Grey's Anatomy: Season 8

2011 · 23 episodes · ★ 8.1

What Season 8 of Grey's Anatomy

Season eight opens with the residents in their fifth and final year at Seattle Grace. April takes on her role as chief resident, while Meredith deals with the consequences of having manipulated a clinical trial. Meredith and Derek try to keep their relationship afloat and, at the same time, want to adopt an orphaned girl. Cristina has to make a decision about her pregnancy that could put her marriage at risk. Inside the hospital, the chief makes a move that affects all staff, and the residents lean on one another to survive the pressure of the operating room.

23episodes

Sep 22, 2011premiered

May 17, 2012latest episode

17.2 hrtotal runtime

Season 8 Episodes

8x01 Free Falling; She's Gone
Sep 22, 2011 · 86 min · ★ 8.4
The fifth-year residents return for the first day of a year that will make or break their careers: Meredith faces the consequences of tampering with Derek's clinical trial and is terminated at the hospital; April tries to step up to the plate as Chief Resident in the wake of a giant sinkhole in the middle of Seattle; and Cristina and Owen are still at odds over their drastically different feelings for their unborn child.News of Meredith and Derek's unsteady relationship raises a red flag for Zola's adoption counselor; Alex quickly realizes that he has become the outcast of the group after ratting out Meredith; and Cristina makes a tough decision regarding her unexpected pregnancy. Also, Chief Webber brings Henry in for a last minute surgery, alarming Teddy.This is an historic episode that finally crosses a long-standing barrier.
Directing: Rob Corn · Writers: Debora Cahn, Joan Rater · Starring: Scott Foley, Teresa Huang, Mitch Pileggi, Janora McDuffie
8x03 Take the Lead
Sep 29, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 8.2
The chief makes a decision that shocks everyone at Seattle Grace; Owen and Cristina attempt to find normalcy; April struggles in her new role; the 5th-year residents receive their first solo surgery assignments.
Directing: Chandra Wilson · Writer: William Harper · Starring: Jon Schmidt, Ken Weiler, Karly Rothenberg, Christopher Carrington
8x04 What is it About Men?
Oct 6, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 7.9
A stampede at a comic book convention leads to an influx of colorful characters in the ER; Mark continues to make life difficult for Jackson; Ben returns and realizes Bailey has moved on.
Directing: Tom Verica · Writer: Stacy McKee · Starring: Jason George, Nicole Cummins-Rubio, Daniel Sunjata, Denice Sealy
8x05 Love, Loss and Legacy
Oct 13, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 8.2
The residents try their hardest to impress surgical great Catherine Avery-who also happens to be Jackson's mother-when she arrives at Seattle Grace to perform a groundbreaking transplant surgery; Arizona and Alex find their hands tied with a confidentiality issue when a familiar patient comes into the ER; meanwhile, a love-struck Teddy throws a dinner party for the couples, and Bailey makes a decision regarding her love life
Directing: Stephen Cragg · Writer: Denise Hahn · Starring: Jason George, Scott Foley, Mark Sinacori, Robert Hoffman
8x06 Poker Face
Oct 20, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 8.1
After being blackballed by most of the surgeons, Meredith uses Lexie to spark Derek's interest in her patient's rare brain tumor case and, in secret, gives guidance to April with Bailey's clinical trial; Callie's wish for Arizona and Mark to form a friendship comes to fruition and she realizes it's more irritating than helpful; Alex and Teddy research alternative surgeries for a very superficial patient; and Callie and Cristina struggle with a very difficult spinal surgery.
Directing: Kevin McKidd · Writer: Peter Nowalk · Starring: Joelle Carter, Ali Louise Hartman, Susanne Allan Hartman, Lee Majors
8x07 Put Me In, Coach
Oct 27, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 8.0
Owen stresses teamwork and moves his leadership role over to the baseball field when he signs the doctors up for a baseball league, pitting them against their biggest competition, Seattle Presbyterian; Lexie tries to hide her jealous rage when she sees Mark with a new woman, but her emotions get the better of her; Alex fights to keep Zola at Seattle Grace after it is suggested that she be moved to another hospital due to a conflict of interest with Meredith and Derek; and Richard scolds Meredith and Bailey for their feud
Directing: Debbie Allen · Writing: Jeannine Renshaw · Starring: Scott Foley, Grace Go, Payton Silver, Ernie Hudson
8x08 Heart-Shaped Box
Nov 3, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 8.2
