Debbie Allen is returning to Grey's Anatomy, at least behind the camera.

Allen, who portrays Dr. Jackson Avery's mother Catherine on the ABC medical drama, will direct the third episode of the coming Grey's Anatomy Season 9, according to a TV Guide report.

It will be her fifth time directing the long-running series.

The ninth season picks up 2-3 months after the stranded doctors were rescued after a plane crash ... at least the ones who make it. Whether Mark dies along with Lexie is an open question.

The second episode will jump back in time to answer the questions of what happened during that time frame, while the Allen-directed third episode will jump back to the present timeline.

In it, we will find some doctors outside of Seattle Grace with new jobs.

No word on whether Catherine Avery, who was last seen having a fling with Richard will also appear in the episode, but how do you see this episode - and the two before it - playing out.

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Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.