In the past decade, saying we've shed some tears over the show would be an understatement. The saddest episodes may have been responsible for some mini floods (at least at our house). Before, if a TV drama resulted in you breaking down in tears once or twice during it's run, it was considered a success. Then Shonda Rhimes brought us the world of Seattle Grace Hospital with Meredith, Cristina, Alex, Izzie, George, Bailey, McSteamy, McDreamy, and every other McCombination you can think of.
We trained ourselves to not get too attached to new characters — it is a hospital after all — but we couldn't help but fall for the main characters. No one is safe in Shondaland — especially during mid-season sweeps and season finales. Here are the 15 scenes that left us reaching for the tissues, applying a lot of concealer the next day, and telling ourselves we would never turn the television on again. Until the next week, at least.
Season 1, Episode 9: Who's Zoomin' Who?
When Meredith shakily asks "Shepherd?" we start tearing up.
Season 2, Episode 17: As We Know It
This is the first time we see Meredith almost die. If only we realized how common this would become. But, the episode with the bomb and Coach Eric Taylor will always be one of the best.
Season 2, Episode 27: Losing My Religion
Dogs dying will always make us cry. Doc getting put to sleep was never going to be easy. Doc being a symbol for Meredith and Derek’s relationship made it worse.
We thought this was going to be the saddest scene in the episode....
Season 2, Episode 27: Losing My Religion
... and then this happened. Honestly, nothing else compared when it came to tear count. We aren't going to pretend otherwise.
Season 3, Episode 23: The Other Side Of This Life : Part 2
We didn’t really care about Thatcher that much. When his wife dies after coming to the hospital for hiccups we feel his pain. Unfortunately, so does Meredith’s face.
Season 3, Episode 25: Didn't We Almost Have It All?
We knew that Cristina was having doubts about getting married and losing her freedom. We didn't expect Cristina would gain back her freedom and become suffocated by her wedding outfit.
Season 5, Episode 22: What A Difference A Day Makes
Not every moment that makes us cry has to be sad. We deserve happy tears sometimes.
Season 5, Episode 24: Now or Never
We knew George was leaving the show. When he signed the paperwork to join the army, we thought we were avoiding another death. How wrong we were.
Season 6, Episode 23: Sanctuary
I'm not sure Seattle Grace was ever truly a sanctuary (see: episode title). Still, this moment shocked even the most cynical viewers.
Season 6, Episode 24: Death and All His Friends
It was a two-part finale that deserves two mentions in any sad scenes roundup. There are a lot of deaths that could be included in here, but Meredith's miscarriage ended the tragic finale in the most heartbreaking way.
Season 8, Episode 24: Flight
Honestly, bringing McSteamy and Lexie back together just for this to happen was unnecessary — even for Shonda Rhimes.
Season 9, Episode 1: Going, Going, Gone
We had just said goodbye to Lexie; we really didn't need to say goodbye to Mark too.
Season 9, Episode 10: Things We Said Today
Watching Richard pretending to be okay so Bailey could enjoy her wedding reminds us the saddest day of your life can be the happiest day of someone else's.
Season 10, Episode 24: Fear (of the Unknown)
“You're my person. I need you alive. You make me brave. Okay...now we dance it out.”
Cue the montage of the dark and twisty sisters.
Season 11, Episode 11: All I Could Do Was Cry
There are no words for April and Jackson inducing labor to say goodbye to their baby with a fatal bone disease. Even the Grey's Anatomy writers were speechless and gave us this almost wordless scene.
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