Grey 's Anatomy ( season 5 ) - wikipedia Grey 's Anatomy ( season 5 ) Grey 's Anatomy ( season 5 ) DVD cover art for the fifth season of Grey 's Anatomy Starring Ellen Pompeo Sandra Oh Katherine Heigl Justin Chambers T.R. Knight Chandra Wilson James Pickens, Jr. Sara Ramirez Eric Dane Chyler Leigh Brooke Smith Kevin McKidd Patrick Dempsey Country of origin United States No. of episodes 24 Release Original network ABC Original release September 25, 2008 ( 2008 - 09 - 25 ) -- May 14, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 14 ) Season chronology ← Previous Season 4 Next → Season 6 List of Grey 's Anatomy episodes The fifth season of the American television medical drama Grey 's Anatomy, created by Shonda Rhimes, commenced airing on American Broadcasting Company ( ABC ) in the United States on September 25, 2008 and concluded on May 14, 2009 with twenty - four aired episodes. The season follows the story of a group of surgeons as they go through their residency, while they also deal with the personal challenges and relationships with their mentors. Season five had thirteen series regulars with twelve of them returning from the previous season. The season aired in the Thursday night timeslot at 9 : 00 pm. The season was officially released on DVD as seven - disc boxset under the title of Grey 's Anatomy : The Complete Fifth Season -- More Moments on September 9, 2009 by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Contents 1 Crew 2 Cast 2.1 Main Cast 3 Reception 4 Episodes 5 Ratings 5.1 Live + SD ratings 6 DVD release 7 See also 8 References Crew The season was produced by Touchstone Television ABC Studios, The Mark Gordon Company, ShondaLand, and was distributed by Buena Vista International, Inc... The executive producers were creator Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, Krista Vernoff, Rob Corn, Mark Wilding, Joan Rater, and James D. Parriott. The regular directors were Rob Corn, Eric Stoltz, and Tom Verica. Cast Main articles : List of Grey 's Anatomy cast members and List of Grey 's Anatomy characters The fifth season had thirteen roles receiving star billing, with twelve of them returning from the previous season, out of which eight are part of the original cast from the first season. All of the thirteen regulars portray surgeons who work in the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. Ellen Pompeo continued her role as protagonist and narrator of the series, Dr. Meredith Grey, a resident physician and a surgeon. Sandra Oh played resident Dr. Cristina Yang, best friend of Meredith and fellow surgeon. Katherine Heigl portrayed resident Dr. Isobel `` Izzie '' Stevens whose previous relationship with the now deceased patient Denny Duquette threatens her career once again. Justin Chambers acted as surgical resident Dr. Alexander `` Alex '' Karev who becomes Izzie 's husband, while T.R. Knight portrayed Dr. George O'Malley, an insecure resident whose sensitive personality puts his life in danger. General surgeon and Chief Resident Dr. Miranda Bailey was portrayed by Chandra Wilson, while general surgeon and Chief of Surgery Dr. Richard Webber was played by James Pickens, Jr. Sara Ramirez portrayed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Calliope `` Callie '' Torres whose storylines during the season revolve around her recently discovered bisexuality. Eric Dane 's character, plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Sloan, begins a relationship with intern Dr. Lexie Grey, Meredith 's half - sister portrayed by Chyler Leigh. Brooke Smith appeared in seven episodes as cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Erica Hahn, Callie 's love interest, who eventually resigns and moves away. Patrick Dempsey portrayed neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd whose relationship with Meredith Grey is the series ' main storyline. Although originally introduced as a recurring character in the season premiere, trauma surgeon Dr. Owen Hunt was promoted to a series regular in the fourteenth episode of the season `` Beat Your Heart Out ''. He was portrayed by Kevin McKidd and was conceived as a love interest to resident Cristina Yang. Originally only signed onto the show until December 2008, Kevin McKidd was upgraded to regular status after appearing in five episodes. Shonda Rhimes said, `` I am excited to have Kevin McKidd joining us for the season, he 's been a delight to collaborate with and brings incredible passion, talent and creativity to his work. '' Weeks after Hunt 's first appearance on the show, Matt Roush of TVGuide comments that `` Hunt / McKidd is the most encouraging thing to happen to Grey 's Anatomy in quite a while. '' Robert Rorke of the New York Post states that McKidd was brought in as Hunt to `` boost the sagging fortunes '' of the show 's ratings. Kelley L. Carter of USA Today, describes Hunt as `` hardcore '' and `` the antithesis of the other males on the show. '' Numerous supporting characters have been given expansive and recurring appearances in the progressive storyline, including : Melissa George as Sadie Harris, Kimberly Elise as Dr. Jo Swender, Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins, Amy Madigan as Dr. Wyatt, Mary McDonnell as Dr. Virginia Dixon, Eric Stoltz as William Dunn, Jennifer Westfeldt as Jen Harmon, Ben Shenkman as Rob Harmon, Shannon Lucio as Amanda and Samantha Mathis as Melinda. Jeffrey Dean Morgan reappeared as the deceased Denny Duquette in Izzie 's hallucinations due to a brain tumor. Former series regular Kate Walsh returned to the show with a special guest star billing as Dr. Addison Montgomery along with fellow Private Practice stars Audra McDonald portraying Naomi