The Most Heartbreaking Character Exits on Grey's Anatomy, Ranked

We never thought we'd have to lose McSteamy! Mark's death is all the crueler for the bit of hope we're given before it's snatched away. Initially, during the plane crash, Mark seems to be one of the least injured, although he's devastated by comforting Lexie Grey as she dies. In the weeks after their rescue, however, his condition plummets, and he eventually goes to where, as he tells Callie, Lexie is waiting for him. The one comfort comes several years later, when Mark and Lexie both visit Meredith on her "beach" — turns out, Mark was serious and Lexie really was waiting for him on the other side.