Grey's Anatomy: Every Season Ranked Worst To Best

Season eight offered fans Grey's Anatomy's biggest twist yet when, in the finale, Meredith, Derek, Cristina, Mark, Lexie, and Arizona are involved in a calamitous plane crash. The build-up to this moment is expertly crafted, making the tragedy of it all the more devastating. 

The main focus this season shifts between character and place, as Meredith and Derek's marriage suffers from her recent tampering of their Alzheimer's trial, and various couples - from Mark and Lexie to Jackson and April - struggle with conflicted feelings and heartbreak.

This is, all told, Grey's at its most romantic, following the surgeons as they finally put themselves out there to seek the relationships they've always wanted but never had. Mark goes from arrogant playboy to loving father and boyfriend, Mer and Derek show marriage for all its colours, and Webber bids farewell to his wife. 

It's all rather thrilling at times, watching all these characters battle their instincts and fears whilst the usual patients come flooding in. But with the season's ability to sell the drama so poignantly comes that final twist, to date one of Grey's most horrible bolts from the blue. Can't these guys have anything nice?!