With Thanksgiving tomorrow, the holiday season has officially begun — and there’s no better way to start the celebrations than by reminiscing on Grey’s Anatomy’s many memorable holiday-themed episodes.
Over the course of its 21-and-counting seasons, the series has brought us nine entertaining hours full of turkey dinners, sparkling lights, and more than a few cocktail-enabled fights (it is Grey’s Anatomy, after all). Below, we’ve ranked every one of the show’s famous holiday episodes, from the saddest to the sweetest.
The most devastating
“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
Season 18, episode 8
Grey’s Anatomy’s most recent holiday episode was also its darkest. Despite Christmas quickly approaching, few of the doctors are in the holiday spirit. Owen is mourning the death of his friend and fellow veteran, Link feels heartbroken after seeing Amelia kiss Kai, Levi accidentally kills a patient during surgery (leading to a long depression), and as if that wasn’t enough, Teddy and Owen get into a car crash en route to trying to save a patient — with Owen’s fate left hanging in the balance. Not exactly the most uplifting hour!
“Somebody That I Used to Know”
Season 10, episode 10
James Pickens Jr. and Ellen Pompeo
Between Bailey’s OCD worsening, Cristina pretending not to care about Owen’s new girlfriend, Callie and Arizona reuniting and then fighting again, and Richard injuring himself by falling off a treadmill, this Thanksgiving-themed episode isn’t exactly the most heartwarming. But for once, Meredith is in the holiday spirit and tries to plan a group dinner (even if someone else cooks). That’s gotta count for something, right?
“Run, Baby, Run”
Season 9, episode 9
Chandra Wilson
This season nine installment starts with Bailey worrying about her Christmas wedding and ends with Adele landing in the ER. Certainly not the happiest holiday, but you can blame the recent plane crash for that. However, there are some truly nice moments in between, like when Meredith reveals she’s pregnant to Derek’s sister Liz, and Cristina and Owen decide to put off their divorce.
“Adrift and at Peace”
Season 7, episode 10
This season seven Christmas-themed episode is mostly sad thanks to a recent hospital shooting, but it does contain some lovely sprinkles of hope. Cristina, still suffering from PTSD, goes on a fishing trip with Derek that acts as a surprisingly helpful outlet for her pent-up emotions (remember that joyous fish photo?). Also, Mark and Lexie reunite after their split, and Teddy proposes to her patient Henry, a moving start to their relationship even if, as we know, their happiness can’t last.
We’re finding the holiday spirit
“Everyday Is a Holiday (With You)”
Season 18, episode 6
Scott Speedman
Poor Meredith is stuck in snowy Minnesota and is feeling guilty about missing Thanksgiving, while both Jo and Owen have seriously tough workdays at the hospital. But it’s not all doom and gloom, as Nick joins Meredith at her hotel for a romantic surprise, and Link and Amelia bond while making the holiday meal for Mer’s kids. It’s not the Thanksgiving they all wanted, but it is unexpectedly sweet.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”
Season 2, episode 12
Katherine Heigl
In Grey’s Anatomy’s first-ever Christmas installment, no one is exactly in the holiday spirit — that is, no one except Izzie, who tries her darndest to create a festive space despite her friends’ Grinch-like attitudes. Thankfully, the interns end up coming together by the end to help Alex study for his exams, a moving display of their new but quickly growing friendships.
“Thanks for the Memories”
Season 2, episode 9
T.R. Knight and George Dzundza
Just a few episodes before the one discussed above came this beloved Thanksgiving hour, which features memorable events like George’s dad getting shot in the butt during a turkey hunt and Burke helping a well-meaning but unprepared Izzie cook dinner. And while at first many of the docs try to skip out on the festivities due to Izzie’s sky-high spirit (see a theme here?), they all end up coming together for a beautiful, Burke-cooked dinner.
Top-tier holiday joy!
“Holidaze”
Season 6, episode 10
The whole gang!
This highly entertaining Grey’s Anatomy episode tackles Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Yes, there are some serious dramas, including Meredith realizing that Richard is drinking again and Mark’s pregnant teenage daughter arriving at his and Lexie’s doorstep, but there’s plenty of levity to balance it out. Owen tells Cristina he loves her, Bailey stands up to her critical dad, and Derek successfully finishes a challenging surgery right as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Those masked kisses!
“Girlfriend in a Coma”
Season 15, episode 12
Speaking of New Year’s, Grey’s Anatomy’s most joyful holiday episode revolves around Alex and Jo’s wonderfully chaotic party. In an emotional moment, Levi comes out as gay and moves his relationship with Nico forward, Teddy and Koracick start to date, Meredith kisses Andrew (sorry, Link!), and the doctors hold a wedding under the stars for a dying patient. It’s an hour filled with romance and hope, two of the things that Grey’s Anatomy has always done best.
Rachel Simon is a writer with work in The New York Times, Glamour, NBC News, Marie Claire, and many other outlets. Follow her on Twitter @rachel_simon.
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