Bennett, Taye Diggs in the role of Sam Bennett and Grant Show portraying Dr. Archer Montgomery. Tyne Daly also appeared receiving a special guest star in the role of Carolyn Maloney Shepherd, Derek 's mother, while Héctor Elizondo appeared as Carlos Torres, Callie 's father. Main Cast Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang Katherine Heigl as Dr. Izzie Stevens Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev T.R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley 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 Brooke Smith as Dr. Erica Hahn ( Until Episode 7 ) Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt ( From Episode 14 ) Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins Reception While few critics weighed in their point of view on the fourth season, several had opinions on the fifth season. Alan Sepinwall from the Newark Star - Ledger said `` Overall, it really feels more like the good old days than Grey 's has in a long time '' referring to season five. Also regarding season five, Misha Davenport from Chicago Sun - Times said `` Tonight 's premiere hits on all the things the show does so well. There is romance, heartbreak, humor and a few moments that will move fans to tears. '' Robert Bianco from USA Today said `` Happily, it now seems to have landed on solid ground, with its best ensemble and most engaging stories in years '' regarding the show 's seventh season. Chandra Wilson won the 2009 `` NAACP Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series '' for her portrayal of Dr. Miranda Bailey during the season. The return of Izzie 's deceased fiancé Denny and the resumption of their romance during the season also proved unpopular with fans, and was deemed `` the world 's worst storyline '' by Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times. McNamara was also critical of the episode `` Now or Never '', which saw Izzie flatline following neurosurgery, opining that Izzie ought to die. The episode in which Izzie married long - term love Alex received 15.3 million viewers, the largest television audience of the night. Izzie 's cancer storyline received a mixed response from the medical community. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, commented that Izzie 's treatment options were unrealistic. Whereas in the show she was offered the drug interleukin - 2, in reality the drug is never recommended to patients when melanoma has spread to the brain, as it can cause bleeding and strokes. Brawley explained that such patients would instead be offered radiosurgery. Conversely however, Tim Turnham, executive director of the Melanoma Research Foundation, praised Grey 's Anatomy for bringing about greater public awareness of melanoma, stating : `` We welcome the national spotlight Grey 's Anatomy has created for melanoma and its efforts to encourage viewers to learn more about the importance of prevention, early detection and research. '' Episodes Main article : List of Grey 's Anatomy 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. The fifth season 's episodes are altogether 1080 minutes in length. No. overall No. in season Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers ( millions ) 79 80 `` Dream a Little Dream of Me '' Rob Corn Michael Pressman Shonda Rhimes September 25, 2008 ( 2008 - 09 - 25 ) 18.30 A military doctor, Owen Hunt piques Cristina 's interest due to his unorthodox treatment methods. Webber assigns Cristina to treat him when he notices that he 's bleeding. Meredith and Derek attempt to work on their `` happily ever after '', and Meredith is plagued with a recurring nightmare where Derek dies. The ER is filled with car crash victims due to a snow storm. The attendings are stressed over Seattle Grace 's ranking of number twelve. Derek 's professional relationship with Rose takes a hit following their break up. Lexie is shocked to discover that Meredith has slept with George, especially due to her feelings towards him. Mark finds out about Lexie 's feelings for George. An awkward atmosphere exists between Erica and Callie following their kiss. After an argument with Meredith, Cristina slips over and an icicle hanging overhead drops down and impales her. Cristina is annoyed when Webber orders her interns to treat her following her impalement. Owen ends up treating her, and after he turns down a job at the hospital, kisses her. Alex is annoyed with Izzie after he finds out that she told Meredith that she thought he was changing. Lexie is devastated when she discovers that George does n't have feelings for her. Rose accidentally stabs Derek with a scalpel in the palm of his hand, and Derek is further frustrated when Webber takes treatment advice from Owen over Derek 's patient. However, when the treatment threatens the patient 's life, Callie freezes until Erica is able to encourage her to remember her research. Webber continues to push a hard line of trying to save every patient and berates Meredith when she is unable to do so. 81 `` Here Comes the Flood '' Michael Pressman Krista Vernoff October 9, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 09 ) 14.54 There are leaks all over the surgical floor, but Webber is reluctant to remove any patients, until the roof in an operating room collapses on one. Meredith quits therapy explaining to Dr. Wyatt that she does n't need it anymore and that her life is fine how it is. Webber holds a meeting with all of the doctors and explains the new teaching system. After the meeting he shakes up all of the doctors ' specialties, taking them off their own cases and putting them on to different ones. Alex worries after his patient breaks hospital policy and injures himself while on his watch, and things get worse after he is electrocuted in a CT machine following water hitting the electrics. Meredith treats a bubbly girl with liver cancer, and Meredith is devastated when the cancer is worse than it seemed. Cristina helps Derek with a man who is in constant pain, but get annoyed when Derek tries using her to sway Meredith 's opinion. George attempts to retake his intern exam, but ca n't because of the leaks. Derek attempts to make Izzie and Alex move out, forcing Izzie to ask Cristina to rent an apartment with her, only for Callie and Cristina to assume she was giving it to them. Erica explains to Callie why she does n't want Mark to know about their relationship. 