17 of Our Favorite Doctors on Grey’s Anatomy

6. Derek Shepherd

I would like someone to find another made-for-television love story as epic as Derek and Meredith’s. Sam and Diane? Nope. Ben and Leslie? Nope. Maybe Lucy and Ricky? But also no.

Because nobody said “okay” and smiled at an argument quite like Derek Shepherd. Oftentimes, he was so enamored by Meredith, he just stopped mid-sentence and stared at her. Of course, it was the cheesiest thing on television, but people need cheese, alright? Admittedly, when we first met Derek, he wasn’t the easiest guy to love. And when Patrick Dempsey felt ready to leave the show, Derek became less than likable again. In fact, Derek put his career first plenty of times. But still, he built Meredith a house and made crappy babies with her.

Otherwise, he was a pretty great doctor. He saved a lot of lives, and removed a lot of cancer. After the plane crash, he seemed to lose his cool. But once he bounced back, he was offered a position to work on the Brain Mapping Initiative, which led to a rough patch with Meredith and ultimately, his death.

Though we miss Derek, there wasn’t much left for him to do anymore and we almost outgrew him in a way. Yet, he will always be our McDreamy … and our No. 6!