Grey’s Anatomy Gets Dream Return

The dead come back to life and paths not taken are explored in an upcoming episode of Grey’s Anatomy that features the return of Kate Burton as Meredith’s deceased mom.

While Christmas will have already come and gone, you could probably call this the It’s a Wonderful Life episode of Grey’s Anatomy, only this time the tale has a slight twist. Instead of seeing what life would be like if you weren’t born, you get to see what might have happened if you had lived.

According to EW.com, the upcoming dreamscape episode, which is actually titled If/Then, brings Burton back as Meredith’s mom, Ellis, who imagines how different life would be for her daughter if she were alive and well. Another Grey’s blast from the past will also be returning for the same episode as Meredith wonders in the dream what would’ve happened if Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) had stayed with Derek, instead of heading off for her own Private Practice.

While there is plenty of uncharted territory to explore with this twist, it looks like Kate and Addison will be the only examples of what could have been because no other former series regulars are expected to make an appearance, and that’s too bad because I think this whole ‘what if’ idea could be an entertaining diversion from the normal storylines.

An exact air date isn’t known at this time, but If/Then is expected to play some time in February 2012.