First-year surgical intern Meredith Grey begins her first day in the demanding residency program at Seattle Grace Hospital.
Cristina treats a former Seattle Grace scrub nurse and is forever changed. Izzie's past comes back to haunt her and makes a case difficult.
Meredith thinks she may have made a mistake during surgery, endangering her career. Nothing goes as planned when Izzie throws a party for her new boyfriend.
Bailey interferes in Meredith and Derek's relationship. Alex works hard to gain the trust of a shy patient with a gargantuan tumour.
Cristina is revealed to be a difficult patient as she recovers; Meredith's mother has the staff running in circles.