The doctors become nostalgic when George O'Malley's mother, Louise, returns to Seattle Grace for medical help after a botched surgery at a neighboring hospital; the residents are inspired by a medical miracle when they witness a harvested heart that continues to beat outside the body; a new pediatric fellow excites Arizona and makes Alex feel threatened; Jackson lets his suspicions about Mark and Lexie interfere with his work; and Henry and Teddy have their first marital fight when he expresses interest in pursuing medical school
Directing: Jessica Yu · Writer: Austin Guzman · Starring: Scott Foley, Teresa Huang, Debra Monk, Vedette Lim
8x09 Dark Was the Night Mid-Season Finale
Nov 10, 2011 · 43 min · ★ 8.1
Teddy puts her husband’s life in the hands of her peers when Henry is sent to the OR for surgery and she’s called away on another case; Meredith and Derek receive the long-awaited news about Zola; Callie and Jackson come under fire when their patient experiences post-surgery complications; and Meredith and Alex are involved in a life-threatening situation when they travel to a neighboring hospital to tend to a sick newborn, on Grey’s Anatomy
Directing: Allison Liddi-Brown · Writer: Debora Cahn · Starring: Scott Foley, Nicole Cummins-Rubio, Dylan Bruno, Scott Klace
8x10 Suddenly
Jan 5, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.4
A severe car crash involving an entire family results in an all-hands-on situation in the ER, as the eldest daughter is left to make the toughest decision of her life. Meanwhile Teddy, still in the dark about Henry's death, calls upon Cristina to help with her patient in the O.R., and Lexie finds herself working alongside Mark's new girlfriend, Julia, during an eye surgery.
Directing: Ron Underwood · Writing: Stacy McKee · Starring: Scott Foley, Denice Sealy, Janora McDuffie, Dylan Bruno
8x11 This Magic Moment
Jan 12, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 7.9
The doctors split into teams for a risky surgery involving conjoined twins; Bailey recruits Meredith to be a buffer between her and Ben when he puts pressure on moving their relationship to a more serious level; Richard teaches Alex a tough lesson in the OR; meanwhile Teddy questions Cristina about what exactly happened to Henry during his surgery.
Directing: Steve Robin · Writing: Zoanne Clack · Starring: Jason George, Holland Roden, Payton Silver, Kate Mines
8x12 Hope for the Hopeless
Jan 19, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.2
Richard performs a monumental surgery in his career; Derek and Lexie attempt to work miracles for a patient with an inoperable tumor
Directing: Mark Jackson · Writing: Peter Nowalk · Starring: Loretta Devine, Leith M. Burke, Holley Fain, Cheryl White
8x13 If/Then
Feb 2, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
As Meredith puts Zola to bed and falls asleep, she begins to wonder -- what if her mother had never had Alzheimer's and she'd had loving, supportive parents? The reverberations of a happy Meredith Grey change the world of Seattle Grace as we know it. What if she had never met Derek in that bar and he had never separated from Addison? What if Callie and Owen had become a couple long before she met Arizona? And what if Bailey never evolved from the meek intern she once was?
Directing: Jeannot Szwarc · Writer: William Harper · Starring: Kate Walsh, Loretta Devine, Teresa Huang, Kate Burton
8x14 All You Need is Love
Feb 9, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 7.8
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, Meredith and Derek try to have a night to themselves when Lexie offers to watch Zola; Callie hands babysitting duties over to Mark so that she can surprise Arizona with a romantic evening; and Ben proves to Bailey that he knows her better than she thinks. Meanwhile, the ER fills with romantics, including a 10-year-old girl who has an allergic reaction to chocolates from her valentine and a man who is hit by a car while chasing down his frustrated girlfriend.
Directing: Rob Corn · Writer: Jeannine Renshaw · Starring: Jason George, Aidan Andrews, Mark Saul, Nicole Cummins-Rubio
8x15 Have You Seen Me Lately?
Feb 16, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 7.6
Amelia arrives at Seattle Grace to beg Derek to help with the gliosarcoma case; Cristina and Owen have heated arguments during marriage counseling; Alex realizes he needs to improve his people skills in order to be a good doctor.
Directing: Tony Phelan · Writing: Austin Guzman · Starring: Caterina Scorsone, Nicole Cummins-Rubio, Jon Schmidt, Rachel Andersen
8x16 If Only You Were Lonely
Feb 23, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.1
As Adele's condition continues to deteriorate, Richard considers altering their living situation; an explosion at a local coffee shop results in a busy day in the ER for the doctors; Callie takes Meredith under her wing by helping her study for her boards; Lexie joins Arizona and Alex in peds, as they continue to care for intern Morgan's premature son; and when Jackson snaps at a patient, Mark encourages him to find ways to relieve his stress. Meanwhile, Cristina lets her suspicions get the best of her.
