30 greatest Thanksgiving episodes of all time
By Reed Gaudens
19. Grey’s Anatomy
Episode: Season 2, Episode 9, “Thanks for the Memories”
What’s on the menu: Seeing as there are over 300 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy (and counting), it’s fair to say that there are quite a few Thanksgiving specials to choose from. Surely, Grey’s fans have their own opinions on which one can’t be missed each year. But the second season found the series at the beginning of its prime. “Thanks for the Memories” had all the ingredients that made Grey’s Anatomy something to be thankful for — and one of the longest-running dramas of all time.
In the first holiday celebration of the series, Thanksgiving brings up tough memories and weird feelings for the residents and interns of Seattle Grace. Being so, Izzie decides to host a big dinner for everyone. The problem is, she hasn’t cooked a Thanksgiving dinner before, leading Dr. Burke to help with the preparations and Cristina searching for liquor. Meanwhile, George hunts with his family, Derek stands up Addison for Meredith, and Meredith has other plans in mind for the holiday. It’s just your average hectic day on Grey’s Anatomy.
Why we’re thankful for it: As a series that has been on for the better part of two decades, Grey’s Anatomy has shape-shifted over the course of its 15 seasons. From an evolving cast and an ever shocking narrative pacing, the series looks much different now than it did when it first premiered. But “Thanks for the Memories” was an early favorite featuring the original cast (Katherine Heigl!) and the stories that took the watercoolers by storm, back when the watercooler wasn’t Twitter. Even for those who haven’t watched a single episode, this is one of the must-watch all-time greats.