Grey's Anatomy (season 8)
The eighth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 22, 2011, with a special 2-hour episode and ended on May 17, 2012 with the eighth season having a total of 24 episodes. The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company, and overseen by showrunners Shonda Rhimes, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater.
Grey's Anatomy | |
---|---|
Season 8 | |
DVD cover art for the eighth season of Grey's Anatomy | |
Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 24 |
Release | |
Original network | ABC |
Original release | September 22, 2011 – May 17, 2012 |
Season chronology | |
This season follows the storyline of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) as they try to save their marriage and adopt Zola after Meredith tampered with the Alzheimer's trial in the previous season. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) also struggles to forgive Meredith because Richard Webber (James Pickens, Jr.) takes the blame for Meredith and steps down from his role of Chief of Surgery, and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) takes his place. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) decides to have an abortion, putting her relationship with Hunt at odds. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) co-parent their baby with Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) who continues to have an on/off relationship with Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh). Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) deals with the fallout of his decision to tell Owen about Meredith altering the Alzheimer's trial, and becomes an outcast by the other residents. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) marries Henry Burton (Scott Foley), who later dies of a heart condition, leaving her devastated.
The season hit the series' low for ratings as it ended with an average of 10.92 million viewers ranking at #34 and in the 18-49 key demographic ranked at #12.[1] Loretta Devine garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of Adele Webber and earned numerous nominations including the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series and the Critics' Choice Television Awards. James Pickens, Jr. won Outstanding Supporting Actor at the NAACP Image Awards, and Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh both received nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Drama. Stacy McKee was nominated for Humanitas Prize for writing "White Wedding". Sara Ramirez was nominated at the 13th ALMA Awards for Favorite TV Supporting Actress. For the 38th People's Choice Awards, the show was nominated for Favorite TV Drama, and Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey were respectively nominated for Favorite TV Drama Actress and Favorite TV Drama Actor.
Episodes
The number in the "No. in series" column refers to the episode's number within the overall series, whereas the number in the "No. in season" column refers to the episode's number within this particular season. "U.S. viewers in millions" refers to the number of Americans in millions who watched the episodes live.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
149 | 1 | "Free Falling" | Rob Corn | Tony Phelan & Joan Rater | September 22, 2011 | 801 | 10.38[2] |
A giant sinkhole opens up in the middle of Seattle, causing April to step up as Chief Resident. Meredith must deal with the professional ramifications of her actions last season while Cristina and Owen have yet to see eye to eye regarding their feelings for their unplanned pregnancy. | |||||||
150 | 2 | "She's Gone" | Tony Phelan | Debora Cahn | September 22, 2011 | 802 | 10.38[2] |
The sinkhole crisis continues while Meredith and Derek maintain the rocky state of their relationship, which becomes a concern for the adoption counselor. Cristina makes a decision regarding her unplanned pregnancy and Alex realizes that he is the outcast after revealing Meredith's dishonesty. | |||||||
151 | 3 | "Take the Lead" | Chandra Wilson | William Harper | September 29, 2011 | 803 | 10.20[3] |
The Chief makes a career-changing decision that shocks Seattle Grace Hospital, while Cristina and Owen try to find normalcy in their relationship. April continues to struggle in her new role as Chief Resident, and the 5th year residents are given their first solo surgeries, only to find out that even the most routine procedures aren't always easy. | |||||||
