As we reported yesterday, Grey's Anatomy will soon feature a flashback episode, giving us a glimpse into the romance between Chief Webber and Meredith's late mother Ellis Grey.

The series is now casting for younger versions of James Pickens Jr. and Kate Burton.

While the story for this episode is most likely about the roots of Chief's alcoholism, there are also rumored that it may relate to Ellis and Richard's secret love child ... Dr. Avery.

That's right, hot Mercy West doctor Jackson, played by Jesse Williams and introduced earlier in Season Six. Could he be the secret child of the Chief, and Meredith's half-brother?

Some have long wondered if Meredith's daddy issues with Chief were purely psychological or if there was a genetic component to the relationship, but this would be a new wrinkle.

You may also recall that there was a casting note earlier this year for a mixed-race doctor, a rarity for a show known for its "blind" casting system, around the time of the merger.

Why would the racial makeup of the character (who is unnamed, but Jackson would fit the bill) matter unless there were a tie-in that would require him to look a certain way?

Just speculation, of course. What's your take on it?

Is Dr. Jackson Avery about to get even more intriguing?

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