Grey’s Anatomy: 13 Episodes To Watch If You Miss Mark & Lexie
Mark and Lexie had a tragic, too-short time on Grey’s Anatomy, but for Slexie fans, there’s always time to re-watch their best episodes.
After nearly two decades of episodes Grey’s Anatomy has featured a lot of relationships, but the Mark and Lexie episodes of the run are fan favorites. Obviously, Meredith and Derek are the go-to couple that the audience associates with the show. But an underrated relationship that never got to live up to its full potential was the one between Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan, two characters that can be defined as each other’s true love and soulmates.
Lexie and Mark met their untimely demise at the end of Season 8 and the beginning of Season 9 respectively, but their romance was an unforgettable one. The two were meant to be, even in death, and always found their way back to one another despite the odds. While their relationship never got the chance to fully succeed, there are plenty of Mark and Lexie episodes that prove just how in love these two were.
Here Comes The Flood (Season 5, Episode 3)
Mark and Lexie don’t actually get together for another seven episodes, but “Here Comes The Flood” is a great Lexie episode that shows how much faith Mark already has in her. Lexie is seen as an inexperienced intern for much of season 5 by those in Mark and Meredith’s generations, but that doesn’t mean Lexie isn’t smart.
Christina ignores Lexie’s input about their patient in this episode, despite Lexie insisting that she knows what is wrong with them. Mark is the only one to believe Lexie and follow her research. He is then willing to teach her about different medical subjects when Christina keeps putting her off. It’s a great tease of what’s to come in the future Mark and Lexie episodes.
All By Myself (Season 5, Episode10)
The first of the big Mark and Lexie episodes is in the middle of season 5 of Grey’s Anatomy. Derek has told Mark that no matter what, he cannot have any kind of sexual relationship with Meredith’s younger sister. Mark attempts to ignore his growing attraction to her, but she has taken a liking to him. In season 5, episode 10, Mark and Lexie finally get together after they work alongside one another all day.
After their successful surgery, Lexie goes over to Mark’s hotel room. She is amazed by what they accomplished and asks that he teach her. He shakes his head, knowing the promise he made to Derek, but Lexie begins to remove her clothes and repeats, “Teach me.” He tries to resist, but ultimately cannot deny his feelings, and the two embrace for the first time.
Stairway to Heaven (Season 5, Episode13)
In one of the funniest storylines in the history of Grey’s, Lexie and Mark are secretly hooking up in an on-call room, something only Callie has any clue about. In a hookup gone terribly wrong, Lexie accidentally injures Mark in one of the best Mark and Lexie episodes. She rushes to get help, and he is left extremely embarrassed and in an immense amount of pain.
Once he’s received help, Lexie comes to comfort him, but he is still too embarrassed to face her. She climbs into his hospital bed and strokes his hair, something she loves having done to her when she’s hurt (and something he later does to her as she dies). The callback in Season 8 is heartbreaking but also goes to show how much they loved each other.
I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Season 5, Episode 17)
This is an even bigger Lexie episode of Grey’s Anatomy than it is a Mark and Lexie episode. Lexie gets to really step out of her big sister’s shadow in this episode as she takes responsibility for “breaking” Mark, and she solves the mystery behind Patient X (who turns out to be Izzie Stevens) all as Derek finds out that Lexie and Mark have been dating behind his back after Derek asked Mark to stay away from her.
At this point in Grey’s Anatomy, Lexie and Mark have really been hooking up in secret instead of really being in a serious relationship. Their relationship being forced out into the open makes both Mark and Lexie take a look at their relationship and see that they’re really good together. Mark even credits Lexie with putting him back together instead of breaking him.
Stand By Me (Season 5, Episode18)
Lexie’s intern peers have caught her and Mark Sloan flirting, and are already starting rumors about their relationship. Some believe she’s sleeping with him to get ahead, others believe he’s using her, and good girl Lexie is over being the topic of office gossip.
She confirms the allegations by kissing him in front of her intern group, and telling Mark that, “They think we’re ugly, but I know that we’re beautiful.” It’s one of the best Mark and Lexie episodes that shows the strength of Lexie and Mark’s feelings for one another as they’re both willing to put their relationship out in the open, no matter what the consequences may be.
No Good At Saying Sorry (One More Chance) (Season 5, Episode 21)
After Mark and Derek’s fight about Sloan pursuing Lexie aka ‘Little Grey’, they establish that this isn’t just a meaningless fling — they really care about one another. In this Mark and Lexie episode, Lexie invites Mark to have dinner with her and her father, something that is important to her.
Mark is nervous because he isn’t always Dads’ biggest fan, and he’s worried that Thatcher will be displeased with their age gap. Lexie doesn’t care, though. Mark shows up to dinner with Lexie and her father, much to Lexie’s delight, and takes her hand, signifying that they are very much in a relationship.
