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Meredith and Cristina’s friendship has been at the center of Grey’s Anatomy in the first ten seasons of the medical drama, but some episodes were more important than others for the progress of their relationship. Going from interns to residents and finally attendings, Grey’s Anatomy seasons 1 to 10 saw them navigating marriages, various cataclysmic events hitting the hospital, and the usual work-related drama that established them as allies before making them friends. Their friendship hit highs and lows through the years, but it also showed how they were always there for each other, no matter their momentary fight or cause for celebration.

Dubbed “the twisted sisters,” Meredith and Cristina proved to be fiercely protective and supportive of each other, even if the way they showed it was sometimes inexplicable for those outside their friendship. Their loyalty to each other was consistently proved in the most extreme situations, even if sometimes their competitiveness and pride separated them for a while, as the two could be stubborn to admit their shortcomings. Their unique friendship that established very early how the two were each other’s “person” made it difficult for others to penetrate their bubble, guaranteeing their relationship to be uncommon and that many would have missed it once Cristina Yang exited Grey’s Anatomy.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 1, Episode 1

It established why Cristina was drawn to Mer & their unusual friendship dynamic

Grey’s Anatomy season 1, episode 1 aptly established the interpersonal dynamics among all interns and introduced Meredith and Derek’s romantic connection, but no relationship was more clearly defined than Meredith and Cristina’s coalition-turned-friendship. Indeed, Cristina was initially drawn to Meredith because she was envious of her being surgery royalty, being Ellis Grey’s daughter, but she quickly recognized Meredith’s potential. Their research for the cause behind Katie Bryce’s seizures perfectly exemplified their peculiar connection, as their back-and-forth exchange examined the possible medical causes and simultaneously discussed Meredith’s love life after she admitted she had hooked up with Derek.

Grey’s Anatomy series premiere also introduced the first conflict between the two, as their successful diagnosis won them one spot in the OR. Despite Meredith repeatedly saying how she wanted to surrender it to Cristina had they won, Derek chose her to be in the OR, and Meredith didn’t cede her spot to Cristina, betraying her word to her. The conflict quickly established how competitive Meredith and Cristina both were, a characteristic most in common between them besides their being dark and twisty when facing life’s challenges, putting them one against the other as Cristina saw Meredith as the favorite because she had slept with an attending.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 1, Episode 5

The episode had their first dance-it-out moment

Grey’s Anatomy season 1, episode 5 engulfed Meredith with multiple worries, about her career because she ripped her glove during surgery, and her mother, because she had to deal with her long-term care and finances. Returning home only to find an unexpected big party was the cherry on top of her day’s obstacles, and she only decided to let it go once she saw Cristina dancing on a table and calling to her. The episode marked the first time Meredith and Cristina danced it out as a way to cope with their problems, and it also highlighted how seeing Cristina helped Meredith accept her problems and shake them out.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 2, Episode 1

Cristina revealed her pregnancy & put Meredith as her emergency contact

Grey’s Anatomy season 2 premiere cemented the bond between Meredith and Cristina with the “You’re my person” line. Cristina never desired to be pregnant and was always a very private person. However, she still shared with Meredith that she was pregnant, even if she didn’t even tell her about her fling with Burke. The episode introduced their moniker for each other because Cristina had to share her emergency contact before her abortion appointment could be confirmed. Choosing Meredith as her emergency contact person was a very practical requirement that forced Cristina to admit her peculiarly strong bond with Meredith to her face, with the nickname becoming emblematic of their relationship.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 3, Episode 17

Cristina overcame her problem with life-or-death situations to be there for Meredith

The aftermath of Meredith’s drowning in Elliot Bay took over Grey’s Anatomy season 3, episode 17, where the doctors tried to save her as she admitted to herself that she stopped fighting against the water for a moment. While the episode proved instrumental for Meredith, as she finally faced she wanted to live, it was also monumental for Cristina. Indeed, Cristina always fled life-or-death situations where she needed to stay at the bedside of someone she cared about who might not have made it after she saw her father dying next to her as they waited for an ambulance.

Despite not being able to deal with the emotions of seeing Meredith half dead in the ER as Bailey and Webber tried to resuscitate her, Cristina still stood there, hands at Meredith’s ankles as one last round of ACLS drugs was administered, eventually bringing Meredith back to life. This was a milestone for Cristina, as her bond with Meredith meant so much to her that she sat with her feelings and stood by Meredith’s side, even if all she wanted to do was to avoid the problem, which she tried to do by going to the dollar store and buying a bit of everything she didn’t need.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 3, Episode 25

Meredith helps Cristina through being left at the altar & feeling free because of it

Grey’s Anatomy season 3’s episodes leading up to the finale were focused on Burke and Cristina’s wedding and Cristina’s concessions so that things could be done in the Burke family tradition. Grey’s Anatomy season 3 finale started with Cristina suffering through Burke’s mother making her wear a too-tight choker and waxing her eyebrows and ended with Burke leaving her at the altar after realizing he had forced the wedding on her. Meredith’s unwavering support through it all showed how much she understood Cristina, especially as she was processing the breakup, but also her relief at not having to go through the wedding, which she never wanted and only now realized.