82 `` Brave New World '' Eric Stoltz Debora Cahn October 16, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 16 ) 14.57 Meredith freaks out when Derek discovers her mother 's old diary in the house while Callie frets as she prepares for her first official date with Erica. Meredith and George have to help Erica with a child patient who refuses surgery. Tensions are still high between Izzie and Alex, and things get worse after Alex takes Izzie 's patient. George finds out he passed his intern exam and is now a resident, but he upsets Lexie when he begins celebrating with his friends instead of her. While in the clinic, Cristina goes into the dermatology department, and finds that it is completely different to the high - stress world that she knows. However, when she spends too much time in there, she ends up putting her patient 's life at risk. 83 5 `` There 's No ' I ' in Team '' Randy Zisk Jenna Bans October 23, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 23 ) 14.21 Bailey orchestrates a massive 12 - person simultaneous `` domino '' surgery with six separate kidney transplants. However, when it emerges that one patient is paying another for their kidney, and another finds out that her husband is having an affair with one of the donors, the surgery threatens to be cancelled. Alex and Izzie share a kiss. Callie begins avoiding Erica after not enjoying having sex with her and goes to Mark for advice. Lexie is hurt when she does n't become one of George 's interns. A rift comes between Meredith and Derek when their clinical trial is published and called the Shepherd method with no inclusion of Meredith. Following Derek 's success, Mark is inspired to form his own clinical trial. 84 6 `` Life During Wartime '' James Frawley Mark Wilding October 30, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 30 ) 15.05 Dr. Owen Hunt returns to Seattle Grace, being named as the new Head of Trauma Surgery - all part of Webber 's effort to raise the # 12 ranking, and it works, raising Seattle Grace back to a Level I Trauma Center. Owen uses his unorthodox treatment and teaching methods, rubbing Izzie, Derek, Mark and Cristina the wrong way. In keeping with his spirit of raising the # 12 rank, Webber has Bailey and Erica perform a tumor resection deemed impossible by many other hospitals. George has to deal with the fallout between him and Lexie. Izzie is annoyed when Alex inquires as to whether their new relationship is open or not. Callie continues to sleep with Mark as she tries to figure out who she really is after she is taken aback over Erica 's openness about her homosexuality. 85 7 `` Rise Up '' Joanna Kerns William Harper November 6, 2008 ( 2008 - 11 - 06 ) 15.63 Izzie faces her past of Denny Duquette when the patient who was supposed to receive the heart that he got is admitted to the hospital. Erica finds out about the Denny / Izzie relationship for the first time, and blames Izzie for the patient 's current condition. While talking over the situation with Callie, Callie takes Izzie 's side, leading Erica to say she ca n't be `` kind of '' a lesbian, and she walks off. Bailey tells the residents about an upcoming solo surgery that one of them will be able to perform, creating a competition between them. All of the residents want to practice on patients, but are instead given an animatronic. When Lexie stumbles across a group of interns practicing procedures on themselves, she arranges a group of cadavers for them instead, but this is picked up on by the residents. Owen becomes displeased with the lack of empathy that the residents treat their patients with. Meanwhile, Derek talks Mark into helping him by sleeping with Cristina, so that she will stop calling Meredith in the middle of the night and Izzie begins to see hallucinations of Denny, and she ca n't figure out why. Derek and Bailey are concerned when their patient signs a DNR ( Do Not Resuscitate ) order. However, the pair have to stay with the patient 's husband as he tries to resuscitate her following her heart stopping. 86 8 `` These Ties That Bind '' Eric Stoltz Stacy McKee November 13, 2008 ( 2008 - 11 - 13 ) 15.59 Sadie Harris ( Melissa George ), Meredith 's best friend from college, arrives as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, making Cristina jealous of their special friendship. A man wants his transplanted heart removed for spiritual reasons. Izzie continues to see visions of Denny, and Alex sees her struggling. After hearing the patient 's beliefs about keeping things of the dead, Izzie asks Alex to burn Denny 's sweater. The interns continue to practice on each other, however when Cristina sees Lexie 's wounds she wrongly assumes that she is self - harming. After talking with Lexie, Meredith becomes concerned that Mark is getting feelings for her, and asks Derek to dissuade him from her. When Lexie is given praise over a stitch that Webber assumed that Cristina had taught her, Cristina discovers the interns ' activities and orders it shut down. The doctors try to treat a man who was crushed in a dumpster, but Derek and Mark clash with Owen after he agrees to the patient 's demands to stop treatment. It is revealed that Erica has quit her job as the Chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital and moved away, leaving Callie devastated and Webber baffled. In her place, a renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Virginia Dixon is called in, but Bailey and Alex become concerned over her mental well - being. When Bailey manipulates Dixon to follow a patient 's wishes, Dixon decides not to return to the hospital. Cristina discovers that Callie and Erica had been dating. 