‘Station 19’: Ranking All 5 Seasons from Worst to Best – Which Season Stands Above the Rest?

As Station 19 heads into its sixth season in the fall of 2022, fans have been revisiting the past five seasons, ranking them from worst to best. The rankings are based on IMDb scores, Rotten Tomatoes reviews, TV ratings, and fan opinions. Here’s how each season stacks up:

5. Season 1 – A Rocky Start

Season 1 had a tough beginning, primarily because it was a backdoor pilot introduced through Grey’s Anatomy. It laid the groundwork for the series, introducing key characters like Andy Herrera (Jaina Lee Ortiz) and Ben Warren (Jason George). However, critics had mixed reviews, and it had the lowest ratings of all five seasons. Many fans felt it lacked a strong spark, especially for viewers who weren’t already fans of the Grey’s Anatomy universe. While the series found its footing later, Season 1 didn’t quite hook audiences in the way other seasons would.

4. Season 5 – A Disappointing Turn

While Season 5 had higher ratings than the first two seasons, many fans found it unsatisfying. A major blow was the death of beloved character Dean Miller (Okieriete Onaodowan), which was handled too abruptly, and fans felt there was a lack of emotional depth in dealing with the loss. Many also noted a significant shift in the show’s dynamic, with the team no longer feeling as close-knit, and some key relationships (such as Andy’s departure to Station 23) not being explored enough. The controversial sperm donor plot and underwhelming portrayal of Chief Ross (Merle Dandridge) also disappointed fans. Overall, Season 5 left many viewers hoping for a stronger comeback in Season 6.

3. Season 4 – Heavy but Impactful

Season 4 was a more socially conscious season, tackling important issues such as sex trafficking, the Black Lives Matter movement, and COVID-19. While these heavy topics made for intense storytelling, it wasn’t always easy to watch. However, the season ended on a relatively positive note with Maya and Carina’s wedding, though it was tempered by Maya’s unexpected demotion. While Season 4 didn’t reach the heights of earlier seasons, it was still well-received for its bold and timely storytelling.

2. Season 2 – A Strong Follow-up

Season 2 garnered some of the highest IMDb ratings of the series, particularly the final two episodes, which earned impressive scores of 9.1 and 8.7. The emotional and poignant death of Fire Chief Lucas Ripley (Brett Tucker) struck a chord with viewers, and many fans praised how the series handled the character’s loss. The season also struck a balance between drama and character development, with episodes that delved deep into the firefighters’ lives. Though the season didn’t quite surpass Season 3 in terms of fan popularity, it still stands as a solid season in the series.

1. Season 3 – The Fan-Favorite

Season 3 is widely regarded as the best season of Station 19. It was the season where the show found its rhythm, with a perfect blend of emotional storytelling, character growth, and team dynamics. The death of Pruitt Herrera (Miguel Sandoval) was one of the standout moments, and the way the characters coped with this loss resonated deeply with viewers. Fans loved the more balanced focus on all characters, with each firefighter getting meaningful storylines. The season was praised for maintaining the family-like dynamic of the station, something that was somewhat lost in later seasons. Overall, Season 3 remains the fan-favorite and sets the bar for what fans want in future seasons.

As Station 19 moves forward, many hope it will recapture the spirit of Season 3 and address some of the critiques from Season 5, particularly around character relationships and emotional depth.