152 | 4 | "What Is It About Men" | Tom Verica | Stacy McKee | October 6, 2011 | 804 | 8.70[4] |
Ben returns and Miranda is skeptical of his arrival, until Ben realizes that she has finally moved on. A stampede at a comic convention causes the ER to be inundated with colorful costume-bearers. This episode centers largely on the men of Seattle Grace as opposed to focusing on the women. | |||||||
153 | 5 | "Love, Loss and Legacy" | Stephen Cragg | Denise Hahn | October 13, 2011 | 805 | 9.97[5] |
Jackson's mother, Dr. Catherine Avery, comes to Seattle Grace for a groundbreaking transplant surgery. Zola comes into the hospital. Alex and Arizona must deal with the confidentiality issue with Derek and Meredith. Teddy throws a house warming party. Eli and Miranda break up. | |||||||
154 | 6 | "Poker Face" | Kevin McKidd | Peter Nowalk | October 20, 2011 | 806 | 9.54[6] |
April steps up as Chief Resident while managing a clinical trial. Callie and Cristina deal with a difficult spinal surgery while Alex and Teddy must find alternative ways to operate on a patient. Meredith struggles to follow her new rule of not talking to Derek about work while at the hospital. | |||||||
155 | 7 | "Put Me In, Coach" | Debbie Allen | Jeannine Renshaw | October 27, 2011 | 807 | 9.93[7] |
In order to stress cooperation and teamwork, Owen enters the doctors into a softball league where they will compete against Seattle Presbyterian, the other hospital in Seattle. Derek and Lexie deliberate a treatment plan when a desperate mother of a girl with an inoperable brain tumor specifically seeks his help. Richard tries to repair Miranda and Meredith's working relationship. Lexie becomes jealous over Mark dating a new woman, and Alex fights to keep Zola at Seattle Grace. | |||||||
156 | 8 | "Heart-Shaped Box" | Jessica Yu | Austin Guzman | November 3, 2011 | 808 | 9.52[8] |
A medical miracle occurs, leaving the residents feeling inspired. Louise O'Malley returns to Seattle Grace after a surgery was botched by a different hospital, causing the residents to reminisce about all the times they had with George. Arizona makes friends with a new pediatric fellow, making Alex feel threatened. Teddy and Henry fight over Henry wanting to attend medical school. | |||||||
157 | 9 | "Dark Was the Night" | Allison Liddi-Brown | Debora Cahn | November 10, 2011 | 809 | 11.29[9] |
Teddy brings Henry into the ER after finding him at home vomiting blood; while Meredith gets news from Janet that she and Derek aren't going to get Zola back. Just as Teddy waits on Henry's CT she is called onto another case, the case being Callie and Jackson's spinal surgery, whose heart is now bleeding uncontrollably. After deciding to operate on Callie's patient, Teddy decides to get Cristina to operate on Henry, with Dr. Webber and Lexie in with her, only not to tell her that it's him. Meredith and Alex go to a neighboring hospital to help a new premature baby, since the hospital doesn't have the equipment to save the baby's life; After believing that Henry is in the clear, Cristina finds that the tumor had gone into the heart; after twenty minutes of performing CPR Cristina calls time of death, only moments later to find out it was Henry. After their ambulance breaks down, Alex and Meredith call Arizona, Mark, and Derek to see if they knew how to take care of the baby, only for the ambulance to crash while on the phone; When Meredith and Alex step out, they see that a car with victims in it was what hit them. | |||||||
158 | 10 | "Suddenly" | Ron Underwood | Stacy McKee | January 5, 2012 | 810 | 12.12[10] |
The ER is swamped by victims from the crash which involved a family car and Alex and Meredith's ambulance. Alex and Meredith fight to save the lives of a family; after realizing that telling Teddy about Henry's death would stop her from saving her patient's life, Owen decides to not tell Teddy until she is out of surgery. When Meredith and Alex get back to the hospital they try to save the family's life, only for all but the father and the children of the family to die immediately. While operating on the youngest child of the family, Derek and Mark realize that they need help if they are going to save the child's eye, only to call Mark's ophthalmologist girlfriend, Julia, in to assist them, with Lexie assisting Derek. Arizona and Alex work to save the life of the baby that they brought from the hospital. Cristina struggles whether or not to tell Teddy about Henry in the middle of a critical surgery. | |||||||
