With 17 seasons under its belt, Grey's Anatomy is full of iconic moments that are permanently etched into fans' memories. Derek Shepherd's shocking death or Cristina and Meredith dancing it out for the last time come to mind. But there are other moments in this hit medical drama that are subtle and sensitive but haven't received quite so much attention over the years.
Whether it was Alex picking Izzie in his arms right after Denny's death or Bailey giving Derek a moment after a patient's tragic death, there were more than a few scenes that deserve rent-free status in fans' minds.
Arizona Talking To Callie's Dad
One of the underrated but high-water mark moments for the sunny Arizona came in season 6's "Invasion" when she plead her case to Callie's dad about why she was the best partner for his daughter.
Arizona's speech about how she was a good man in a storm and could be relied upon to protect the people she loved was incredibly sweet. She didn't come on too strong but what she said and the way she said it was enough to change Hector's mind. It was a significant moment in what was about to be one of the most important relationships on the show.
Bailey Giving Derek A Moment
Miranda and Derek had a beautiful friendship hinging on mutual appreciation as doctors and colleagues. Derek was the first person that Miranda opened up to while he respected her ability to speak up.
After losing a patient after a horrifying train accident in season 2's "Into You Like A Train," Derek broke down in what should have been a more memorable moment on Grey's Anatomy inside the elevator. Miranda stopped it to give him a minute to collect himself. The moment was powerful, showing that surgeons are humans too and that the mental stress and trauma of handling tragedies every day could get to them as well. The otherwise stoic Miranda acknowledged the pain Derek felt and the scene was overwhelming.
Derek Giving Bailey A Moment In Return
Derek returned the gesture in season 6's "Goodbye". Everyone at Seattle Grace was struggling to cope with George's shocking death and on top of that, as Izzie's mentor, Miranda was on an emotional roller coaster as she tried to come to with Izzie's cancer diagnosis and recovery.
As the original bunch of interns battled the daunting challenges thrown at them every day, those who loved them and cared for them like Derek and Miranda were also affected in their day-to-day lives. Miranda therefore needed a moment to let it all out, which Derek understood. He extended to her the same courtesy that she had shown him years ago, and that was beautiful, albeit underrated.
Derek Comforting Lexie
Derek and Lexie had developed a sweet camaraderie in the short time that they had known each other. Derek even became a mentor of sorts for Lexie, who was showing promise in neurosurgery.
In season 8's "Moment Of Truth", Derek comforted Lexie after she was distraught about not being able to get back together with Mark. The way she and Derek bonded showed how much their relationship would have evolved over the years had both of them not had their lives cut short so tragically. The scene touched hearts with its purity and the chemistry between the two actors.
Everyone Taking Turns To Comfort Izzie
One of the most tragic deaths in season 2 of Grey's Anatomy was that of Denny Duquette; season 3 began with Izzie mourning Denny's ing in "Time Has Come Today". As she lay dazed on the bathroom floor, her friends took turns in lying down beside her and ing her in their own ways.
The first one to try and comfort her was George, followed by Cristina and Meredith. Neither of them had much experience with seeing someone through their grieving process, nor were they mature enough. But they still tried and that was sweet. The original interns blundered their way through the challenges they faced but they rallied every time one of them needed emotional strength. These moments are not talked about nearly as much as they should have been.
Richard Trying To Operate On Himself
In season 16, Richard had a terrifying health crisis when he became disoriented and seemed to be losing his bearings rather fast. He was itted into the hospital and everyone made it their life's mission to figure out what was wrong with him.
While the staff was channeling all its energies to diagnosing Richard, their patient was roaming the hospital on his own in "Sing It Again". In one of the most heartrending scenes in the history of the series, Meredith discovered him, confused, in the OR with a scalpel directed at himself, presumably trying to perform a surgery on himself because that was what he was most familiar with. It was all Meredith could do to hold back her tears at his obliviousness to the situation. Unfortunately, very few people seem to this scene despite its poignancy.
Owen Giving Cristina A Bath
Owen Hunt gets a lot of flak for his behavior. But Owen did Cristina after the devastating plane crash of season 8 when she experienced severe PTSD. Perhaps, as someone who had himself suffered from post-traumatic stress, he understood exactly what she felt.
The moment in season 9's " the Time" when he is seen giving Cristina a sponge bath and talking to her quietly without expecting her to respond is touching, to say the least. Owen was gentle and gave Cristina as much time as she needed to process her trauma. For all his self-centered ways, this was a beautiful moment he shared with Cristina, something that doesn't get enough attention.
Derek Taking Cristina Fishing
Derek and Cristina fishing together was one of the sweetest moments in season 7's "Adrift and at Peace". Here were two people who weren't exactly friends but whose fates had irreversibly been tied together by an incident that rocked their lives — the hospital shooting in the shocking Grey's Anatomy season 6 finale.
Derek took it on himself to give Cristina some much-needed space to process her trauma. The way the two sat together in relative silence on Derek's boat was a testament to their mutual respect and Derek's gratitude to Cristina for literally saving his life.
George Helping Bailey During Her Delivery
George O'Malley was gentle and possibly the most comionate of the original set of interns. In the season 2 episode "As We Know It," Bailey froze during her delivery on finding out that her husband had just been in an accident. At this time, George stepped in, and took charge, cajoling Miranda until she was ready to bring little Tucker into the world.
The scene was potent with emotions and remains one of the most beautiful moments in the history of the series, albeit underrated. Miranda was shattered by George's death at the end of season 5, one of the reasons being her gratitude towards him for being her pillar when she needed him the most.
Alex Picking Izzie Up
An arrogant smartmouth when he was first introduced, Alex embarked on his journey towards redemption with Izzie's love and faith in him. And in one of the most heartwarming scenes of their relationship, Alex picked Izzie up in his arms as she lay stunned at first and then wept by Denny's side in season 2's "Losing My Religion."
The moments highlighted Alex's softer side and proved that he genuinely cared for Izzie. The others stood quietly around while he held her in his arms. In his own way, Alex tried to be there for the woman he loved who at the moment was grieving the loss of another man. There was something very moving about his gesture and needs to be treated as a significant moment in his path towards becoming a mellower, more caring person.