THURSDAYS 9|8c Latest Full Episode: Push

Tainted Obligation

Watch Full Episodes
GREY'S ANATOMY - "Tainted Obligation" - When Meredith and Lexie's father, Thatcher, returns to the hospital with a failed liver, it's up to Meredith to save his life. Meanwhile, Izzie empathizes with a patient riddled with tumors, as Mark, annoyed with Cristina's competitive zeal, tricks her into assisting on an unusual surgery, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/MICHAEL DESMOND)CHYLER LEIGH, JEFF PERRY

We're about as happy to see Thatcher, Meredith's alcoholic dad, as she is, especially when we learn that years of drinking have given him liver failure and he needs a donation, stat!

Lexie isn't a match and is crushed when Meredith doesn't immediately volunteer her liver. Meredith tells Izzie she doesn't plan to see if she's a match, "I barely know the guy." Cristina urges her on, mostly so she can get in on a surgery: "Mama needs to cut!" she says.

We'd feel Cristina's pain at not being on any surgeries, but she's so shameless at trying to manipulate everyone around her that we have to laugh. Her offer to a doctor who heard she's "hardcore into cardio," ("I can be hardcore into anything you want."), sounds like a come-on of a whole different kind!

Sound Off

GREY'S ANATOMY -

Help Thatcher?

Meredith is faced with a difficult decision that comes down to saving her father's life. Did she make the right one?

shmaddie9

1 month ago

Sure, Thatcher failed Meredith, but stil. Meredith loves her sister Lexie, and Lexie loves her father. It would be cruel to let him die. That would be like letting a piece of her sister die, too

jfeazel13

3 months ago

yes. he may have messed up, but everyone makes mistakes. its her birth father!

sammygurl333

4 months ago

noo she shouldve let him diee. shes been through enoughh. i mean that sucks for lexi but its not merediths problemm.

cpaloa

5 months ago

Yes, I think she did.

DanetteLynn421

5 months ago

Organ donation is a personal decision. Whatever informed and thought out decision a person makes that he or she can live with is the correct decision.

imagoodthing

5 months ago

I think that she did the right thing. She made a decision that she could live with. If she hadn't helped him she would have been hurt not by the loss of her father but by the devastation it would have caused Lexie. In the end it has helped her continue to put some of her demons to rest. She left the door open for a relationship to develop with her father. If he doesn't want one I think that she would be okay with that too. I also wish that we would have seen one of the scenes with Mer and Der. I do like that he stepped back and let her think.

bayhighcheer19

5 months ago

I'm not sure, but I think if she wouldn't have done it, it would of hurt her more than doing it.

volgrappler

5 months ago

Is anyone able to tell me the name of the song playing when Meredith is standing in the hall deciding what to do?

SAJ0562

5 months ago

An empty answer? You must have something to say! What do you think? Yes, I think she made the decision that she will not look back on the rest of her life and think , "I should have done it. Even though he wasn't there for me, he's still my father."

nomoregreys

5 months ago

Dear Shonda Rimes: Thank you for previous seasons of Grey's Anatomy -- I have been a huge fan. Unfortunately, I just can't watch anymore. I can't stand to watch Katherine Heigl act. I wish Izzy had been the character to die and not George. These are irrational feelings -- I mean it IS your story -- you have to work things out in whatever way you can to accommodate the demands of the show and its people. I wanted to give the show another chance, but I have watched the first four episodes of season six and -- well -- I just don't care anymore. But I didn't want to stop watching without thanking you for the escapist enjoyment I have received from Grey's. I wish you luck in the future.

kyallan

5 months ago

Yes she did!

lovemybaby85

5 months ago

i think meredith made the right decision. even though her father wasnt there for her childhood this gives her the chance to rekindle things and maybe make things better. this will definatly make her relationship with her sister so much better!!

hourijig

5 months ago

Yes of course she did... Although she did it for her sister...

IzzieKarev

5 months ago

Personally, I don't care. All I care about is what's going to happen to Alex and Izzie in the next episode. So what, I'm selfish, sue me.

czekit7

5 months ago

Hey, liver pain would be on the left side, not the right!!

elsielarrea

5 months ago

I also miss the interaction between Mer and Derek but the show moved on. They are finally a stable couple, married by their own rules, so the scenes with them are different to what we are used to, it will take time for us to adapt, but hopefully once Ellen is back from her maternity leave they will have some fun takes together. The characters are grown ups now, it is not about their love life's anymore but their careers, family, goals. etc. I expect a lot from this season, and so far I have not been disappointed.

CadetChula

5 months ago

i think she did make the right move but she also didnt. With the merger going on it was risky for her yto be laying in a hospital bed cause of it and it was good because it was her sisters father if no her "own"

jorcna

5 months ago

I don't think so. If my father had walked out on my family I wouldn't give him the time of day- much less a piece of my liver! But, Meridith has a big heart and I think she really has strong feelings for her sister (even if she is only a half sister). In my opinion, I think that's the reason she did it. It was for Little Grey. Not for her father.

cjcody2010

5 months ago

Having an estranged family member myself, I think that situations like this one adhere more to the present condition of the relationship. I think Meredith did the right thing for her father. She wasn't willing to just throw herself into handing the whole situation with the snap of a finger like Lexie was, but she was more willing to meet him half-way. She's showing her father that his actions have consequences, but at the same time is being a big enough person to leave the past in the past where it belongs. Or, as she said, "The door will be open."

