Why is Supernatural role-playing around? Will Once Upon a Time‘s nogoodnik captain find a friend in Maine? What has the Liars acting extra-paranoid? And why is Seth Gabel so “high” on Arrow? Read on for answers to those questions plus teases from other shows.

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Supernatural | As previously reported, geek goddess Felicia Day will reprise her role of Charlie in an episode titled “LARP and the Real Girl.” Um, can someone explain…? “That is our live-action role-playing episode,” show boss Jeremy Carver shares. “We will discover that young Charlie Bradbury, in running from her past life, has found herself a new life in a new community. Basically, [she] has fallen into the welcoming arms of a community of LARPers.” Watch for Day’s return to air in mid-January.

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Once Upon a Time | You may think that once he drops anchor in Storybrooke, Hook might not have any friends in town. But think again. Remember, the henchman Belle’s florist father hired was no less than Smee (played by Eureka‘s Christopher Gauthier), who is due to return after the holiday hiatus. “Smee will definitely play a part in Hook’s plans,” Colin O’Donoghue assured me. Speaking of the sidekick’s previous target, could Belle land in Hook’s hooks, as a way of getting back at his mortal foe Rumplestiltskin? “Belle is such a huge part of Rumple’s life…,” O’Donoghue agreed. “She might figure into the equation.”

Homeland | To the surprise of some, Jessica recently “reconnected” (so to speak) with old flame Mike, and seems to have no regrets about it. “I think she is allowing herself to go there, not knowing what is going to happen – and that is OK,” Morena Baccarin told us of her character’s mindset. “She’s been depleted for so long in her relationship with Brody that she is just finally getting something for herself.” Though that something may seem newly messy now, with Brody appropriately suspicious of the rekindled affair, Baccarin promises that by the season finale airing Dec. 16, “There will be resolution” one way or another.

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Pretty Little Liars | We checked out the season opener airing Jan. 8, and paranoia is all the rage as Emily’s dad installs a home security system (can you blame him after all that’s happened?) and Mona returns to school but not before paying a nighttime visit to one of the girls. Meanwhile, Aria’s trying really hard to defend her dad against her friends’ suspicions, but a disturbing confrontation may force her to look at him in a new light. And if you, like the foursome, think you know who Aria stabbed during Halloween, prepare for a big twist! Lastly, two words: Cow brains.

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Arrow | While working the red carpet at Fringe‘s 100th Episode party, I had the chance to ask Lincoln Lee Seth Gabel about his upcoming run of villainy on Arrow. As the CW hit’s incarnation of the DC baddie Vertigo, he’s playing The Count, a “street thug drug kingpin” whose No. 1 product is dubbed Vertigo. If taken orally, the drug makes the user feel as if “walking on air,” Gabel shared. But if injected… that’s when bad things happen – drawing the interest of one hooded vigilante. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had,” said Gabel, who described his alter ego’s look as “very street,in a flamboyant, theatrical, grounded way,” with spiky hair, fingerless gloves and “a lot of black.” Does Oliver have his work cut out for him? Sure sounds like it. “I basically rule the street, so he’s got a long way to go up the chain to get to me,” Gabel warns.

Closing with a few reader questions….

Matt, why is CSI: NY ending their season so soon? I LOVE this show! Does this mean there will not be another season? –Grace

Actually, it was always the plan for CSI: NY Season 9 to have a shorter run, of 17 episodes — and the season-ender set for Feb. 22 is Episode 17. As for renewal talk, we’re months away from that.

Do you have any scoop on USA’s underrated gem, Suits? –Holly

We recently bumped into the omnipresent, always-working Rachael Harris, and she teased her upcoming encore as Harvard rep Sheila Sazs. “I have a bunch of fun stuff to do with Rick Hoffman,” who plays Louis Litt, she told us. “Let’s just say Rick needs a favor from Sheila!” (Suits returns Jan.17.)

I’ve been watching Revolution and find their crossbow interesting. I would like to know if it’s more than a prop, and is it available online. If so, where? –Walt

I asked around, Walt, and, alas, that bad boy is pretty much a custom job. “It was a crossbow purchased by the prop department for the pilot, then they had the original butt cut off to make it shorter. All the leather was added, and it was repainted as well,” a production rep tells me. Just as well, man – it’s all fun and games ’til someone loses an eye.

If there’s a show you’d like the Inside Line on, email mattmtvguy@gmail.com, and maybe it’ll get some love the next time around! (With reporting by Meg Masters and Vlada Gelman)