Migration

"So, there's this bird. Some sort of swallow I think. Every September, thousands of them ditch rainy Seattle to winter in Mexico. These birds aren't dumb. And every year, rounds of people gather around in Seattle to drink beer and watch the flock take off. They call it the Great Migration. I don't know how those birds do it. Travel thousands of miles without getting lost. Banging into windows, being eaten by cats. But every spring, they're always here. I guess they come back to what they know. People say it's pretty cool, watching them go. They say you can actually see the moment when, at some mysterious signal, all at once the birds decide to leave. Whatever... there's always next year."

- Meredith Grey

 is the twenty-third episode of the eighth season and the 171st overall episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Short Summary
The residents determine their future as they make their final decisions regarding post residency positions; Mark admits to Derek that he is torn between his love for Lexie and the fact that Julia can give him everything he’s ever wanted; Ben plans something extra special for Bailey, but she is preoccupied with her work; and Arizona encourages her childhood friend, Nick, to have surgery. Meanwhile a couple on their third honeymoon come to the hospital complaining of mysterious symptoms.

Main Cast

 * Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
 * Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
 * Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
 * Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
 * James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
 * Sara Ramírez as Dr. Callie Torres
 * Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
 * Chyler Leigh as Dr. Lexie Grey
 * Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt
 * Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins
 * Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman
 * Sarah Drew as Dr. April Kepner
 * Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery
 * Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd

Guest Stars

 * Mary Lynn Rajskub as Marion Steiner
 * Patrick Fischler as Jake Steiner
 * Jason George as Dr. Ben Warren
 * Jordan Belfi as Nick

Notes and Trivia

 * This episode's title originated from the song Migration, originally sung by Wintersleep.
 * This episode scored 9.82 millon viewers.
 * Before taking off on the plane while Arizona is chastizing Alex, Meredith says, "Look at him, showing us up by going to Hopkins" and Cristina sarcastically responds, "If Robbins lets him live that long." Arizona then got on the plane instead of Alex, possibly saving his life. As such, Arizona may have been the reason he lived.