After 11 seasons and multiple tragic deaths, Grey's Anatomy killed off its biggest character yet.
RIP Derek Shepherd
And even though some fans were spoiled before the episode aired, nothing could prepare us for the secondhand pain we felt as Meredith first looked at her brain-dead husband:
And when she sat by his bed as he was unplugged:
And then when she had the nurse stop pulling plugs so she could try to wake him up:
While "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol played in the background.
And then when the screen cut to a flashback montage playing all of Mer and Der's most memorable moments, ending with the first time Meredith said bye to Derek:
And then when we came back to the present and Meredith said bye to Derek for the last time:
Fans were experiencing a wide range of emotions watching one of the show's central characters meet his end...
Some were in denial.
ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME, @shondarhimes !? - All Greys' fans #GreysAnatomy
Is this really happening?!?!? 😭😭😭😭 #GreysAnatomy
Is this REALLY how #McDreamy goes out? #GreysAnatomy
I refuse to believe that just happened #GreysAnatomy 😭💔
Others were mad these non–Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital doctors screwed up.
Can I sue a fictional hospital for wrongful death? #GreysAnatomy
I would've been tearing that hospital apart, calling every powerful lawyer I can think of #GreysAnatomy
Plenty were furious at Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes.
Dear Shonda Rhimes... #GreysAnatomy
SHONDA LYNN RHIMES. NO. AND NO. And how about NO. @shondarhimes #GreysAnatomy
I can't believe @shondarhimes would do this to us. #GreysAnatomy - that was NOT right.
Currently balling my eyes out....I can't believe you @shondarhimes #GreysAnatomy
So many feelings. I can't @shondarhimes -- I'm over your emotional shenanigans. Why u gotta be like that, girl? #GreysAnatomy #McDreamy
No ma'am @shondarhimes. You need to sit in a corner & think about what you just did. #tgit #GreysAnatomy
But generally, viewers were really sad.
The saddest day in TV history has just happened....... #GreysAnatomy
Like, people literally couldn't stop crying.
Literally can't stop crying #GreysAnatomy
Can't stop crying. Omg. I can't even #GreysAnatomy
I legit can't stop crying. #GreysAnatomy
never cried so hard in my life #GreysAnatomy
I'm literally just sitting here sobbing please no #GreysAnatomy
The ugly cry came out in full force.
Oh god, of course. Enter the ugly cry. #ChasingCars #GreysAnatomy
I am ugly crying, I am ugly Kim Kardashian crying face crying right now. I am mess. My heart is broken. I can not handle this. #GreysAnatomy
Hearts were breaking everywhere.
My heart was just broken #GreysAnatomy 😭😭😭😭😭
I think I can actually feel my heart breaking... #GreysAnatomy
Just totally crushed.
My heart was attached to that man and his story and they just ripped it apart and stomped on it! #GreysAnatomy
Some fans vowed they would never watch the show again.
I may have to move out of Shondaland. I love it but my heart can't take it. #GreysAnatomy #RIPDerek
I AM DONE. Ten years of watching this show and they ruined it in 60 minutes. #GreysAnatomy
I quit this show I quit @shondarhimes you done f%*ked with too many of my emotions. #GreysAnatomy
Because what is fake Seattle without Derek Shepherd?
Looks like I won't be watching #GreysAnatomy after this season. They're killing off all the my favorite people. 💔💔💔💔💔
Officially done with #GreysAnatomy after 10 plus years I AM DONE. Didn't do his character an ounce of justice.
It was a good 11 years together, McDreamy.
my life is over thanks alot #GreysAnatomy