Here’s to Future Days (Season 5, Episode 23)
The entire back half of season 5 of Grey’s Anatomy may as well be dedicated to Mark and Lexie episodes, as they have the most wholesome encounters amid tragedy striking the hospital (Izzie having cancer, George’s death, etc.)
In this episode, Mark starts thinking about what he wants out of his future, and he wants it to include Lexie. Lexie has a different 10-year-plan, and isn’t yet ready to move in and start a life with her older boyfriend. He makes a comment about other residents being married, and she squirms at the thought of them getting married so soon. Mark realizes his mistake, and the two adorably decide to not make any sudden plans for the future.
What a Difference a Day Makes (Season 6, Episode 22)
Following their mid-season breakup, Lexie has moved on and begun a relationship with Alex Karev, much to the dismay of Mark. Lexie wants to have fun and be young, while Mark is suffering from the loss of their relationship and his daughter, Sloan, taking off.
Mark confesses to Lexie that he misses her and still loves her, but she can’t bring herself to say the same. She explains that Karev is her boyfriend, to which he iconically says, “I know. All I’m saying is that you could have a husband.” It leaves her (and fans) speechless as they’re reminded of him asking Lexie to marry him a year earlier when she wasn’t ready. They don’t have to be together in all the best Mark and Lexie episodes.
Sanctuary/Death and All His Friends (Season 6, Episodes 23 And 24)
Mark misses Lexie, and Lexie just wants Mark to go away. In the Season 6 finale, Gary Clark is up to no good and shows up at the hospital looking for revenge for his recently deceased wife. When he opens fire, Mark showed his growth and love for Lexie when he protects her in a life-and-death situation, even though she wants nothing to do with him.
Later, Mark helps Lexie operate on her boyfriend, Alex’s, gunshot wound. It pains him to see she has moved on, but he can’t leave either of them. It’s a great episode depicting the unconditional love Mark and Lexie have for one another, even when they’re broken up.
Adrift And At Peace (Season 7, Episode10)
After a season apart, Mark is continuously pining after Lexie, who wants to move on. She asks him for help with Nurse Eli, who’s got it out for her, and he agrees under the condition that she meet him for a drink in this Mark and Lexie episode.
Initially, Lexie is hesitant and even shows up to Joe’s Bar with the intention of leaving with the assistance of Jackson, but their connection is undeniable. Mark and Lexie finally (and very briefly) get back together in”Adrift and at Peace.” If fans want the happiest of Mark and Lexie episodes, this is probably where they could stop watching, but there is still more story to be told.
Put Me In Coach (Season 8, Episode 7)
It’s not exactly a great story point to pit women against other women, but jealousy is also a natural emotion when someone isn’t over a past relationship. That’s exactly what the audience sees in “Put Me In Coach.”
A chunk of the episode is focused on a friendly game of baseball between two different Seattle hospitals. Of course, Lexie is on one team and Mark’s new girlfriend is on the other, which means that as much as Lexie might think she’s over Mark, being face-to-face with his new girlfriend makes it clear she isn’t. She even throws a baseball right at the other woman. It’s a change for the season since much of season 8 makes it clear that Mark isn’t over Lexie, and until this episode, Lexie’s feelings aren’t as clear.
Let The Bad Times Roll (Season 8, Episode 22)
Two episodes before her tragic death (fans might want to skip that one), Lexie came to the realization that she had to confess her feelings with one of her memorable quotes to Mark. Hoping to prevent his relationship with Julia from growing more serious than it already had, she confronts him in the hospital, spilling her guts to the man she loves once and for all.
This episode contains Lexie’s epic, “It’s like I’m infected by Mark Sloan,” speech and the crushing moment when Julia emerges from the elevator before Mark can say anything back. Of course, fans now know what happens in the season 8 finale, so this Mark and Lexie episode is a great one to watch to end on a more optimistic note.
Breathe (Season 17, Episode 10)
For the first time in nine years, Mark and Lexie return to TV screens — and not in flashback form. In Meredith’s COVID state, she has conjured up a dream world that takes place on a peaceful beach, filled with the people she loved the most, but lost tragically.
On Meredith’s beach, Lexie and Mark are together and happy in the afterlife. The two dance by the water, trade meaningful glances and give Meredith some much-needed advice about fighting for her life. While Chyler Leigh and Eric Dane’s appearances didn’t undo the horrific deaths their characters suffered following the season 8 plane crash, it did bring smiles (and tears) to fans’ faces to know that Mark and Lexie really were meant to be. It makes one of the best Mark and Lexie episodes of Grey’s Anatomy actually one that takes place after their respective deaths.