers dealt with the hospital taking pictures responsibly. It is a troublesome subject to incorporate in any type of leisure given the prevalence of gun violence in america. It was actually one of many extra heartbreaking Gray’s Anatomy episodes too since most of the primary and recurring characters have been badly injured or killed.
6 All I Might Do Was Cry (S11 Ep11)
April had been a deeply non secular individual all through her time on the present. That stated, followers could recall that her religion wavered barely when she discovered that the primary child that she was carrying had a deadly situation.
On this episode, April and Jackson found that their unborn baby had sort II osteogenesis imperfecta (the place the child’s bones are breaking in her uterus). Though followers knew that it might be such an intense and emotionally uncooked episode, many followers credit score the writers for dealing with such a delicate subject responsibly in addition to Sarah Drew and Jesse Williams’ portrayals too.
5 Into You Like A Prepare (S2 Ep6)
One of many saddest Gray’s Anatomy episodes additionally included one of the heartbreaking affected person deaths. It is normally the surgeon’s private drama that normally finally ends up taking heart stage in most episodes. Nonetheless, on this specific episode, it’s the sufferers and their instances that show to be probably the most memorable elements as their heartbreaking circumstances had followers mourning for weeks. Two sufferers got here into the hospital impaled on the identical piece of steel after a practice accident, and it was made clear that the survival of each was unlikely.
As all the highest surgeons have been pulled into Bonnie and Tom’s case, everybody knew that the writing can be grueling and intense (particularly since their accidents have been so extreme). Nonetheless, what really broke the followers’ hearts was the dilemma they have been in as they might solely save considered one of them. After studying each sufferers’ backstories and the way variety they have been, viewers have been devastated when Bonnie sadly handed, together with her remaining phrases aimed toward her boyfriend, telling him that she would nonetheless be there if love was sufficient.
4 Good Mourning (S6 Ep1)
On the finish of season 5, followers have been shocked to be taught that affected person John Doe had been George all alongside. Within the premiere episode of season six, he died on the working desk. Heartbreak was evident everywhere in the hospital as docs began to cry when discovering out his identification. Callie was particularly inconsolable as she determined whether or not George’s organs needs to be donated.
When the season 6 premiere aired, followers had already been on tenterhooks as there had been two characters that have been on the verge of dying. Whereas Izzie ended up being high quality, it shocked followers to listen to that George had died as he was the primary primary character to die. It additionally took followers some time to recover from the loss of life since George had been one of many kindest and most thoughtful individuals on the present.
3 Dropping My Faith (S2 Ep27)
The second season finale episode handled the occasions following Izzie’s choice to chop Denny Duquette LVAD wire. Following the incident, Denny obtained a brand new coronary heart, and it appeared that he was going to be simply high quality. In the meantime, as interns refused to return ahead about what actually occurred, they have been requested to prepare a promenade for Richard’s niece, Camille.
Whereas the temper across the hospital was fairly celebratory, initially, it quickly modified when Denny unexpectedly died. Though Denny and Izzie have been actually not considered one of Gray’s Anatomy’s greatest {couples}, many followers did really feel their hearts break on the sight of Izzie crying over his physique – particularly since she had been so excited to point out him her gown. It utterly rendered the followers speechless as a result of it had been so surprising. Katherine Heigl’s efficiency within the episode is what really made it almost the saddest episode of Gray’s Anatomy.
2 How To Save A Life (S11 Ep21)
Over time, followers noticed the evolution of Meredith Gray and Derek Shepherd’s relationship, beginning out as a one-night stand and ultimately resulting in youngsters and a marriage. Everybody thought they might lastly dwell fortunately ever after – however not fairly.
On this episode, Derek discovered himself on the scene of a automotive crash treating victims, solely to be concerned in a crash himself in a while. He obtained the worst potential medical remedy and sadly dies not lengthy after with Meredith by his facet. Whereas quite a lot of followers disliked the choice to kill the character, what really made this one of many saddest Gray’s Anatomy episodes was that it was instructed from Derek’s standpoint. He instructed the story for the viewer, recognizing all of the medical errors being made, and internally narrating whereas being utterly unable to speak with different characters. It was heartbreaking,
1 Struggle The Energy (S17 Ep5)
The saddest episode of Gray’s Anatomy gave Miranda Bailey and her mom the highlight. This season 17 episode was emotionally charged for a lot of because it supplied a sensible view of COVID and the ache that it precipitated households as family members succumb to the illness. Within the story, Miranda Bailey discovered that her mom, Elena, turned contaminated and sadly handed away.
Whereas Bailey’s heartbreaking rendition of “My Lady” did convey tears to the followers’ eyes as she comforted her mom in her remaining moments, it was the context behind the storyline itself that resonated deeply with them (because it carefully mirrored actuality and gave followers an thought of what’s going on within the medical sector).