159 | 11 | "This Magic Moment" | Steve Robin | Zoanne Clack | January 12, 2012 | 811 | 10.71[11] |
A risky surgery which involves conjoined twins has the doctors split into two teams. Meredith unwittingly finds herself acting as a buffer between Miranda and Ben, Alex is taught a lesson in the O.R. by Webber, and Teddy makes everyone in her O.R. uncomfortable when she has Cristina recount the events leading up to Henry's death. Back at home, Derek and Meredith find joy in parenthood. | |||||||
160 | 12 | "Hope for the Hopeless" | Mark Jackson | Peter Nowalk | January 19, 2012 | 812 | 9.42[12] |
A pair of bickering sisters come in for a liver transplant performed by Richard, making it his 10,000th surgery. Meredith must choose a new specialty, Derek and Lexie operate on a previously inoperable neuroblastoma, and Teddy and Cristina defy Owen and steal a case from Alex. Adele is brought to Seattle Grace after being found wandering the streets. She is brought to the OR gallery to see Richard performing his milestone surgery where an emotionally taxing moment occurs revealing the full extent of her Alzheimer's. | |||||||
161 | 13 | "If/Then" | Jeannot Szwarc | William Harper | February 2, 2012 | 813 | 9.71[13] |
Meredith dreams of an alternative universe in which her mother, Ellis Grey, never had Alzheimer's and is a more supportive and loving mother. This leads Meredith to be a happy version of herself, causing Seattle Grace to be completely different. She and Cristina are enemies while April is her best friend, who is sleeping with Meredith's fiancé, Alex, who is only with Meredith because of her family's legacy. Owen has married Callie and they have 3 children, although they are not happy. Addison and Derek are expecting a child, only it is revealed that the baby is actually Mark's, and Addison and Derek's relationship is falling apart just as Derek's own career is also stagnating. Lexie has become an orphan and a drug addict. It is revealed that George failed his boards and was never seen again while Izzie went insane after Denny's death, and caused a shooting at the hospital. Richard left Adele and married Ellis, and Meredith took Webber as her last name. The episode ends reminiscent of how Derek and Meredith first met. Throughout the entire episode all the couples that actually do exist seem to have connections, which includes Callie and Arizona, and also Yang and Owen. | |||||||
162 | 14 | "All You Need Is Love" | Rob Corn | Jeannine Renshaw | February 9, 2012 | 814 | 10.27[14] |
It's Valentine's Day at Seattle Grace and the ER fills with romantics. The singles, Lexie and Mark, are stuck on babysitting duty. Miranda and Ben's plans are ruined when she is called away to a series of emergencies but Ben surprises her at the end of the day. Meanwhile, Owen and Cristina keep avoiding each other after their big fight. | |||||||
163 | 15 | "Have You Seen Me Lately?" | Tony Phelan | Austin Guzman | February 16, 2012 | 815 | 8.31[15] |
During marriage counselling sessions, Owen and Cristina are constantly engaging in heated arguments. Owen cannot seem to move past the fact that Cristina does not want kids. Amelia arrives at Seattle Grace hoping to convince Derek to assist her with Erica's (A.J. Langer) gliosarcoma. Lexie gets caught in between the two Shepherds, Meredith shows off her surgical skills, Alex learns the importance of people skills, Mark and Jackson teach Dr. Bailey a lesson, and the residents continue to prep for their oral boards. This episode begins a crossover with Private Practice that concludes on "You Break My Heart". | |||||||
164 | 16 | "If Only You Were Lonely" | Susan Vaill | Matt Byrne | February 23, 2012 | 816 | 9.06[16] |
A coffee shop explodes, flooding the ER with patients. Richard reassesses his living situation with Adele as she continues to deteriorate before his very eyes. Callie assists Meredith with studying for her boards, Lexie assists on a peds case with Arizona and Alex, and Mark encourages Jackson to relieve his stress. Meanwhile, Cristina's suspicions get the better of her as she thinks Owen is cheating on her with a nurse. | |||||||
165 | 17 | "One Step Too Far" | Edward Ornelas | William Harper | March 15, 2012 | 817 | 9.62[17] |
Derek encourages a hesitant Meredith to work with him again in neurosurgery, but when she agrees the results are less than ideal; 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 everyone's observations that Morgan may be falling for him. | |||||||
