| "Flight" | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy episode | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Derek_Shepherd%27s_Bloody_Hand.jpg) Shepherd's mangled hand, following an aviation accident. | |
| Episode no. | Season 8 Episode 24 |
| Directed by | Rob Corn |
| Written by | Shonda Rhimes |
| Featured music |
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| Original air date | May 17, 2012 |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
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"Flight" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the eighth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 172nd episode overall. It was written by series creator Shonda Rhimes, and directed by Rob Corn. The episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 17, 2012.
In this episode, 6 doctors from Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital become victims of an aviation accident and fight to survive, but Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) tragically dies. Other storylines take place in Seattle, where Richard Webber (James Pickens, Jr.) prepares for his annual dinner for the departing residents, Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) fires Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) gets engaged to Ben Warren (Jason George).
The episode marked the final regular appearances of both Raver and Leigh, though they would return as guest stars in seasons 14 and 17, respectively. The exterior scenes of the plane crash were filmed at Big Bear Lake, California. George reprised his role as a guest star, while James LeGros made his first appearance in the series.
Upon its initial airing, the episode was viewed in the United States by 11.44 million people, received a 4.1/11 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic, ranking #4 for the night in terms of viewership, and registering as Thursday's highest-rated drama
"Flight" received widespread critical acclaim from television critics and audiences alike, with high praise directed towards the performances of Leigh, Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey), and Eric Dane (Mark Sloan). "Flight" earned Rhimes a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series and also received several nominations at Entertainment Weekly's finale awards.