15 Things We Learned From the Grey's Anatomy Series Premiere

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Grey's Anatomy has been a staple for fans for 15 seasons now. 

Through that time we have seen our favorite characters go through many ups and downs and learn many lessons along the way.

When Grey's Anatomy Season 1 began though, we were learning those lessons right along with the interns. Read on as we discuss 15 of the lessons that the series premiere gave us. 

Grey's Season 1 Cast Photo - Grey's Anatomy

The Details are Essential

Not a Bad Wake Up Call - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Sure, it's nice in the heat of the moment to forget the little things. However, if you're going to sleep with someone you meet in the bar across from your new job, the night before you start your new job, maybe you should try to figure out if they work at your new job.

Grey's Anatomy Seaosn 1 Episode 1 Recap: A Hard Day's Night

It's hard to imagine a world in which MerDer never existed, but you have to wonder, if they had known Derek was an Attending where Meredith was working, would they have slept together that night. 

Say What You Mean, Before It's Too Late

Unrequited Love - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Meredith most likely would have never gone for George, even if he had admitted his feelings to her from day one. The fact of the matter is, though, that no one will ever know.

By the time George even made a move, MerDer was full force, and there was no way for George to break that spell. 

Don't Believe Everything People Tell You

The Nazi? - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

The first thing that the interns were told about Bailey was that her nickname is "The Nazi."

They immediately assumed that she would be cold and hard. Throughout the 15 seasons of Grey's Anatomy, though, we learn that this is far from true.

The same thing happens to Meredith after Lexie dies. They couldn't see all the tragedy that had lead to that point. It just goes to show you that you need to form your own opinions. 

It Is Possible to Have Both Brains and Beauty

Model Behavior - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Izzy may have been a model to get herself through med school, but that didn't make her any less intelligent than her fellow interns.

Related: Grey's Anatomy Seaon Premiere Review: Nothing Left to Cling To 

Given Izzy's upbringing, she had to work harder to get just as far as everyone else. It is easy for people to write off a pretty girl, but that just gives them another opportunity to surpass people's expectations. 

Being a Kiss Ass Doesn't Always Pay Off 

Full of Crap - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Izzy felt the need to prove herself to everyone, to compensate for the stigma against her for being a model. Unfortunately for Izzy, not everyone responds to that, especially Bailey. 

Stairs Are for Illicit Conversations, Not Exercise 

A Stairway Rendevous - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

This may be a personal preference, but it seems way more fun to have conversations about sleeping with your hot boss in the staircase, rather than walk up and down them.

Some of Grey's Anatomy's best moments have happened in elevators, while some pretty terrible ones have happened in the staircases. If that isn't a PSA that exercise is overrated then I don't know what is. 

Shake It Off 

007 - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

George bombed his first surgery, giving him the nickname 007 for years to come. After George completes a solo heart surgery later on in the series, though, George proves that he has much more than a license to kill.

Related: Grey's Anatomy is Bringing Back a Key Character in Season 16

If George had let that one moment define him, he never would have had those kinds of stellar moments in his career. 

Take a Breath

Taking a Moment - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Meredith running her first code that she potentially caused by not taking the 911 page for Katie seriously was a moment that you can't just recover from in an instant.

In times when it feels like the world is closing in on you, it is so important to take a moment for yourself, and breath. 

Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep

A Broken Promise? - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

George thought he was doing the right thing by promising a patient and his wife that he would be fine, but George isn't a crystal ball. So many things can happen that you can't control.

If George wasn't 100% certain of what he was saying, he should have never made that promise, especially when he ended up being wrong.

Promises are not thing that people take lightly. 

Take Advantage of All Your Opportunities 

A Knife in the Back - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Cristina may have been upset with Meredith that she went back on her word that she could have the surgery if they solved the case, but Meredith would have been an idiot to turn down the opportunity.

Meredith is the one who figured out what was wrong with Katie. She deserved the surgery.

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The opportunities we get in our lives aren't endless, you have to take them as they come. 

Don't Let People Underestimate You

Super Heroes  - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Ellis was never going to win any parenting awards, but her doubts in Meredith's abilities almost destroyed Meredith many times.

The thing about when people underestimate you is that they are allowing you to prove them wrong, so do it. 

For Every Loss There is a Win, Sometimes Even Two

Showing Them Up - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Meredith may have made a mistake when she didn't run to Katie's side when she got the 911 page, but she more than made up for it when she correctly diagnosed her. She even got another win under her belt by correctly diagnosing Alex's patient.

In our darkest moments, it is important to remember; there is always a light. 

Not Everything Needs to be Said

The Twisted Sisters - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Meredith and Cristina are far from the warm and fuzzy type. Whereas most people would want to talk their fights out to death, the Twisted Sisters can just come to an unspoken understanding. 

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This Too Shall Pass

They Made It - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Every bad moment in our lives has an ending.

The interns felt like the first two days of their new careers would last forever, but like everything else, they came to an end, and they came out alive on the other end and unscathed. That is all we ever can really ask for. 

Appreciate Every Moment

Is Ellis Home?  - Grey's Anatomy Season 1 Episode 1

Ellis spent so much of her time focused on work, that she never was able to really enjoy her life. She had an incredible daughter that she spent the majority of her time ignoring or making her feel inferior.

Ellis was a world-class surgeon who could have reaped the benefits of her status and spent more time with Meredith. Unfortunately, she didn't appreciate the moments when she had them and had to spend the last of her days in a fog. 

What lessons has Grey's Anatomy taught you over the years? Comment below and make sure to catch up when you watch Grey's Anatomy online at TV Fanatic. 

Meaghan Frey was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in September 2020.

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Grey's Anatomy Quotes

[walking by Izzie's room]
Meredith: Hot.
Sadie: Horny.

Sexual sorbet? Hahaha! I love it.

Bailey