Exclusive Grey's Anatomy First Look: Will Derek Ever Operate Again?

Derek's got a new profession on Grey's Anatomy!

With the prospect of never getting back into the O.R. looming, Derek (Patrick Dempsey) will turn to teaching in the Thursday, Oct. 25 episode, which was directed by Kevin McKidd.

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As Derek struggles to come to terms with his injury, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) will be there to support him, though she'll refrain from discussing her own surgeries, aware that he may never operate again — and that prospect is not looking good.

"I don't know if his hand ever will be fully recovered," Pompeo tells TVGuide.com. "I don't know if he's ever going to do surgery again, or if it's just sort of like, he can't do surgery right now, I'm not really sure."

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Check out the exclusive first look photos from the episode, "I Saw Her Standing There," along with a behind-the-scenes look at McKidd directing:

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.