“Grey’s Anatomy” returns from its winter hiatus on Thursday, Jan. 29, and according to reports, the hit ABC series will be kicking off the second half of Season 11 with a big, dramatic bang. In fact, the remainder of the 11th installment will be so intense that cast members Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington have both advised fans to stock up on tissues – and maybe tequila.

“There’s such huge stuff coming! And it’s so top secret we can’t even tell you who it involves,” Capshaw, who plays Arizona on the series, dished to TVLine.

Luddington, who portrays Jo, chimed in, warning viewers they may need the help of some wine to get through the emotionally draining upcoming story line. “See, I’ve been advising tequila,” Capshaw quipped. “But only the good stuff. I have also been saying – and I might need to patent this idea — that you need to get an iPhone-like cover for your flat-screen TV, because you’re going to be throwing stuff.”

As if we weren’t teetering on the edge of our seat already, Luddington drew us in even closer when she revealed just how traumatizing Season 11 will be.

“At the table read, people were crying. ... There’s no relaxing. There’s no calm before the storm. It’s just storm. All storm, all the time,” she said.

What could this alleged hurricane of drama possibly involve? We have a few ideas. Check out three theories below on what may be causing all the emotional chaos in Season 11:

1. Little Buddha Baby

It was revealed in episode 8 that April (Sarah Drew) and Jackson’s (Jesse Williams) child may not survive due to a life-threatening deformity. According to Arizona, the meditative-looking fetus has osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. Dr. Herman (Geena Davis) revealed that babies born with the defect “usually don’t live more than a couple of days or weeks.”

We can’t imagine how April and Jackson, excited parents-to-be, will handle the gut-wrenching news. The tears are welling already.

2. MerDer Drama

Ever since Derek (Patrick Dempsey) turned down the U.S. president's offer of a brain-mapping job, he and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) have been butting heads like never before. But Derek couldn’t wrap his head around why his wife was so frustrated with him after declining his dream job.

“You know why I resent you? Because you never had my back on this. Ever since I told you I would stay. I gave up everything for you,” he said in the midseason finale, opening the way for another MerDer fight.

Meredith stood in shock as her husband admitted to his career being “everything” as opposed to his family snagging the number one priority spot. That’s when Derek revealed that the position in Washington, D.C., had been re-offered to him.

“You should take it,” Meredith said. And without hesitation, Derek dialed the phone, accepting the job across the country.

Could the whirlwind of drama have something to do with the couple breaking up? Fans have been cheering for a happily ever after for Grey Sloan’s favorite duo since the series premiered in 2005.

3. Dr. Herman’s Fate

“Grey’s Anatomy” gave fans hope for the recovery of Dr. Herman after it was revealed Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) might be able to cure the doctor of her “inoperable brain tumor,” which has left Arizona’s boss with six months left to live.

Can Amelia save Herman’s life? Scorsone thinks so! "She's definitely taking on the case," Scorsone said in an interview with E! Online "She is hammering away at it and drawing on all of her creativity and resources and all of the technological resources available nowadays to attack this tumor."

However, even if Amelia has the ability to cure Herman, who says Herman will even accept her help? Perhaps that’s what the tearjerking moment of Season 11 could be as fans are forced to watch Herman decide her own fate.

What are you theories on the “top secret” moment rumored to blow fans away when Season 11 returns? Sound off in the comments section below with your predictions, and don’t forget to tune in to “Grey’s Anatomy” when episode 9 airs Thursday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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