Directing: Susan Vaill · Writer: Matt Byrne · Starring: Loretta Devine, Grace Go, Mitch Pileggi, Shi Ne Nielson
8x17 One Step Too Far
Mar 15, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 7.9
Derek encourages a hesitant Meredith to work with him again in neurology; Jackson's mother, Catherine Avery, returns to Seattle Grace with a urology fellow and develops an interest in Richard; and Cristina becomes increasingly suspicious of Owen's every move. Meanwhile, Alex tries to deny the fact that Morgan may be falling for him.
Directing: Edward Ornelas · Writer: William Harper · Starring: Teresa Huang, Payton Silver, Debbie Allen, Amanda Fuller
8x18 The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Apr 5, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
A lion breaks loose in Seattle, leaving a couple's lives and relationship at risk; Lexie overhears Mark's discussion about moving in with Julia; Teddy begins to take steps towards coming to terms with Henry's death; Callie grills Arizona on her past lovers; and Alex requests to be taken off Morgan's preemie case when she becomes too dependent on him. Meanwhile, Meredith tries to be a support for Cristina as the tension between her and Owen hits a boiling point.
Directing: Mark Jackson · Writer: Stacy McKee · Starring: Danny Strong, Ilea Alfaro, Nicole Cummins-Rubio, Michael Lespinasse
8x19 Support System
Apr 12, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.3
A devastated Cristina presses Owen to confess the intimate details of his affair; Mark takes his new authority very seriously when he steps in as chief for the day and butts heads with Richard over a patient's liver transplant; and Callie deems Meredith ready for the boards, while the rest of the residents continue to stress about the exam. Meanwhile, Callie, Arizona and Bailey plan a much needed ladies night for Teddy.
Directing: Allison Liddi-Brown · Writing: Heather Mitchell · Starring: Jason George, Shi Ne Nielson, René Auberjonois, Alexis Carra
8x20 The Girl with No Name
Apr 19, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.3
The doctors work on a Jane Doe, who turns out to be the subject of a case that gained national interest; Cristina proves to be the highest in demand as the residents begin their interviews for post-residency positions at prospective hospitals; and Richard is faced with an unsettling realization when he visits Adele at Rose Ridge.
Directing: Ron Underwood · Writing: Peter Nowalk · Starring: Loretta Devine, Payton Silver, Lorraine Toussaint, Vanessa Marano
8x21 Moment of Truth
Apr 26, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.2
After eight years of practice, the residents head to San Francisco for their oral boards; sparks fly between Catherine and Richard when they bump into each other at the hotel; Bailey intervenes after Owen and Teddy get into a heated argument about their young car crash patient; and Mark tries to recruit Lexie for one of his cases. Meanwhile, Alex feels guilty for being away from the hospital when Tommy's health begins to fail.
Directing: Chandra Wilson · Writing: Zakiyyah Alexander · Starring: Nicole Cummins-Rubio, Kate Mines, Debbie Allen, Amanda Fuller
8x22 Let the Bad Times Roll
May 3, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.4
The residents agonize over their oral boards, reliving every answer they gave during their exams; Arizona's close childhood friend comes to Seattle Grace for medical help; the doctors work on a patient who is missing one third of his skull; and Julia asks Mark to start a family with her. Meanwhile Catherine tells Richard that one of his residents has failed.
Directing: Kevin McKidd · Writing: Matt Byrne · Starring: Cynthia Watros, David DeLuise, William Daniels, Debbie Allen
8x23 Migration
May 10, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.5
The residents determine their future as they make their final decisions regarding post residency positions; Mark admits to Derek that he is torn between his love for Lexie and the fact that Julia can give him everything he's ever wanted; Ben plans something extra special for Bailey, but she is preoccupied with her work; and Arizona encourages her childhood friend, Nick, to have surgery. Meanwhile a couple on their third honeymoon come to the hospital complaining of mysterious symptoms.
Directing: Stephen Cragg · Writing: Mark Wilding, Jenna Bans · Starring: Jason George, Jordan Belfi, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Patrick Fischler
8x24 Flight Season Finale
May 17, 2012 · 43 min · ★ 8.5
Faced with a life threatening situation, the doctors must fight to stay alive while trying to save the lives of their peers; Bailey and Ben make a decision regarding their relationship; and Teddy is presented with a tempting offer. Meanwhile, Richard plans a special dinner for the residents.
Directing: Rob Corn · Writer: Shonda Rhimes · Starring: Jason George, Kate Mines, James Le Gros, Brie Eley