The Shocking Secrets Behind Iconic ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Episodes Will Blow Your Mind!

 

In the later seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, a lot happened, from huge milestones to surprising returns … and of course, a pandemic that changed the way television was produced. Below are some seriously delightful fun facts about each season’s most popular episode that will arm you with new knowledge or inspire a rewatch.

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ABC

During this season premiere, Bailey became the chief of surgery, April returned from her time in the Army, and a widowed Meredith adjusted to living with Amelia and Maggie.

Fact No. 1: Ellen Pompeo told Into the Gloss that Meredith had short hair in this hour because her real hair got “fried” from being dyed dark then bleached blonde in the previous season.

Fact No. 2: Eagle-eyed fans spotted a notice on the hospital bulletin board advertising a puppy up for adoption — Mer’s old dog Doc, from Izzie!

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Jo, Bailey, and Arizona treated a pregnant inmate as Alex faced jail time himself for assaulting DeLuca.

Fact No. 1: This was the first episode of Grey’s not to include Ellen Pompeo, who was on maternity leave. She still did the voice-over, though!

Fact No. 2: Actress Jasmin Savoy Brown played a defense attorney in this episode and would later portray a character with the same job in Shondaland’s For the People.

ABC

Bailey suffered a heart attack, leading a guilt-ridden Ben to quit firefighting to reduce her stress. By the end of the hour, though, Bailey convinced him to return to his job.

Fact No. 1: This episode marked the 300th appearance of Chandra Wilson (Bailey) in Grey’s and Private Practice combined.

Fact No. 2: This was also only the second-ever Grey’s Anatomy episode not to feature Meredith in person or even in a voice-over.

ABC

Remembered for its powerful “hallway of women” scene, this episode found Jo and Teddy treating a traumatized sexual-assault survivor.

Fact No. 1: The female hospital staff who lined the hallway while Abby headed to surgery included many crew members of Grey’s and ABC staffers, per Vulture.

Fact No. 2: According to TVLine, a 2019 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association reported a 43 percent increase in calls to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline directly following the episode’s airing.