Below is a photo gallery for Thursday's all-new episode of Grey's Anatomy, "These Ties That Bind." Meredith's old friend Sadie arrives and makes her presence felt early.
Meanwhile, Lexie leads her fellow interns in secretive, unorthodox surgical training sessions; and a new surgeon, Virginia Dixon, brings some law and order to the OR.
Click to enlarge any of the pics below, with many more after the jump!
Former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington - who was let go from the show after the end of the third season in mid-2007 (amid allegations of making homophobic slurs about gay co-star T.R. Knight) - is slamming the show for its recent firing of Brooke Smith.
"I looked at a brilliant actress, whom I have adored since I first saw her in Silence of the Lambs," Washington says in the November 17 issue of TV Guide.
"For her to be treated this way, I find very interesting."
After Brooke Smith was let go, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes released a statement last week insisting she "was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian" and did not think the "chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."
Regardless, Isaiah Washington says the move was harsh.
"The fact is that, just before the holidays, you have a mother, a wonderful actress removed from a steady income without the proper reasoning behind it," he said.
"You look at the way another consummate professional [is] being treated because her character, her story line [has] potentially made producers uncomfortable."
He says Shonda Rhimes is getting the raw deal.
"Now that I see what they're doing to a show that I love and I care about, I think it's disgusting," Isaiah Washington said. "The fact that Shonda has been put in this position is extremely unfair. It's unfortunate because it was probably, at the time, the most progressive show on television. Now I see it [being] systematically torn apart."
How can the show be fixed?
"Bring Burke back!" Washington says.
Would he return to the show, despite all the drama? "Absolutely!"
Below is the promo for this week's all-new episode of Grey's Anatomy, "These Ties That Bind," that aired at the end of last week's show. Looks like a particularly intense one.
Photo gallery and sneak previews to come soon!
Hey, it's just one of the things girlfriends / wives have to do sometimes - especially if there's facial hair involved. Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl takes a napkin to her husband of almost a year, musician Josh Kelley, over lunch in Los Angeles this weekend ...
Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery celebrated Tao Nightclub’s three year anniversary - and their own wedding anniversary, and Ellen's birthday - in The Venetian Hotel and Casino Resort on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Also on hand where Amanda Bynes, Jenna Fischer (source of many funny Office quotes) director Darren Aronofsky, Robin Thicke, Stacy Keibler and Private Practice stars Taye Diggs and Kate Walsh, who came with husband Alex Young.
Here's a cute shot of Ellen and Kate:
Yesterday, Eric Dane celebrated his 36th birthday. Today it's Ellen Pompeo turning a year older - the Grey's Anatomy leading lady is 39. Happy birthday, Ellen! Today is also her first wedding anniversary and the second anniversary of Chris Ivery proposing!
Makes it easy to remember the dates, right? Here's a little photo tribute to Ellen Pompeo we put together in honor of the special occasion. Click to enlarge ...
Grey's Anatomy hunk Eric Dane, a.k.a. Mark Sloan, a.k.a. Dr. McSteamy, turns 36 today. In honor of the occasion, here's a little photo tribute to the talented (and hot) actor we've come to know and love for the past couple of seasons - click any of the pics to enlarge!
While fans gather in our Grey's Anatomy forum to discuss each character, couple and plot twist, the Insider staff comes together to talk about some of the best moments and share opinions regarding the latest episode of our favorite medical drama.
Topics for our Round Table for "Rise Up" include Erica Hahn's departure, Mark Sloan's future, Denny Duquette's latest return, and various kinds of alcohol ...
1. What was your favorite Grey's Anatomy quote from the episode?
McCritic: Like my new favorite character, Dr. Hunt, allow me to be serious for a moment: I appreciated his intense approach to patient care when he yelled at Karev for carelessly treating a patient: "What you did was treat a man who's fighting to live like he's already dead. You have no sense, no decency and no respect!"
missingBurke: It was more of a sequence than a specific quote, but I loved the Chief operating the robo-patient and messing with George. LOL.
iheartizzie: Given the events of the past week, I found Erica telling Callie "there is no gray area here" a little ironic, because clearly when it comes to network execs determining what's taboo and what isn't, that Grey area is pretty massive.
2. Denny: We want more, or enough is enough?
iheartizzie: I love Denny, and always have, but is this the third time he's been back since the Season Two finale? At some point, Izzie and Shonda both have to let it go.
McCritic: Enough! Jeffrey Dean Morgan is starring in Watchmen next year. The guy isn't in need of work.
missingBurke: Denny's the best! Challenging as it is to find new ways to incorporate him into the plot, and I say keep it up! Wouldn't mind more Kyle Chandler, too ...
Welcome, Grey's Anatomy Insider Caption Contest players, to the 131st edition.
It was close, but this week's Caption Contest winner is McDreamy's Susan.
Scroll down to see the winning entry and the full list of submissions we received. We wish you all the best of luck again this week in all-new Caption Contest!
"That is THE last time I'm betting an entire paycheck on the presidential election!"
TV Guide reports this morning that Grey's Anatomy and its spin-off, Private Practice, will be embarking on a multi-episode crossover story for February sweeps.
Though at this very early stage the number of episodes and the sum total of actors involved has yet to be nailed down, it can at least be confirmed that Kate Walsh's character, Dr. Addison Montgomery will again be walking the halls of Seattle Grace.
Addison returned for one episode late in Season Four after leaving the Grey's Anatomy cast for the sunny skies of L.A. and Private Practice after Season Three.
What brings Addison (Kate Walsh) back to Seattle this time?
Who from Seattle Grace might show their face at Oceanside Wellness? Walsh personally cast her vote for Mark Sloan, saying, "It'd be fun to have him cause some trouble!"
That said, the actual list of involved cast members from each show, besides Walsh, is unconfirmed. Who would you like to see - and under what premise?
"In the Midnight Hour"
Thursday, November 20, 9 p.m. (NEW, 5.9)
"All By Myself"
Thursday, December 4, 9 p.m. (NEW, 5.10)
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