| "Flight" | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy episode | |
&sq=Qlik&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 the episode, 6 doctors from Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital who are victims of an aviation accident fight to stay alive, but Dr. Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) ultimately dies. Other storylines occur in Seattle where Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens, Jr.) plans his annual dinner for the departing residents, Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) fires Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), and Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) gets engaged to Dr. Ben Warren (Jason George).
The episode marked Raver and Leigh's final regular appearances until their returns as guest stars in seasons 14 and 17, respectively. Exterior filming of the accident took place at Big Bear Lake, California. Jason George reprised his role as a guest-star, whereas James LeGros made his first appearance. The episode received widespread critical acclaim from television critics and audiences alike, with major praise directed towards Leigh's, Ellen Pompeo's (Dr. Meredith Grey) and Eric Dane's (Dr. Mark Sloan) performances. "Flight" earned Rhimes an NAACP Image Award nomination and it was also nominated under several categories of Entertainment Weekly's finale awards. 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.