Samfr41

5 months ago

Bring Back BURKE.................PEROID..........................IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS SHOW EVEN BETTER, BRING BACK BURKE................NOW.......................

goldenkat1974

5 months ago

is izzy really off the show she so cool awsome i own all 5 seaon ause her that be missed up dont lose her please

augbabe1982

5 months ago

Yes! You need to know when to let go of the past.

sleepyocean

5 months ago

MARRYHIM! They said to "get their mind off the everyday stuff" read before you bash!!!!

kathnmerlin

5 months ago

Yes i think so

promoprints

5 months ago

Definately ..... bring back Burke. Now that Knight has left, there should be no roadblocks ... not that there should have ever been

sqc14

5 months ago

does anybody know when abc posts the latest thursday episode online (10/15 show)? cbs posts survivor right after 12am est...

AMORRISSEY9

5 months ago

I think from being a greys anatomy fan for this many years that the season is going down the drain and so is this show! The characters aren't even close to being the same and lets face it george is gone and now izzie is no longer working at seatlle grace so whats next? really? you going to take miranda off because it almost looked like it in commercials before watching the episode of private practice. I don't like this merge and I think this season is going to be awful

Ladely

5 months ago

I think Meredith did the right thing by saving her sister's dad! This really makes Meredith seem more human that ever before. I was so proud that she thought of someone other than herself. Doesn't a Doctor take an oath to save lives? The only way she could save his was doing what she did.

crystal_678

5 months ago

Yes. Thatcher was not much of a father to Meredith, but she understood how this would effect Lexi, whom she cares deeply for. While her motives may have been to protect Lexi, and not her father, I think Meredith made the right decision.

derekandmer

5 months ago

No she should not have given up anything for that man. What did he ever do for her but hurt her. To say she did it for Lexie, since when are they best friends... Lexie should have been thrown out of the hospital, this is the second time she has gone though co workers files... Lexie is walking around the hospital like she owns the hospital now.

littlebigmouse31

5 months ago

NO she didn't. Thatcher was never a father to her and treated her bad. She should of never risked her life. for him. Even if it was for her sister.

xmarisaxisxcoolx

5 months ago

No she didnt, he was never there for her while she was a child. Now she can risk loosing her job during the merger because she has to be on bed rest for a month.

dlferriola

5 months ago

I think Mer did the right thing because she did it for Lexie her sister. If Thatcher had died that would have caused Lexie heartbreak (already lost her mom) and Mer felt it would have destroyed her. Mer could not let him do that to Lexie because she loves her now and feels she is truly her sister. It was a very unselfish and loving act on Mers part.

ICamaleonte

5 months ago

Yes, she did!

321kaboom

5 months ago

She did what she had to do ........... but i think her decision could have been the wrong one ........ he was neveer there for him , and now there is a part of her inside of him!!! but with the merger on can she afford to to be missing work?? (well we all know with webber in charge Mer's not going anywhere)!!!

soulcop83

5 months ago

Yes it wasn't for Thatcher it was for Lexie

dmodelo

5 months ago

She did good.

KELLYKBUCK

5 months ago

Yes she made the correct decision. She felt compassion for the serial killer, why would she not find some compassion for her father or her recently found sister relationship?

kis004

5 months ago

If live you either become a survivor or a victom. By helping Thatcher she became a survivor of her childhood. It will allow her to move on and let go of what happened between them. She may think that she is doing it for Lexi, but in fact, she did it for herself. I understand that Ellen is away, but I really do miss the interaction between Mer and Derek.

7busi7

5 months ago

She made the right decision by helping her sister...it was completly beautiful

ozumablank

5 months ago

yes she made the right choice, you dont need a reason to help to someone

MerDer_4Ever.

5 months ago

Awwww she did it for her sister! It was so sweet to see them bond and really show that they love each other. I knew Meredith would help in the end because that' s just how she is. Sometimes Meredith just amazes me with her awesomeness!

easybreezy88

5 months ago

Yes she did the right thing that is a life we are talking about death or life of course your sopoosed to bring life geeze what monster wouldnt ???

Susan_Delfino

5 months ago

Yeah, on her way. She did for Lexie, he was for Meredith a really bad father, not a father for her, but she loves her sister, Lexie now is happy and the bond between them is strongest that before, really touch moment, when Meredith says that he was the guy who puts her cereal and not have nothing more as remember of him, she doesn´t know how is have a father but she know how is have a sister: "and it´s good".I really like this part. A question: Ellen Pompeo is pregnant right now? seems really tricky, for her belly shots(don´t show it). thanks all people who bring us this show.

Susan_Delfino

5 months ago

I mean, how many months she has when this chapter was filmed? when she leaves of the show for having her daughter? In what chapter, we´ll don´t seeing her?

donniesangel

5 months ago

What Meredith decided was brave, thoughtful and kind; however, I think it was the wrong decision. If something turns out badly with Meredith leaving the open invitation for Thatch and then revoking it (in a more than likely "rude" way), it will crush Lexie and strain their relationship. But let's just watch and see what dark and twisty corners Grey's Anatomy Season 6 will bring to us.

From the Soundtrack

Most listened to songs from Grey's Anatomy

Go to the Music Lounge

  1. Trading Things In

    Voluntary Butler Scheme

  2. Come On Be Good

    Dragonette

  3. Long Time Gone

    Bachelorette

  4. Wish You Well

    Katie Herzig

  5. Morning Mist

    Sebastien Schuller

want some more?

Set Mobile Reminder

Get Grey's Anatomy text alerts sent to your phone or PDA*. You'll be among the first to get new episode details and information about special promotions!

- -
*Message and data rates may apply

Signing up for texts

Error with text alert sign up

Please try again later.

Signing up for texts

Loading

Set Mobile Reminder

To complete the sign up for alerts, reply Y to the text message sent to your phone. Thank you for signing up!

*Message and data rates may apply