87 9 `` In the Midnight Hour '' Tom Verica Tony Phelan & Joan Rater November 20, 2008 ( 2008 - 11 - 20 ) 15.74 Izzie 's visions of Denny become more intense as they have sex and argue with each other. The interns open up Sadie to remove her appendix, but when things get complicated, they have to approach Cristina and Meredith for help. When Webber finds out about the appendix operation, tensions flare between Cristina and Meredith. The atmosphere between Owen and Cristina becomes awkward following their recent kiss. Callie becomes a patient after receiving a nose fracture when she is punched in the face by a patient who is suffering from severe night terrors, and Mark becomes concerned about the patient 's young daughter. Alex has to deal with a patient who needs a fecal transplant after she made herself ill from self - medicating. George finally finds out about Lexie 's feelings for him, just as Mark begins to develop his own feelings for her. Bailey begins to doubt whether she wants to remain as a general surgeon. 88 10 `` All By Myself '' Arlene Sanford Peter Nowalk December 4, 2008 ( 2008 - 12 - 04 ) 15.15 Cristina is awarded the first solo surgery among the residents, but she has to relinquish it and choose her replacement ; Mark performs a cutting - edge procedure to restore a patient 's speech, impressing Lexie in the process. Callie can not figure out if Sadie is flirting with her or just being friendly. Mark desperately tries to get Lexie out of his head, but after some prompting from Sadie, Lexie seduces him and they sleep together. Dixon returns to the hospital, and Webber assigns Cristina to her services, hoping that she will impress Dixon enough to become the new head of cardiothoracic surgery. A pair of teenage girls who wo n't stop arguing show up in the E.R. after crashing their parents ' car, annoying the doctors present. George begins to suspect something is wrong with Izzie after he sees her talking to herself, and is told that she has n't properly attended the clinic in weeks. Cristina and Owen share another kiss after he takes her to the boiler room to comfort her for losing the solo surgery. 89 11 `` Wish You Were Here '' Rob Corn Debora Cahn January 8, 2009 ( 2009 - 01 - 08 ) 13.71 Meredith and Cristina are still at odds with each other, but after reflecting on her past with Sadie, Meredith is inspired to try and make things right. George has a young patient who put her life on hold because she keeps having accidents. Mark and Callie both try and fight their respective feelings for Lexie and Sadie, but after seeing George 's patient take her life by the reins following her surgery, Mark gives in to his feelings for Lexie. While Webber mourns the sudden death of the pediatric surgeon, Bailey is unhappy with the new one, Dr. Arizona Robbins, as they clash over the best course of treatment for a patient that Bailey has formed an emotional bond with. Derek and Meredith disagree about the treatment of a death - row prisoner. Izzie tells Alex about Denny, but she is put off by his lack of empathy toward the situation. First appearance of Dr. Arizona Robbins. 90 12 `` Sympathy for the Devil '' Jeannot Szwarc Jenna Bans January 15, 2009 ( 2009 - 01 - 15 ) 12.95 Derek still does n't approve of Meredith showing sympathy for the death - row prisoner, and things get worse when the prisoner offers his organs to Bailey and Arizona 's patient. Alex is annoyed by Arizona 's seeming lack of empathy when the pair of them go to harvest a young child 's organs. Callie treats a short man who underwent a risky procedure for two extra inches. Following the surgery, Mark gives Callie some advice after hearing how afraid she is of getting hurt again. Meredith is worried about meeting Derek 's mom ( Tyne Daly ) for the first time, and Mark worries that his relationship with Lexie will be exposed. Owen asks Cristina out, but he ruins the date after getting drunk following Derek 's mom asking him about his time in the field. Izzie breaks up with Denny, and Alex asks Izzie to meet his parents. 91 13 `` Stairway to Heaven '' Allison Liddi - Brown Mark Wilding January 22, 2009 ( 2009 - 01 - 22 ) 14.25 Denny continues to appear to Izzie despite her having broken up with him, and as Izzie tries to figure out why he is still there she comes to realize that she is sick. In the meantime, matters around the death - row patient get really rough while Bailey 's patient continues to get worse, causing Bailey to try and get Derek to stop treating the prisoner, and Webber to try and convince the wife of a brain - dead patient to donate her husband 's organs. Lexie injures Mark during sex, leading to an embarrassing situation involving Owen and Callie. Owen tries to make amends with Cristina following his actions the previous night. Meredith and Cristina finally make amends after Meredith goes to witness the prisoner being put to death. 