The third season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company on September 21, 2006, and concluded on May 17, 2007. The season was produced by Touchstone Television, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company, the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes. Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, and T.R. Knight reprised their roles as surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev, and George O'Malley, respectively, continuing their expansive storylines as focal points throughout the season. Previous main cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Kate Walsh, Isaiah Washington, and Patrick Dempsey also returned, while previous guest stars Sara Ramirez and Eric Dane were promoted to series regulars, following the extension of their contracts.
The season followed the continuation of the surgical residency of five young interns, as they experience the demands of the competitive field of medicine, which becomes defining in their personal evolution. Although set in fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, located in Seattle, Washington, filming primarily occurred in Los Angeles, California. Whereas the first season mainly focused on the impact the surgical field has on the main characters, and the second one provided a detailed perspective on the physicians' private lives, the third season deals with the tough challenges brought by the last phase of the surgeons' internship, combining the professional motif emphasized in the first season, with the complex personal background used in the second. Through the season, several new storylines are introduced, including the arrival of Dane's character, Dr. Mark Sloan, conceived and introduced as an antagonizing presence.
Meredith must make an important choice about which path she wants to follow to determine the future… |
Cristina meets Burke's parents, the interns try to get Izzie's job back, and Addison takes a day… |
The staff tries to prevent a patient from getting an elective surgery. Cristina tries to help… |
Shawn Sullivan, a car salesman who just had surgery, wants to get back to his routine so he doesn't… |
Derek learns one of Addison's secrets. Bailey talks about motherhood and depression to a mother who… |
Cristina gets to scrub in on a rare surgery which incites envy. Alex questions his future in… |
The men of Seattle Grace go on a camping trip together, Addison and Callie must team up to work on… |
George's father has a serious heart problem that requires surgery and George chooses Burke to do… |
A traumatic car accident fills the ER. Izzie pushes the boundaries of her probation. Cristina has a… |
Recent events strain Burke and Cristina's relationship. Mark and Derek must work together when two… |
Meredith discovers that Derek has a problem sleeping while her father comes to visit the hospital.… |
Cristina and Burke continue to play Uncle until one of them gives in. Derek and Meredith are… |
George has become a sex machine. Dr. Bailey has the idea of opening a free clinic. A doctor at… |
The chief's announcement of his retirement sparks competition between Derek, Burke, Addison, and… |
The staff is trying to deal with antsy patients while dealing with a major disaster when a cargo… |
Almost everyone searches for Meredith while they ponder her place in the world. Addison considers… |
Everyone is pushing for Meredith to survive, or in this case to be revived.
People are still… |
Alex grows closer to Jane Doe as he continues to work on her case. Helen Crawford flies into… |
Callie's father comes to Seattle Grace and meets George, the hospital starts interviewing… |
Colin Marlow continues to try to get in the way of Cristina and Burke's relationship. The daughter… |
The attendings vie to be Chief. Two people who haven't slept together before, will. McSteamy's… |
Meredith works on her relationship with Susan and Thatcher. Cristina has to deal with her mother… |
Meredith works on her relationship with Susan and Thatcher. Cristina has to deal with her mother… |
The interns finally take their first year medical exams, the biggest test of their careers, and one… |
Callie and George make a big decision. A successor to Chief Webber is named. A man named Jeff Pope… |