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2 • February 7 - 13, 2016 • Brainerd Dispatch By Kyla Brewer TV Media E veryone loves an Oscar winner. Bringing in an Academy Award winner is a surefire way to create a buzz around a series, but one med- ical drama is taking an unexpected approach with acclaimed actor Denzel Washington ("Training Day," 2001). Instead of showing off his acting chops on screen, he stepped behind the camera to di- rect the midseason premiere of "Grey's Anatomy," which airs Thursday, Feb. 11, on ABC. In January, a promo for the Washington-directed episode sent fans into a frenzy as they speculat- ed what had happened to Mere- dith (Ellen Pompeo, "Old School," 2003) after she was shown face down on the floor and later blood- ied and wearing an oxygen mask. Kelly McCreary ("Emily Owens M.D."), who plays Meredith's half sister Dr. Maggie Pierce, revealed some details at the Television Crit- ics Association panel: "Meredith gets attacked by someone you would least expect and it is just as terrifying, shocking and harrowing as it appears." Created by television hitmaker Shonda Rhimes ("Scandal"), "Grey's Anatomy" chronicles the day-to-day lives of doctors at Se- attle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hos- pital. Pompeo leads the cast as Dr. Meredith Grey, a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 2007. She's been with the series for all 12 seasons, along with Chandra Wilson ("Philadelphia," 1993) as Dr. Miranda Bailey, Justin Chambers ("The Wedding Plan- ner," 2001) as Dr. Alex Karev, and James Pickens Jr. ("The X-Files") as Dr. Richard Webber. Other nota- ble cast members include Sandra Oh ("Sideways," 2004) as Dr. Cris- tina Yang, who left the show after season 10, and Patrick Dempsey ("Sweet Home Alabama," 2002) as Dr. Derek Shepherd (a.k.a. "Mc- Dreamy" to fans), who left after season 11. The current ensemble cast of "Grey's" also includes Sara Ramir- ez ("Sofia the First") as Dr. Callie Torres, Kevin McKidd ("Trainspot- ting," 1996) as Dr. Owen Hunt, Jessica Capshaw ("The Practice") as Dr. Arizona Robbins, Jesse Wil- liams ("Lee Daniel's The Butler," 2013) as Dr. Jackson Avery, Sarah Drew ("Everwood") as Dr. April Kepner, Caterina Scorsone ("Missing") as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Ludding- ton ("William & Kate") as Dr. Jo Wilson, Jerrika Hin- ton ("Rain," 2006) as Dr. Stephanie Edwards, and Jason George ("Off the Map") as Dr. Ben War- ren. Washington's "Grey's Anatomy" gig may mark the first time he's directed for televi- sion, but he has di- rected two films for the big screen: "Antwone Fisher" (2002) and "The Great Debaters" (2007), both of which he also starred in. And while he may be new to directing for TV, he has a great resource in long- time friend and "Grey's Anatomy" executive producer Debbie Allen ("Fame"), who's directed a num- ber of "Grey's" episodes over the years. It's a good thing, too. With fans champing at the bit to find out what happens next, Wash- ington had his work cut out for him directing the highly antici- pated episode penned by writer/producer Stacy McKee. The episode features a thrilling storyline that could draw viewers back to the medical drama. While "Grey's" used to be all anyone wanted to talk about, the show could use a little resuscitation in the ratings department. After sit- ting among the top 10 series in its first four seasons, the show's over- all ratings have steadily declined from almost 20 million regular viewers in its season 2 heyday to 8.5 million tuning in to the mid- season finale, which aired in No- vember. It's a good time to inject a little excitement into the series, in the wake of the departure of fan fa- vorite Dempsey last season. Many critics speculated the series wouldn't survive without Mc- Dreamy, but it's still performing very well in the all-important 18 to 49 demographic. If someone can help turn the tide, it's Washington. After all, he's no stranger to medical dramas — he started out in one. After his film debut in 1981's "Carbon Copy," his career really took off when he was cast in the hit NBC series "St. Elsewhere." From 1982 until the show's finale in 1988, the actor portrayed Dr. Philip Chandler, en- dearing himself to millions of tele- vision viewers week after week before making it big on the silver screen. His role as South African anti-apartheid activist Steven Biko in "Cry Freedom" made film critics sit up and take notice in 1987. He followed that up with his Oscar- winning turn as an ex-slave soldier in "Glory" (1989) and won anoth- er Oscar for his portrayal of a cor- rupt cop in "Training Day" (2001). With a career spanning three de- cades, the actor has amassed a number of other notable film cred- its, including "Malcolm X" (1992), "Philadelphia" (1993), "The Hurri- cane" (1999) and "Remember the Titans" (2000). Some more recent credits include "Flight" (2012) and "The Equalizer" (2014). For his acclaimed body of work, Washington was recently awarded one of Hollywood's biggest honors. At the 73rd Annual Golden Globes, he became the third black actor ever to be recognized with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Golden Globes' lifetime achievement honor. Hopefully, he'll bring that gold- en touch to his work directing "Grey's." Don't miss the Oscar winner's television directorial de- but in "Grey's Anatomy," returning with its midseason premiere Thursday, Feb. 11, on ABC. Chandra Wilson as seen in "Grey's Anatomy" Down and Denzel Oscar winner directs new 'Grey's Anatomy' Cover Story this week 501 W Washington St, Brainerd 218-828-1823 www.heartlandtireservice.com FULL SERVICE OIL CHANGE $ 19.99 WITH VALVOLINE QUALITY OIL Offer good with coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Not available at all locations. Expires 2/29/16 . up to 5 qts oil and filter . most cars, vans and light trucks . includes fluid top off most fluids plus tax & fees WINDSHIELD WIPERS $ 19.99 Most cars, vans, and light trucks. Must present coupon to receive savings. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. Offer good with coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Not available at all locations. Expires 2/29/16 INSTALLED PAIR Offer good with coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Not available at all locations. 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