Kerry Washington, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ginnifer Goodwin

Every week, senior reporter Natalie Abrams satisfies your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com or tweet them to @NatalieAbrams.

I need some Scandal scoop ASAP! — Jennie

The campaign will be in full swing when the show returns, but Fitz may not make it out unscathed. He'll have to deal with both someone swearing vengeance against him and resurfacing old rumors. In unrelated news, you will see some interesting nudity in the midseason return.

Got any scoop on The Crazy Ones? — Lindsay

I've learned exclusively that Marilu Henner has been cast as Paige, Sydney's mom, who will make her way to Chicago in mid-April when Simon and Gordon need her to cast a deciding vote. The self-absorbed Paige makes Simon look like Father of the Year. Nevertheless, she'll put a smile on Simon's face, if you know what I mean...

I so envy Natalie Abrams! I want to watch Once Upon a Time's midseason premiere too! — Emma, via Twitter

It was everything that I imagined and more. The midseason premiere, which jumps back a year to tell the story of everyone's return to the Enchanted Forest, also features a shocking proposal that doesn't quite go the way of happily-ever-after. Plus: There's this.

Got any spoilers for the new season of Bates Motel? — Sean

The new season focuses on the fallout of Miss Watson's death, in particular the toll it's taking on poor Norman, who draws suspicion by sobbing during the funeral and obsessively visiting her gravesite. And even though it's easy to assume that Norman killed Miss Watson during one of his blackouts, the new season quickly reveals that someone else in town may have had a pretty strong motive.

Do you have more Walking Dead scoop on Abraham? — Deacon

In the comics, Abraham is Rick's right-hand man, but the show will go down a different path. "Some of those stories that join us together have been told already," Michael Cudlitz tells me. For example, on the TV show Rick has already taken that trip back to the armory with Shane instead of Abraham, as in the graphic novel. "At that point in the comics, they have an understanding. We're going to handle it differently," Cudlitz says.

How long will Joe Carroll be in the shadows on The Following? — Lindsay

Not for long. An author (Sprague Grayden) who profited off Carroll's previous killing spree wants Ryan to confirm that Joe is alive, and she's threatening to go public with the information unless Ryan gives her every juicy little detail.

Do you have any scoop on the Supernatural spin-off? — Jonah

Supernatural: Tribes will air its backdoor pilot in the 20th episode of this season and longtime SPN fans will notice more than a few similarities to the original series' pilot. After the death of a loved one, the show's protagonist, Ennis, is dragged into the world of hunting and monsters. It comes as no surprise that Sam is far more sympathetic to the wannabe cop than his brother when they run into Ennis working a case in Chicago. And while Tribes lacks Supernatural's beloved sibling angst, Ennis has his fair share of Winchester-level daddy issues.

Thanks for the scoop on Danny and Mindy. But can't you give me any better news when it comes to my favorite Mindy Project couple? — Trina

Well, first off, they're not a couple — at least that's the word on the street. It probably isn't a good sign that in an upcoming episode, Mindy has sworn off all men. Yup, even Danny. But that's OK, he'll be busy cozying up to Peter's sister (JoAnna Garcia Swisher).

Do you have any Chicago Fire scoop? — Brian

Dawson and Casey are still together... for now. But the EMT-turned-firefighter-in-training will soon seek solace in her new teacher, Severide. "We really get close," Monica Raymund says. "I need him and he's there for me and we have this... truthful moment where I don't want to admit something to him and he just gets it and he takes me out and brings me to the firehouse to cheer me up."

I can't wait for The Originals to come back. — Janelle

Me neither! Maybe Elijah can, though, since he'll face major repercussions for choosing to save Hayley over his siblings. "There is a guilt [and] shame attached to that," executive producer Julie Plec says. "It definitely drives him hard to rescue his siblings in the next episode and to try to pull the family back together even as it's under assault." Unfortunately, the Original family won't just be battling witches. The werewolves will join the fray in the latter half of the season.

I'm really enjoying The Blacklist. Any idea about what's coming up? — Nancy

So that upcoming episode featuring both Dianne Wiest and Lance Reddick is pretty much going to be off the hook. But NBC's description of Wiest's character as "kind and sympathetic" is not quite how I'd put it, particularly since she has a vendetta and will make Cooper pay for a past mistake. While she's fighting against capital punishment, she's not above using it herself.

Will Stefan and Katherine hook up again on The Vampire Diaries? — Bridget

Well, Katherine has made it her mission to do just that now that she's taken over Elena's body. She's going to come really close in the first episode back when the two take a little road trip that, of course, involves a stop at a motel... and a steamy shower.

Mega Rave: Jimmy Fallon made his Tonight Show debut in style. From the Tonight Show Superlatives — lesbian Screech! — to the evolution of hip-hop dancing with Will Smith, it was a fun ride that kept me up way past my bedtime. Totally worth it. Your move, Letterman.

Mini Rant: Are the Olympics over yet? I want my regularly scheduled TV back, please.

This week's recommendation: Arrow (Wednesday, 8/7c on The CW). Sure, it's a repeat since the Olympics are on, but it's hands-down the best episode of the season. Barry is struck by lightning and Slade is revealed as the Big Bad! How can it get any better than that?

Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.com or drop me a line at Twitter.com/TVGuide



(Additional reporting by Adam Bryant, Sadie Gennis, Liz Raftery, Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)