92 14 `` Beat Your Heart Out '' Julie Anne Robinson William Harper February 5, 2009 ( 2009 - 02 - 05 ) 15.20 Bailey is promoted to attending by Webber, but when she finds herself having another child - patient, she seriously doubts herself. However, Dixon and Arizona both suggest that Bailey will make a good pediatric surgeon. Webber treats a couple who tried to spice up their sex - life. Derek prepares to propose, but he decides to postpone the proposal when he receives a call from Addison. Dixon has a nervous breakdown when her patient 's parents try to hug her, causing Bailey and Cristina to give her a special treatment. Owen and Cristina find themselves engaged in old - fashioned courting, but things take a turn when Owen sees someone from his past. Arizona kisses Callie after she sees her being upset. Meredith, Lexie and Callie treat a man who was accidentally ran over by his pregnant wife, while simultaneously trying to keep her calm so that the baby is n't affected. Izzie has the interns unknowingly do tests on her, as she tries to figure out what is wrong with her, but Sadie confuses her results with that of another patient. Lexie wants to make her relationship public with Mark, but Mark confides in Callie that he wants to end things out of respect for Derek. 93 15 `` Before and After '' Dan Attias Tony Phelan & Joan Rater February 12, 2009 ( 2009 - 02 - 12 ) 15.70 Addison ( Kate Walsh ) arrives with her brother Archer ( Grant Show ), who has worms in his brain. While Addison is there, she discovers the truth about Mark and Lexie. Cristina learns of Owen 's pre-Iraq past. Cristina and Webber treat a man who wants to keep his cancer a secret from his daughter, who is Owen 's ex-fiance. Bailey considers a pediatric surgery fellowship. Izzie enlists the help of the attendings and her fellow residents in a game to boost camaraderie amongst the interns, and George finds out that Sadie is behind with her skills. When he reports her to Webber, she quits the program. Meredith 's pregnant patient is annoyed when she learns that her surgery has been postponed because of Addison 's brother. Alex begins to suspect that something is wrong with Izzie when she begins experiencing short - sightedness. Derek and Mark spend the evening reminiscing on their med school days with Addison, Naomi Bennett, and Sam Bennett. This episode begins a crossover with Private Practice that concludes on `` Ex-Life ''. 94 16 `` An Honest Mistake '' Randy Zisk Peter Nowalk February 19, 2009 ( 2009 - 02 - 19 ) 15.39 Addison, Meredith and Alex become concerned with Derek when he plans to take extreme measures in order to save a patient 's life. Cristina annoys a senior doctor, Dr. Margaret Campbell, when she criticizes her treatment methods, however when Cristina finds a more serious issue with the patient, she reports Campbell for negligence. Callie is turned down by Arizona when she discovers that Callie is still figuring out her sexuality. Bailey has trouble getting a decent letter of recommendation from Webber. Izzie gets the news about her false test - result and investigates the matter further. Derek and Mark get in a public fight after Derek loses a patient, and Mark tells him that he has been seeing Lexie. 95 17 `` I Will Follow You Into the Dark '' James Frawley Jenna Bans March 12, 2009 ( 2009 - 03 - 12 ) 13.54 Izzie walks the interns through diagnosing Patient X after receiving her troubling test results. After receiving the diagnosis, Izzie decides to speak to Cristina about it. Bailey and Meredith perform a surgery where they remove a woman 's stomach to protect her from a very aggressive form of stomach cancer that runs in her family. Owen accidentally injures Cristina when she startles him. Owen, Alex and Arizona treat a high school marching band player with seizures, but Alex and Arizona clash when Alex suspects that the patient is suffering from something different. Derek refuses to work after killing the patient from the previous episode. Webber tells Meredith that Derek was planning to propose to her in the hopes that it will encourage her to try and bring Derek back to work. Callie tries hiding from Arizona after her rejection, but Arizona eventually asks her out on a date. Webber and Bailey continue to clash over Bailey wanting to move into pediatric surgery, leading to Adele having to come and intervene. 96 18 `` Stand By Me '' Jessica Yu Zoanne Clack March 19, 2009 ( 2009 - 03 - 19 ) 14.36 Izzie does n't want to fight the brain tumor, despite Cristina 's efforts to help her. This starts affecting Cristina 's surgery performance so she tells Bailey and Alex, who subsequently inform the others, and Izzie is admitted at the hospital as a patient. The surgeons are all busy preparing for a facial transplant surgery. However Meredith and George are annoyed when they find out that they 're not playing any part in the surgery. The pair also try to mediate a fight between two interns caused by a love triangle. Bailey becomes worried when she sends Callie and Owen out to talk to Derek and neither return. Meanwhile, Webber stresses over Derek 's absence and how to dissuade him from quitting, and Meredith worries that Derek has dumped her. Lexie grows tried of the other interns gossiping about her relationship with Mark. 97 19 `` Elevator Love Letter '' Edward Ornelas Stacy McKee March 26, 2009 ( 2009 - 03 - 26 ) 15.81 Derek prepares for Izzie 's surgery to remove her brain tumor, with the attention of the hospital rising. However, Meredith, Cristina, Alex and George all avoid Izzie before her surgery. Owen has another PTSD episode that leads him to strangle Cristina, which traumatizes her and leads to her breaking up with him. Derek offers to help Owen get over his PTSD. Alex and Lexie are off put by their patient 's family 's eagerness for the patient to die. Callie is filled with regret because of her previous animosity toward Izzie. George is hurt because Izzie chose to confide in Cristina instead of him. Alex begins blaming himself for not picking up on Izzie 's symptoms earlier. Derek proposes to Meredith in the elevator. 