Summary
Meredith and Cristinas friendship has been at the center of Greys Anatomy in the first ten seasons of the medical drama, but some episodes were more important than others for the progress of their relationship. Going from interns to residents and finally attendings, Greys Anatomy seasons 1 to 10 saw them navigating marriages, various cataclysmic events hitting the hospital, and the usual work-related drama that established them as allies before making them friends. Their friendship hit highs and lows through the years, but it also showed how they were always there for each other, no matter their momentary fight or cause for celebration.
Dubbed the twisted sisters, Meredith and Cristina proved to be fiercely protective and supportive of each other, even if the way they showed it was sometimes inexplicable for those outside their friendship. Their loyalty to each other was consistently proved in the most extreme situations, even if sometimes their competitiveness and pride separated them for a while, as the two could be stubborn to admit their shortcomings. Their unique friendship that established very early how the two were each others person made it difficult for others to penetrate their bubble, guaranteeing their relationship to be uncommon and that many would have missed it once Cristina Yang exited Greys Anatomy.
Greys Anatomy season 1, episode 1 aptly established the interpersonal dynamics among all interns and introduced Meredith and Dereks romantic connection, but no relationship was more clearly defined than Meredith and Cristinas coalition-turned-friendship. Indeed, Cristina was initially drawn to Meredith because she was envious of her being surgery royalty, being Ellis Greys daughter, but she quickly recognized Merediths potential. Their research for the cause behind Katie Bryces seizures perfectly exemplified their peculiar connection, as their back-and-forth exchange examined the possible medical causes and simultaneously discussed Merediths love life after she admitted she had hooked up with Derek.
Greys Anatomy series premiere also introduced the first conflict between the two, as their successful diagnosis won them one spot in the OR. Despite Meredith repeatedly saying how she wanted to surrender it to Cristina had they won, Derek chose her to be in the OR, and Meredith didnt cede her spot to Cristina, betraying her word to her. The conflict quickly established how competitive Meredith and Cristina both were, a characteristic most in common between them besides their being dark and twisty when facing lifes challenges, putting them one against the other as Cristina saw Meredith as the favorite because she had slept with an attending.
Greys Anatomy season 1, episode 5 engulfed Meredith with multiple worries, about her career because she ripped her glove during surgery, and her mother, because she had to deal with her long-term care and finances. Returning home only to find an unexpected big party was the cherry on top of her days obstacles, and she only decided to let it go once she saw Cristina dancing on a table and calling to her. The episode marked the first time Meredith and Cristina danced it out as a way to cope with their problems, and it also highlighted how seeing Cristina helped Meredith accept her problems and shake them out.
Greys Anatomy season 2 premiere cemented the bond between Meredith and Cristina with the Youre my person line. Cristina never desired to be pregnant and was always a very private person. However, she still shared with Meredith that she was pregnant, even if she didnt even tell her about her fling with Burke. The episode introduced their moniker for each other because Cristina had to share her emergency contact before her abortion appointment could be confirmed. Choosing Meredith as her emergency contact person was a very practical requirement that forced Cristina to admit her peculiarly strong bond with Meredith to her face, with the nickname becoming emblematic of their relationship.
The aftermath of Meredith's drowning in Elliot Bay took over Greys Anatomy season 3, episode 17, where the doctors tried to save her as she admitted to herself that she stopped fighting against the water for a moment. While the episode proved instrumental for Meredith, as she finally faced she wanted to live, it was also monumental for Cristina. Indeed, Cristina always fled life-or-death situations where she needed to stay at the bedside of someone she cared about who might not have made it after she saw her father dying next to her as they waited for an ambulance.
Despite not being able to deal with the emotions of seeing Meredith half dead in the ER as Bailey and Webber tried to resuscitate her, Cristina still stood there, hands at Merediths ankles as one last round of ACLS drugs was administered, eventually bringing Meredith back to life. This was a milestone for Cristina, as her bond with Meredith meant so much to her that she sat with her feelings and stood by Merediths side, even if all she wanted to do was to avoid the problem, which she tried to do by going to the dollar store and buying a bit of everything she didnt need.
Greys Anatomy season 3s episodes leading up to the finale were focused on Burke and Cristinas wedding and Cristinas concessions so that things could be done in the Burke family tradition. Greys Anatomy season 3 finale started with Cristina suffering through Burkes mother making her wear a too-tight choker and waxing her eyebrows and ended with Burke leaving her at the altar after realizing he had forced the wedding on her. Merediths unwavering support through it all showed how much she understood Cristina, especially as she was processing the breakup, but also her relief at not having to go through the wedding, which she never wanted and only now realized.
Concluding the hospital shooting storyline at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital Greys Anatomy season 6 finale showed one of the most difficult, greatest things Meredith and Cristina did for each other. The absence of attendings on the floor where Cristina and Meredith found Derek meant Cristina and Jackson had to operate on him. However, when Gary Clark found them and threatened to kill them, Owen got shot, prompting Meredith to return the favor to Cristina and dress his wound. Meredith and Cristina saved the lives of their respective love interests, despite the dangers involved due to the shooting and the risk of having their loved ones die on their tables.
The plane crash in the Greys Anatomy season 8 finale also showcased Meredith and Cristinas beautiful friendship. Not only did they help each other live through the unbearable stress of the situation, but they also worked together to help the others survive, performing surgery in the woods and sharing the few scraps they had. Cristina got Meredith to Lexie just before she died, and they leaned on each other physically and emotionally to survive till the rescuers got to them, proving their friendship to be one of the strongest even in situations of unfathomable hardship.
Greys Anatomy season 10 was Sandra Ohs last as Cristina Yang and Meredith and Cristina spent a great deal of it fighting before they got back to their generally supportive selves in season 10, episode 12. Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 12 marked their reconciliation, but only after Cristina accused Meredith of being the surgeon they laughed at and Meredith accused Cristina of having become the heartless surgery god they worshipped as interns. Their competitiveness was always extreme, but their unkind words against each other at least made them talk again. The episode was crucial in letting Meredith and Cristina accept their different paths and the validity of them both.
Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 saw Meredith and Cristina mostly apart and busy with their patients, but Meredith nevertheless managed to find time for Cristina as she waited to know if she had been that years Harper Avery Award winner. Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 20 proved yet again how Meredith knew Cristina better than Cristina knew herself, as she repeated throughout the episode how she was happy to go to the ceremony alone. However, when she got there, Cristina realized she wanted Meredith and Owens support. Had Meredith not thought ahead and surprised her with Owen in Boston, Cristina would have had to lose the Harper Avery alone.
Cristinas final day in Greys Anatomy season 10, episode 24 was marked by a big incident in Seattle, and many significant goodbyes. However, none was more important than Meredith and Cristinas goodbye. Meredith spending the best part of the episode trying to get Cristina in a cab to the airport hinted at their goodbye happening outside the hospital. Instead, the Greys Anatomy season 10 finale managed to give Meredith and Cristina the best possible goodbye, by having them dance it out one last time before Cristina reminded Meredith to put herself first by saying that Derek is very dreamy, but he is not the sun. You are.
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Grey's Anatomy: 10 Episodes To Watch If You Miss Meredith & Cristina - Screen Rant