| "We Didn't Start the Fire" | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 15 Episode 15 |
| Directed by | Chandra Wilson |
| Written by | Andy Reaser |
| Original air date | February 28, 2019 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"We Didn't Start the Fire" is the fifteenth episode of the fifteenth season of the American medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, and the 332nd episode overall. Written by Andy Reaser and directed by cast member Chandra Wilson, the episode aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on February 28, 2019.
The episode focuses on the Grey Sloan Memorial staff as they attend a party to celebrate Catherine Fox's (Debbie Allen) successful surgery. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) navigates the public revelation of her evolving relationship with Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti), while Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) grapples with growing distance from Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary). Meanwhile, Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) confront unresolved jealousy and emotional challenges. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) is unsettled by an unexpected visit from his mother, Helen Karev (Lindsay Wagner), and Betty’s (Peyton Kennedy) parents face a tough decision about the custody of her child.
Although the episode was fictionally set in Seattle, Washington, filming occurred in Los Angeles, California. The title of the episode refers to the song "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. It officially made Grey's Anatomy the longest-running American primetime medical drama series, surpassing ER (1994–2009).[1]
Upon its initial broadcast, "We Didn't Start the Fire" was watched by 6.99 million viewers in the United States, receiving a 1.6/8 Nielsen rating in the 18–49 demographic. It ranked #7 in the Top 25 primetime broadcast shows in the key demographic and #16 in overall viewership, becoming the most-watched drama series of the week. The episode received mixed-to-positive reviews from television critics, with praise for Wilson's direction and the performances of Pompeo and McKidd.