5 Essential “Grey’s Anatomy” Episodes For Meredith-and-Derek Fans

When “Grey’s Anatomy” premiered back in 2005, no one could have predicted what a sensation it would become — or how long it would end up airing. And part of the reason why fans fell in love was because of the twisty, long-haul love story between Ellen Pompeo’s Dr. Meredith Grey and Patrick Dempsey’s Dr. Derek Shepherd.

Eighteen years later, we can admit that perhaps their romance didn’t have the best start; Derek was literally her boss’s boss when they first met, even if they didn’t realize that the very first time they slept together. But their will-they-won’t-they romance — full of obstacles medical, mental, and romantic — is still one of TV’s greatest. And even though it technically came to an end when Dempsey left the show in 2015 and Derek was killed in season 11, episode 21, the legacy of their love continued on the show (and Dempsey briefly returned as the character in 2021). Pompeo herself left the show in early 2023, though she’s left the door open for a comeback.

Ahead, we rounded up some of our favorite MerDer episodes. Some feature iconic declarations of love. Some feature the lowest moments in their lives, in case you really want to cry. And some have important developments in their relationship as they find their way back to each other over and over again. These are 15 of the best “Grey’s Anatomy” episodes for Meredith-and-Derek fans.

Season 9, Episode 7: “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”

By season nine, most of us found comfort in Derek and Meredith’s rock-solid relationship as drama sparked between all the other couples on the show, like Cristina and Owen. Meredith and Derek find themselves attached to baby Zola in season seven and eventually adopt her. Without really expecting a baby, Meredith finds herself pregnant in season nine, despite her doctor telling her that her uterus is “hostile.” She buys an adorable “World’s Best Big Sister” shirt for Zola and mischievously asks Derek to look at it.

This moment reminds us that good things can still happen in the “Grey’s” universe, even after terrible things like the horrendous plane crash in the season eight finale.

Season 9, Episode 24: “Perfect Storm”

In the season nine finale, Meredith gives birth to her son. When Meredith hemorrhages after her C-section, Bailey performs life-saving surgery, so Meredith names her son Derek Bailey. Despite all the pain (including a major storm that puts the hospital on the brink), Meredith and Derek’s first moments with their family of four are super sweet.

Season 11, Episode 17: “With or Without You”

Meredith and Derek are going through a hard time in their marriage as he spends increasing amounts of time in Washington DC for work. But Derek has another grand romantic speech in him. “Meredith, I can’t live without you. I don’t want to live without you. And I’m gonna do everything in my power to prove it,” he says. She responds, “I can live without you. But I don’t want to. I don’t ever want to.” Alas, they don’t know what’s coming for them.

Season 11, Episode 21: “How to Save a Life”

While on his way to make one last trip to DC, Derek witnesses a car accident and rescues the victims, only to be involved in a horrific car accident of his own shortly after. The paramedics take him to a less-than-equipped hospital, and by the time the doctors figure out that he needs a CT scan, he is brain dead. Sleeping at Last’s melancholy cover of “Chasing Cars” plays as Meredith takes Derek off life support, and it will destroy you.

Season 17, Episode 8: “It’s All Too Much”

In season 17 — which includes a fictional version of the COVID-19 pandemic — Meredith tests positive and falls into a coma. During this, she experiences life on a beach and is visited by many of her dead friends and relatives — including Derek. It’s very, very emotional.