166 | 18 | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | Mark Jackson | Stacy McKee | April 5, 2012 | 818 | 8.19[18] |
A lion breaks loose in Seattle and leaves a trail of victims in its midst; 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 after Owen cheats on Cristina. | |||||||
167 | 19 | "Support System" | Allison Liddi-Brown | Heather Mitchell | April 12, 2012 | 819 | 8.85[19] |
Cristina and Owen call in sick to work out their marriage at home, but in the end Owen moves out. Mark takes his appointment as interim chief very seriously, much to the attendings' annoyance. Arizona, Callie and Miranda plan a special night for Teddy. | |||||||
168 | 20 | "The Girl With No Name" | Ron Underwood | Peter Nowalk | April 19, 2012 | 820 | 9.82[20] |
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 in highest demand as the residents begin their interviews for post-residency positions at prospective hospitals while the attendings find ways to keep their best residents in Seattle. Richard is faced with an unsettling realization when he visits Adele at Rose Ridge. | |||||||
169 | 21 | "Moment of Truth" | Chandra Wilson | Zakiyyah Alexander | April 26, 2012 | 821 | 9.45[21] |
The residents travel to San Francisco for the oral boards. Sparks fly when Richard and Catherine (Debbie Allen) bump into each other at a hotel. Alex feels guilty about being away from the hospital as Tommy's health takes a turn for the worse. April loses her virginity to Jackson. | |||||||
170 | 22 | "Let the Bad Times Roll" | Kevin McKidd | Matt Byrne | May 3, 2012 | 822 | 9.24[22] |
The residents agonize over their upcoming exam results; Arizona's childhood friend needs medical help; the doctors try to help a patient who is missing one third of his skull; Julia wants to start a family with Mark, causing Lexie to finally tell him how she feels. | |||||||
171 | 23 | "Migration" | Stephen Cragg | Mark Wilding & Jenna Bans | May 10, 2012 | 823 | 9.82[23] |
The 5th years make their final decisions regarding their post residency plans. Mark confides in Derek about being torn between Lexie and Julia. Arizona encourages a childhood friend to have surgery, and Ben plans something for Miranda, who is preoccupied with work. Meredith, Derek, Cristina, Mark, Lexie and Alex are scheduled to fly to assist in a surgery at a hospital in Boise, though Arizona takes Alex's place after she discovers he is planning to leave Seattle Grace for Johns Hopkins Hospital. However, en route their plane crashes in the woods, leaving their fates unknown. | |||||||
172 | 24 | "Flight" | Rob Corn | Shonda Rhimes | May 17, 2012 | 824 | 11.44[24] |
After their plane crashes in the woods, the doctors fight to stay alive while trying to save their peers, but it is too late for Lexie. Mark makes a confession to her; the future of Derek's career may be in jeopardy; Ben and Miranda make a decision about their future together; Teddy gets a tempting offer; Richard plans a dinner for the residents; Owen fires Teddy to force her to move on from her husband's death and discovers his doctors are missing. |
Cast and characters
Main
- Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
- Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
- Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
- Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
- James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
- Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres
- Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
- Chyler Leigh as Dr. Lexie Grey
- Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt
- Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins
- Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman
- Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner
- Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery
- Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd
Recurring
- Jela K. Moore as Zola
- Scott Foley as Henry Burton
- Loretta Devine as Adele Webber
- Jason George as Dr. Ben Warren
- Daniel Sunjata as Nurse Eli
- Debbie Allen as Catherine Avery
- Janora McDuffie as Social Worker Janet
- Holley Fain as Dr. Julia Canner
- Amanda Fuller as Intern Morgan Peterson
- Summer Glau as Nurse Emily Kovach
- Nicole Cummins as Paramedic Nicole
Notable guests
- Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery
- Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd
- Debra Monk as Louise O'Malley
- Kate Burton as Ellis Grey
