When Do Meredith And Riggs Get Together In Season 13: Complete Guide & Key Details

I remember a time, not too long ago, when I was absolutely obsessed with figuring out plot points before they happened. Like, I'd be watching a show, and if a cute new doctor walked onto the scene, my brain would immediately go into overdrive: "Okay, new guy. Who's he gonna end up with? Please, please let it be the main girl. We deserve it!" So, when Dr. Nathan Riggs first sauntered into Grey Sloan Memorial in Season 12, you can bet your bottom dollar my internal monologue went into DEFCON 1. And then, we all waited. And waited. Because sometimes, even when the sparks are flying, the actual "getting together" part takes a little… longer.

And that, my friends, is precisely why we're diving deep into the tangled web of Meredith Grey and Nathan Riggs's romance in Season 13 of Grey's Anatomy. Because let's be honest, the anticipation was real, and for a while there, it felt like we were stuck in romantic purgatory. So, grab your coffee (or, let's be real, your wine) and let's unpack this!

The Slow Burn: Setting the Stage in Season 12

First things first, we gotta rewind a bit. Season 12 was all about introducing Riggs to the chaos that is Grey Sloan. He was the mysterious, ruggedly handsome cardiothoracic surgeon with a past. And Meredith, well, she was still navigating the aftermath of Derek's death, trying to figure out her own path. It was a delicate dance, and for a while, it felt like they were just… colleagues. Very attractive colleagues, but colleagues nonetheless.

Remember those little moments? The shared glances across the hospital hallways? The way they’d bump into each other in the supply closet and have a surprisingly deep conversation? Yeah, I saw them. You saw them. We all saw them. It was the universe, or at least Shonda Rhimes, nudging them together, whispering sweet nothings like, "Just look at each other for a bit longer, you two!"

Riggs had this whole complicated history with Owen Hunt, which, of course, added a layer of drama. But beneath all that, there was a palpable tension between him and Meredith. It wasn't immediate fireworks; it was more of a slow, simmering heat that was just waiting for the right moment to ignite. And Season 13 was that moment, or at least, the beginning of it.

The Real Deal: When Did They Actually Become Official?

Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. While the seeds were sown in Season 12, the actual commitment, the moment where you could definitively say, "Yep, they're a couple," happened mid-Season 13. It wasn't a grand, public declaration; it was more of a quiet, intimate understanding that bloomed after a series of significant events.

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Martin Henderson as Nathan Riggs in

The biggest catalyst? The accident. Remember that terrifying multi-car pile-up and Meredith’s subsequent pregnancy scare? That whole ordeal really shook things up. It made Meredith confront her feelings and, more importantly, made Riggs realize just how much he cared about her. It was a wake-up call for both of them.

So, to be precise, the episode where things really solidified was "None of Your Business" (Season 13, Episode 10). This is where Meredith and Riggs shared their first real kiss after the trauma of the accident and Amelia's misguided attempt at being a surrogate. It was a moment of raw emotion, a release of all the pent-up feelings that had been brewing for months. It felt earned, you know? After all the near misses and the emotional baggage, it was finally happening.

The "Almost" Moments: Building Up to the Kiss

Now, before you jump to conclusions and think it was all smooth sailing from Season 12 to Episode 10, let me tell you, the journey was not straightforward. There were so many "almost" moments that kept us on the edge of our seats.

Will Meredith and Riggs Get Together on Grey's Anatomy? | PS Entertainment

There was the awkwardness with Maggie. Oh, Maggie. Sweet, naive Maggie, who developed a crush on Riggs. Talk about a love triangle in the making, even if Meredith wasn't officially in it yet. It added a layer of complication and made Meredith hesitant to pursue things, which, let's be honest, is classic Meredith. She’s always thinking about everyone else’s feelings, even when her own are screaming at her.

And then there was Amelia's whole… thing with Owen. The drama between them cast a long shadow, and Riggs was, understandably, a part of that. Meredith was constantly aware of the lingering feelings and the potential fallout. It wasn't just about her and Riggs; it was about how their relationship would impact everyone around them. That’s the burden of being Meredith Grey, I guess. She’s got a lot of plates to spin.

