'Grey's Anatomy': Ellen Pompeo and Kelly McCreary talk Mer and Maggie

Greys Anatomys trip to the past on Thursday night was two-fold: Not only did viewers get a deeper glimpse into the life of Ellis Grey (Kate Burton/Sally Pressman), but the dynamics of the emotional hour had an old school Greys feel that fans of the long-running ABC drama could truly appreciate.

During the hour, Greys returned to the scene of the crime, so to speak, the famous carousel scene in which Richard (James Pickens Jr./J. August Richards) left Ellisbut this time, we finally found out the motivations why. In the wake of Ellis being nominated for her first Harper Avery Award, Richard decided to leave Ellis because he would always be in her shadow. As a result, she decided to slit her wrists, but Meredith called 911 in time. It was when Ellis was admitted to the hospital that she found out she was pregnant with Maggie (Kelly McCreary)all memories that came rushing back to Meredith given new information from Richard and her mothers journals.

That was really challenging to have to play, completely not remembering anything and then remembering everything, Pompeo tells EW. The voice over kind of reveals that your memorys like this. Sometimes you remember everything, sometimes you remember things wrong. You think something happened and it didnt or whatever. That was pretty challenging to play. I hope that scene is satisfying to the audience.

The revelations provided Meredith an opportunity to bond with Maggie, sharing one of Ellis journals that subtly showed she cared about the daughter she gave up for adoptionshe stopped drinking wine during that time and began tracking her food intake. That might not mean much to the average person, but for Ellis Grey, it was monumental. Theyre both adults and they realize they both got off on the wrong foot, Pompeo says. Maggies here to find out things, so lets give her the information shes looking for. Meredith is trying to help with out with why she came here. Im sure theyll be friends and then Im sure theyll have an argument. Theyll have conflict. I can guarantee that, too.

They got off to such a rough start that its really hard to build trust and affection for anyone when you saw each others ugliest parts from the start, McCreary adds. Theyre definitely walking on eggshells, but well find them coming together on cases and working a little more cooperatively. Well find them taking baby steps to be friendlyif not friends, sisters.

The path to going from colleagues to sisters was a rough road, however. In the wake of Richard telling Maggie that hes her father more than a week after her arrival, Maggie had handed in her resignation. Its truly thanks to Derek that se is sticking around. Compared to the reactions from Richard and Meredith, Derek welcoming his half-sister-in-law with open arms was a breath of fresh air. Derek becomes my unexpected friend, McCreary says. I love that with Derek, she gets the pleasantly surprised reaction she was hoping for. Its the first time where its not the worst news in the world to learn about her identity.

Though Maggie will be hesitant to let Richard in after getting off to such a rocky start, there is hope she can forgive him, too. I think shell have to, McCreary says. She has come all this way to find out about her parents. Shes given up her career on the East coast. Theres a lot at stake to actually see through what she came here to do.

On the bright side, Meredith and Maggie coming together gave Mer and Der a timeout from their ongoing fight. Though he insinuated that Meredith is becoming more like her mothershe totally is, right?he called a truce after Maggie told him the truth. I have a feeling Meredith and Derek are going to work it out, Pompeo says with a knowing smile. I have a crazy, kooky feeling that theyre going to work it out. We have to create conflict all the time so it will always be one foot in the door, one foot out the door. Theyll make up and then theyll fight, theyll make up and then theyll fightwhat will continue to happen until the series is over.

I think its the same exact dynamic, Pompeo continues, referencing the years fans felt frustrated by the will-they-wont-they Mer-Der struggle. Theyre creating the same exact dynamics that they were then now, just the circumstances are different. But its still, Will they, wont they?

With all that said, does reconciling with her sister mean Merediths recent fits of rage and anger are on a decline? Maybe, Pompeo says. Its also possible that the writers really like my mad face, maybe thats why they do it, because I look so good when I crinkle up my nose. I do good mad face.

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'Grey's Anatomy': Ellen Pompeo and Kelly McCreary talk Mer and Maggie