- Robert Baker as Dr. Charles Percy
- Alfre Woodard as Justine Campbell
- Stella Maeve as Lilly
- Vanessa Marano as Holly Wheeler
- Jordan Belfi as Nick
- Cynthia Watros as Ms. Konner
- James LeGros as Pilot Jerry
- Holland Roden as Gretchen Shaw
- Rebecca Hazlewood as Dr. Mara Keaton
Reception
Live +SD ratings
No. in series |
No. in season |
Episode | Air date | Time slot (EST) | 18–49 (Rating/Share) | Viewers (m) | 18–49 Rank | Rank out of Top 25 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
149 | 1 | "Free Falling" | September 22, 2011 | Thursdays 9:00 P.M. |
4.1/10[2] | 10.38[2] | 21[25] | N/A |
150 | 2 | "She's Gone" | September 22, 2011 | 4.1/10[2] | 10.38[2] | 21[25] | N/A | |
151 | 3 | "Take the Lead" | September 29, 2011 | 3.6/9[3] | 10.20[3] | 16[26] | N/A | |
152 | 4 | "What Is It About Men" | October 6, 2011 | 3.1/8[4] | 8.70[4] | 24[27] | N/A | |
153 | 5 | "Love, Loss and Legacy" | October 13, 2011 | 3.6/9[5] | 9.97[5] | 16[28] | N/A | |
154 | 6 | "Poker Face" | October 20, 2011 | 3.6/9[6] | 9.54[6] | 18[29] | N/A | |
155 | 7 | "Put Me In, Coach" | October 27, 2011 | 3.7/9[7] | 9.93[7] | 18[30] | N/A | |
156 | 8 | "Heart Shaped Box" | November 3, 2011 | 3.6/9[8] | 9.52[8] | 20[31] | N/A | |
157 | 9 | "Dark Was the Night" | November 10, 2011 | 4.1/10[9] | 11.29[9] | 10[32] | 20[32] | |
158 | 10 | "Suddenly" | January 5, 2012 | 4.5/11[10] | 12.12[10] | 5[10] | 8[33] | |
159 | 11 | "This Magic Moment" | January 12, 2012 | 3.8/10[11] | 10.71[11] | 11[34] | 15[34] | |
160 | 12 | "Hope for the Hopeless" | January 19, 2012 | 3.5/8[12] | 9.42[12] | 11[35] | 21[35] | |
161 | 13 | "If/Then" | February 2, 2012 | 3.6/9[13] | 9.71[13] | 8[36] | 15[36] | |
162 | 14 | "All You Need Is Love" | February 9, 2012 | 4.0/10[14] | 10.27[14] | 10[37] | 22[37] | |
163 | 15 | "Have You Seen Me Lately?" | February 16, 2012 | 3.2/8[15] | 8.31[15] | 12[38] | N/A | |
164 | 16 | "If Only You Were Lonely" | February 23, 2012 | 3.1/8[16] | 9.06[16] | 15[39] | N/A | |
165 | 17 | "One Step Too Far" | March 15, 2012 | 3.0/8[17] | 9.62[17] | 6[40] | 13[40] | |
166 | 18 | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | April 5, 2012 | 2.8/8[18] | 8.16[18] | 13[41] | N/A | |
167 | 19 | "Support System" | April 12, 2012 | 2.9/8[19] | 8.85[19] | 14[42] | 24[42] | |
168 | 20 | "The Girl With No Name" | April 19, 2012 | 3.3/9[20] | 9.82[20] | 8[43] | 13[43] | |
169 | 21 | "Moment of Truth" | April 26, 2012 | 3.3/9[21] | 9.45[21] | 6[44] | 16[44] | |
170 | 22 | "Let the Bad Times Roll" | May 3, 2012 | 3.3/9[22] | 9.24[22] | 8[45] | 24[45] | |
171 | 23 | "Migration" | May 10, 2012 | 3.5/10[23] | 9.82[23] | 8[46] | 23[46] | |
172 | 24 | "Flight" | May 17, 2012 | 4.1/11[24] | 11.44[24] | 3[47] | 13[47] |
Live + 7 Day (DVR) ratings
No. in Series |
No. in Season |
Episode | Air Date | Timeslot (EST) | 18–49 rating increase | Viewers (millions) increase |
Total 18-49 | Total viewers (millions) |
Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
149 | 1 | "Free Falling" | September 22, 2011 | Thursdays 9:00 P.M. |
1.7 | 3.54 | 5.8 | 13.92 | [48] |
150 | 2 | "She's Gone" | September 22, 2011 | 1.7 | 3.54 | 5.8 | 13.92 | [48] | |
151 | 3 | "Take the Lead" | September 29, 2011 | 1.5 | 2.95 | 5.1 | 13.15 | [49] | |
152 | 4 | "What Is It About Men" | October 6, 2011 | 1.7 | 3.29 | 4.8 | 11.99 | [50] | |
153 | 5 | "Love, Loss and Legacy" | October 13, 2011 | 1.5 | 2.93 | 5.1 | 12.90 | [51] | |
154 | 6 | "Poker Face" | October 20, 2011 | 1.6 | 3.06 | 5.2 | 12.59 | [52] | |
155 | 7 | "Put Me In, Coach" | October 27, 2011 | 1.6 | 3.14 | 5.3 | 13.07 | [53] | |
156 | 8 | "Heart Shaped Box" | November 3, 2011 | 1.6 | 3.21 | 5.2 | 12.74 | [54] | |
157 | 9 | "Dark Was the Night" | November 10, 2011 | 1.5 | 2.96 | 5.6 | 14.25 | [55] | |
158 | 10 | "Suddenly" | January 5, 2012 | 1.6 | 2.96 | 6.1 | 15.08 | [56] | |
159 | 11 | "This Magic Moment" | January 12, 2012 | 1.6 | 3.00 | 5.4 | 13.71 | [57] | |
160 | 12 | "Hope for the Hopeless" | January 19, 2012 | 1.7 | 3.26 | 5.2 | 12.68 | [58] | |
161 | 13 | "If/Then" | February 2, 2012 | 1.4 | 2.91 | 5.0 | 12.62 | [59] | |
162 | 14 | "All You Need Is Love" | February 9, 2012 | 1.6 | 3.35 | 5.6 | 13.61 | [60] | |
163 | 15 | "Have You Seen Me Lately?" | February 16, 2012 | 1.5 | 3.25 | 4.7 | 11.55 | [61] | |
164 | 16 | "If Only You Were Lonely" | February 23, 2012 | 1.6 | 3.14 | 4.7 | 12.20 | [62] | |
165 | 17 | "One Step Too Far" | March 15, 2012 | 1.5 | 2.83 | 4.5 | 12.45 | [63] | |