But even through all the hesitations and the external drama, there were those undeniable sparks. The stolen glances, the moments of shared vulnerability, the way they just fit when they were together. It was like watching two puzzle pieces that were destined to click, even if the surrounding puzzle was a bit of a mess.

The "Official" Status: What Does It Even Mean?

So, they kissed in "None of Your Business." Great! But when did they become a bona fide, capital-R, Relationship? Well, the show is a little… ambiguous sometimes with those official labels. However, after that pivotal kiss, their connection deepened significantly. They started spending more time together, confiding in each other, and generally acting like a couple, even if they hadn't had the sit-down, "So, what are we?" conversation yet.

Will Meredith and Riggs Get Together on Grey's Anatomy? | PS Entertainment

You could see it in the way they interacted. The ease, the comfort, the way they supported each other through the tough times. Riggs became Meredith's confidant, and Meredith, in turn, became someone Riggs could rely on. It was a mutual dependence that felt genuine and powerful. It wasn't just about the romance; it was about finding a partner, a friend, someone who understood the unique pressures of their lives.

They were seen as a unit, even if the official "boyfriend-girlfriend" title wasn't explicitly stated right away. The hospital staff certainly noticed. Alex Karev, bless his gruff heart, even made a few snarky comments, which is basically the equivalent of a public endorsement in the Grey Sloan universe.

Key Details and Plot Points in Season 13

Let's break down some of the crucial moments in Season 13 that led to Meredith and Riggs getting together:

Grey's Anatomy: Will Riggs Come Between Maggie and Meredith? - TV Guide

• The Lingering Feelings: Throughout the early episodes of Season 13, the unresolved feelings between Meredith and Riggs were a constant undercurrent. Even though Meredith was trying to focus on her life without Derek, and Riggs was dealing with his own past, their connection was undeniable.
• Maggie's Crush: As mentioned, Maggie's developing crush on Riggs added a layer of complexity. Meredith, ever the self-sacrificing one, initially held back, not wanting to hurt Maggie or create more drama. This period was all about Meredith grappling with her own desires versus her loyalty to her sister.
• The Accident and Pregnancy Scare: This was a major turning point. The shared trauma and Meredith’s vulnerability brought them closer than ever. Riggs was incredibly protective and supportive, showing Meredith a side of himself that was deeply caring.
• The First Kiss (S13E10): This is the big one! The emotional release after the accident led to their first kiss. It was passionate, heartfelt, and signaled the beginning of their official romance.
• Post-Kiss Development: Following the kiss, their relationship progressed rapidly. They started dating more openly, sharing intimate moments, and becoming each other's primary support system. The awkwardness slowly melted away, replaced by a genuine, loving connection.
• Amelia and Owen's Relationship: The on-again, off-again nature of Amelia and Owen's relationship also played a role. Meredith was hesitant to get involved with Riggs while he was still perceived as being entangled with Amelia, but as Amelia moved on (sort of), the path for Meredith and Riggs became clearer.

It's important to remember that in the world of Grey's Anatomy, relationships rarely follow a perfectly linear path. There are always twists, turns, and plenty of drama. Meredith and Riggs’s journey was no exception. It was a slow build, fueled by unspoken attraction, external obstacles, and ultimately, a shared understanding and genuine affection.

The Irony of It All

And can we talk about the irony? Meredith Grey, the woman who swore off love after Derek, finding herself falling for another cardiothoracic surgeon with a complicated past. It's like the universe has a twisted sense of humor, or perhaps, a very specific type of destiny for our favorite characters. It's a testament to how much Meredith had grown and healed that she was even open to finding love again. And Riggs, with his own emotional scars, found solace and a real connection with her. It’s almost poetic, isn’t it?

So, to recap for all you fellow dedicated Grey's fans out there: the official "getting together" moment for Meredith and Riggs, the one where you can really start counting them as a couple, is around mid-Season 13, specifically marked by their first kiss in Episode 10, "None of Your Business." Before that, it was a delightful, frustrating, and utterly captivating slow burn. And let's be honest, those slow burns are often the most rewarding, aren't they?

Keep watching, keep shipping, and remember, in the world of Shondaland, love always finds a way, even if it takes a few seasons and a whole lot of drama to get there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go rewatch those scenes and maybe shed a tear or two. For science. And for love.