98 20 `` Sweet Surrender '' Tony Phelan Sonay Washington April 23, 2009 ( 2009 - 04 - 23 ) 13.22 Bailey learns of the heart - wrenching practices in pediatrics. Callie 's father ( Héctor Elizondo ) visits her at work, and after learning of her relationship with Arizona, he tries to take her home ( by transferring her to another hospital, in exchange for a donation to the hospital ), but ends up having no success. Izzie undergoes chemotherapy as she begins to plan Derek and Meredith 's wedding. Meredith is shocked when she discovers that Derek has chosen Webber to be his best man. Alex is in trouble with Owen after a patients attempts suicide on his watch, while Owen tells George that his specialty is definitely trauma surgery. Derek and Mark continue to argue with each other following their fight, leading to Lexie becoming concerned when they have to treat a patient together. However, the pair manage to patch things up when Derek is impressed by Mark 's surgical skills. Owen begins receiving therapy from Dr. Wyatt to help with his PTSD. 99 21 `` No Good at Saying Sorry ( One More Chance ) '' Tom Verica Krista Vernoff April 30, 2009 ( 2009 - 04 - 30 ) 13.94 Izzie 's mother comes to visit her, but Izzie quickly becomes annoyed by her. Izzie then begs Bailey to lie to her mother about her test results so that she will leave. Bailey does so and the plan works, but Bailey then reveals to Izzie that she will need further surgery. Callie is dealing with the loss of her trust fund, which her father took away when he found out about her relationship with Arizona. Meredith and Lexie 's father, Thatcher, shows up. He 's recovering and getting sobered up, but Meredith 's not able to forgive him and gets caught up in drama with Webber over how to handle a case involving a man shot by his young daughter. Meanwhile, Owen, George and Cristina try to save the man, but Cristina becomes annoyed at the amount of attention that Owen is giving George. Mark gains the courage to meet Thatcher. Mark and Callie treat an environmentalist who broke all of her limbs after falling out of a tree. 100 22 `` What a Difference a Day Makes '' Rob Corn Shonda Rhimes May 7, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 07 ) 15.33 As Meredith, Derek and all of their friends prepare for the big wedding, a group of college students, injured in a car crash as they were heading to their graduation ceremony, are admitted to the ER. Meanwhile, Izzie fears the worst when it is discovered that she has another brain tumor. Owen attempt to rekindle his relationship with Cristina. Callie and Arizona have a fight over their previous date, while George learns the consequences of being a trauma surgeon. Meredith performs her first solo surgery, but she is annoyed by Webber 's observations. Following Izzie 's brain tumor news, Meredith decides to give hers and Derek 's wedding to Izzie and Alex. 101 23 `` Here 's to Future Days '' Bill D'Elia Allan Heinberg May 14, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 14 ) 15.58 Izzie spends time with a fellow cancer patient and contemplates whether or not to undergo a risky surgery, as Mark is ready to take his relationship with Lexie to the next level by asking her to move in. Callie and Owen argue over a patient who desires a leg amputation. The situation makes Owen reassess his place at Seattle Grace, leading him to visit his mother for the first time since he came back from the war. George, after working on the case with Owen, decides to join the army. Webber attempts to tempt Bailey back into general surgery with a piece of fancy new equipment, which draws him into a conflict with Arizona. Izzie undergoes surgery after signing a DNR chart. 102 24 `` Now or Never '' Rob Corn Debora Cahn May 14, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 14 ) 17.12 Izzie finally wakes up from surgery, only for everyone to realize that her short - term memory has gone bad ; this worries Alex to a point where he yells at her, only to have her remember everything he said. Arizona offers Bailey the peds fellowship, but Bailey struggles to accept it after Tucker threatens to leave her if she takes it. News spreads about George joining the army. The doctors ( besides Izzie ) focus on a `` John Doe '' who jumped in front of a bus to save a woman 's life. Derek and Meredith plan to go to city hall to get married, only to be so busy that they write their vows on a post-it note. After getting advice from Meredith, Cristina tells Owen that she loves him and reunites with him. Mark tries to avoid Lexie after she rejected his proposal to move in together. Bailey and Callie organize an intervention to talk George out of joining the army. Arizona and Callie argue over George 's decision to join the army when Arizona is supportive of it. However, when `` John Doe '' writes `` O-O - 7 '' on Meredith 's hand, she realizes that it 's George. Izzie loses consciousness again. Ratings Live + SD ratings No. in series No. in season Episode Air date Time slot ( EST ) Rating / Share ( 18 -- 49 ) Viewers ( m ) 79 `` Dream a Little Dream of Me ( Part 1 ) '' September 25, 2008 ( 2008 - 09 - 25 ) Thursdays 9 : 00 p.m. 7.2 / 17 18.30 80 `` Dream a Little Dream of Me ( Part 2 ) '' September 25, 2008 ( 2008 - 09 - 25 ) 7.6 / 19 18.32 81 `` Here Comes the Flood '' October 9, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 09 ) 5.6 / 13 14.54 82 `` Brave New World '' October 16, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 16 ) 5.9 / 14 14.57 83 5 `` There 's No ' I ' in Team '' October 23, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 23 ) 5.4 / 13 14.21 84 6 `` Life During Wartime '' October 30, 2008 ( 2008 - 10 - 30 ) 5.6 / 14 15.05 85 7 `` Rise Up '' November 6, 2008 ( 2008 - 11 - 06 ) 6.0 / 14 15.63 86 8 `` These Ties That Bind '' November 13, 2008 ( 2008 - 11 - 13 ) 5.9 / 14 15.59 87 9 `` In the Midnight Hour '' November 20, 2008 ( 2008 - 11 - 20 ) 6.2 / 15 15.74 88 10 `` All By Myself '' December 4, 2008 ( 2008 - 12 - 04 ) 5.5 / 14 15.15 89 11 `` Wish You Were Here '' January 8, 2009 ( 2009 - 01 - 08 ) 5.2 / 12 13.71 90 12 `` Sympathy for the Devil '' January 15, 2009 ( 2009 - 01 - 15 ) 5.3 / 12 12.95 91 13 `` Stairway to Heaven '' January 22, 2009 ( 2009 - 01 - 22 ) 5.6 / 14 14.25 92 14 `` Beat Your Heart Out '' February 5, 2009 ( 2009 - 02 - 05 ) 5.8 / 14 15.20 93 15 `` Before and After '' February 12, 2009 ( 2009 - 02 - 12 ) 6.0 / 14 15.70 94 16 `` An Honest Mistake '' February 19, 2009 ( 2009 - 02 - 19 ) 5.9 / 14 15.39 95 17 `` I Will Follow You Into the Dark '' March 12, 2009 ( 2009 - 03 - 12 ) 5.0 / 12 13.54 96 18 `` Stand By Me '' March 19, 2009 ( 2009 - 03 - 19 ) 4.9 / 12 14.36 97 19 `` Elevator Love Letter '' March 26, 2009 ( 2009 - 03 - 26 ) 5.5 / 13 15.81 98 20 `` Sweat Surrender '' April 23, 2009 ( 2009 - 04 - 23 ) 4.9 / 13 13.22 99 21 `` No Good at Saying Sorry ( One More Chance ) '' April 30, 2009 ( 2009 - 04 - 30 ) 5.1 / 13 13.94 100 22 `` What a Difference a Day Makes '' May 7, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 07 ) 5.3 / 14 15.33 101 23 `` Here 's to Future Days '' May 14, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 14 ) 5.5 / 15 15.58 102 24 `` Now or Never '' May 14, 2009 ( 2009 - 05 - 14 ) 6.2 / 17 17.12 DVD release The fifth season was released as a widescreen seven - disc Region 1 DVD box set in the USA on September 15, 2009, with the title Grey 's Anatomy : The Complete Fifth Season -- More Moments. Each of these releases also contained DVD extras, including footage from behind the scenes, deleted scenes and extended episodes. The same set was released on November 4, 2009 in Region 4 and on August 23, 2010 in Region 2. Grey 's Anatomy : The Complete Fifth Season -- More Moments Set Details Special Features 24 Episodes ( 1 extended ) 7 - Disc Set English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround ) Audio Commentaries Dissecting Grey 's Anatomy - Unaired Scenes In Stitches : Season Five Outtakes 100th Episode : Tales From The O.R. - A Behind - The - Scenes Look At The Inner Workings Of Your Favorite Show Heaven Sent - Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan Talks About The Popularity Of His Character Denny Duquette Release Dates Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 September 15, 2009 August 23, 2010 November 4, 2009 See also Wikiquote has quotations related to : Grey 's Anatomy Season 5 List of Grey 's Anatomy episodes References Jump up ^ Rorke, Robert ( October 26, 2008 ). `` No Kidding ''. New York Post. Jump up ^ Kevin McKidd Joins the Cast of Grey 's Anatomy : People.com Jump up ^ Kevin McKidd Joins ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Cast As Series Regular NBC Los Angeles Jump up ^ Carter, Kelley L. ( November 6, 2008 ). `` Meet McKidd, new dreamboat doc on ' Grey 's Anatomy ' ''. USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2010. Jump up ^ Grey 's Scoop : Death Becomes Guest Star Eric Stoltz '' TV Guide. December 3, 2008. Retrieved on December 5, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Grey 's Anatomy Season 5 Critic Reviews ''. Metacritic.com. Retrieved September 3, 2011. Jump up ^ Collins, Scott ( February 10, 2009 ). `` Katherine Heigl & T.R. Knight : Are they really set to exit ' Grey 's Anatomy ? ' ''. Los Angeles Times. Eddy Hartenstein. Retrieved July 21, 2009. ^ Jump up to : McNamara, Mary ( May 15, 2009 ). `` Dead or alive on ' Grey 's Anatomy ' ? ''. Los Angeles Times. Eddy Hartenstein. Retrieved September 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Toff, Benjamin ; Itzkoff, David ( May 8, 2009 ). `` ABC 's Wedding Gift ''. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved May 9, 2009. Jump up ^ Szabo, Liz ( May 18, 2009 ). `` Doctors, patients say ' Grey 's ' cancer story is n't accurate ''. USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved July 21, 2009. Jump up ^ O'Brien, Ben ( May 26, 2009 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' and melanoma ''. USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved July 21, 2009. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( September 26, 2008 ). `` Thursday, September 25 : A Paler Shade of Grey 's Boosts ABC ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( October 10, 2008 ). `` Updated Thursday : CSI Opens Large, Life on Mars & Eleventh Hour Battle ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( October 17, 2008 ). `` Updated Thursday : CSI Has Most Total Viewers, Grey 's Anatomy Wins With Youth ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( October 24, 2008 ). `` Thursday Ratings : CBS Dominates with CSI ; World Series and Life on Mars Drop ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( October 31, 2008 ). `` Updated : Thursday Ratings, CSI Most Watched, Best Ratings Ever for 30 Rock ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( November 7, 2008 ). `` Thursday Ratings : CSI Wins Viewers, Grey 's Anatomy Demo ; Plus Oprah ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( November 14, 2008 ). `` Updated Thursday : CSI Most Viewers, Grey 's Anatomy Higher Demos ; Plus ER ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( November 