166 | 18 | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | April 5, 2012 | 1.5 | 3.01 | 4.3 | 11.18 | [64] | |
167 | 19 | "Support System" | April 12, 2012 | 1.6 | 3.10 | 4.5 | 11.93 | [65] | |
168 | 20 | "The Girl With No Name" | April 19, 2012 | 1.5 | 3.04 | 4.8 | 12.86 | [66] | |
169 | 21 | "Moment of Truth" | April 26, 2012 | 1.4 | 2.88 | 4.7 | 12.33 | [67] | |
170 | 22 | "Let the Bad Times Roll" | May 3, 2012 | 1.5 | 2.89 | 4.8 | 12.13 | [68] | |
171 | 23 | "Migration" | May 10, 2012 | 1.4 | 2.90 | 4.9 | 12.72 | [69] | |
172 | 24 | "Flight" | May 17, 2012 | 1.2 | 2.53 | 5.3 | 13.98 | [70] |
Critical response
The season received mixed-to-positive reviews. Tanner Stransky of Cinema Blend gave a fresh review to the season, "Juxtaposed against that nightmare that launched season 8's 2-hour season premiere was exactly what the show does portray rather accurately (most of the time) - the relationship drama."[71]
Verne Gay of Newsday acknowledged the following for the show stating, "Grey's has had a good season and has an intensely loyal fan base to prove it."[72] TV Fanatic reviewing the episode Free Falling wrote, "This episode set the season in motion, and from the looks of it, it's going to be good."[73]
Carrie Raisler of The A.V. Club gave a negative review to the season's alternate-reality episode, "Just because a show is meant to be fun doesn't mean it shouldn't have standards, and this episode just simply didn't measure up."[74]
Poptimal's Tanya Lane regarding the season finale wrote, "Wow…just wow. Grey's Anatomy has once again managed to shock with its season finale." While she appreciated the "realism and authenticity that Grey's is known for", she found the episode was "almost too much" as it was "extremely gory and difficult to watch, initially because of the grisly wounds" but later because of the "heavy and emotional things that transpired". She added that "Ellen Pompeo gave one of her best performances when her character learned that her sister was dead."[75]
DVD Release
Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Eighth Season - Extraordinary Moments[76] | |||||
Set Details | Special Features | ||||
|
| ||||
Release Dates | |||||
Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | |||
September 4, 2012[77] | December 3, 2012[78] | October 17, 2012[79] |
References
- "Full 2013-2014 TV Season Series Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. May 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- Seidman, Robert (September 23, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'The X Factor,' 'Parks & Recreation' and 'Whitney' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (September 30, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'X Factor,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'The Office' & 'The Secret Circle,' 'Mentalist' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (October 7, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'X Factor,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'The Office,' 'Person of Interest,' 'Parks & Rec' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice' Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (October 14, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Office,' 'Person Of Interest,' 'X Factor' Adjusted Up, 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (October 21, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: World Series + 'Big Bang,' 'Grey's,' 'Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Rules,' 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (October 28, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: World Series Game 6 Finals + 'Big Bang,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Office,' 'Person,' Adjusted Up; 'Rules,' 'Secret Circle,' 'Whitney,' 'Prime Suspect' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (November 4, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'The X Factor,' 'Parks & Recreation,' 'The Office,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- Seidman, Robert (November 11, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's,' 'Prime Suspect' Adjusted Up; 'Bones,' 'Rules,' 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on November 13, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- Gorman, Bill (January 6, 2012). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Wipeout,' 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
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