Grey's Anatomy has come a long way over the past seventeen seasons... so how does the pilot compare to the final episode of 2020?

Today, ABCs Greys Anatomy has the distinction of being the longest-running medical drama in the history of television. Moreover, it is being hailed as the most successful show of its kind.

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Created by Shonda Rhimes, Greys Anatomy stars Ellen Pompeo as titular character Meredith Grey. Throughout the shows run, weve seen her grow, fall in love, and of course, save lives along with the rest of staff at Seattles Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. And as the show continues its current season, thought wed reflect on what makes its pilot and latest season finale stand out.

The pilot gives any show the chance to make a good impression. In the case of Greys, it certainly made a statement. In this episode, we are introduced to a fresh crop of interns that includes Meredith herself. This group is also made up of Sandra Oh Cristina Yang, T.R. Knights George OMalley, Katherine Heigls Izzie Stevens, and Justin Chambers Alex Karev. Together, they arguably make up the shows most unforgettable interns in the shows entire history. In the shows premiere, we see them take on multiple cases and later on, compete to a surgery with neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

Sure, there are a lot of other medical dramas out there. But Greys Anatomy is the one that really pushes the envelope, incorporating some of therarest medical conditions in their storylines. In the season 16 finale, we meet a patient who is not capable of producing facial expressions due to a condition known as Moebius Syndrome. That said, it appears that the episode only showed a patient with a mild presentation of the disease. According to Johns Hopkins, patients with Moebius Syndrome may also have difficulty speaking and experience frequent drooling.

When the show started, we were immediately informed that Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is known as the "Nazi". She is tough on interns and she demands that keep her patients alive no matter what. Over time though, we also begin to realize that she cares deeply about her interns.

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As time went on, Bailey also forms a lifelong friendship with Meredith. Now that the show is on its 17th season, it is also worth noting that Bailey is among the few remaining characters that have been around from the beginning.

The show has always been big on romantic relationships, shipping its doctors with each other left and right. This includes Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) who has had several love interests throughout her time on the show. During the season 16 finale, we learn that Teddy and Owen (Kevin McKidd) are planning to tie the knot in a simple wedding ceremony. However, her former lover, Tom (Greg Germann) tries to persuade her to run away with him instead. Teddy ends up sleeping with Tom and accidentally leave Owen a scandalous voice mail. Their wedding gets called off.

During the shows pilot, it was quickly established that Alex was the cocky, arrogant intern while George was the rather insecure one. Hence, George was expectedly nervous when he joined Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington) in the OR for the first time. And when it looked like George was going to lose the patient, Alex christened him with the nickname 007. Later on, George would use this nickname to try to tell Meredith that he was the patient they were treating after he gets run over by a bus and looks unrecognizable when is rushed to the hospital.

In the beginning, Dereks sister, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), was a more prominent figure in the Greys Anatomy spinoff, Private Practice. In fact, she worked alongside Dereks ex-wife, Addison (Kate Walsh) and more importantly, it was also on Private Practice where Amelia had her first baby who unfortunately had a fatal condition. On Greys Anatomy, Amelia eventually finds love in Link (Chris Carmack) and starts a family with him unexpectedly. The finale sees her cramming in as many surgeries as possible just before her water breaks. And when it does, Amelia foregoes the wheelchair and walks to the labor room.

At some point in the pilot, we come to learn that Meredith is the daughter of the legendary Ellis Grey (Kate Burton). However, we dont realize that Ellis has been unwell for quite some time until Meredith heads over to a nursing home at the end of the episode.

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This is how we come to learn that Ellis has long been suffering from Alzheimer's. We also eventually realize that the relationship between Meredith and her mother is quite complicated. Later on, the mother and daughter sort of reconcile during a dream sequence but tragically, Ellis would die.

Georges exit became imminent following Knights decision to leave the show. While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, the actor explained that it was a breakdown of communication that led to this. On the show, George eventually succumbs to his injuries from the bus accident in season 6. Ten seasons later, it seems the character was still very much on the shows minds. During Amelias labor scene, Bailey climbs on the bed to support her labor, just as George had done for her several seasons ago.

Very early on in the pilot, we see Meredith and Shepherd. In fact, the show opens with Derek waking up naked in Merediths living room and they exchange the most awkward post-one-night-stand conversation. The situation was even made worse for Meredith when she discovers that she had just slept with an attending (who is technically, her boss). Things even get further complicated later on when Derek continues to date Meredith without telling her that he was still married. Despite all these, the two still find a way to be together and become the shows most prominent couple.

Greys Anatomy has been, for the most part, intense and rightfully so. Now, the shows season 16 may have been shortened but it made an impact, nonetheless. During the finale, we see Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr) on the brink of death. Later on, it turns out that his condition is caused by cobalt poisoning following a hip replacement procedure that he underwent years ago. And while fans were nervous about Richards fate throughout the episode, Pickens told Entertainment Weekly that he knew his character would survive all along.

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Grey's Anatomy: 5 Reasons The Premiere Is The Best Episode (5 It's The Latest Finale) - Screen Rant