21, 2008 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ' 30 Rock ' and ' ER ' hold up ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( December 5, 2008 ). `` Thursday Ratings : Barbara Walters still a hit with the ' youth ' ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( January 9, 2009 ). `` Updated Thursday Ratings : ' BCS Championship ' dominates ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( January 16, 2009 ). `` Updated Thursday Ratings : ' CSI 's ' Petersen Farewell Draws 23 Million ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( January 23, 2010 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ' CSI ' Captures Viewers, ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Wins Demos ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( February 6, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : With CBS Away, ' Grey 's ' and ' Practice ' Come Out to Play ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( February 13, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ' Survivor ' Returns Well, ' Grey 's ' Boosts ' Practice ' To Demo Beatdown ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Robert ( February 20, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ' Grey 's Anatomy ' still the demo king, ' Survivor ' stays strong ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( March 13, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : Surprise Clooney Return Provides little Boost To ' E.R. ' ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( March 20, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings Down To The Wire ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Seidman, Bill ( March 27, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ' Idol ' Dominates, ' In the Motherhood ' Near ' Ugly Betty ' Levels ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( April 24, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ABC Wins ; ' Southland ', ' Parks & Rec ', ' Harper 's Island ' All Slip ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( May 1, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ABC Wins ; ' Southland ' Continues To Head South ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( May 8, 2009 ). `` Thursday Ratings : ABC Wins ; ' Southland ', ' Parks & Rec ' Still Falling ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gorman, Bill ( May 15, 2009 ). `` Ratings : ABC, ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Wins Finale Thursday ; But Decline Continues ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved September 12, 2010. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) General references `` Grey 's Anatomy episodes - season 5 ''. Grey 's Anatomy Episode Guide. TV Guide. Retrieved January 27, 2010. `` Shows A-Z - grey 's anatomy on abc ''. the Futon Critic. Retrieved January 27, 2010. `` Grey 's Anatomy - Episode Guide ''. ABC. Retrieved January 27, 2010. Grey 's Anatomy episodes Season 1 `` A Hard Day 's Night '' `` If Tomorrow Never Comes '' Season 2 `` Into You Like a Train '' `` It 's the End of the World '' `` As We Know It '' `` Losing My Religion '' Season 3 `` Time Has Come Today '' `` I Am a Tree '' `` Great Expectations '' `` Wishin ' and Hopin ' '' `` Did n't We Almost Have It All ? '' Season 4 `` A Change Is Gonna Come '' Season 5 `` Stand By Me '' `` Elevator Love Letter '' `` What a Difference a Day Makes '' `` Now or Never '' Season 6 `` Good Mourning '' `` Goodbye '' `` I Always Feel Like Somebody 's Watchin ' Me '' `` Tainted Obligation '' `` Invasion '' `` I Saw What I Saw '' `` Give Peace a Chance '' `` Invest in Love '' `` I Like You So Much Better When You 're Naked '' `` Death and All His Friends '' Season 7 `` Song Beneath the Song '' Season 8 `` Flight '' Season 9 `` Going, Going, Gone '' `` Beautiful Doom '' `` Perfect Storm '' Season 10 `` Fear ( of the Unknown ) '' Season 11 `` I Must Have Lost it on the Wind '' `` Puzzle with a Piece Missing '' `` Got to Be Real '' `` Only Mama Knows '' `` Bend & Break '' `` Do n't Let 's Start '' `` One Flight Down '' `` How to Save a Life '' `` She 's Leaving Home '' `` Time Stops '' `` You 're My Home '' Season 12 `` Sledgehammer '' `` Guess Who 's Coming to Dinner '' `` Something Against You '' `` Things We Lost in the Fire '' `` The Sound of Silence '' `` Family Affair '' Season 13 `` True Colors '' Season 14 `` Danger Zone '' `` Personal Jesus '' `` All of Me '' Grey 's Anatomy Episodes Season 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Characters ( cast members ) Meredith Grey Cristina Yang Izzie Stevens Alex Karev George O'Malley Miranda Bailey Richard Webber Preston Burke Derek Shepherd Addison Montgomery Callie Torres Mark Sloan Lexie Grey Erica Hahn Owen Hunt Sadie Harris Arizona Robbins Teddy Altman Jackson Avery April Kepner Amelia Shepherd Stephanie Edwards Maggie Pierce Nathan Riggs Spin - offs Private Practice Station 19 Other Awards and nominations Soundtrack Video game A Corazón Abierto ( Mexican telenovela ) A Corazón Abierto ( Colombian telenovela ) Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grey%27s_Anatomy_(season_5)&oldid=853858050 '' Categories : Grey 's Anatomy episodes 2009 American television seasons 2008 American television seasons Grey 's Anatomy seasons Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from March 2012 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote Deutsch Español Français Italiano Polski Português Edit links This page was last edited on 7 August 2018, at 11 : 47 ( UTC ). 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Question: when do meredith and derek get back together season 5
Answer: "Elevator Love Letter"