Grey's Anatomy isn't all cute doctors and elevator hookups. Shonda Rhimes' long-running medical drama is also packed with shocking twists. Just when you think there's no hope for a patient, a more hopeful song from Snow Patrol comes on, and you know the guy's going to pull through. And just when you think a couple is done for, a surreptitious romantic moment brings them back together. And when it seems everything is going great at Seattle Grace, (a.k.a. Mercy West or Grey-Sloan Memorial), a bus or plane or ferry crash throws everything into chaos. Or, patients walk in dying of the actual plague.
The most surprising Grey's moments are often sad, sometimes ridiculous, but always unexpected. Here are some of the most gasp-inducing moments from the past 12 seasons (yes, 12!). They're still every bit as dramatic, even when you know what's coming.
When Addison Shows Up
Season 1, Episode 9 (2005)
Maybe it's just shocking that Seattle Grace's star-crossed lovers have nine relatively happy episodes together before shit starts hitting the fan.
When Cristina Collapses In The OR
Season 2, Episode 3 (2005)
Really, what except for a medical emergency could make Dr. Yang miss an answer? A later shock is when Meredith isn't allowed in the OR to hold her hand.
When Izzie Reveals She Has A Daughter
Season 2, Episode 15 (2006)
Grey's knows how to handle the big backstory reveals, but this one came from a bit of a misdirect — it seemed safe to assume the biggest secret from Izzie's past had already been exposed: her time as an underwear model.
When Cristina Gets Stabbed By An Icicle
Season 5, Episode 1 (2008)
Oh my god, winter is so scary. Nature is scary. Everyone stay inside. But not inside a hospital, though, that's scary too.
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When Mark Breaks His Penis
Season 5, Episode 13
I mean, in medical terms, he suffers a "penile fracture," but you know that in the years following the incident, when they went out for a drink, Derek and the rest of the Grey's bros referred to it as "that time Mark broke his penis."
When Owen Has A PTSD Episode
Season 5, Episode 19 (2009)
Look how great things are going. Look how cute they are! Just kidding, what show did you think you were watching, this is Grey's Anatomy!
When John Doe Is George
Season 5, Episode 24 (2009)
I get that writing out "007" is quicker than "George O'Malley," but still, George was putting a lot of faith in Meredith's ability to figure out that he was referring to a no-longer-used nickname rather than making a fairly ubiquitous pop culture reference.
When Derek Gets Shot
Season 6, Episode 24 (2010)
Derek isn't the first, or second, or even third doc to get shot in this heart-pounding episode, but being that he is McDreamy, you may have thought he'd be spared. I mean, April convinces the shooter to spare her with a tip from Oprah, surely Derek could use his charm to do the same, right?
When Bailey Is Pulled From Under The Bed
Season 6, Episode 24 (2010)
At this point in the terrifying episode, it's shocking that a main Grey's doc could remain (physically) unscathed. But watching as Bailey tries to claw her way further under the bed seemed like a moment straight out of a horror movie.
When Meredith Gets Attacked By A Patient
Season 12, Episode 9 (2016)
On the one hand, this moment wasn't truly "shocking," because this promo played nonstop for a week prior. But it was still super upsetting and jarring to see Meredith get so violently knocked around in what she seems to see, despite the shooting, as a safe space.
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